What A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

In two of them as a matter of fact. Yesterday was the type of day that you just stop and say... life is good.

The weather was spectacular. A perfect spring day in NYC. I met a friend for a late(ish) lunch and then went to the 3rd Avenue street fair (in the 20's) for a bit. I found a very cool necklace that I liked, but when I asked about how the matching earrings would look, the answer I got..... like a drag queen. I just got the necklace.

We got into the car and my parking mojo was in full force - a HUGE spot on 55th and 8th. No easy feat. It was just... there. Stopped into the Whole Foods at the Time Warner Center for coffee and found the most gorgeous apricots. I don't know what variety they are - they are not your normal pale yellow golf ball size ones. They are tiny, not really fuzzy, and have the most beautiful blush to them. They look more like teeny tiny plums and taste like a cross between a nectarine and an apricot.

A stroll around Lincoln Center on a sunny spring day is always fantastic for people watching. We saw the NY Philharmonic getting ready to go on a bus. That was fun to see... so many world class musicans... what was a little disconcerting was seeing the police with the canine unit and vans there to protect them and their instruments. The dog was an almost all black/chocolate brown German Shepard. It was beautiful.

Realizing I had never been in the Gracious Home store, it warranted a trip across the street. Loved it. So much stuff. The cooking section had me insane. We wanted everything. Including the miniscule melon baller. Seriously, the bowl was half the size of a pea. I don't know what I would do with it, but it would be great to have in my utensil collection.

After leaving the store - looking up we saw ... another street fair! Fantastic! More stuff I wanted, but couldn't buy this week. No problem - these vendors are always at other fairs... so I will see them again... and again.... and again.

Days like these are perfect - especially when they end with a brand new episode of the Sopranos.

Saturday Spotlight

In late July 2005, I came across an old work folder that contained a copy of the original Weight Watchers points sytem. I really needed to drop about 30 lbs and I guess that was the perfect sign that it was the right time to get started. At just about 5' 9", I'm tall, so I carried the extra weight fairly well, but definitely did not feel good about myself. By late October I had reached my goal weight and was very proud of keeping my promise to myself. I felt and looked great.

I kept all of it off for well over a year and a half - but a couple of weeks ago, I realized that slowly some of the weight crept back. Not a lot, but enough for me to start the plan again. I did just that about a week and a half ago and I have dropped 3 lbs. One of the keys is that you must write everything down. The visual is what keeps you on track.

After some great alternate food suggestions from a friend, I have incorporated some different things into my diet and expanded my circle of choices. I am now eating even healthier than I did during the initial effort.

Part of what this program instilled in me is the capability to realize when my eating habits change and why. Invaluable - and not just physically. It makes it easy to go back to it and maintain when I need to.

I have several friends that are on (and off) the program with different amounts to lose and maintain, and they have all been successful.

Note of Thanks

Just a quick entry to thank my friends and even some "strangers" who sent me lovely messages after hearing and/or reading about the death of my grandmother. It was warming to know that you cared and took the time to let me know.

So thank you.

Redneck Guilty Pleasure

I can't help it... they consistently make me giggle. Who? The boys of Blue Collar TV. I was enamoured of Bill Engvall for a few years before the guys got together. There is something about him that I find ... well.... hot. But then again, I've been told that historically, I have had an unproductive attraction to Southern Boys. Don't you just love it when people tell you (and it seems, the world at large) how you feel without actually consulting you, and if/when they manage to ask.... tell you that you're wrong? Remember the old addage - Don't assume because........

Oh dear - sorry, ... back to the topic at hand - I get home from work in time to watch the show and it is a great way to laugh at the end of the workday. Their episode from New Orleans where they went to cooking school and a Voodoo bookstore made me giggle to the extent that I think I scared my cats.

Fruity Friends

If this is true... I know some people that will live forever. I knew there was a benefit to the Blackberry Cobblers at Shag!

Link: Fruity Goodness

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday.

Adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found.

Any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol, they report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Saturday Spotlight

Lorraine Swanson
(Mo Collins - MAD TV)

Lorraine on The Price is Right



Lorraine Goes Camping



Lorraine at the Vegas Buffet



Lorraine and Carl at the Beach



and the absolute BEST of all

Lorraine and the Ladies - Lady MAD TV

Simple Song of Freedom

Today is Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Israel's Memorial Day. It is quite fitting this observance comes at the conclusion of this particular week. We mourn those affected by the horror of the events at VA Tech and most recently, today the hostage (and gunman) killed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston; while we are at it, we can add in the absolute crimes of humanity happening in Darfur and in too many places around the world. Today also marks 8 years since the Columbine HS massacre. My heart is so heavy with the thought of the sheer amount of suffering in the world brought on by our fellow human beings.

However, tomorrow is the 18th anniversary of the uprising in Tiananmen Square. 100,000 students from more than 40 universities gathered at Beijing's Tiananmen Square to voice their discontent with China's authoritative communist government, and call for greater democracy. Ignoring government warnings of violent suppression of any mass demonstration, the students were joined by workers, intellectuals, and civil servants. The picture that summed it up...





Towards the end of his life, Bobby Darin wrote a song called Simple Song of Freedom, whose lyrics remain relevant to this day.

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We the people here don't want a war

Hey there, Mister Black Man can you hear me?
I won't dig your diamonds or hunt your game
I just want to be, someone known to you as me
and I will bet my life you want the same

So come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

Seven hundred million are you listening?
Most of what you read is made of lies
But speaking one to one, ain't it everybody's sun
To wake to in the morning when we rise?

So come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
We, the people here, don't want a war

Brother Yareshenko are you busy?
If not would you drop a friend a line?
Tell me if the man, who is plowing up your land
has got the war machine upon his mind

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air Tell the people everywhere
That we the people here don't want a war

Now no doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents and ministers and kings
But let us build them shelves where they can fight among themselves
and leave the people be who like to sing

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we the people here don't want a war

Let it fill the air
Tell the people everywhere
That we the people here don't want a war

Deconstructing Seth Rudetsky

First and foremost... I love this man. His undeniable passion for, knowledge of, commitment to, and yes... occasional indignation (read: bitchiness) about all things Broadway is on a level that defies gravity (pun intended). His dedication to BCEFA and the Actors' Fund is unparalleled.

This past Monday, Seth's show Broadway 101 was constructed as a "lesson". I wish all school work was as insightful, entertaining and as passionately taught.

Many areas of the behind the scenes aspects of a Broadway show were addressed. Seth's brilliant insight and creativity gave us such demonstrations as: Andrea McArdle and Laura Benanti not so subtlely demonstrating the difference between head voice and chest voice; Mano Felciano finding his "moment" in timing with the conductor; and Seth's magnificent turn as a swing showing the sheer terror of going on for the first time; and my personal "made me weak in the knees" moment... Raul Esparza backed up by 8 beautiful voices (to demonstrate harmony).... singing "Morning Glow" from Pippin. If one's knees could buckle while sitting down... that was the reaction I had. But then again, he could have sang Jingle Bells for all I cared and I would have had the same reaction.

Seth also let us have a sometimes emotional peek into a few of his experiences as a child that lead him to where he is today. They were very personal moments presented with his usual style and flair. After all who gets to have Jen Cody portray themselves as a 8 year old boy... wearing yarlmulke?

Seth - It would be a priviledge to study with you for an advanced degree.

High Tide

The rain Sunday into Monday was of biblical proportions.

I went to work on Sunday for a few hours since there was a major event there that I had to finish coordinating. The weather was not so awful at that point, BUT the fact that I had to go to my office.... not that fun. By the time I got home - it was starting to get rough. Since I was not about to go out again without an ark, I was consumed for the rest of the day with my SIMS and their lives :-)

So yesterday, Monday morning, I got up as usual to start my day but discovered there was no hot water. *sigh*... you deal with it. As I leave the house, the rain was not as bad as it was Sunday night - but it was still a bit ugly. The traffic was very light... that should have been my first clue. I pass 3 schools on my way to work and usually there are buses and backups at the lights - there were none. I make the turn into my parking lot and...... it was empty. At that moment, my phone vibrates telling me I had a new voicemail message. I knew what it was going to say. ... but I listened anyway. The school was closed because of flooding (the call was made at 6:45 but didn't come through until 8:10).

I turn around - go home - made coffee and once again entered the lives of my SIMS - then I saw the horrific news of the massacre at Virgina Tech. I stared at the TV with utter disbelief and a broken heart for the students, their families and the community - and realized that my minor inconveniences over the past two days were positively insignificant in comparison. Most things are. This act was incomprehensible.

Last evening made up for the dreary past two days. I attended Seth Rudetsky's Broadway 101. What a wonderful evening of song, dance and Seth's hilarious deconstructing of Broadway shows. My next entry will be about it. It deserves its own highlight.

Right now, I am home.... sick and it looks like a nap is in the very near future.

Canine Funtime

Last night on PBS, I stumbled across an old Frank Sinatra Show and loved the opening theme song. So I went searching for it - His music usually leans towards the romantic..... but what I found is certainly special. Oh those wacky Germans.

(If you click on the picture you will be able to read it better)

Saturday Spotlight

Dynamic Duo

QuentinTarantino &
Robert Rodriguez

Each uniquely and supremely talented in their own right.... but put these two together and you get GRINDHOUSE - a 3 hour marathon of gore, sleaze, brilliant writing and all around great visual fun. It's been a long time since I've had this much fun at the movies.

Shill Out

A couple of noteworthy events involving talented people I like very much - so if you find yourself in NYC......

John Raymond "Jerby" Barker will be performing his show "Jerby With A Y" at The Duplex NYC, May 12, 14, & 19th. John's shows are the perfect example of what an evening of cabaret should be all about.

"The show is a comic, bawdy, yet personal exploration through topics ranging from auditioning to love to sex to politics to family. The music wildly ranges from various musical theatre genres to pop, dance, and even rap."

Next up: "Picasso At The Lapin Agile" at The T. Schreiber Studio - written by Steve Martin
featuring Michael B. - now through May 6th.

"Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, both young, headstrong and passionate, come together in a fictitious meeting devised in the comic mind of Steve Martin. It's bohemian Paris, at the turn of the century and the earth has fallen quiet to listen to a conversation. Does art matter? Can science touch the heart? Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder? Did Einstein and Picasso really only excel in their chosen fields in order to get girls? With a little help from a mysterious, blue-suede-shoe wearing stranger from the future, these topics get debated in the best possible of environments: your friendly neighborhood bar, The Lapin Agile."

One Safe Place

Lately, a few of my friends have been having a tough time for one reason or another... I thought of the lyrics to the song "One Safe Place" we've all felt the need for a safe place at one time or another - even if it is just as simple as the love of a friend ..... xoxo

One Safe Place - Marc Cohn

How many roads you’ve traveled
How many dreams you’ve chased
Across sand and sky and gravel
Looking for one safe place

Will you make a smoother landing
When you break your fall from grace
Into the arms of understanding
Looking for one safe place

Life is trial by fire
And love’s the sweetest taste
And I pray it lifts us higher
To one safe place

How many roads we’ve traveled
How many dreams we’ve chased
Across sand and sky and gravel
Looking for one safe place

Toyger, Toyger Burning Bright

Cat-freaking-tastic! Phenomenal "new" breed in development that is a bit similar looking to my cat, Ranger. Ranger, as far as the vet can tell, is a bengal.


Toyger kitties!



Full Grown Toyger - look at those paws!

Saturday Spotlight

Divalicious - Love to love her baby...

Donna Summer

1978 - at her absolute best, Donna released "Live and More". It played non-stop on my stereo for years... If I had to have a voice other than my own - it would be hers. Sultry, powerful, unique, sexy, full of attitude and seriously soulful. To this day, no one compares - at least for me. I still have the album. As a matter of fact, I still have my old a stereo system with a turntable... (bought at The Wiz) finding a needle for it would be an interesting endeavor.

Speaking of The Wiz... she would be outstanding as Glinda the Good. I definitely think she could pull it off. Having her play Evillene would be incredible too :-)

My Superpower

With the exception of one person lately - Apparently more and more, it seems my super power is being invisible. That is unless, I act first. It's getting old. Really old. I want a new power.... I'm really tired of this one.

Maybe it's the migraine I have right now, or maybe thinking about this caused it... who knows?

Channeling Larry King

Last night I had a spectacularly bad time falling asleep. My racing random thoughts could have given any Larry King commentary a run for it's money. Some of the highlights:

I need a new digital camera
Why is Debra Voight playing Isolde
I hope the cat food is ok
Did the DVDs I ordered come yet (shipped to work)
My hands are dry
I have to clean the fridge
Hare Club For Men - made me laugh like an idiot
Why is my lawyer such a slow poke
I should to use the gift certificate I got for a spa facial, manny/pedi
The paint in my livingroom is peeling
Images from Fast Food Nation ......
Is it really necessary for women to shave their legs
So much to clean out in the bedroom
Ice-cream
"Friend suckers" and the pathological reasons for it (more about that at another time)

There was so much more....

Creature of Habit

I've been living in my apartment for 12 years. You would think by now I would know where the lightswitch is in my kitchen. The thing is - in the house I grew up in the lightswitch was on the left, as it was in my past 2 apartments. In my current abode, it is on the right. It never fails.... I always try to turn on the light from the left. Pavlovian..... or just stupid? Sometimes I wonder.

The Holocaust - Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt

How appropriate something like this came up on the first evening of Passover...

My deep rooted anger about this is infinite.

An excerpt from an article at the UK website www.somethingjewishuk.co.uk

Link to article

"A small number of schools in Britain are dropping teaching the Holocaust for fear it may offend some pupils, a Government funded report by the Historical Association has found.

According to the report, teachers have taken Holocaust education out of the classroom for fear it may inspire some Muslim pupils to express anti-Semitism.

The report revealed that teachers are worried about having to deal with "anti-Semitic sentiment and Holocaust denial among some Muslim pupils"."

HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT????? How about MY family that "had to deal with it"? Let's ask my cousin Cecile, who at 2 years old watched as her entire family was taken away to the camps. The only reason she survived was that a Christian family in the same building grabbed her from the staircase and shoved her in their armoir so that she wouldn't be found. The only other survivors from her family were her mother and sister who made it through the camps.

Or maybe we should ask the families of the 9/11 victims how they feel about "not offending" these students.....

How dare they - TEACHERS, ignore a significant part of global history in order not to offend. It is their JOB to impart knowledge and by not addressing this portion of HUMAN history are doing their students a great disservice - not to mention pissing off a lot of people.

I can't write anymore....... my head is about to explode.

Better Late Than Never

So you find yourself with a few extra minutes in the morning before you have to leave for work.... here are a couple of things you can do that will garantee you will be late - believe me - I know.

• "Quickly"checking eBay for a couple of things

• Realizing your shower could use a "quick" cleaning

• Cleaning your computer keyboard/screen - and becoming obsessive about it and using copious amounts of Q-tips
  

• Downloading some songs to a CD - something is bound to go awry, therefore taking triple the normal amount of time to complete the task

• Sponateously polishing the black boots you want to wear that day - then realizing you can't walk around on the carpet until they have dried

• Setting your vcr so you don't miss a show you won't be home for - *see CD burning situation

• Going online to Random Kitty Generator