Coffee n Danish

My grandfather's song

2011-07-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is my grandfather's composition, "Holly Hop." He is also playing on piano here. The song was later picked up by Woody Herman, with the name then changed to, "Hot Chestnuts."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7WQtyGz828

Jazz Profiles: Woody Herman: The Early Herds

2010-09-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Jazz Profiles: Woody Herman: The Early Herds

I've posted this here, this article has mention of my grandfather, Robert Hartsell, a jazz musician who wrote a song called "Hot Chestnuts" and performed with Woody Herman in the early 1940s.

A reporter in the trenches of ordinary life

2010-07-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that it has been nearly a year to the day since I've blogged here. I'm not sure why, if it was due in part to the seduction of Facebook, where you are guaranteed an instant audience based on the number of friends you have online, that will see and hopefully, respond to your statuses. I'm not alone. Several of my blogging friends have ceased writing entries as well. I hope that will change.

My father in law, Dick Sheridan, a respected veteran reporter at The New York Daily News who is currently writing a work of fiction, recently started a blog of his own, to keep in step with the other media outlets-Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. This is just one reason why I too, feel I need to get back to maintaining my own blog, to keep things fresh. You can find a link to his brand new blog on the top left.

Today, Harvey Pekar, author of the "American Splendor" comic books, passed away at 70, he'd been battling prostate cancer, depression. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Brabner and their adopted daughter. An Ohio file clerk, he decided to write about everyday instances that millions could relate to in his comic book series, illustrated by numerous artists including Robert Crumb. Last year I bought an anthology of his works, some of which had me laughing to tears, some moved me. He is something of an eccentric curmudgeon, so some are turned off by him. Not enough razzle dazzle, I s'pose.

In the age of the "Harry Potter" series and other recent bestselling works of fiction, I wonder or doubt that there is an audience for stories about the hardships of ordinary people-real life happenings without magic, the allure of a period or a scifi spin. It takes writers like Pekar, David Sedaris and Jeannette Walls and more recently, Sloane Crosley and Justin Halpern for me to be reminded that the market for these kinds of stories is alive and beats with a strong heart. Thank God. My only regret is that I did not follow through to write Harvey Pekar as I'd once intended.

However, this year, I did write Jeannette Walls, author of "The Glass Castle" in an attempt to glean advice on writing a memoir, not necessarily expecting I'd hear back, but of course I hoped. Sure enough, about a month later, in May 2010, I received a custom made postcard with her picture with a horse. On the back, she'd handwritten me a note, and while I know I still have a ways to go, I am encouraged and inspired to continue working on my memoir.

In the meantime, I continue to write for a consulting firm specializing in union publications, with clients including the Utility Workers Union of America. I hope to continue to give voice to their stories, and perhaps tell a few more of my own.

Music, Memoirs and Me

2009-07-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

The summer of 2009 has bolted like a racehorse and is nearly half over. These past couple of weeks have been slow work wise, so I've taken some time for myself a bit, with writing my memoir, getting some new clothes and renewing my library card to read some new memoirs.

A couple of weeks ago I took a three-hour memoir writing workshop, which helped me realize some of my writing handicaps, particularly in the area of 'seeing vs. saying'...remembering to describe those that I may have seen endless times, but another person perhaps, never has. To choose adjectives over saying 'x' looks like 'so and so.' It's a cop out I too frequently rely on. I remembered being overwhelmed walking home that night after the class, committed to what I've started, but worried if I'll be able to execute it in the best way possible.

I'm only a few chapters in, but already the memoir "Here if You Need Me: A True Story" paints a picture of an incredibly strong woman, in ways I could only hope to be facing the sudden loss of a loved one. The author, Kate Braestrup was married to a state trooper that aspired to be a minister. Sudddenly he is killed in a car accident. She slowly pieces her life with her four children back together and eventually becomes one of Maine's first chaplains ever appointed to the Maine Warden Service. Her choice to personally bathe and prepare her husband's body after his autopsy, prior to his cremation, is bold and moving. I look forward to reading further. I've also gotten a memoir by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme, "My Life in France," along with Joan Didion's "A Year of Magical Thinking," so I've got a full plate.

Ian and I recently went to a fantastic concert too, our first in a year since Radiohead. I hope the 'annual' gig doesn't become a pattern-there's too much good music out there, but life, money, time often are scarce. We caught The Dead Weather-Jack White's third band-in concert at Terminal 5. I secured a spot before 6pm, the band didn't go on til almost 10:30pm, but being thisclose to the stage, seeing Jack White, was amazing. The energy the new band had together was fresh and exciting, and the house was mobbed. It was the best night we'd had out in a while. Jack White is HOT!

Spring 2009 Reading, Watching, Listening Update

2009-04-23T05:45:00.000-07:00

Read "The Reader" by German lawyer and judge Bernhard Schlink, in about a day's time. While beautifully written, I was disappointed with the story's 'twist', which seemed in the end somewhere between 'twisted' & or stupid. I had guessed fairly early in the book this aspect, but I didn't think it was the main part of the story. I won't give it away here. Still debating whether to watch the film, although I love Kate Winslet.

Started Mirielle Guiliano's "French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure," which offers some simple, yet sage advice that is slowly melting into my psyche about how to further streamline my daily eating/living habits, to maximize my health and pleasure. How can anyone go wrong with that?

Also started the third 'Twilight' book, "Eclipsed". I enjoyed the first part of the second book, "New Moon" that explores Bella's relationship with Edward's family and Jacob, her other close friend that is also a werewolf. The stories, while perhaps simple and straightforward, still fuse together lots of issues as a parent of a teen I can relate to, regarding change, love, family, separation.

On the tube: I'm liking a new show, The Unusuals, kind of like a darker, hourlong version of "Scrubs" in a police precinct setting. Great cast, Amber Tamblyn, Harold Perrineau ("Lost"), Adam Goldberg, and Jeremy Renner. Peculiar plots and I love that it's set in downtown Manhattan, with bits scattered in Queens. Each character has their own 'secret.' The writers/producers are pretty vocal on their Facebook page, if you want to check it out.

New York Noise on NYC 25 can often be a case of hit or miss, but seeing how MTV and VH1 show little or no music during their primetime hours, might be worth a look/listen. They show videos of local talent (ex. Vampire Weekend) as well as folks across the pond, and there have been a few gems found along the way. Thanks to DVR, you can fast forward through the crappier songs. Sometimes they have children or elderly persons critique the videos, which is quite hilarious.

Neko Case. If you like the sounds of red-headed women wailing out somewhere in Grand Canyon, with guitars, have a listen. I'd heard a song of hers, "Deep Red Bells" regularly on Radio Paradise and took notice. It's on one of her older albums, "Blacklisted." She recently had a concert broadcast on NPR.

Worth A Read...Sort of

2009-02-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

(Fyi, I've also posted this review on Facebook.)

A Review on "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia) By Elizabeth Gilbert

I admit, getting through this book was something of a struggle. It's about a woman coming to grips with the unraveling of a marriage she doesn't want to be in, nor the dysfunctional relationship she entered immediately following her marriage. Luckily she was able to bankroll her travels through Italy, India and Indonesia with the advance for this book.

I was certain I'd enjoy the first part, where Gilbert travels to Italy, but it was extremely difficult, to the point where I nearly gave up on the book. Even considering what she was going through, I thought she was so weak-minded, and foolish at times (I mean on a superficial level, c'mon, not visiting any museums while she's in Italy???) I said I would force myself to get to when she arrives at the Ashram in India, and that's where, thankfully, it gets interesting, but not so much because of her, but the other people she meets that force her to step out of herself. Like Richard from Texas, or the religious tomboy, Tulsi.

But I would say the best is saved for last, when Gilbert arrives in Indonesia, revisiting a silly, eccentric medicine doctor, Ketut, she'd met a few years earlier on her travels in Indonesia, when she was writing a piece on yoga. Ketut is a wonderful, wise inspiration in her life, the first in a string of colorful people she befriends there-Yudhi, a Christian 'dude' from Indonesia who is indefinitely separated from his wife (who he was living the American dream with in NJ) shortly after 9/11 thanks to Bush's implementation of the Patriot Act; Wayan, another kind of exotic, sexy medicine doctor of sorts who uses food and spa like treatments to help her clients that has a wicked smart daughter named Tutti and is in need of a permanent residence; and Felipe, the gentle, Brazilian, who ends Gilbert's dry spell.

Stick around to learn some interesting factoids about all the different cultures, like how the Balinese won't allow babies to touch the ground for the first six months of their lives because they are perceived as gods; how "Ham-Sa" in Sanskit (a simple meditation which can be uttered when one simply inhales, exhales) means "I am that", or the Italian term for crossing over, "attraversiamo."

A Wonderful Read

2009-01-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, and I've shamefully neglected my blog for more than two months. Holidays, stress and illness have come and gone. One of the lovely aspects of the past couple of weeks has been reading "The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry," a memoir by Kathleen Flinn, an American corporate exec who gets axed at her job in London, takes her savings, and enrolls at Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris.

Whether you are a foodie or not (and it is packed with recipes that I will definitely try), this book was like a new friendship in my life that I didn't want to end. It is about learning about yourself and what matters, family, a suspenseful romance with her boyfriend who inspires her to follow her dreams of cooking, surpassing one's own expectations, and bien sur, Paris.

Now, I'm off to read the more commercially successful, "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I hope to be at least as satisfying.

The Killers are Coming to MSG in 09

2008-10-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I've been cheating recently on my favorite band, Radiohead, with another-The Killers, sssh! I'm growing to like them more and more, a kind of throwback to the 80s in ways with all the synths they use, but singer Brandon Flowers' voice is strong and steady, and they manage to mix it up just enough that the music has a rich, full sound, charming lyrics. I really enjoyed their bside collection, "Sawdust," and I've been listening to the song "Read My Mind" over and over on the iPod.

Anyway, NME.com (link at left) just announced that they're going on tour in the US, in 2009, starting in January. They're going to be playing at MSG Jan. 25. Hmm, perhaps a belated birthday present to myself!

Perseverin' Through Hard Times as a Freelancer

2008-10-07T20:56:00.001-07:00

With the economy crashing all around us, and the cost of groceries and movies going through the roof, entertainment that requires one to leave their home is considered to be an extravagance, at least for us. Unless I expect
to love it, I won't go. I'm trying to think of the last time i LOVED a movie, it was probably "Iron Man."

While I didn't LOVE per se "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," it was pretty damn charming, if a little self-conscious (kinda like "Garden State" in that respect.) But the genuine likability and chemistry of the leads, Michael Cera (who I think I'm getting a small crush on) and Kat Dennings carry it. The movie is a kind of love letter to kids growing up in New York. What happens throughout the movie is typical of many a night of any teen growing up in the city, and I loved that just about every shot of streetcorner the movie, I recognized, making me long for college days and money and barhopping for bands...maybe i had less money then, but got more for the little I had. The film's warm city night lights were easy on the eye too. I don't think I'm quite old enough yet to not be able to appreciate these things, and the random magic moments a night in the city can offer.

These days I bide my time alternating between NY1 for early morning news fix, The View for gossip and laughs, the Travel Channel for lunchtime fantasies, and then CNN for hours on end, to send myself into cardiac arrest (or a quick way to make me focus back on my work), because, I'm a glutton for punishment. For work (I work for the Labor Research Association), now that elections are near, I have had to write a lot of union president letters endorsing Obama, or comparisons between Obama and McCain. Strangely I feel I've gotten pretty good at the sell, if I could only sell myself. I have never in my life given as much attention to an election as I have this year, but I feel so jipped for the lack of knowledge I have on the candidates, left with only depressing economy stats. My day ends with a little "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" for more fantasies and laughs.

My daughter recently suckered me at a local street fair that had an animal shelter table to adopt a kitten-LIKE I NEEDED ONE! I now have three cats and a cocker spaniel. Little Pepper has quickly gotten acclimated and uses the litter and has begun to cuddle up to us-my younger cat though, (9yrs) Freddy, is a little depressed, I think. I've tried to explain to him that I think of each of my cats as a kind of "life insurance," each giving me a few years more a piece. He just rested his head on me and sighed.

'Night.

Another Lil Milestone

2008-08-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

So today Amanda had her first full on attempt at babysitting Grace and Danny, for about four hours while Rose and I went to see Lauren and Charlie. We had done a dry run at our place last week, and that went pretty well. I was so good-I never called! Well once, just to say we were on our way back. I almost kidnapped Charlie and WOW, does he have neck strength for a two week old, holy smoke! He is absolutely precious, and Lauren has her mommy mojo down pat. Way to go, Chris and Lauren!

And way to go, Amanda! Mom's proud.

Everything in Its Right Place on 8/8/08

2008-08-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't written here in WAY too long, not that there haven't been things to write about, but just been hectic and tense sometimes. Amanda is growing up, becoming a young lady and entering high school;been dealing with work; went to Maine, and brought Amanda's best friend Nora's family with us, which was awesome.

Tonight, Ian and I joined my oldest and dearest friend Sunita (we've been friends since kindegarten) for an evening with Radiohead at Liberty State Park, and it was a religious experience. Despite the weather earlier in the day, the evening was glorious, blue sky, cool breezes. The vibe at the venue was sort of neo-Woodstock, lotta hippie postcollege types, only grievance was the long walk from the train to the venue and uber security. There was a kind of 'corral' for folks drinking, with a bracelet with a five drink limit, and last call was at 830pm, before the main concert, we didn't get there til about 730. Not that i needed five beers per se, but it was just so...controlled. No matter really we had a fantastic time. That night, everything was in its right place.

Graduation

2008-06-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

Amanda graduated from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs yesterday, and it couldn't have been a nicer day. The day started with a special mass in the morning, where honor cords were distributed for the kids to wear later in the evening. Amanda and I then went to breakfast with her best bud Nora (who also racked up a bunch of honors-both she and Amanda were the only two girls that received excellent athlete awards) and her mom, Maria, who will be joining us in Maine this summer. I love these two immensely.

Later that night, the ceremony went smoothly and swiftly, with Amanda racking up several more awards, including my personal fave, the St. John's University "Women in Science" award. Of late she's been talking about becoming an astronaut (her group in class also won first place for a science fair project on rockets, could be the start of something here...) and I'd love to see it happen.

I was pretty ok up til this point, actually, until I saw a parent of younger children who has helped me out tremendously this past year with some school events, and then it hit me that I wouldn't have to do this stuff at Martyrs anymore and we were both crying. Then when I saw Amanda's two main teachers and we gave them flowers, we cried some more. Her main teacher's son goes to St. Francis Prep though, so she reminded me that we'll be selling cookies together next year and I felt a little better.

Where does the time go?

Yer Out!

2008-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

Bonnie Fuller is outta there! Bring on the champagne!

Electric Company is Coming Back

2008-05-12T06:04:00.001-07:00

Gawker says they're bringing back one of my favorite shows ever, The Electric Company, in addition to shooting new episodes in Washington Heights. I just wanted an excuse to post one of my fave actors, Morgan Freeman here, as Easy Reader!

Meeting Mr. Met at Shea Stadium

2008-05-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

Ian's uncle got us a bunch of tickets to go to Shea Stadium, and we took Amanda's best friend Nora along for the ride, her first time at a professional baseball game. Since Amanda, Ian and her grandad didn't have purses, they went on ahead to our seats early, while we had to be searched. But we came across the rare opportunity for a photo op with Mr. Met, so Nora and I obliged. It was a great day! Amanda also got to hang out with one of her favorite cousins, Brian, who is sadly going to be moving back to California at the end of the month, but now Amanda can go visit him!

Rock the Cradle

2008-05-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Is anyone watching this show? It's been quite entertaining, a few cringe-worthy moments, but some great ones as well. And I have to say, How did Dee Snider sire such a hot son? Jesse looks like a sharper, hotter, buffer version of Vince Neil, with a wicked smile, even if he is bratty. I love watching this guy with his acrobatics. He's not the world's greatest singer, but he's driven, charismatic, and having fun.

And Chloe Lattanzi? I have to give the girl props for having balls, she is a strange bird. Her dad lives in a teepee, and her mom is Olivia Newton John, who I love. Despite her hating the material, I thought she pulled Spears' "Toxic" off as one of her best performances on the show.

Out of curiosity, I looked up Jesse Blaze Snider's myspace, and saw a link to Lucy Walsh's, who was kicked off tonight. I have to admit, I found one song of hers, "Guilty" to be a pretty darn good piece of 80s style pop, at first it sounds a little like "Sunglasses at Night." Great dance track.

New Blog, Quirks

2008-04-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Please check out my new blog that I started today, Quirks (link on left or headline).

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2008-04-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ian and I went out to see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" last night which was so sweet and hilarious. I think my new crush is Jason Segel. I loved him on "Freaks and Geeks." And his birthday is the day after mine (of course he's a bloody decade younger than me!)

Forest Hills, My Kinda Town

2008-04-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

After I left the gym this morning, I'm walking along Austin Street and see a couple of people holding up signs guiding along a stream of people walking together. I ask a lady where they're from and she said "Spain!" So I said "Enjoy, welcome!" and she said "Thank You!" It was just kinda cool to be on the flip side, to have tourists visiting my town. And let me tell you, Forest Hills Square is so pretty this time of year, trees in bloom and cobblestone streets, spring has sprung. It's good to be alive.

Not So Glamour-ous

2008-04-16T14:31:00.001-07:00

I must be getting old for Glamour, because I admit I bought this issue out of boredom, and I thought the same damn thing. (click headline for link.)

Facebook Addiction

2008-04-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

It's real.

A Fun-Filled, Life-Affirming Weekend

2008-04-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Busy busy. Friday night, I attended a 20-year high school reunion happy hour at a bar in Brooklyn called Union Hall (since I couldn't attend the actual reunion at school) where I mingled with old Technites, proud of my professional and personal station in life (only one other had a 14 year old- a boy!), filled up on a nice share of compliments, old hs stories and exchanges. Many looked the same, a few had radically changed (height? hair? no hair? It all evens out). After an old boyfriend got in touch with me about a year ago to apologize for some things (19 years later!), and seeing him at the reunion, it was positive reinforcement to me for acting the way I did then, and how I'm perceived now. I feel pretty damn good.

Saturday night, went to a buddy's surprise 35th birthday party, to find out my best-friend faced a life-threatening situation that thank God turned out alright. She was glad (and so was I) to cut the rug and have a few laughs to remember that we have our families, our friends and each other, and things are good.

Both Saturday and Sunday Amanda had her second AAU tournament in Millburn, NJ and we won all of our games! Her new coach is giving her confidence back that had waned thanks to a previous coach. The girls are great (many of who are the same, having jumped ship too) and I'm excited. Will post team pics soon!

As a complete non-sequitor, it was because of Paul Giamatti's amazing performance as Harvey Pekar in "American Splendor," that I took interest in his comic book (same name) about ordinary life in Cleveland, Ohio. He was recently tapped to appear in an episode of "Anthony Bourdain's No Resevations," and I'm just giddy again!

It's a good day.

Go Kansas Jayhawks!

2008-04-07T21:02:00.000-07:00

What a helluva comeback! Ten seconds left and down three points, Mario Chalmers makes a three pointer with two seconds to spare, they go into overtime, finally win 75-68.

Fourteen

2008-04-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday or Joyeux Anniversaire! Je t'aime toujours, ma cherie.

C'est Vrai

2008-03-31T10:13:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of (the many) good lines from last night's John Adams on HBO, which was wonderful.

“If ever there was a city designed to distract us from our troubles, it would be Paris.” -Thomas Jefferson

“Women would add interest to many things, Mr. Jefferson, if men would allow it.” -Abigail Adams

Must Read-The Lovely Bones

2008-03-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

I'm probably the last person on the planet to read Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones," which came out in 2002, but if you haven't, please do. I just finally read it over the past couple of days. It's a moving story about a 14-year old girl that is brutally murdered (that's the very beginning folks, I'm not giving anything away here), but the main character ascends to heaven and watches as her family's life unfolds and moves on, keeps an eye on her friends and her first love, and there's some surprises. The writing is beautiful and poignant, and Kleenex should be at hand.

My Daughter's 'Heavenly' Obsession of the Week

2008-03-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

My daughter is in love with skater Ryan Sheckler. After saying "he's so hot!" about five million times while watching his show on MTV the other night, I was cracking up when she said "how does he live, doesn't heaven want him back?" And "Isn't he a hunk of heaven?" Too friggin' funny.

She also loves Johnny Knoxville and Bam. Let's see where this ride takes us!

Two TV Miniseries

2008-03-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone catching HBO's miniseries John Adams with Paul Giamatti (whom I love) and Laura Linney? It's been great to watch, love the scene where Thomas Jefferson drafts the Declaration of Independence and then Adams and Ben Franklin read it over and discuss it with him. I also love the banter and affections between Adams and his wife (Linney)-poignant/scary scene when she chooses to innoculate the family against small pox and then her daughter gets it. Looking forward to next Sunday.

Also, there's a miniseries on the WE Channel, High School Confidential, where they follow 12 girls over the course of four years at a high school in Kansas, some pretty serious, candid stuff. I've been watching together with Amanda.

Nobody Owes You Anything, You Owe Yourself To Take Responsibility for Your Own Actions

2008-03-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

I quickly became enraged this weekend when I began to read a story in this Sunday's paper (click my headline for link) about a woman-a lawyer no less, who is suing seven casinos $20 million dollars because she lost $1 million at the table and the casinos did nothing to stop her addictive-like behavior, which included staying at the table using disposable wipes to 'brush her teeth' and eat complimentary candy bars, so as not to lose her spot at the tables. Are you kidding me?

This calls to mind the cases years earlier against Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest when a couple of kids killed themselves and the parents sued the artists for the music for provoking their children. Where were the parents when their kid was depressed to talk to, comfort, look for signs until too late?

Mothers that complain that certain teen idols OWE their daughters to dress or carry themselves a certain way, because its the fans that got them where they are.

Nobody owes me anything. I owe it to myself to be a good person, to love and look after my family, my friends.

I am a very tolerant and forgiving person, but the gall of these people to blame their problems on outside forces and not take responsibility. It just kills me.

Leatherheads

2008-03-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

These two are growing on me-George Clooney, who directs and stars in this 1920s football flick, along with The Office's John Krasinski, who looks hot in this pic.

Oh Baby! Congratulations

2008-03-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

A big congratulations to Jeff and Lore on welcoming their beautiful son Caleb Gregory into the world, who was born at a record eight minutes after arriving at the hospital! Leia, time to get out the big sister tshirt!

Christian? C'mon...

2008-03-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

Look, the guy's got some mad skills but... Of the three, I'd wanted Rami to win. Figures friggin Victoria Beckham loved Christian's collection.

Patrick Swayze, Please Say It Ain't So

2008-03-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

Since I first posted this a couple of hours ago, it's all over the place now. Not that any cancer is good but isn't pancreatic extremely painful? My thoughts are with his wife and family.

I'm On Smith Mag's Homepage

2008-03-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

Whoo-hoo! My entry is on the homepage of featured submissions for "Brushes with Fame!" on Smith Mag. Well for the moment, anyway.

Next up, folks, six word memoirs. Anyone?

First Podcast

2008-03-03T21:58:00.001-08:00

Yup, I've got a podcast! And so can you. Please bear with me. Ian told me about this and was so excited for me to do one-at 1 in the morning, when I was half asleep! Props to drop.io for making it possible.

http://drop.io/coffeendanish

Another Site To Check Out-Smith Mag

2008-03-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

Thanks to an email from NPR, I found out about this site Smith Mag, (link on left) it's a fun spot for writers! Apparently it's been around for two years now, I wish I'd known sooner. Anyway, I joined and added a couple of celebrity anecdotes to the "Brushes With Fame" category (if you look at the tag words, look up Wham or Duran Duran.) Let's all add 'em!

Another point of interest on here is the Six-Word-Memoir. I have to mull this over, perhaps you'd like to take a stab at it too.

Yay! Radiohead is Coming!

2008-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

Radiohead and Jack Johnson will headline the first All Points West Music & Arts Festival, to be held Aug. 8-10 at Liberty State Park! Thanks for the Pop Candy tip, Roe! I haven't been to a concert in ages! Actually, last time Ian & I saw Radiohead was at Liberty State Park, right before 9/11, when I managed to get some last minute tickets through work. I think the last concert we saw was White Stripes at KeySpan Park two years ago.

New Band To Check Out-& They're From NY!

2008-02-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

The name made me curious, and if you like ska/punk style music, with some classical and African influences, you'll like this band, Vampire Weekend. I think they formed at Columbia U.

Here's their MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend

Newsweek Cover

2008-02-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

I don't like her body language here, not for a magazine cover.

New Blog Link

2008-02-18T06:49:00.001-08:00

I've added a link to the blog Polly Vous Francais? at the left. I've been reading it for a bit, most recently entertained by anecdotes she gathered about a charming car called the 2CV. Apparently for some time after WWII, the French government gave one of these to families upon birth of a fifth child, as an incentive to repopulating the place. Perhaps it's not the most glamourous looking car, but still, could you imagine ever receiving a car from the American government? And then listening to traveller's tell their tales, it makes for a fun read.

Next Purchase for Wii-American Idol

2008-02-17T18:14:00.001-08:00

Since they don't make Singstar for the Wii, I think I'm going to get the American Idol set w/ the microphone, pretty good song selection mix. I heard that you shouldn't get Boogie, it's more about making your avatar dance, plus the songs aren't the actual songs but someone else singing them.

That just drives me nuts, like those Kidz Bop cds. Why they heck would someone buy a cd of kids singing the songs instead of the artist? Unless it's fbomb laden or something, but I wouldn't imagine they're choosing songs filled with curses.

The NY Giants RULE!

2008-02-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Need I say more? Friggin' AWESOME game!

Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon

2008-02-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

This is friggin' hilarious!

Sad News

2008-01-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

I was really shocked and saddened to hear about Heath Ledger's death. Amanda heard word from a friend yesterday afternoon, I was sure she misheard something along the way. For years, Amanda has loved the film "10 Things I Hate About You" and now is of the age to call him "gorgeous" (I wholeheartedly agree.) Aside from his handsome looks though, he is a fine actor, loved him in "Brokeback Mountain," and now I imagine "Batman: Dark Knight" will have the same dark shadow cast over it that "The Crow" did when Brandon Lee died. He also seemed like a truly doting dad and a down to Earth person, a rarity in the Holllywood scene these days.

Looks Like St. Francis Prep is It

2008-01-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

Up til today, we were all fine. Come noon time, all of our brains were blotto, with the realization that today was the day we'd get notification on the Catholic High Schools. That damned postman was ever so slow! I was pacing my block furiously, practically stalking the guy. I couldn't think straight or do any work. In a rarity, my daughter bolted home from school, but her teacher had already tipped her off that things were looking good.

After loving it, loving another and then loving it madly all over again, Amanda has made St. Francis Prep. She made the others, too, one was with honors and an incentive to take senior classes at St. John's University. But it's St. Francis Prep all the way, she says. Gulp. Where do I get my shovel?

Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled for her and loved watching her do her happy dance...we did apply for the specialized high schools too (earlier this year it was looking like more of a necessity than a choice...) but we won't hear word on that til March or so. But, going to Prep is going to be a commitment of paying $28,000 for the next four years!!!

The other day, there was a small news item about how Yale is offering a 50% reduced tuition rate for students whose families make less than $120,000. You think at first hearing this wow, that's great! That's still $120,000 or so for school, before all other expenses. And Amanda isn't going to college for another four years. So now we'd have to take a vow of poverty to accept...going into poverty...it is a vicious cycle.

Twice is Nice

2008-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, I'm up for two PPA Awards (Parenting Publishers of America) for a news feature and a general feature I did in Big Apple Parent last year, I'll find out March 2. Even getting nominated is nice, of course, but it would be cool to win one (or two.) Now I'm working with the Labor Research Association.

Uggh!

2008-01-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

Out of curiosity, I went to iTunes to listen to tracks from the newly released Broadway production of Xanadu, one of my fave movies as a child, especially because of the fantastic music by Olivia Newton John and Electric Light Orchestra. When I listen to ELO sing "All Over The World" I am a kid again on roller skates. That song always puts me in the best mood.

This new production is pitiful! Painful! I did see a performance once on The View that looked and sounded horrible too, but I thought I should give it another chance.

Humming Underwater

2008-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

I hum tunes from the new Radiohead release "In Rainbows," which is just haunting and brilliant. There's this beautiful fusion of orchestral compositions with fuzzy guitars and sometimes trance-like beats...and Thom's voice is an amazing instrument unto itself. I'm no music critic, but it's just beautiful. I got those Bose earphones at Christmas, and listening to it is like a religious experience.

I think it's a true gift that someone can come up with tunes that seem like they've been around forever, and I'm jealous of them at the same time. How do they do it? They put it all together and the final product is timeless. And easy to remember.

Did you ever try to hum in the bathtub? Submerged under the water, I mean, not above it. If you try, you will find that your humming is SO loud! There's no way to 'hum softly'. I don't know what kind of strange phenomenon it is, but it's weird.

First Love, Testing Friendships, A Whole New World

2008-01-04T08:12:00.001-08:00

As of December 15, Amanda has embarked on her first relationship with a boy named Chris. He attends another Catholic grammar school nearby, and has known Amanda for several years, first meeting her at (seriously), summer choir camp. He is completely in love with her and, all things considered, Ian and I have been very happy and supportive for Amanda in her first experience in romance. You go in preparing for the worst and when we met this sweet boy instead, we were disarmed.

He is an avid hockey player on a team his father coaches, and had been asking Amanda to attend one of his games for some time. We were finally able to work out her going one (on the 15th) after agreeing to meet him privately the night before, and he seemed very nice and sincere. His dad has been bringing her and one of her friends to the games. We met the father too, and that day was sort of an official blessing on both sides for the relationship to go ahead. He has a very solid family life which also makes us feel good about things, plus good taste in music, a personal plus for Ian and I.

While in the throes of it all, Amanda seems very happy and slightly skeptical about the future of the relationship all at once. Her feelings on love (for the moment) are that a person can love several people in the course of their life, but that they will only "fall" in love once. She has tried to seek out my feelings and says, "I see that look of reminiscing on your face, what do you think?"

I'm stumped. What do I say? I would have thought to say that some people may fall in love several times, but will only find true love-or their soul mate-once. But is that the only time you 'fall'?

This has also been a slightly trying time on one of her friendships, a girl who has brought Amanda to tears on several occasions because she feels Amanda is too wrapped up in her relationship. Tears, forgiveness, joy, the cycle has played over several times now. I really don't like how this chick is constantly testing my daughter's feelings, I didn't like the mind games when I was a teenager, or even as a young adult. Her other best friend has been very sweet and supportive, (my personal fave of the two, she towers at 6'2" and is just a very smart, goofy, sweet-hearted person.) Oh God, and this is just the beginning of the perilous mine fields of the teenage years!

All I know is, we're just trying to keep an eye on things, keep a running dialogue with Amanda, just taking things one day at a time.

Nip/Tuck-Another Guilty Pleasure

2007-12-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Does anyone watch Nip/Tuck? This is my second year really getting into the show, and it's alot of good dirty fun. Dark to be sure, but fun.I love Julian McMahon.

Post Show Blahs

2007-12-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm happy that Lauren gets to go to Paris (natch) but enduring that post show, especially with Ian teasing me the entire half hour, was like getting a tooth pulled, I thought we were going to find out something salacious, all Lauren's 'big' announcment is that there's more of The Hills in Paris...oy.

My Guilty Pleasure of the last two days...The Hills

2007-12-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

I sort of watched absentmindedly this year's season, but then the other night I watched Lauren's recap from her perspective from the past three years, and I kind of liked it; she definitely made some bad choices, and that's part of the (guilty) appeal, I guess. So tonight I'm watching the season finale. And I don't know if anyone caught a spoof of that dumb-as-a-brick post Audrina and her bf of one second, Justin, done by James Franco and the girl from That 70s show, that was funny!

Holiday Meme

2007-12-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

A Holiday Meme

Scary, Roe, many of my answers are exactly the same, so those I left as is!

1.) Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate... no question.

2.) Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa wraps them very nicely at first, and then it becomes a mission to just get the damned things covered in paper of some sort.

3.) Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored!

4.) Do you hang mistletoe? No, but then again, I don't need mistletoe as motivation to smooch loved ones!

5.) When do you put your decorations up? About a week or so before Christmas, we go with Ian's parents to buy our trees! Nothing beats the smell of a fresh tree in the home.

6.) What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I'm a traditionalist; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing... it's Thanksgiving part deux.

7.) Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Getting a hand-held Casio synthesizer from my grandad that I'd wanted.

8.) When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I still believe!

9.) Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually we do a gift swap Christmas Eve with my mother in law's side of the family, so a little bit.

10.) How do you decorate your Christmas tree? My favorite ones are these pewter ornaments we received from Ian's Uncle Peter & Aunt Patti years ago, with the story of "T'was the Night Before Christmas,"on them, along with any ornaments Amanda made.

11.) Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love snow, dread the slush that follows shortly thereafter.

12.) Can you ice skate? I haven't since high school. I still love roller-skating, though!

13.) Do you remember your favorite gift? I'd have to say the keyboard was great, along with 2XL! (Now I'm really dating myself, a la 8 track tapes!) And Atari, of course! I spent many blizzard days playing Berzerk!

14.) What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being surrounded by family and friends. It's like the one time a year you can tell your friends how much you love them without sounding sappy.

15.) What is your favorite holiday desert? All desserts are fair game here, pumpkin, apple pie, cheese cake, pecan pie, pudding pie, anything with a buttery crust!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating our tree and drinking hot chocolate with tunes on; going to the holiday shows at school; our Pizza w/Santa event at school, where Ian and his brother have helped Santa over the years. This gets me every time.

17.) What tops your tree? Actually on a mission this year to get something new in the star family. I think.

18.) Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!

19.) What is your favorite Christmas Song? Everytime I hear the Peanuts' gang sing "Christmas Time Is Here" I get weepy.

21.) Favorite Christmas Movie? "A Christmas Carol," probably with Albert Finney best, with Patrick Stewart is good also. I've also seen live w/Frank Langella and others, love to read it, pretty much any version.

22.) What do you leave for Santa? Cookies & milk.

D2 Spotting in NYC

2007-11-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Oh Roe, where were you when I needed you today? I was way over on the West Side for an interview, slowly walking back crosstown and who do I see walking along Seventh and 58th but Simon Le Bon! He was very slim, wearing bright green pants, a dark jacket, with a shorter, modest looking woman (some assistant, I guess), looking a little confused. He was carrying a Build A Bear Bag with a smaller Henri Bendel bag inside. I wrestled with my inner 12 year old and decided I couldn't let the opportunity pass with out saying something. I watched him go into a camera store, briefly looked around and when he came out I went "Hi Simon!" and he turned around without missing a beat to say 'allo!" I went on to say I've been a longtime fan, how it's good to see them back in New York and that I'm looking forward to the new album (guess I'm dating myself with THAT comment). He was smiling and said "Oh that's very kind of you," and patted me on my arm, because I was too stupefied to offer a handshake. Then we nodded and went about our ways. Then I walked a few blocks giggling like an idiot. It was a good day. Now if only I could bump into John...

Saturday Afternoon

2007-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Ian and I went to see Dan in Real Life on Saturday, and it was such a hilarious pleasure, at the same time sad. I love Steve Carell and the career he has carved for himself. Some critics had issues with the 'perfectness' of the family-Ian and I were grateful that (for once) the family portrayed was-functional! The cast is excellent-my lovely dream alter ego, Juliette Binoche,whom I have admired for years, as his love interest; Emily Blunt in a small but sexy, hilarious cameo; Dane Cook, as Dan's younger brother; and Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney as Dan's parents.

Crunch Time

2007-10-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight Amanda, her bffl Nora, her mom and I went to an Open House at Brooklyn Tech (this year will mark my 20th anniversary) and didn't get back until after 1030pm or so. It was as great as I'd remembered, except that many of the old teachers were retired now, but the spirit was still apparent in all the students. The school now offers some new majors, too, like law and medicine. We've also been to Molloy and St. Francis Prep. She has the specialized hs exam this Saturday and her TACHS exam Nov. 10. Basketball practice tomorrow and a game on Sunday. I'm wiped!

Empty Spaces

2007-10-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

So, Monday I decided to take a day to clear my head, walking for hours from the 20s down to SoHo, and back up again, it was a sunny day and I felt like walking. In my travels I noted that not 1 but three of my haunts are now gone, no mas:

Tower Records (this may have disappeared earlier, but I'd forgotten)
Dallas Texas BBQon 8th Street and Fifth Avenue-this wrecked me the most-i know it's silly-it's a bbq joint-but I have SO many memories in that place-ate there my first day at my first job at Postermat when I was 16 (well actually I took it to go and ate it in Washington Square Park); clung to the toilet once after too many champagne glasses at a nearby art show during my early college days; Ian suffering from an attack of sun poisoning in the basement, slapping cream on his itching back, as Marc and I then rushed him over to St. Vincent's Hospital...countless meals there with my mom, sometimes also with my grandmother...dinner with Ian's cousin after catching her in a show at the Papp Theatre, to a recent dinner with Chris and Lauren on their first meeting with Dan and Marty from WOW...
and Tennessee Mountain-the least important on the list, used to frequent there during my Union days...once had lunch alongside David Krumholtz (Numbers).

At work yesterday, I called home to check messages and heard a message I'd been expecting for some time but was saddened to hear-my childhood best friend's father passed away the day before, after a nasty fight with intestinal cancer. He'd had surgery several years earlier, but it returned with a fatal vengence. I was happy to visit him a few weeks back, made him laugh, as we recalled some silly stories of yore, once he took my friend and I to Atlantic City for her 21st birthday in a stretch limo. I remember him cooking curry in the house as a child. Until the next life, Victor, you are loved and missed...the other odd little detail in this is that his passing is one day after my father's, Oct. 14, making it five years. I love and miss you, daddy.

New Radiohead Tracks On Oct. 10

2007-10-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Can't wait! I'm curious to see what this experiment holds, this could revolutionize the whole music industry...I love 'em.

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1666973,00.html

My blog look du jour

2007-10-04T14:41:00.001-07:00

This is my look of the moment, I have to see how long I'll keep it. I love the colors and the pic...Ian helped me with this. Strangely though, I do not have the guts to write Media Whore on top of a photo of Paris, that I love (even though we had a really cool font chosen). So, I have to see if I'll change the name of the blog to say something else, change the picture, even though I love Paris, or maybe leave as is, with no Media Whore on it.

Did anyone go over to TMZ or on Superficial to see Danny Bonaduce throw Johnny Fairplay (a Survivor runner up) literally over his head...I mean the guy had it coming, don't get me wrong, but it makes for interesting entertainment...I think his front teeth got knocked out.

Pushing Daisies

2007-10-03T19:26:00.001-07:00

I was excited to hear that this show is from the same person who did Dead Like Me (Amanda's favorite show) and Heroes, Bryan Fuller (apparently he did stuff back in the day too for Deep Space Nine, probably my favorite of the Star Trek shows.) Stylistically, it takes liberal doses from one of my favorite movies, Amelie, so I sure don't have a problem with that. I loved in the pilot how two of the main characters, who could not touch each other, held their own hands behind their backs, pretending to hold the other's. I thought is was very funny and romantic.

Customizing Templates

2007-09-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know how to do this? Ian is offering to cheat and help me out, I've been trying on my own...I've seen a million other blogs on Blogspot with customized fonts, layouts, etc, other than the basic 20 or so layouts they offer. I switched my layout to another, but it's temporary. Lots of other stuff I want to do here, have to figure it out.

Eastern Promises

2007-09-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Talk about edge-of-your-seat flicks. This was an excellent, tense film from beginning to end. Viggo Mortensen completely immerses himself in this character, or as Ian put it, really (literally) throws himself into the role. Not for the faint of heart. Definitely worth seeing if you get a chance. Story resolved bit different than I expected it to, but that's ok, still good ending.

A Trip to the Library

2007-09-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

I went to the Forest Hills library today, which had been closed for some time for renovations, to get a book for one of Amanda's assignments. It now has a room of computers for internet access, new floors, DVDS are now on alphabatized shelves, but more interestingly, you can now check out your own books-slip your card in a slot, and place your items on a small surface-all at one time, that scans em in, print out your receipt, and that's it. Bags are free now, too! If this is ancient news, and I've just been out of the loop, I apologize.

On the way out, I saw a book called "Life on the "Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter." I liked the premise, so I took it. I didn't think to thumb through the book-it is entirely comprised of refrigerator notes. I was skeptical that the book could offer much, but a very short read away, it made me cry. I realized that the brevity of the writing suits it, kind of like the situations life can throw, sometimes there's no time to react.

Gossip Girl

2007-09-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Did anyone catch it? I admit with shame that I did, strictly out of curiosity for the hype, (I am the media whore, after all) and I love the song that they kept playing in the commercial, "Something to Believe In" by Aqualung.

So, aside from the fact that it's not my age range, and I never ran with the rich or popular crowd (more Freaks and Geeks), Serena is sort of a likeable character, made a mistake, tried to clean up her act and is back in town. She has a streak of being genuine, amidst all the phonies. The phantom Gossip Girl that narrates I can do without, EXTREMELY annoying. Lose her! Let the characters gossip. Then again, I guess that would mean losing the show's premise, and deviate from the books the show is based on.

I know some critics are talking about how shocking it is to see sex and drugs, in a high school scenario, on tv, but I remember sitting in a class once in junior or senior year and a group of the popular/druggie kids giggling, having a discussion about who gave who crabs. This stuff goes on, not only at the rich uptown schools.

There's a cute guy, Dan, who played the 'geek' guy in "John Tucker Must Die" (I thought was way cuter than John Tucker, anyway), except this time he's got really short hair instead of his curly locks.

There's a despicable character who tries to date rape or screw anything that walks, including a 14 year old girl, that was disgusting. Luckily her brother Dan and Serena come to the rescue.

Anyway, don't expect substance here. I don't think I'll watch that closely, but it can't be worse than watching 'reality' television on VH1 or anything...

The Glass Castle

2007-09-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

For those that love memoirs, Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle is an amazing read. She has been a gossip columnist on !E and a contributor to MSNBC, just recently resigned to continue with her writing. The book is an account of her childhood (she is one of four) with brilliant but troubled parents-her mother an artist and her dad, a genius at math and engineering, but a drunk. Neither can hold down a job. They live in the dessert, in Vegas, Phoenix, and Virginia in shacks, shantytowns-in some places with no plumbing. They give their children so much yet so little at the same time. One Christmas when they were little, they didn't have any money, so their dad gave them each a star; Jeannette chose a planet, Venus. Years later, their dad steals money three of the kids had been saving to move to New York, to go out and get drunk. I strongly recommend reading this book. Walls' pluckiness will make you laugh your ass off and her candor will make you cry at the same time.

The Two Coreys

2007-08-12T11:30:00.001-07:00

I never thought I'd say this, but I watched A&E's bio on Corey Haim and Corey Feldman and now I've been watching the series, The Two Coreys, and I have to say it's very endearing, not to mention hilarious. I used to think they were so obnoxious in their heyday, but now I find them kind of cool.

Maine

2007-08-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

While Stacey and Adam made a romantic rendezvous in Jamaica, we took a more family-friendly but still fun trip with the 'rents to New Harbor, Maine. We shared a house with them on the water and brought along one of Amanda's buddies. Here they are looking angelic on a Puffin watch cruise. It was really nice, actually, they shopped (of course), went to the beach, and learned how to play gin and eat lobster. It's nice once in a while to forget what day or time it is.

Unabashed Francophile

2007-07-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to encourage you to take a peek at some of the photography I found at this blog I added a link to at right, Paris Et Environs, by this guy Jimmy, some if it is just stunning. I recently went to see the movie about Edith Piaf's life, La Vie En Rose, which was amazing and SO sad...just made me reminisce about Paris, I guess...

I'm also adding a few pix from our trip to Paris in 2002, I can't get over how small Amanda is here (specifically at Versailles in first two)...sigh...have to go back...

It's a rare day I nail it, and while it is blurry, it's still one of my favorite, endearing photos of Ian and Amanda together...

one of my favorites of Ian...

Go, Lady Jokers!

2007-07-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of Amanda and some of her teammates from her awesome basketball team, Lady Jokers! We've done lots of travelling this year, and came in third in our division at the Junior Nationals at Hershey, where this was taken. One night I had five girls sleeping in my room! Now we're off to a 10 game round of tournaments that will be played at Christ the King. We also got to go to Hershey Park, our first time and enjoyed some fireworks. What a great place! Reasonable, too. We went for the sunset admission, 5-10pm, got on everything, for $24. I've got a fireworks pic too that I'll post shortly.

Girls' Investment Club

2007-05-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

I was watching The View this morning, and thought these guys had a great concept,

www.chickslayingnesteggs.com

It's a pool of women that invest $50 each a month, and 4x a year (to accrue a chunk of cash to invest) they buy/sell stocks.

What do you think? Maybe we could start something like that, doesn't seem too painful on the pocketbook, could be fun and profitable for us all (as an aside to all our own personal 401K stuff). We'd need to so some research. Let me know if there's interest.

Highlights of our Lives

2007-05-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

I was watching the series finale of Gilmore Girls tonight, where Rory got to meet her idol, Christiane Amanpour. This was a wonderful episode through and through, tying up the ends, and rather than an overly written script, let crucial moments shine with few or no words, like Lorelai by Rory's bedside the night before she leaves to report on Obama's campaign trail. Or the loving exchange between Rory and her best friend Lane, or the moment when Lorelai realizes all Luke did to help make Rory's bon voyage party come to fruition.

Then, something better happened. I went online and found out one of my good buddies from college is now a doctor. I still can't believe it. I was explaining the final process to Amanda, how Chris gave a dissertation, was questioned for an hour, then was asked to leave the room for a bit, and when he went back inside, his peers gave him the title of Dr. What a wondrous moment.

Thank God for these times. Even though they are not mine, I certainly can share in the thrill of accomplishment for another, real or virtual, as'my Rory' has grown up. I have moments like this with Amanda all the time, when she writes a great paper (she now wants to be an author), makes a wicked lay up, or does a kind deed, like treating a friend who is being shunned by others in her class as a friend, because she has some seriously scary issues at her door. I'm trying to figure out what might happen when the girl comes over on Friday. I hope to find the right words, or right way to be. If I do, that'll make my day, and hopefully hers.

GG Fest?

2007-05-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Amanda was suggesting we get a group of us to do a GG Marathon one day, what do you think? We'd have to pick our faves of each season to condense...

GG Blues

2007-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

"It can't be ending!"
That was Amanda as she and I curled up on the couch in sandwich fashion to watch tonight's episode, on edge when we saw Logan go to propose...I can't believe I've watched Rory graduate high school and college, I was just as teary eyed when her grandparents sang to her, or when Paris hugged her on graduation day. Tonight's episode was great, dammit!

GG Going!

2007-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

I just read in the Post today that GG's series finale is May 15! Contracts hadn't been going well with the girls, I think they're relieved that it's going to end, although now I'm dying to see how it's going to all wind up, and feel a little bit sad that one more thing I've enjoyed with my kid (and my friends) is going to end.

GG Back in Fine Form

2007-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have to say I thought this week's episode was one of the best I'd seen in a while. I was sort of dreading it at first because I'm against the whole Logan proposal thing, but that was just a small part of it. I love that Rory's finally facing some realistic hardships as school comes to an end; I really want her to strike out on her own, as our present day version of Mary Tyler Moore. I know Logan is trying so hard, but...clearly Lorelai seems freaked out. But the other story lines with Lane and Zach and the chemistry that is still there between Lorelai and Luke...I got a little queasy when I heard what she was singing at karaoke, I just knew he was going to walk in!

Longing to return to Paris

2007-04-28T21:02:00.001-07:00

I've been watching the 1,000 Places To See Before You Die series on the Travel Channel, and the most recent one was on France. I have to return to Paris to visit Montmartre; it's the one spot I didn't get to see that was the main location in Amelie, on of my most favorite films ever. My neighbor recently went there and I asked her to go to a store we went to on the Left Bank to get me a couple of things, I was so excited when she returned.

WE Channel Should be ME Channel (but not about me personally)

2007-04-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

In a rare moment of downtime, I sat on my couch and did a little channel surfing. I stumbled onto the WE Channel, which was showing back to back episodes of a program called The Secret Lives of Women...sounded intriguing enough.

The first one was on swingers-all women were in charge of coordinating the swap parties, all from California. Strangely enough, the men had hardly any say in this show. The second one was on the porn industry-almost all California (one married actress was from Long Island, who seemed genuinely sad at the fact that she never made it as a ballerina, with children, seemed to have the most remotely 'normal' life...given the fact that she's in porn)...the next one was on plastic surgery addicts, from , you guessed it, California...one poor guy was selling his famly's dream home to pay for his wife's obscene plastic surgery bills...the next one was on shopaholics, women who aren't working or who are hardly working filing bankruptcy and racking up thousands in debt while shopping, for many items they don't even use once.

This was like watching a train wreck. I couldn't stop watching it, but these women's selfish appetite for destruction was disgusting. They were all so self-absorbed. I thought the show might suggest how these women are empowered, but they are truly the weakest links, and their husbands/partners aren't far behind, bankrolling their vices.

"Talk Radio" Disappoints-Schreiber Shines

2007-03-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

I managed to get tickets through work to see Liev Schreiber in "Talk Radio" on Broadway tonight, an old Eric Bogosian film from the 80s that was directed by Oliver Stone. Now, I never saw the original, and loving Liev Schreiber, I was pretty confident that this was going to be fantastic. It's a story about a radio shock jock talk show personality that is on the verge of going into national syndication, and is told that on this night to spice his show up a bit to impress the big bosses.

Let me preface what I say next by saying that Schreiber is and continues to be one of the best actors of this generation. I saw him in a production of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal" with Juliette Binoche a couple of years ago, he's been in many films (I got a kick out of him in "Daytrippers"), and most recently he did a stint on CSI. The guy gives 110%, and so did the rest of the cast. He was living/breathing (and chainsmoking) this character. The set was perfect. And on this night, a special treat-standing by us on our way into the theater, together, were Stockard Channing and Dana Delaney (Rizzo and the China Beach chick). They're tiny! We had great orchestra seats, too.

Anyway, the show's true detriment lies in that this character is supposed to thrive on provoking others when discussing current events. But mentions of George Bush as president, nuclear war, "Big Brother" or even the "punk" teen listener character that is brought onto his show pulled Ian and I right out of it. I felt Schreiber's character's impact could have been tenfold if they rewrote it with current events-God-there's such a cornucopia to choose from-the war in Iraq, 9/11 and post 9/11 climate, the internet, Katrina; that to keep 'true' to the original timeline of when this story was written seems false. I guess it was intentional, but it didnt'help here.

There were timeless issues touched upon-racism, how some people are media-loving whores but have no sense or care of current events, love, but not nearly enough. And this is where the show lost its magic for me. I had been so psyched to see it and it was such a highbrow crowd that for a second I thought there was something wrong with me that I wasn't blown away when it ended. Then the whole train ride home Ian and I were in total agreement about it.

Alas, we still had a great night out, even found a great N'awlins cuisine place on Ninth that didn't break the bank called Delta Grill.

Like Fine Wine...

2007-02-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

Christian Bale just keeps getting better with age. This is from the cover of the new GQ.

Snapshot

2007-02-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

My daughter was playing with the camera when a friend was over and I just thought this was a really cool photo. Sigh. It all goes so fast.

Britney's Bald!

2007-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Alright, I was sure my daughter misheard or saw a doctored image when she called me en route to a birthday party to tell me that Britney Spears shaved her head, but apparently not. Check out AOL or The Superficial and you'll see the photo.

Feeling Nostalgic

2007-02-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

Eighties have been back for some time now...clothes, music, and that suits me fine. Now there's talk of Van Halen coming back together and doing a 40-date tour! http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003537232

Anyway, been enjoying to listening to Old Duran Duran on the ipod, and I must say the quality of the music is so much better than yesteryear, I popped my Rio CD into the computer to convert to MP3 files, and there's just all these little subtle sounds in the music I didn't really hear before. It's really nice.

Having been shacked up at home most of a week with the cough/cold from hell, I forced myself out to go dancing (briefly )on Friday night with Ian-I didn't drink, I just wanted to shake this thing out of my system, and went to Culture Club again...as we got by the club I heard blasting U2's "I Will Follow." and then when we got inside it was Blondie. It was a fun night.

On one of my bored days, I was Googling for Duran images and came upon this site, www.duranduranunseen.com. Enjoy!

Tearfest

2007-01-30T19:10:00.000-08:00

I've been home the past two nights with a heinous cold, so perhaps I'm a little vulnerable to winter/sunlight depravity, but I bawled like a baby watching Gilmore Girls when Luke spoke out at his trial about why he wants to be in April's life. Then I bawled again when I heard Lorelai's character reference letter. Then I bawled yet again watching an excellent episode of House, where House is kept 'in a room' with a rape victim, while Dr. Cameron stays with a terminally ill man. My daughter asks for how I'm doing. Oh boy, here we go again.

As I Get Older...

2007-01-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

I find that there are certain things in life that you just can't scrimp on....

Good coffee...as the saying goes, life is too short for bad coffee..
Butter...good butter can either make or ruin whatever it is on...
A good bag...I found 'the bag' today...I looked so long and hard for the right size and color (blood red, not that pink red you see all over)...but it is beautiful!
Wine...it doesn't have to be expensive so much, but my days of coolers are over!

I know there's more to add to this list that I'm blanking on, feel free to add your comments.

A-E-AEIOU-U-AND SOMETIMES Y!

2007-01-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

God, this is the best song! It took forever to find. I kept thinking it was by Ebn Ozn, but that is a different song. The classic version (well better version) that I love is by Freeze. Lovin' having my iPod back again.

The holidays are over (thank God!) and now it is time to seek out music.

Italy Pics

2006-11-27T21:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to the Highlighted Italy pictures we took on our trip.

Italy 2006 Highlights

Holiday Party??

2006-11-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

I know timing is very late to consider, but any thoughts on doing a holiday party? Good or no? I have no idea what others' schedules are like. Please advise.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'All!

2006-11-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Finally, a moment's rest. Well, sort of. Helping cook a few items for my mom-in-law's spread. (Lauren, you will be happy to know I referred to the cranberry-raspberry sauce recipe on Domestic Goddesses today), making my first attempt here.

It has been an insane past few weeks of highs and lows. Ian is looking for new work; we went on an amazing trip to Italy (we took something like a 1,000 pictures-literally), and immediately when we came home, I had to close three newspapers in a week's time. No problem!

I'm seeing if Ian can rig a slideshow on here, if not, I'll post a url for pix. They came out friggin amazing. The trip was incredible. Ian, Chris Cocking, Amanda and I flew out Nov. 3, joining up with Rossana, Alessandro and Julian, and stayed with her parents in Grossetto in Tuscany, Carla and Loriano (dad in Tuscan is Babo) for a week, and probably picked up a good 40 words or so of Italian. They were the most wonderful hosts, we felt like part of the family, visited with lots of family, too. Lots of cheese, wine, and espresso! We rented a giant Peugot van and drove all over-two trips to Florence, Etruscan castles in Livorno (Populonia) and other tucked away villages (Chris and I both loved the town Massa Marittima-when I imagined what Italy would be like, this was it for me), and drove to a northern beachside town, Follonica, where some of Rossana's family lives. (Roe, you would die in Florence, it is an orgy of leather market shopping everywhere-unfortunately, we couldn't go nutso on that department this trip, but one day, next time!, not to mention there's the Uffizi, where there was a cool DaVinci exhibit.) We took the train to Rome and went to the Vatican (I can't even begin to describe how overwhelmed we were there, the size, the artwork, the history.) We also went by the Trevvi Fountain, the Forum, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum (Amanda's personal fave)...all in one day!

So it is nice to have a real day of rest, back home with the family. Will write more soon.

Cure Sing for Cartoons

2006-10-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't watched Saturday morning cartoons in my living room in a while, as Amanda has a tv in her room. So I'm sitting here this morning, then suddenly I hear Robert Smith singing, and I think the cat must've stepped on the remote. Nope, apparently the Cure performs the theme song for a morning cartoon on Cartoon Network called, "The Dragon Hunters"! That's kinda wild, kinda cool.

I watched "The Lake House" last night. While a bit slow and illogical at times, I still liked it because I love Keanu and Sandra, they have great chemistry. And poor Keanu has had such a rough romantic life (his baby died, and later his (then ex) girlfriend was killed in a car crash) , I wish the guy some kind of happiness. I'm now curious to read Jane Austen's "Persuasion."

Dexter, GG and ITALY

2006-10-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am the TV whore this week.

Dexter-loved the humor mixed with the dark side to this character. It seems that all the other characters on the show pale in comparison though-hopefully time will balance this out. I can't wait til next week's episode! And did anyone see the trailer about the new series on Henry VIII, "The Tudors," with Jonathan Rhys Myers? Christ he is beautiful, lookin good with facial hair, too.

GG-Off to a good start. Painful, but in a good way-Amanda and I cringed at Lorelai's admission of sleeping with Christopher, but at least all the cards are on the table. Amanda wants her with Luke in the worst way...I'm not quite sure what my stance is...the trailer with Luke saying "Hey, I'm over it, after all, you're the one who asked me to marry you" was a bit of a "Yeouch!" Unfortunately, I don't think Jess will be getting back into Rory's life-first of all, they broke up in real life, and secondly, "Jess"
is now earning his wings on the new show, "Heroes," about ordinary people learning that they have special powers.

My random guilty pleasure of late is VH1's The Alternative show from 11-2 am on channel 136. All vintage videos! Good stuff.

Friday we purchased tickets for the three of us to go to Italy for one week in early November, where we will be staying with the Cockings at Rossana's parents' home in Follonica, which is on the northwest coast. We are so stoked, but I am anxious to do a rush job to renew Ian and Amanda's passports. Plus Ian lost his old one, which had expired, so he ordered online his birth certificate through the Dep't of Health, should be here any day now. FYI, the Times had an article today stating that come January, you will need a passport to go to the Caribbean, and by next January, to go to Canada as well.

Showtime is Killing Me

2006-09-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ian and I are dying to see the new show Dexter with Michael C. Hall from Six Feet Under about the forensics guy by day/vigilante/killer at night. For weeks now, they've been taunting, teasing us with trailers and ads in subway cars. One week to go!!!

The Ultimate Media Whorish Act

2006-09-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have sinned, stooped low, I purchased the new Vanity Fair to see TomKat's Suri. Gotta say that the baby is a cutie, and Katie is clearly glowing around that kid. What a head of hair already!

Speak Your Mind

2006-09-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know what the hell happened, but somewhere along the way, I was no longer seeing comments on my blog, and honestly thought I was being boycotted, until Chris told me the other day that he'd been trying to comment but it wasn't showing. ( I looked a while back, happened to Lauren, too.) Maybe Blogger altered something. I finally let Ian peek at the admin area (because I'm functioning on four hours sleep today), and now all the comments are back up. Yeah! So bring em back on, guys, it's good to hear your voices.

Glutton for Punishment

2006-08-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

I've begun a new book, "A Mighty Heart," written by Mariane Pearl about her husband, Wall Street Journal's Danny Pearl, who was beheaded by Al Qaeda. I'm certain to be in for heartbreak, as she speaks so glowingly of the time just before his capture, she newly pregnant and they are in the throes of their passion and work. He sounds like a very bright, funny, sexy guy.

Culture Club is a Blast

2006-08-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

For once, our daughter slept over at someone else's house instead of always having the sleepovers at our place, so Ian and I went out for dinner in Union Square and then boogied at Culture Club, which was everything I hoped. Admittedly I was little skeptical when we first arrived early (10:30 or so) and the place didn't have many people, but within the hour it was packed and every tune was perfect! We never left the dance floor, except when nature called. They played many 12" versions of songs I hadn't heard in a while, while videos of Blondie, Bananarama and more played on the video screens. Everywhere there were murals of Madonna, Billy Idol, the "Rio" cover, Joan Jett, John Hughes flicks. Everyone was happy as can be, and Ian loved the 'smoke' filled room. He even dared to put on a touch of eyeliner! Definitely one of the best nights out in a while.
ONe thing though-if you go, make sure you grab an ad in Time Out, as I did, or else they'll try to hit you up for a $20 cover fee! I whipped out my magazine and in the end we went in for free.

Blah-ging

2006-08-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Oy, the summer has come and gone. I would've blogged sooner, but I forgot my Blogger password!

I flew my mom up for a visit, and that was nice, I miss her. I wish I had a zillion dollars to fix her and us all up right. Amanda's doing great in her summer basketball league/still keen on the doctor/WNBA bball dream. Last weekend she got me in a weak moment and we painted her room. Finally done! Blue w/dark blue trim, and Ian did an amazing freehand pattern around the room. It is an oasis. She is slowly beginning to appreciate eyeliner and loves "Donnie Darko" (and its cool 80s soundtrack), "Saved!" and "Uncle Buck" (a movie I loathed when it came out, but now I love it.) Oh yeah, Amanda and her cousins, who recently moved from California, took her to the Warped Tour, where she got to see a band she likes, Gym Class Heroes. Apparently she got a little tired there and had to sit down at one point, but had fun. (Too bad she missed Joan Jett, who I would've loved to see-she was on another stage). Jett looks fantastic at 50!

Went to a wedding in the Hamptons at a winery with guests that looked like something out of an American Eagle ad. The vibe was kind of hippy (the maid of honor was a dog) and the reception was in a big airy barn-lots of sunflowers.

I've mostly been frying my eyes late at night on the computer for my newspaper gig, going to get my eyes checked tomorrow. I will probably need to get glasses. No vanity issues here. I love wearing sunglasses now!

Sept. 11 is approaching, and my old college buddy Christina's family has gotten a bunch of recent press. The parents wrote an editorial in last Sunday's Daily News-they only found out in the recent release of 911 tapes that her brother Christian Regenhard's company was dispatched to the South Tower. A single fact uttered five years later! I remember that memorial like yesterday, Amanda came with us. I saw his sister earlier this summer, it is hard for her to accept the idea that Christian isn't around anymore, I can't imagine what that must be like. They're even naming a class after him at John Jay College, Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies. Hillary Clinton is helping to get funds together for it. My father in law has been asking about going to see the new Oliver Stone flick, but I don't know.

Check out Superman Returns

2006-07-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

On a movie kick this weekend, we also got tickets for a Saturday show of Superman Returns, and it was great. Beautiful to watch, romantic, action packed, a few tears shed. The new actor, Brandon Routh had big shoes to fill, and did so gracefully. Also a hottie!

Devil Wears Prada is Great

2006-06-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to go see the movie today I could hardly contain myself to take Amanda and her buddy to the first show. Both Meryl Streep and Hathaway are wonderful-some of the clothes are to die for, they go to Paris, the place I love...and there's one scene where I gasped, and I'm curious to hear from others if they reacted the same way too, (but not for the obvious reason.) Let me know!

My Heroine is going to St. John's!

2006-06-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

I've been less media whorish lately, writing about family instead, because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Amanda's other basketball team, The Heroes League, has made the playoffs and is going to play a tournament at St. John's! I'm so happy and proud for her! And one of her teammates Nora, a fun, Amazon girl (she's Amanda's age and about 5'10") from Kew Gardens, is coming to our school next year, I can't wait for CYO! I have to get their pic up here soon.

My summer movie to-see list

2006-06-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

The Science of Sleep
Paris, je t'aime
The Devil Wears Prada
Nacho Libre
The Lake House
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest