My grandfather's song

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Bonnie Fuller is outta there! Bring on the champagne!

Electric Company is Coming Back

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

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

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

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

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

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

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

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.)