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.)

Facebook Addiction

It's real.

A Fun-Filled, Life-Affirming Weekend

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!

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

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

C'est Vrai

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