Things have been really busy. The students have returned and I have the side effects to prove it. I advise a large number of international students and I did have nightmares that they were all deported and there was nothing I could do except wave to them at the South Ferry as their boat took off. Ugh, but minus the lack of sleep I have survived the week.
Last week Esther and I went to see Percepolis, if you get a chance it is fantastic. After a relatively warm spell we are feeling the chill of winter here in the big city. Like most sane people I spent the majority of last weekend curled under the blankets with a good book and some licorice tea. I did venture out to downtown Brooklyn though. The Fulton Mall is where most of the shopping is in downtown Brooklyn. It is much of the same stores you will find at 34th street in Manhattan but none of the tourists and insane crowds.
This week was Restaurant week, this is when 200 of NYCs restaurants offer pre fix lunches and dinners at marked down prices for all to enjoy. It is a great time to try a new restaurant so Esther and I went to Brassiere 8 1/2. From the elaborate stair case where guests descend to make their grand entrances to the Picasso and Matisse inspired decor, the trendy restaurant lived up to the hype. Among the unusual flavors we sampled were scallops with a jalapeno/pineapple sorbet, Huckleberry duck, and gingerbread souffle.
I am really enjoying CURVES and can notice the difference in my energy level already. It is nice that they are so convenient here. One near work, near home, all over the city. It is great because that way I have no excuse for not going.
Tonight I went to Shul with some friends from my Judaism class. Afterwords we had dinner at one of their homes which was really nice. The rest of the weekend promises to be fun too. More to follow...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Walks
Well for the most part it was a pretty quiet weekend which was nice since this week is busy. I went to the Aquarium in Brooklyn where I saw "Brooklyn's Biggest Baby", a Walrus that was born there this past summer. The Aquarium is in the perfect location, just across from the Ocean! I live a few miles away from the ocean but on rainy mornings if the wind is right you can smell the Ocean when you step outside. I love the Ocean it is defiantly one of the advantages to living on the largest island in the Continental USA. After the Aquarium I went for a walk down the Boardwalk. It is one of the most fascinating walks one can take. The Aquarium is near the Coney Island side where you feel like you are walking around 1930s Atlantic City sans the Casinos. Astroland the amusement park is there, a freak show, and carnival games. But if you walk down to the other side of the Boardwalk you find yourself in Brighton Beach aka Odessa. I was walking around for a while when I realized I was the only person on the Boardwalk who didn't speak Russian.
On Sunday I was disappointed there were no Golden Globes so I decided to go see a movie that was nominated. I saw Atonement which was touching but very sad. I took the long way home and cut through Greenwood Cemetery. Leonard Bernstein, Alice Roosevelt, and Samuel Morse are among the notable people buried there. The most ornate and stunning statues are markers for many of the graves.
My friend Josie and I checked out CURVES and I ended up joining. I really like it, it is very affordable, a good workout, and I like that it is only women and not everyone looks like a supermodel. In an effort to keep our New Years Resolutions, Josie and I have been going for walks on our lunch breaks. Today it was quiet nippy out so we ended up at the Port Authority. I always think of it as being the Bus terminal but there is a three floor mall and bowling alley inside. I had to check out the prices of renting out lanes because the administrators in my building want to get together at some point for something non work related. There are eight of us and by default I am asked anything that sounds like it might be Midwestern, aka bowling. One of my co-workers is fascinated by the fact that Big Ten Football is such a huge deal. But much of this city is made up off Midwest transplants so I am not alone.
On Sunday I was disappointed there were no Golden Globes so I decided to go see a movie that was nominated. I saw Atonement which was touching but very sad. I took the long way home and cut through Greenwood Cemetery. Leonard Bernstein, Alice Roosevelt, and Samuel Morse are among the notable people buried there. The most ornate and stunning statues are markers for many of the graves.
My friend Josie and I checked out CURVES and I ended up joining. I really like it, it is very affordable, a good workout, and I like that it is only women and not everyone looks like a supermodel. In an effort to keep our New Years Resolutions, Josie and I have been going for walks on our lunch breaks. Today it was quiet nippy out so we ended up at the Port Authority. I always think of it as being the Bus terminal but there is a three floor mall and bowling alley inside. I had to check out the prices of renting out lanes because the administrators in my building want to get together at some point for something non work related. There are eight of us and by default I am asked anything that sounds like it might be Midwestern, aka bowling. One of my co-workers is fascinated by the fact that Big Ten Football is such a huge deal. But much of this city is made up off Midwest transplants so I am not alone.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Icons
I just realize what a week of Icons this has been for me. This past week I had managed to get in some pleasure reading which I realize that it keeps me sane (I am working on a presentation with a co-worker that we now are realizing could turn into a monograph that we may try and get published in the future, it is excited but one can only read so many scholarly articles on the development of art students in a day). I just finished Barbra: The Way She Is (a biography about Barbra Streisand). It is as one reviewer put it scandalsacious! I do love her though, I think it is the whole Jewish, ugly duckling, Brooklyn, musical theater loving, liberal thing :) anyway she is an icon to me. I highly recommend the book if you are a Babs fan.
Last night Esther and I had one of the most amazing theater experiences. It could possibly be the most amazing theatre of experience I have ever had. This was due not so much to the show itself (although I enjoyed that) but more to the presence on stage. In a theatre not much larger then a living room (I think there were only fifteen rows), only feet in front of us was Mikhail Baryshnikov! I do not know what it is but I have always been blown away by him and it was more thrilling to see him live. Interestingly enough it was not an evening of dance but a evening of Beckett shorts. Four of Beckett's short works were presented each with Baryshnikov in one of the roles. The first was "Act without Words I" I think that was my favorite. Mikhail was the only actor in this play. The stage had been constructed as though it were a giant sandbox and there is Baryshnikov who keeps trying to escape through the doors and being "thrown" back into the sandpit. It was amazing, he contoured his body to make you believe that someone was throwing him even though it was clear he was throwing himself. Even though it was not a night of dance just the sheer physical shape that he is in was incredible. It was a sometimes comical/ sometimes agonizing (as only Beckett can be) of man trapped and water just out of reach but never being able to quite grasp it. The other plays were also incredible, Act without Words II, Rough for Theatre I, and Eh Joe. In a less then 90 minutes Baryshnikov transforms himself from the trapped man, to an elderly man caught in a sequential routine, a blind survivor of a nuclear attack (the only one he spoke in), and a man haunted by his past on what appears to be his deathbed. The staging was amazing. In the last play a transparent curtain is kept close and you see Mikhail sitting on a bed listening to the voice of a women in is head and on the curtain projected is a large video of his face. You see the sweat, the tears, the lack of remorse at points, everything. Anyway I think he is just beautiful.
So now I am settled in bed and watching Breakfast at Tiffany's in the background. Talk about icons. Yes Audrey Hepburn is an icon of fashion, beauty, and humanitarianism. Beyond that though Holly Golightly has become an EVERYWOMAN. Every girl has a little Holly in her. What an odd EVERYWOMAN you might say, she appears to be a call girl, a ditz at times, and lacks any responsibility. But Hepburn plays her with such tenderness, vulnerability, and carefreeness that how could women everywhere not see a little of themselves in Holly? This movie has some of the greatest quotes ever and I have a theory that the Holly quote a girl identifies with the most is telling of the person she is.
"A girl just can't go to Sing Sing with a green face."-Holly is getting decked out in her best to visit Saly Tomato in prison. Even though her house is a mess she is searching for her usual Sing Sing outfit (the little black dress, big sunglasses and hat, and alligator heels). If this quote is you then you are the type of person who turns anything into an occasion. You always put your best face forward (after all you never know who is looking) whether you are attending a formal ball or picking up your dry cleaning, everything is glamorous.
"I don't think this place is half as nice as Tiffany's."-Holly is referring to the public library. If this is your quote then you are someone who doesn't get bogged down with the seriousness of life. Each day can be a fun adventure.
"A girl can't read that sort of thing without her lipstick."- Holly knows the letter Jose left is a Dear John letter before looking at it but insists on putting on her make-up before reading it. You are the type of person who doesn't like to let their guard down. You always keep a brave (and beautiful) face.
"If I ever found a real life place like Tiffany's then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name." Holly lives in an unfurnished apartment with a no name cat. She doesn't feel she belongs anywhere and therefore won't make anything permanent. Cat doesn't even belong to her.If this is you then you are still searching to find yourself and holding out for the hope that one day you will.
My Favorite! "Of course I think it would be tacky to wear diamonds before I am forty, I'll wait." Paul and Holly are walking around Tiffany's when she makes this statement. I love it because I am not a Diamond Girl (cue Seals and Croft song). If this quote is you then you know that while it is nice to have a special someone in your life to buy you Diamonds, that you can get on fine without that. Besides I have always been more partial to Sapphires and Pearls myself ;)
Whoever your icon(s) may be remember to go through life not emulating you icons but shaping yourself into a icon in your own right.
Last night Esther and I had one of the most amazing theater experiences. It could possibly be the most amazing theatre of experience I have ever had. This was due not so much to the show itself (although I enjoyed that) but more to the presence on stage. In a theatre not much larger then a living room (I think there were only fifteen rows), only feet in front of us was Mikhail Baryshnikov! I do not know what it is but I have always been blown away by him and it was more thrilling to see him live. Interestingly enough it was not an evening of dance but a evening of Beckett shorts. Four of Beckett's short works were presented each with Baryshnikov in one of the roles. The first was "Act without Words I" I think that was my favorite. Mikhail was the only actor in this play. The stage had been constructed as though it were a giant sandbox and there is Baryshnikov who keeps trying to escape through the doors and being "thrown" back into the sandpit. It was amazing, he contoured his body to make you believe that someone was throwing him even though it was clear he was throwing himself. Even though it was not a night of dance just the sheer physical shape that he is in was incredible. It was a sometimes comical/ sometimes agonizing (as only Beckett can be) of man trapped and water just out of reach but never being able to quite grasp it. The other plays were also incredible, Act without Words II, Rough for Theatre I, and Eh Joe. In a less then 90 minutes Baryshnikov transforms himself from the trapped man, to an elderly man caught in a sequential routine, a blind survivor of a nuclear attack (the only one he spoke in), and a man haunted by his past on what appears to be his deathbed. The staging was amazing. In the last play a transparent curtain is kept close and you see Mikhail sitting on a bed listening to the voice of a women in is head and on the curtain projected is a large video of his face. You see the sweat, the tears, the lack of remorse at points, everything. Anyway I think he is just beautiful.
So now I am settled in bed and watching Breakfast at Tiffany's in the background. Talk about icons. Yes Audrey Hepburn is an icon of fashion, beauty, and humanitarianism. Beyond that though Holly Golightly has become an EVERYWOMAN. Every girl has a little Holly in her. What an odd EVERYWOMAN you might say, she appears to be a call girl, a ditz at times, and lacks any responsibility. But Hepburn plays her with such tenderness, vulnerability, and carefreeness that how could women everywhere not see a little of themselves in Holly? This movie has some of the greatest quotes ever and I have a theory that the Holly quote a girl identifies with the most is telling of the person she is.
"A girl just can't go to Sing Sing with a green face."-Holly is getting decked out in her best to visit Saly Tomato in prison. Even though her house is a mess she is searching for her usual Sing Sing outfit (the little black dress, big sunglasses and hat, and alligator heels). If this quote is you then you are the type of person who turns anything into an occasion. You always put your best face forward (after all you never know who is looking) whether you are attending a formal ball or picking up your dry cleaning, everything is glamorous.
"I don't think this place is half as nice as Tiffany's."-Holly is referring to the public library. If this is your quote then you are someone who doesn't get bogged down with the seriousness of life. Each day can be a fun adventure.
"A girl can't read that sort of thing without her lipstick."- Holly knows the letter Jose left is a Dear John letter before looking at it but insists on putting on her make-up before reading it. You are the type of person who doesn't like to let their guard down. You always keep a brave (and beautiful) face.
"If I ever found a real life place like Tiffany's then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name." Holly lives in an unfurnished apartment with a no name cat. She doesn't feel she belongs anywhere and therefore won't make anything permanent. Cat doesn't even belong to her.If this is you then you are still searching to find yourself and holding out for the hope that one day you will.
My Favorite! "Of course I think it would be tacky to wear diamonds before I am forty, I'll wait." Paul and Holly are walking around Tiffany's when she makes this statement. I love it because I am not a Diamond Girl (cue Seals and Croft song). If this quote is you then you know that while it is nice to have a special someone in your life to buy you Diamonds, that you can get on fine without that. Besides I have always been more partial to Sapphires and Pearls myself ;)
Whoever your icon(s) may be remember to go through life not emulating you icons but shaping yourself into a icon in your own right.
Monday, January 7, 2008
I'm Back
It has been a while but between spending time with family and friends and fighting off a nasty head cold, I have been indisposed.
Friday I visited my friends Brad and Meghan who along with their daughters Hayley and Jamie were visiting Meghan's family. It is nice to have friends that are in the tri-state area several times during the year. I have been making some friends here but it is always nice to spend time with people whom you share a history with. This was also my first Metro North Trip. It was a beautiful train ride and so relaxing to catch up on some pleasure reading.
Other then my day trip the rest of my weekend was pretty low key. I saw JUNO on Saturday which was very cute. I must confess that I most wanted to see the film because both Michael Cera and Jason Bateman were in it and I am still mourning the cancellation of Arrested Development. It was such an outrageously brilliant show. I must say that I don't watch too much TV these days. I do watch Project Runway of course but other then that I watch Dirty Sexy Money and 30 Rock (usually online when it is convenient). I must admit that as I type I am watching Cash Cab which I also love but am generally not home for since they moved it up in time. Sorry Nip/Tuck you are no longer a priority in life.
Work started up again today. It is quiet without the students but there is still plenty to do. My co-worker Melissa and I are working for a presentation for the Northeast Regional conference of the National Academic Advisors Association in Maine which is very exciting. That is all for now. I am just very happy to be back in my element.
Friday I visited my friends Brad and Meghan who along with their daughters Hayley and Jamie were visiting Meghan's family. It is nice to have friends that are in the tri-state area several times during the year. I have been making some friends here but it is always nice to spend time with people whom you share a history with. This was also my first Metro North Trip. It was a beautiful train ride and so relaxing to catch up on some pleasure reading.
Other then my day trip the rest of my weekend was pretty low key. I saw JUNO on Saturday which was very cute. I must confess that I most wanted to see the film because both Michael Cera and Jason Bateman were in it and I am still mourning the cancellation of Arrested Development. It was such an outrageously brilliant show. I must say that I don't watch too much TV these days. I do watch Project Runway of course but other then that I watch Dirty Sexy Money and 30 Rock (usually online when it is convenient). I must admit that as I type I am watching Cash Cab which I also love but am generally not home for since they moved it up in time. Sorry Nip/Tuck you are no longer a priority in life.
Work started up again today. It is quiet without the students but there is still plenty to do. My co-worker Melissa and I are working for a presentation for the Northeast Regional conference of the National Academic Advisors Association in Maine which is very exciting. That is all for now. I am just very happy to be back in my element.
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