Your Telling The Truth

Grammar is going from bad to worse. A student friend of mine got a B on a recent papre because while the content was an A the grammar was a C. Bad grammar can be grating to thus of us with good grammar. But I shouldn't cast stones. My grammar, when correct, is pretty instinctive, not conscious. I do what looks or sounds right and I probably get about an A- level of correctness. Which was my overall high school GPA. Nowadays, if one grows up texting and IM-ing, where speed and brevity trump grammar, and in an age when computers correct spelling, it's no wonder. But I think I'm old-school enough I prefer "your" and "you're" to be used in the traditional way rather than "your" for both.

Absurd Statement

I'm in Starbucks, which, for reasons unclear to me, we call "Starby's" or "Starbs."

The advertisement sign reads:

Wishing is what makes the holidays the holidays.

No, no, no.

It's factually wrong, etymologcally wrong, and also meaningless. Literally ripping out meaning while trying to convey a feeling that will entice me to purchase flavored coffee.

(Now, I'm a total hypocrite. They just offered me a sample of peppermint mocha coffee and I accepted without hesitation.)

So much for that keen observation bordering on rant.

File Under: Center of the Universe

I donkt think itks my imagination that when I stand waiting for the bus with a group of people that the bus stops directly in front of my with disproportionate frequency. As if bus drivers instinctively know how important I am.

If only the rest of the universe followed their lead!

Crazy Man on the bus

Oh, New York.

I waited for the Limited bus.
To save time.

Who knew there would be a crazy, and it appears drunk man on the bus.

It started with the statement "all white people in the back."

Then he hit the window and spat. Not sure why. Then he almost got into a tussle with another passenger.

The bus driver stopped and asked if he could behave and then kept driving for a bit. This angered the other passengers who were not afraid to yell.

He stopped again near a cop car and 2 passengers got out t get the police. The man stumbled off before anyone came over.

It could have gotten violent. It didn't and I'm glad. It reveals the anger seething just below the surface. Not only in the man, but in the other passengers.

It's like 8:15 am. Angry already?

What's a girl to wear?

Somehow I forget every year how to dress for cold weather once fall comes.

I wish the weather forecast came with directions on what to wear. Like, "it's going to be 42 degrees today. You're going to want a medium weight jacket, scarf and gloves, but no hat." Something like that.

No Photography, Please.

I went to a great concert last night. U2 at Giant's Stadium. I was in general admission on the floor actually sort of "inside" the circle of the stage. I could see Bono's 5 o'clock shadow, the frayed bottoms of The Edge's jeans. Amazingly close.

It used to be that no cameras were allowed at concerts. Nowadays, what with camera phones, they've given up. So everyone, and I mean just about every single person (but me) had an actual camera.

And bou did they use them. I found it really distracting. And actually disturbing.

I want to be in the moment and enjoy the event. Taking pictures pulls you out of it. We supposedly take pictures to remember, but this is a concert. It's music. You can't really capture that.

I wouldn't begrudge someone a pic or two, but it was relentless and ubiquitous. I feel bad for them, actually.

You can't hold onto an experience like that. Bono's 10 feet away! Look! Enjoy it! Be present! Don't look at him through a screen.

Won't your ticket stub be enough?

Don't Build Your House On a Flood Plain

It's just so obvious. That little creek over there, right next to your house on the plot of flat land? Yeah, well, once every 20 years or so it floods big-time. Don't build there.

There hasn't been a really major flood in Atlanta since I was a kid. I remember my school's football field, next to Nancy Creek becoming a temporary lake. The golf courses also looked like lakes. Ditto the YMCA soccer fields.

Why? Because they were in flood plains. Simple. Obvious. That's why you build sports fields there. And not houses.

But then I remember when the horse field across from the soccer fields was developed. 20 or more houses were built. Not a good idea. They must have sold them to people from out of town.

In recent years I've noticed several new homes right by creeks. There's one over near Sarah Smith School, practically over the creek. What were they thinking?

As humans, we have this ability to ignore, deny, lie to ourselves and others that we are not in control, that bad things won't happen to us. I'm pretty sure Jesus had a parable about wise and foolish builders that relates to this.

Some People Run Late...

But I'm on time.
Sometimes pathologically. Even sometimes when I know I should be late. Like right now. My dear friend, former New Yorker, and a few others are meeting at this bar on Irving Place. Here I sit. The only one here.
The time to meet was 7:30. It's 7:45 now.
I should have known better!
It's so simple.
I even thought I was going to be a little late. Took my time getting ready and everything.

This trait is great for making trains, appointments etc.

Not so good for a night out. Fashionably late? Moi?
Um, no.

Ok, back to sitting at the bar. Tick tock tick tock.

in response to the athiest and diest bus campaigns in London...

The heavens declare the glory of God. I don't think he needs city buses.

Lovin' the Ladies... (peas that is)

The Vegetable Man on Wieuca Road here in Atlanta has Lady Peas! To the uninitiated, they are like a springy-fresh combination of english peas and black eyed peas. But delicate and delicious. Get them while you can.

Hospitals...

There are so many things not to like about hospitals. I like the IDEA of them - healing the sick - but the reality, for a patient, or, in my case, the daughter of a patient, far from a place where they help you get better.

Here I sit, as I type, in the nuclear medicine lab as my father has a "stress test." Apparently there's a worldwide shortage of a particular isotope they usually use for this test, and they have to use another, slower one. Which means lunch in the hospital cafeteria! Yikes. And then a 3 hour wait to repeat the test. My father is not pleased and cranky. I don't blame him.

I think, also, that I would hate a job where I had to wear scrubs every day, was subjected to primarily flourescent lighting, and the weird-smelling, dry, cold hospital air. And then there's the ugly art, the strange color choices and other aesthetic issues. I'm glad I didn't choose medicine as a career!

Internet Is (almost) totally silent about AMAZING TASTE TREAT!

My father belongs to an Atlanta country club (Capital City Club). It is not the very most socially sought after or elite. That distinction would go to the Piedmont Driving Club, but the CCC is right up there. It does have one particular food that would make it worth joining just to have in unlimited quantities. I am, of course, talking about the basket of hot butter Saltine crackers served as you sit down for dinner. In recent years other Atlanta clubs have added these onto their tables as well, but make no mistake, the CCC had it first.

The internet is virtually silent about these hot buttery crackers with the exception of a brief note in an article in 1999 which you can see here (about midway down the page).

How could this be? Have Atlantans been keeping this delicious secret on purpose? I remember as a kid trying to make them at home. I put butter on my saltines and stuck them in the oven, and got soggy crackers. I even tried different temperatures to no avail. The real things are crisp! The butter has saturated them without making them soggy in the least. I actually assumed they were fried in the butter. I still don't know how they do it.

I'd like to share a picture with you, but I have none. Imagine the cracker a golden yellow, warm, crisp, buttery, melting in your mouth. You could eat a dozen. As a kid I would spread extra butter on them. Decadent in a very Southern way. Does anyone really know how to make them? Can we share these with the world? It's about time!

Desperately Seeking Wi-Fi

So when I visit my dad, I always have my trusty Blackberry (I just upgraded to the Curve! Loving it.). However, sometimes, for work etc. I need the Real Thing. Not Coca-Cola, but the True Internet. And my technologically-impaired father has none. Lucky for me, I live less than a mile from Brookhaven Station where no less than 3 establishments have free wireless. Dunkin' Donuts, Hudson Grille, and The Mellow Mushroom. I usually sit in my car (as I am now!) and quickly upload/download what I need to do and split. It works. Not ideal, but whatever. What's strange to me is none of these 3 places strike me as the kind of place that would have free wi fi. Maybe Dunkin, but the others - a sports bar/restaurant and a pizza place aren't exactly the kinds of places. Whatever. I'll take it! (that's my computer, in the car, outside the Dunkin')

Weed 'Em Out?

view from the day
Originally uploaded by absolutwade

Why aren't there pedestrian crossing signals on Park Avenue in Midtown? Are they trying to elminate the weak ones in the herd? What's the deal? I mean, honestly.

The Incredible Edible Cancer Stick

This morning I went into a local bodega because I was running late and I knew they sold hard boiled eggs. A great portable breakfast. I saw the sign on the counter, "2 hard boiled eggs $1."

"Great," I thought to myself, "they have some this morning."

After waiting for the person ahead of me to pay, I went up to the counter.

"Hard boiled eggs," I requested. The man mumbled something back. I thought he was repeating my order as he turned around to grasp an item.

The clerk placed a pack of Marlboro Lights onto the counter saying, "Marlboro Lights?"

Um, no. HARD BOILED EGGS.

I thought that these two things sound alike. How did this happen? This man was not a native English speaker, was that the problem? Was it because it was early in the morning and I was mumbling? A bit of my sounthern accent coming out?

HARD BOILED EGGS. MARLBORO LIGHTS.

I laughed.

It's Electric.

Polaroid Transfer, Tower
Originally uploaded by Ryan Thomas

I've almost always prefered city-scapes to landscapes.
This one captures a mood pefectly.

VZ = PO

Is it just me, or is the Verizon store an awful lot like the Post Office? And not in a good way.

A Ploughman's Lunch At The Bull In Barkham

A Ploughman's Lunch At The Bull In Barkham
Originally uploaded by marty_pinker

A much prettier ploughman also from flickr.com.
I'd rather eat this one, I believe.

ploughman's lunch 1

ploughman's lunch
Originally uploaded by marty_pinker

Just read about a sandwich over at thekitchn.com that was close to a ploughman's lunch. Here's where a very detailed person on flickr.com uploaded a photo with each food diagrammed.

Kitchen Sink (breakfast) Casserole

This weekend I made a breakfast casserole out of mostly leftovers. It was awesome. I did buy the eggs, because to make a good casserole/strata in a 9x13 pan you need about 10 eggs. Or 12. The fact is, these things are so forgiving you almost can't mess it up. I don't even measure - I eyeball it.

It's called "Kitchen Sink" because you can kind of throw whatever into it (except the sink) and it works. No two are the same.

The things you need are: bread, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. And from there, just see what's lying about.

10 eggs, scrambled into a bowl.

The milk was leftover from a houseguest earlier in the week. She insisted on 1% and got it herself. I put maybe a little less than a pint in the bowl.

A dash of nutmeg. This is a secret and key ingredient. You can't even really tell what it is, when mixed in, but it keeps everything interesting.

I had some leftover butter, about half a stick or so, melted and combined with the milk and egg mixture.

Then, in the pan I took 3 frozen whole-wheat dinner rolls left over from a party about a month ago and sliced them up. I also had about a pound of honey-backed sliced ham from the same party. Frozen ham slices very nicely. I diced it and mixed it into the pan.

If my roommate hadn't just cleaned out the fridge, I would have taken the slightly-old but not too old onions or zucchini and sauted them and thrown them in, too.

Salsa or tomato sauce would also have worked, but I didn't have any. And that really changes the attitude of the dish, so strictly optional.

I poured the milk and egg mixture over the bread and ham. Then put the cheese on top.

The cheese this time was gouda left over from a graduation party a few days ago. I was feeling lazy, so I just sliced it on top. I guess ideally one would grate it. Whatever. It worked fine.

Let that sit and absorb overnight and pop it in an oven that's at about 375 for around 40 or so minutes, or until it looks done. Big hit. Wish I had a picture.

Water Towers

What exactly do they do? I realize that's a dumb question. But are they just for fires, or do they supply the regular water for a building? And why can you only see them in some buildings? Is it only older buildings of a certain size? Even though I have a lot of dumb questions about them, I like them. There's something really pleasing about their shape as they perch on the top of buildings in the city.

Belated Yogurt Update! I made it myself!

Ta da!

(and dang was it good)

Grilled Mexican corn, Café Habana (New York City)

Grilled Mexican corn, Café Habana (New York City)
Originally uploaded by ardenstreet

Just because we didn't conceive of this particular dish ourselves, those of us raised in the Deep South (in the US, that is) can greatly appreciate the Mexican version of corn on the cob.

Corn is my Georgia-native dad's favorite vegetable, and fresh corn, properly prepared (on or off the cob) is one of my favorites as well.

If you are in New York City and happen upon a street fair in the spring or fall, grilled corn is a must. They also do a great job with it at Cafe Habana in the NoLIta neighborhood of Manhattan.

2 Life Observations Made at the Gym

1. I have seen the future, and it is saggy.

2. Some people who look great in their workout clothes look weird in street clothes, and vice versa.

Artsy

1. I love city-scapes.

2. "I'll have what she's having."

3. Why can't the L.E.S. be closer to where I live?

4. I love Jorge Columbo's work (with an iphone, no less!). Buy it here.

Sleepless In The City

Amen, brother. Amen.

Table Setting

Were I to be registering for china, which I am not, I would register for this one.

Tobacco Leaf by Mottahedeh.

And I would use it every day.

Greetings from Copenhagen

Greetings from Copenhagen
Originally uploaded by Happymeat

Dear Mom,
We thought the hats were a good idea at the time.

Beep Beep

I love the design of this stamp series...I've never ridden in a Mini. I don't know if reality could live up to the hype because they seem wicked awesome. Love the way they look, not sure if they'd deliver in the actuality of driving. I think I'm just too tall. Thoughts?

Something In My Head Yesterday...

Some of my favorite clothes
Are hand-me-downs
Lost and founds
Thrift store finds
And left behinds
But baby I'm glad I found you.

[not sure what this means... how well it hangs together... but there it is]

Inspired By "Keep Calm, Carry On"

Love it. Buy it here.

A Harrowing Realization

Trolling through I-Tunes I realized several of the artists I was drawn to were on the same I-Tunes Essentials mix. That's one of the themed mixes that I-Tunes offers with multiple artists within a genre, such as "70's Dance Party" or "Italian Dinner Party". I clicked on this mix, and sure enough I already own at least a third, if not more, of the tunes on there.

What freaked me out was the title of said mix:

"Soccer Mom Chillout"

Ouch. I neither have kids, nor do I own a mini-van, nor frequent soccer games. Please say it ain't so. Apparently, according to musical taste, I am, at heart, just like a soccer mom who likes to chill out. It's not how I'd like to think of myself, to be honest. Aren't I hip, sophisticated, and young-for-my-age?

No. The answer, according to I-Tunes is a firm no.

I fit a far more "average" demographic than I'd like to admit.

Well, if the mom jeans fit...

Oh Blue Chair, wherefore art thou?

I'm trying to sell a pair of these chairs. They are blue. Blue leather. I didn't pick them out. I guess my mom did back in the day, and now that my dad is retired, we don't need them. We had a pair of brown leather chairs that sold in an instant. But not these. I think I get it. When it comes to leather, blue is a very particular choice. And, apparently, since 1985, not the choice of many. I've even reduced the price a couple of times. Still no takers. I don't even know if I can blame the economy. Surely someone in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area would like 2 chairs like this along with another blue leather desk chair on wheels. Surely. Anyone?

Needle-less to say...

I had acupuncture today. Also suction cups. It was for my neck and shoulders. We'll see if it makes an impact. Some say acupuncture is simply the "placebo affect." But my MD friend thinks there may be some legit things going on with it. I don't know. But I don't have a fear of needles. So that's good.

Streams of Travelers

Streams of Travelers
Originally uploaded by Ettubrute

This is the 2nd time lapse of his I've uploaded. Enjoy.

Bad Combination

I went to Blue Ribbon Bakery last night for the first time. I really enjoyed it while I was there. We were seated in a timely fashion, the waiter was friendly. And I ordered a horrific combination. Not that the flavors tasted bad, or, for that matter, in combination. But immediately after the meal I was filled with regret. Regret and bloating.

The following should not be eaten together in a "meal". Limit yourself to a combination of no more than 3 of these foods at a sitting. At least if you are going to have the portions I ate.

1. Brussel Sprouts. These were roasted.
2. Hummus

3. Assorted breads and butter

4. A cheese plate featuring 1 each of goat, sheep, and cow's milk cheese. The goat, in particular, was excellent. It also came with raw Mexican honey which I completely consumed.

5. Chocolate-chip bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and very rich chocolate sauce

All washed down with a glass of red wine and several glasses of water.

I know. I should have seen this coming.

Flight of the Conchords - good, cheap, fun.

My friend has a thus far failproof technique for getting cheap or free tickets to sold-out shows. No, no scalpers are involved. Just normal show-goers who want to help a girl out.

We saw Flight of the Conchords on April 15th.

3 of us showed up to Radio City Music Hall without tickets at 7:45, and after a little waiting, smiling, hoping, and slight negotiation, got 3 seats together, front of the 1st mezzanine, $20 each, which was $40 below regular cost with service charges. Not to shabby. And a funny show!

Great Poster, Great Music

Tyler James' song "Stay Humble" is a near perfect song. Lyrics, sound, everything. And I dig the poster, too. The stars have been crossed everytime I knew he was playing in NYC. One of these days I'll get there.

Do I wish I was cooler? More Ironic? Like this?

Let's Talk TACOS

I recently returned from a trip to LA, where I consumed vast amounts of Mexican food. Probably I should say "Mexican" food. Because so much of what we eat and call Mexian has been adapted and changed, hasn't it?

For me, my touchstone taco comes from eating at Jalisco's in Atlanta, GA as a child. All other tacos are compared to theirs. Specifically in Buckhead (Taxco's and El Azteca being close seconds and thirds). This was a basic crispy shell, ground beef, shredded white mild cheese, lettuce. That's it. I still love Jalisco's. It's an affordable, family friendly, table-service place. And, extra bonus, there's a Baskin Robbins next door. Like lots of places in Atlanta, it's in strip mall, but we will overlook this.

I was pleased and intrigued to try Tito's Tacos when I visited L.A. It lived up to it's reputation. Like Jalisco's this is Mexican food for an American palate. You order at the window, and there's some sort of system there that I couldn't quite figure out. Their tacos have a thick shell, mild yellow cheese, and ground beef. I could get used to that. Be prepared to wait in line, but not regret it.

It's interesting that you can't really find places in NYC doing these kind of tacos. I mean, I guess there is Taco Bell, but it's so oily, so bad... and otherwise you are left with "burrito based" places (as I would call them) that have tacos as a side, or fancy-shmancy Mexican like Rosa Mexicano. Love it, but for totally different reasons (not the tacos!).

I'll be honest. I prefer the crispy to the soft tacos. I know that's inauthentic and that really I should be eating tostadas. They are the real crispy fried corn tortillas one finds in Latino markets. Normally, I prefer the "real" thing. Not so, in this case.

Ryhme in Progress...

[to a slowish beat]

I swear I think I saw Bill Gates on the subway
I wasn't lookin' for him
He was lookin' my way
I said, "Can I have a million dollars"?
He said, "Okay.
I'll write you a check and I mail it to you Monday."

I swear I think I saw Lil' Kim in the drugstore
She was buyin' makeup
I was like, "What is that for?
Don't they give it to you free at the Mac store"?
She was like, "Naw, they don't do that for me anymore."

(to be continued...)

Gasp! [trying to keep her nose above the water]

Where's the "Clicker"?

Remember when the remote was literally a clicker?

Like it actually clicked?

Limited features, as well. Simplicity.

All this one did was change the damn channel. Nice.

Why Newspapers Are Going Out Of Business

Finally, people have had enough. They are fed up.

They will not stand (or pay for it) any more.

The reason why newspapers are going out of business?

Two words. I mean one word.

NEWSPRINT

They hate getting newsprint all over their hands

and the smudges on white clothing.

They've had it. Shut 'em down.
If newspapers could figure out a way

to rid the world of this blight,

and still give us paper news,

i am SURE everything would turn around.

Because I hate blackened fingers.

Don't you?

tonight i tried to make yogurt. awaiting results!

Fancy French MRE (Meal Ready To Eat)

I was at my local market the other day. These guys have the most interesting eclectic variety of foods. They had St. Dalfour Gourmet To Go Meals on sale for $2.50 each. I bought a few to try out, kind of because of the container. They seem like the perfect thing to leave at the office when I forget to bring my lunch. They are surprisingly good, but not quite enough food! The can is even microwavable, and it comes with it's own spork. Gotta love that.

BBQ Meals on Wheels

I've had a deep appreciation for taco trucks for a few years now. My local, beloved truck was, in fact, written up in the NY Times in 2007 and has even won some awards.

But I recently read about the Koji BBQ trucks out in L.A., and I am psyched to give them a try this weekend. I'll be staying in Venice for a few days, not far from where they often stop at night.

They've apparently taken the concept to a new level from the quality and preparation of the food, to actually Twittering their location. (Finally, a good reason to Twitter!)

I think the gourmet "taco" truck has huge potential in cities all over the U.S., not just New York and L.A. We'll see if it catches on. As a fan of cheap-but-good food, I hope it does.

To find out more about Koji click here for their site. Or find them on Twitter... if that's your jam.

Birds on Wire, again.

It's, like, becoming a blog theme!

Looks Delicious

I want to try making this. It's pseudo-ricotta/farmer's cheese.

The recipe is available at Cooking Books.

Genetically Predisposed to Pack-rat-ism

I am a keeper.

As was my paternal grandmother and my father before me.

I am still young, and can fight it, for now.

But someday it will win.

I will keep things that I do not need.

That historians will not want. That will serve no purpose.

I will think them a gift to future generations. Future generations will throw them away.

(This lovely picture is available for sale, for just $20 for a high quality archive print here.)

Signs of the Times

Until fairly recently, the owner of this building on my block diligently fought the graffiti tags with regularly applied fresh coats of paint. Several months ago, I guess he gave up. I don't know if it is a sign of the recession, or something else, but I suspect we'll be seeing more of this sort of neglect-to-decay in the months and years ahead. I acknowledge that there can be beauty in that urban ugliness, too. I don't hate all graffiti, but there's something particularly foreboding about this to me. Someone has been unable to hold their own, and others have noticed, taken advantage of it for their own ends, and we are left with something less than what we started with.

Human Limitations

Portuguese straight line
Originally uploaded by PtitBen

"Out of the crooked timber of humanity, nothing entirely straight can be built."

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
from Akademische Ausgabe

Prociutto Palace

Tonight we ate at Salumeria Rosi on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It lived up to the hype. The various Italian hams were delicious, as were all the other small dishes we tried. The torte, the lasagna, the onions... all excellent. AND a dude we met paid for our dinner. Cha-ching. (nope, no strings attached!)

Headphones

Red Headphones
Originally uploaded by beech_design

Despite what you think at the time, you actually do NOT look cool mouthing the words that you are listening to on your headphones.

Textually Active

Cell Phone
Originally uploaded by JonJon2k8

My roommate got invited out on a "date" tonight via text. I put the word date in quotes because, depending on your standards and how you count it, it might not, possibly be a date.

Women say things like this because we believe somewhere out there there is a tribunal that decides what counts as a date and what doesn't. And whether or not something is a date MATTERS. Sometimes, nowadays, dates are difficult to have an accurate ruling on. It takes deliberation. And then the decision is written into a very impressive, large, leather-bound book next to your name.

Because, classically, a date would be a phone call or a face-to-face ask, followed by dinner or drinks, for which the man pays. This is the minimum, bare bones classic.

But what if it is intitiated via text? What if it becomes "meeting up"? These are what tribunals are created for. Because texting can be totally fine and friendly, or a little wussy. Like, are you afraid to call? Afraid of the awkwardness? Afraid of rejection? Or do you want to give the impression that it's "no big deal?"

And meeting up can be good, at the beginning. No pressure. Public place. Casual.

But both of these, especially when repeated, become not-so-good to really bad. And then, you'll find yourself heading out of your apartment on something less than a date. Not worth the trouble of shaving the legs, or the time it took to get ready.

It's 11pm, and she isn't home, so I am thinking it was datey enough tonight that she stayed out. Or she made the best of a mediocre situation. Time will tell. This is why roommate stay up writing blogs, so that they can hear the story when the roommate comes home.

Women love stories.

UPDATE: IT WAS A DATE. (She just walked in the door)

Jump for Joy

Life isn't always like this, so let us seek to savor the moment, and the memory.

Let It Snow.

Snow makes everything look like Narnia.

My dad tells me it's snowing where he is.

They are predicting snow here tonight.

This picture was taken where I used to live.

Maxed Out

Wait, who thought this ad campaign was a good idea? And I'm not even going to talk about the size and thickness of this pad. See for yourself on another from that era. (mid 1980's?)

I discovered these relics cleaning out our mountain cabin.

This would pretty much be a vote against ever wanting to time travel to the past. Yikes.

I Am David (not me, that's the name of it)

I just saw "I Am David" on IFC. It's not the type of movie I would have gone to see in the theaters, but perfect for a lazy Saturday (see my previous post, Mood Movies). This film is about a boy who escapes from a prison camp in Bulgaria in the 1950's. One of the key characters is played by James Caveziel (a.k.a. Jesus). This casting tells you that there may be Christ-like sacrifice and redemption ahead. Sure enough, those suspicions are proved true. I won't give away any more, but I recommend it. Here's the trailer.

2 Celebs, 1 Day

Growing up far from New York (and Hollywood), it never occurred to me that I would ever see celebrities in real life. They existed in another world. But now that I live in New York, it's almost commonplace to see someone whom I recognize from TV or film. Usually it's "that guy from that commercial" - in other words, basically, a working actor. Actual "celebrities" or "stars" are more rare. But today I saw two of them going about their personal lives.
Is it creepy that I am writing about it? I think the answer, despite what our culture says, is yes.

I saw Alec Baldwin at my gym. Ethan Hawke was on the subway.

It's not terribly exciting because I've actually seen both of them before. Just not on the same day. Wow. How jaded am I now? (I guess if I was REALLY jaded I wouldn't even mention it!)

Free Ride

new york city bus
Originally uploaded by sally henny penny

There are those somewhat rare occaisions when you board a CTB (that's "Cross Town Bus" to you uninitiated) and instead watching you make the expected payment, the driver covers the card reader with his/her hand and waves you on board. Even though it's actually because the reader is broken, it feels like you are getting away with something. There's a small leap of joy inside and I think, "Can you do that? Awesome!" Remarkably, I feel that way even when I am carrying an unlimited ride metrocard.

Ash Wednesday

I'm always a little surprised by how many people wear ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Not only how many, but which people.

Discuss...

I could write a sermon about this. Seriously. Talk about the desperate, universal cry of the human condition. Wow. He's even holding a bar of soap!
Who would you address this message to? How does real change occur? Where is the hope?

On Beards

The L Shaped Beard
As a child, I didn’t know any men with beards. Neither my father, male relatives, nor any family friends that I can recall had facial hair of any sort. So my first real opportunity to observe a beard was with my 9th grade history teacher, Dr. Lamploo. (It’s not spelled that way in real life). Dr. Lamploo would shave his cheeks and neck making the beard form an “L” shape. I think it was everything that a beard shouldn’t be. Trimmed and shaped and awkward. It used to distract me in class. Did he get up each morning, pull out his razor and just run it down a razor width on each cheek? Why grow a beard if you are still shaving daily? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?
The Handlebar
I have a dear older friend who sported a big handlebar moustache for 23 years. It was metonymy. He was the moustache. It defined him. He shaved it for a party I threw. His wife was thrilled. I was flabbergasted. It made him look 10 years younger. But when I see him, I see the lack of moustache. But though I love my formerly handlebarred friend, the moustache is, even if you are a Brooklyn hipster, a bad choice. I’ll leave it there.
Beard Brothers
I hadn’t seen my neighbor, Reed, for about 3 months. I ran into him on the sidewalk with a friend of his; they both had huge beards. Big, bushy, untrimmed, lumberjack beards. Reed and 7 of his friends decided to be “Beard Brothers” growing them together and also having a contest to see who could go the longest not shaving (or, apparently trimming) them. Reed is fair haired, blue eyed, and of Scottish descent, yet he told me that since he had grown out his beard, people assumed he was Jewish. Oddly enough, I could see what they meant. I didn’t love his beard, but I have to say I preferred it to the Dr. Lamploo thing.

I am happy to say that I have never had noticeable facial hair (except eyebrows and lashes). I’ve never had to pluck, wax, or bleach. And that makes me happy. But if I was a guy, I think I would enjoy experimenting with various facial hair arrangements on a short-term basis. A brief foo-manchoo, a temporary flavor-saver, whatever. But nothing long-term. And nothing shaped like a topiary.
Let me say, though, with all my beard-bashing that there is a kind of beard I do like. It’s the untrimmed, just slightly longer than a five o’clock shadow. Viggo Mortenson in Lord of the Rings is an example. A little closer to home would be Brett from Flight of the Conchords. You get the idea.