I went to see "Sex and the City 2" yesterday with two girlfriends. Women were everywhere, lined up. And this was only the 4:50 show on Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend. The line was out the door, down the escalator, around the block for the show after that. It was showing not only on 67th Street, but also just up Broadway at 84th Street. Unprecedented.
The movie was actually not all that good, after the shoes, the clothes, Big and Carrie's fabulous apartment; the gay wedding, the hotel in Abu Dhabi, and the fabulous Danish guy. Parts of it were actually rather pathetic and insulting, (i.e. Samantha dropping her condoms in the spice market - really tacky - and her lipstick! way too heavy). But it did have a few high points, notably Charlotte and Miranda confessing to each other over martinis that motherhood is not the fairy tale they thought it would be. I also liked the scene where the Arab women revealed their Western finery underneath those heavy black robes.
Other than those two scenes, it was mostly rather stupid.
But that obviously didn't matter, because the reviews were out by the time we saw it, which means that women are lining up to see it anyway. We really don't care that it might be bad. We are lining up for another reason, which I call "Sisterhood".
Despite recent magazine articles and chat shows that talk about women as natural enemies, women need each other, and we find any and every excuse to be together. In groups, in pairs, in threesomes; we meet, we shop, we eat, we see stupid movies, we bitch. We travel, read books, go out dancing together, plan our kids' teacher's retirement luncheon together, meet at the gym, swap clothes and tell stories, much as the ladies of "Sex and the City" do in every episode since the beginning of the series. We live our lives with, and through, each other. We do not tear each other down, we build each other up, in ways that our children, our jobs, and our men do not and cannot.
We even dress for each other, which is an interesting phenomenon in and of itself. Men do not actually like 3 inch Manolos, do not generally notice what color eye shadow we have on, and could not care less which designer's handbag we carry. (Unless they are gay men, or trannies, in which case they are, by definition, part of the Sisterhood).
The two women I went out with last night only met each other recently, at a swap party brunch at my house, yet found endless points of sisterhood as we dissected the movie over margaritas and guacamole at Gabriela's. Marriage. Divorce. Widowhood. Dating. The highs and lows of our lives. A discussion that keeps repeating itself, time and time again.
My mother, the lovely Joan, has a similar group of women friends, who have been connected in much the same way, for more than 50 years. She and her friends have witnessed several Presidents, various stock market cycles, many marriages, and numerous grandchildren. Life, illness, death, babies. But through all that, they have their girlfriends to turn to, as I have mine.
And it was Mom who told me to keep my eye out for the hot Danish guy in the movie, which she saw, with her girlfriends, before I did. Moral: Life, like the movie, may have its rough spots, but hopefully, there is a cute guy in a Jeep, just over the sand dune.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Heavy Breathing
No, this is not about Salsa, or sex, or Denzel, or Idris. It is about coughing, sneezing, and why so many of us can't seem to shake the tightness in the chest, the runny nose, the sore throat. This is dedicated to my neighbor, Miles, to whom I promised to send a list of natural remedies, and who has the same symptoms as I. We're all in this together, Miles, and when one of us sneezes, we all catch it. Or do we? THE ALLMIGHTY SPRING GERM...or is it? Is this a cold, or an allergy?
First, let me say that I am not a doctor, nor a nutritionist, or even a homeopath; but, as some of you know, I have been studying Anatomy, Nutrition, and Physiology at Hunter College during my self-imposed hiatus from real estate. So now I am back at work toiling in the fields of the frustrated, but I continue to study and research the various health-related disciplines which I find so endlessly fascinating. In short, I now know enough about some things to actually be able to say that I know something about what I am talking about (got that??) I will say this, however, that any health related issues should, of course, be referred to an actual doctor, nutritionist, naturopath, acupuncturist, chiropractor, or at least to a reputable pharmacist. These are only my ideas, suggestions and observations.
Now, about that cough. If you are coughing up or blowing out any kind of green or yellow slime (sorry, I know that was gross!), you most probably have a bacterial infection in your lungs or sinuses. For that you should probably see a doctor just to make sure, and you may need antibiotics to get rid of it if it is an infection. Untreated slime can actually turn into pneumonia, which, as we know, can be bad. Very, very bad. (Yes, I know, over-use of antibiotics can make us resistant to them, which is why they should only be used if there is a lot of green slime, and if you can't get rid of it any other way).
If there is no green slime, or no slime at all, then you probably just have the common cold, which is caused by a viral infection, for which there currently is no actual cure. Various drugs claim to be "anti-viral", but these are often unsubstantiated claims. So you may just have to wait it out, and treat the symptoms. But that is not always easy, as I know from personal experience.
As Oprah says, one thing I do know for sure: OTC drugs that contain phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine HCL or various other decongestants, can seriously raise your blood pressure, and should be avoided if you have blood pressure issues. That is why some cold medications can leave you with heart palpitations, dizziness, and other unpleasant symptoms. Since I myself have mild hypertension, (to be the subject of a future post), I spend alot of time reading medicine labels, since I need to avoid the offending ingredients.
(The first two ingredients mentioned above have largely been replaced by the 3rd in most of the products now on pharmacy shelves. but make sure that your medicine chest does not contain preparations with the older ingredients. They are harmful, especially to young children).
So what's a poor suffering sick person to do? Is Mom's chicken soup really a remedy?
Well, yes. Studies have shown that chicken soup, hot peppers, and various other foods have more than a conforting effect on the common cold - they can actually help by shrinking the swelling in the nasal passages. Not sure how this works, but I swear that it does. But watch out for the high sodium content in most commercial brands of chicken soup. Make your own, or call your Mom.
Other things that I find helpful for a cold are: plain aspirin (also helps shrink the swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages), steam saunas or hot baths with eucalyptus oil rubbed on the chest, nasal irrigation with a Neti pot, and mega-doses of EmergenC powder dissolved into water. (This last one helps to replace some of the electrolytes and vitamins that your body may lose if you have a fever or are just plain worn out from being sick). Ginger tea and ginger ale are also good, as you are probably dehydrated, nauseous, and may even be throwing up if you have the flu, for which there is also no actual cure).
Again, modern medicine has not yet found a definite cure for the common cold, despite some recent claims to the contrary, so it is imperative that you find out if that is what you actually have, as opposed to an allergy, which many of us have this time of year when things are blooming and blossoming.
Speaking of allergies, make sure that you eliminate as many of the common allergy triggers from your environment as possible, especially from your sleeping area. I did this recently by banishing our two cats, Ben and Jerry, from our bedroom, where they had been sleeping for the past 5 years, usually on my face. (Pet dander, hair, and pet saliva are highly allergenic substances, but ones that we frequently overlook. What we do for love...)
What a difference it made! I no longer have to take daily hits from an asthma inhaler, although I still keep one handy during tree pollen season. Other common triggers are dust, mold, pollen, and certain foods (more on THAT later).
Finally, one of the best cures for heavy breathing is MORE heavy breathing. By that I mean "deep breathing", from the belly, rather than shallow, upper chest breathing, which can be difficult if you are coughing from a cold or allergy. Alex R., my trainer at the Reebok Club, showed me this recently. Not only did I come away from our session with a clear head and a calm sense of relaxation, I felt that I was really able to breathe fully for the first time in a while.
Of course, for heavy breathing, there's always Salsa...
First, let me say that I am not a doctor, nor a nutritionist, or even a homeopath; but, as some of you know, I have been studying Anatomy, Nutrition, and Physiology at Hunter College during my self-imposed hiatus from real estate. So now I am back at work toiling in the fields of the frustrated, but I continue to study and research the various health-related disciplines which I find so endlessly fascinating. In short, I now know enough about some things to actually be able to say that I know something about what I am talking about (got that??) I will say this, however, that any health related issues should, of course, be referred to an actual doctor, nutritionist, naturopath, acupuncturist, chiropractor, or at least to a reputable pharmacist. These are only my ideas, suggestions and observations.
Now, about that cough. If you are coughing up or blowing out any kind of green or yellow slime (sorry, I know that was gross!), you most probably have a bacterial infection in your lungs or sinuses. For that you should probably see a doctor just to make sure, and you may need antibiotics to get rid of it if it is an infection. Untreated slime can actually turn into pneumonia, which, as we know, can be bad. Very, very bad. (Yes, I know, over-use of antibiotics can make us resistant to them, which is why they should only be used if there is a lot of green slime, and if you can't get rid of it any other way).
If there is no green slime, or no slime at all, then you probably just have the common cold, which is caused by a viral infection, for which there currently is no actual cure. Various drugs claim to be "anti-viral", but these are often unsubstantiated claims. So you may just have to wait it out, and treat the symptoms. But that is not always easy, as I know from personal experience.
As Oprah says, one thing I do know for sure: OTC drugs that contain phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine HCL or various other decongestants, can seriously raise your blood pressure, and should be avoided if you have blood pressure issues. That is why some cold medications can leave you with heart palpitations, dizziness, and other unpleasant symptoms. Since I myself have mild hypertension, (to be the subject of a future post), I spend alot of time reading medicine labels, since I need to avoid the offending ingredients.
(The first two ingredients mentioned above have largely been replaced by the 3rd in most of the products now on pharmacy shelves. but make sure that your medicine chest does not contain preparations with the older ingredients. They are harmful, especially to young children).
So what's a poor suffering sick person to do? Is Mom's chicken soup really a remedy?
Well, yes. Studies have shown that chicken soup, hot peppers, and various other foods have more than a conforting effect on the common cold - they can actually help by shrinking the swelling in the nasal passages. Not sure how this works, but I swear that it does. But watch out for the high sodium content in most commercial brands of chicken soup. Make your own, or call your Mom.
Other things that I find helpful for a cold are: plain aspirin (also helps shrink the swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages), steam saunas or hot baths with eucalyptus oil rubbed on the chest, nasal irrigation with a Neti pot, and mega-doses of EmergenC powder dissolved into water. (This last one helps to replace some of the electrolytes and vitamins that your body may lose if you have a fever or are just plain worn out from being sick). Ginger tea and ginger ale are also good, as you are probably dehydrated, nauseous, and may even be throwing up if you have the flu, for which there is also no actual cure).
Again, modern medicine has not yet found a definite cure for the common cold, despite some recent claims to the contrary, so it is imperative that you find out if that is what you actually have, as opposed to an allergy, which many of us have this time of year when things are blooming and blossoming.
Speaking of allergies, make sure that you eliminate as many of the common allergy triggers from your environment as possible, especially from your sleeping area. I did this recently by banishing our two cats, Ben and Jerry, from our bedroom, where they had been sleeping for the past 5 years, usually on my face. (Pet dander, hair, and pet saliva are highly allergenic substances, but ones that we frequently overlook. What we do for love...)
What a difference it made! I no longer have to take daily hits from an asthma inhaler, although I still keep one handy during tree pollen season. Other common triggers are dust, mold, pollen, and certain foods (more on THAT later).
Finally, one of the best cures for heavy breathing is MORE heavy breathing. By that I mean "deep breathing", from the belly, rather than shallow, upper chest breathing, which can be difficult if you are coughing from a cold or allergy. Alex R., my trainer at the Reebok Club, showed me this recently. Not only did I come away from our session with a clear head and a calm sense of relaxation, I felt that I was really able to breathe fully for the first time in a while.
Of course, for heavy breathing, there's always Salsa...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Purple Haze
A recent article in the NYT by Kim Severson ("Creating a Cuisine out of Smoke", Dining Section, 5/19/10) brought to mind many things, not the least of which was my youthful and sporadic history with The Weed.
Many of us got high in our youth, and perhaps some of us still do. Let me state, emphatically, that I do not. Most, if not all of my friends, also emphatically do not, as revealed in a spirited late night conversation driving up the FDR last week. We do not now, and some of us never did. Those of us who did, but now do not, have various reasons why we do not, along with most people our age. Jobs, mortgages, disapproving spouses, fear of being outed by Facebook, upcoming Senate hearings, etc.
But the main reason that most of us do not, or do not admit that we do, is that we have children.
Sometime between our carefree youth, and now, The Weed and its stronger cousins became dangerous. Most of us who did it back then had no fear that we would turn into coke addicts, meth heads, heroin junkies, prostitutes, drug mules, or criminals of any kind. It was just something that we did, on a Saturday night, usually in the company of cheap wine and pizza while we watched those early episodes of Saturday Night Live and listened to Richard Pryor records (remember "records"?)
Speaking of remembering, I remember doing it on the way to an African Dance Class during my junior (or senior) year at college. I danced my (flat) butt off that night, but was then unable to find the car the next morning, having parked it squarely in front of someone's driveway, causing the angry homeowner to have it towed.
I remember going to the movies to see "Star Wars" during that wonderful week between the end of Senior Year classes and graduation, and having no recollection whatsoever of anything that happened in the movie, other than the scene where all the aliens and their pals were partying in the bar. They were blissfully high, and so were we.
And I recall an earlier memory of a certain teen-aged day trip that I took from New Rochelle to Little Italy with my friend, P., where we shared half a tab of psilocybin as we roamed the streets of the San Gennaro Street Fair. We ended up going to visit her grandmother in Lincoln Towers, and attempted to pour an entire carton of milk into a 4 oz. glass as the housekeeper, Louise, looked on in horror.
The last time I smoked a joint was sometime in the early 80's, long before I met my husband, and years before we had children. I distinctly remember plunging my hand deep into the nether recesses of my handbag to find my key, and feeling the intensely acute sensation of each and every item in the bag. It was bizarre; excruciating, and oddly painful, so much so that I never smoked anything ever again.
In the words of Stephen Stills, "Paranoia strikes deep".
But why, I wonder, was casual drug use such a non-issue back then, and such a big deal now? It was against the law then, as it is now. It could mess you up then, as it can now. It cost money back then, and it certainly is not free now...
Part of the answer, I think, lies with the issue of intent. We did it back then to have fun, as recreation, on our way to something bigger and better, which we knew we were about to do. I remember one guy in particular, returning from a year long backpacking trip getting high in the mountains of wherever. He bought a suit, cut his hair, and left Cambridge for a job in his Daddy's Wall Street firm. The time had come for him to put away his childish things, and he did.
Life is not so simple now. The world is a far more complicated place these days, which means that a stop on the way to get high and have fun can become a permanent jump into the black hole of oblivion and despair. Or so I've heard.
So let us raise a glass - or a joint - and toast the innocent, sticky-sweet days of our youth. And let us recognize that there are still folks out there who live life, create art, dance, cook, and make music through a fragrant purple haze. There have always been these intrepid souls among us, and I was reminded of this last Wednesday night at the Picasso Exhibit at the Met. Take a look at his amazingly bizarre painting, "Man with Lollipop". (1938). Surely, he must have been high.
Many of us got high in our youth, and perhaps some of us still do. Let me state, emphatically, that I do not. Most, if not all of my friends, also emphatically do not, as revealed in a spirited late night conversation driving up the FDR last week. We do not now, and some of us never did. Those of us who did, but now do not, have various reasons why we do not, along with most people our age. Jobs, mortgages, disapproving spouses, fear of being outed by Facebook, upcoming Senate hearings, etc.
But the main reason that most of us do not, or do not admit that we do, is that we have children.
Sometime between our carefree youth, and now, The Weed and its stronger cousins became dangerous. Most of us who did it back then had no fear that we would turn into coke addicts, meth heads, heroin junkies, prostitutes, drug mules, or criminals of any kind. It was just something that we did, on a Saturday night, usually in the company of cheap wine and pizza while we watched those early episodes of Saturday Night Live and listened to Richard Pryor records (remember "records"?)
Speaking of remembering, I remember doing it on the way to an African Dance Class during my junior (or senior) year at college. I danced my (flat) butt off that night, but was then unable to find the car the next morning, having parked it squarely in front of someone's driveway, causing the angry homeowner to have it towed.
I remember going to the movies to see "Star Wars" during that wonderful week between the end of Senior Year classes and graduation, and having no recollection whatsoever of anything that happened in the movie, other than the scene where all the aliens and their pals were partying in the bar. They were blissfully high, and so were we.
And I recall an earlier memory of a certain teen-aged day trip that I took from New Rochelle to Little Italy with my friend, P., where we shared half a tab of psilocybin as we roamed the streets of the San Gennaro Street Fair. We ended up going to visit her grandmother in Lincoln Towers, and attempted to pour an entire carton of milk into a 4 oz. glass as the housekeeper, Louise, looked on in horror.
The last time I smoked a joint was sometime in the early 80's, long before I met my husband, and years before we had children. I distinctly remember plunging my hand deep into the nether recesses of my handbag to find my key, and feeling the intensely acute sensation of each and every item in the bag. It was bizarre; excruciating, and oddly painful, so much so that I never smoked anything ever again.
In the words of Stephen Stills, "Paranoia strikes deep".
But why, I wonder, was casual drug use such a non-issue back then, and such a big deal now? It was against the law then, as it is now. It could mess you up then, as it can now. It cost money back then, and it certainly is not free now...
Part of the answer, I think, lies with the issue of intent. We did it back then to have fun, as recreation, on our way to something bigger and better, which we knew we were about to do. I remember one guy in particular, returning from a year long backpacking trip getting high in the mountains of wherever. He bought a suit, cut his hair, and left Cambridge for a job in his Daddy's Wall Street firm. The time had come for him to put away his childish things, and he did.
Life is not so simple now. The world is a far more complicated place these days, which means that a stop on the way to get high and have fun can become a permanent jump into the black hole of oblivion and despair. Or so I've heard.
So let us raise a glass - or a joint - and toast the innocent, sticky-sweet days of our youth. And let us recognize that there are still folks out there who live life, create art, dance, cook, and make music through a fragrant purple haze. There have always been these intrepid souls among us, and I was reminded of this last Wednesday night at the Picasso Exhibit at the Met. Take a look at his amazingly bizarre painting, "Man with Lollipop". (1938). Surely, he must have been high.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Road Warriors
Got an e-mail the other day from my dear friend, Roderick "Priest" Priestly. He and his wife, the lovely Lisa Priestly, are fitness trainers. They are truly phenomenal, talented people, and both quite gorgeous, too. (NOTE: she is not to be confused with Lisa P. from the Salsa Crew, who is also quite gorgeous, but is not the same person.)
The Priestlys are about to embark upon a 3000 mile, cross country bike race (Race Across America) to bring awareness to the Charlie's Champions Foundation, which raises money to fight children's cancers. (www.charlieschampions.com/contactus.html) They are flying to Oceanside, California in two weeks, to begin the race on June 12th. Their goal is to reach Annapolis, MD by Sunday, June 20th. They are part of a team of 8 racers and 8 crewmembers, who will be living on the road and racing continuously for 8 days. We can follow their progress at:
http://charlieschampionsraceacrossamerica.blogspot.com.
A few years ago, Priest introduced me and my daughter, the lovely Jordan, to the wonderful world of kickboxing (which, by the way, is an excellent mother/daughter workout, and a great thing to learn for those of us concerned about self-defense). Alas, it was not a world in which I chose to dwell for very long - despite all of Priest's valiant efforts - no doubt because of my seriously underdeveloped glutes (translation- I have no butt!) However, precisely BECAUSE I have no butt, I know that I should have stayed with it. Kickboxing is an excellent way to work out the butt, the thighs, the arms, and to develop focus, concentration, and balance.
What I did take away from the experience was a serious front snap kick, which means that I could, at any time, deliver a swift offensive blow to the 'nads, if needed. So watch out, punks, this woman is dangerous!
All kidding aside, check out the Priestly's website at "wholelifestyles.us". And if you meet them, tell them I said hello, and RIDE ON!
The Priestlys are about to embark upon a 3000 mile, cross country bike race (Race Across America) to bring awareness to the Charlie's Champions Foundation, which raises money to fight children's cancers. (www.charlieschampions.com/contactus.html) They are flying to Oceanside, California in two weeks, to begin the race on June 12th. Their goal is to reach Annapolis, MD by Sunday, June 20th. They are part of a team of 8 racers and 8 crewmembers, who will be living on the road and racing continuously for 8 days. We can follow their progress at:
http://charlieschampionsraceacrossamerica.blogspot.com.
A few years ago, Priest introduced me and my daughter, the lovely Jordan, to the wonderful world of kickboxing (which, by the way, is an excellent mother/daughter workout, and a great thing to learn for those of us concerned about self-defense). Alas, it was not a world in which I chose to dwell for very long - despite all of Priest's valiant efforts - no doubt because of my seriously underdeveloped glutes (translation- I have no butt!) However, precisely BECAUSE I have no butt, I know that I should have stayed with it. Kickboxing is an excellent way to work out the butt, the thighs, the arms, and to develop focus, concentration, and balance.
What I did take away from the experience was a serious front snap kick, which means that I could, at any time, deliver a swift offensive blow to the 'nads, if needed. So watch out, punks, this woman is dangerous!
All kidding aside, check out the Priestly's website at "wholelifestyles.us". And if you meet them, tell them I said hello, and RIDE ON!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
We Could Have Danced All Night
Last Saturday night I went out dancing with my Salsa crew (Lisa P., Jennifer, Nancy, Dawn, and James). The party was way downtown at the fabulous Dance Studio 101, which is on the second floor of 101 Lafayette Street, just north of Canal. Hosted by Almyra A., who teaches the Monday night Ladies' Styling class at our midtown venue (Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 8th Avenue between 36th and 37th), this CASA de la Salsa Social featured a performance by our beloved teacher, Carlos K., who danced his solo routine as well as a duet with Michael B. There was also a Mambo crew from Queens that performed their new step routine. Bravo, Queens Crew!!
We had seen Carlos' routine before, but he danced so joyfully and creatively that it was like watching him for the first time. The man has feet of fire, the spine of a cat, the heart of a warrior, the soul of an angel. We will follow him anywhere.
After the performances, the dance floor filled up again with couples, most of whom have danced for far longer than we. Thank God for James and for Nancy's husband, Eric, (and for a few of our classmates, like Wayne) or we would have been stuck on the sidelines like high school girls at a freshman dance. And THANK YOU, JAMES for bringing out your buddy (and Lisa's high school friend) Tommy J. from Atlanta, in town for a reading of his new play. It was SO liberating for me to dance with a new man who does not know our classroom routines, even if my lower back almost gave out around midnight. Tommy, we need you! please come back soon!
James drove us all uptown in his beautiful red SUV, and I got home at 2:00 BUT DID NOT GET INTO BED UNTIL 3:00 because I had given my keys to the doorman, who gave them to my husband, who then went to sleep and locked me out! Thank God my neighbor, Kevin B., heard me banging on the door and kindly took me in, where I would have spent the night on his couch had Charles not finally woken up and read my text messages cursing him out. So, Ladies, WHEN YOU HANG OUT LATE WITHOUT YOUR MAN, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR KEYS!! Or get to know a neighbor with a comfortable couch.
We were at it again last night, for the 8:00 Advanced Beginner class at Ripley-Grier. I was exhausted from a long week of theater, partying, and showing property, but I love the class
so I went. Lisa and Betty went first to the Styling class from 7:30 - 8:30, so they came in to our class just as Carlos was taking us through an exhilarating Grapevine step sequence. This was followed by several rounds of twists, turns, and serious partner work, topped off by the amusing Flying Fish move and the ever-popular Hesitation Step, which I think of as "pole dancing, Latin style". James set me straight on which way to take the inside turn after that final cross-body lead, and once again, all was right with the world.
"Ah, eso!!"
We had seen Carlos' routine before, but he danced so joyfully and creatively that it was like watching him for the first time. The man has feet of fire, the spine of a cat, the heart of a warrior, the soul of an angel. We will follow him anywhere.
After the performances, the dance floor filled up again with couples, most of whom have danced for far longer than we. Thank God for James and for Nancy's husband, Eric, (and for a few of our classmates, like Wayne) or we would have been stuck on the sidelines like high school girls at a freshman dance. And THANK YOU, JAMES for bringing out your buddy (and Lisa's high school friend) Tommy J. from Atlanta, in town for a reading of his new play. It was SO liberating for me to dance with a new man who does not know our classroom routines, even if my lower back almost gave out around midnight. Tommy, we need you! please come back soon!
James drove us all uptown in his beautiful red SUV, and I got home at 2:00 BUT DID NOT GET INTO BED UNTIL 3:00 because I had given my keys to the doorman, who gave them to my husband, who then went to sleep and locked me out! Thank God my neighbor, Kevin B., heard me banging on the door and kindly took me in, where I would have spent the night on his couch had Charles not finally woken up and read my text messages cursing him out. So, Ladies, WHEN YOU HANG OUT LATE WITHOUT YOUR MAN, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR KEYS!! Or get to know a neighbor with a comfortable couch.
We were at it again last night, for the 8:00 Advanced Beginner class at Ripley-Grier. I was exhausted from a long week of theater, partying, and showing property, but I love the class
so I went. Lisa and Betty went first to the Styling class from 7:30 - 8:30, so they came in to our class just as Carlos was taking us through an exhilarating Grapevine step sequence. This was followed by several rounds of twists, turns, and serious partner work, topped off by the amusing Flying Fish move and the ever-popular Hesitation Step, which I think of as "pole dancing, Latin style". James set me straight on which way to take the inside turn after that final cross-body lead, and once again, all was right with the world.
"Ah, eso!!"
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Two Plays Running
This past Thursday I took my Mother, the Lovely Joan, to see Denzel in "FENCES", after a leisurely dinner nearby at the spacious and elegant Bond 45. Dinner was delicious, if a bit salty. We both had pasta, no wine (so as to stay awake for the play) and chocolate profiteroles for dessert.
Delicious. Chocolate. Salty. All words I would use, and more, to describe the dynamic Denzel in the lead role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson's crowdpleaser, which won a Pulitzer in 1987. Perhaps Wilson's most accessible work, almost devoid of some of the deep symbolism and metaphors which thread through many of his other plays, "Fences" quite movingly articulates the struggles of an ordinary man to hold onto some semblance of meaning and joy in his life; to forge a relationship with his son, to cast off the demons of his own father, and to hold his long-suffering wife at arm's length as he pulls another woman close. Literally and figuratively, the fence that he builds around his small property defines his own limitations, and keeps the important people in his life from getting too close.
The audience that night was largely African-American, and how I do love attending the theater with my people!! We talk back to the stage, much as we talk to the screen at Will Smith movies (or Eddie's or Tyler's or Latifah's or whomever). When Denzel said "...I'm 53 years old..." one woman down front screamed "that's allright, Baby, you STILL fine!!" and when he revealed his ultimate betrayal of his wife, Rose (played by the magnificent Viola Davis), every woman in the house groaned with her. "OHNOYOUDID'ENT!!" we yelled. But yes, he did.
The audience was quite different last night when I went with my pals ( Lisa, Chris and Betty) to see Daniel Beaty's one man show, "THROUH THE NIGHT", currently at the Riverside Theater until May 23rd. An exploration of the struggles faced by Black men in today's world, the work has an immediate feel but speaks to issues long faced by our men regardless of age, economic rank, or education level. All of our brothers, sons, husbands, fathers, lovers and friends have a hard time, at some point, dealing with some issue, some circumstance, some personal demon, and just making it"through the night". Daniel brilliantly and seamlessly weaves his narrative stories, songs, and poems, connecting a wide range of male and female characters into an impassioned cry for unity, strength, and perseverance over the forces that affect us all. This audience was mezmerized, stunned into reverent silence. Riverside Church was thus the perfect setting for this amazing young artist, whose spirit and soul are surely touched by the Divine.
Delicious. Chocolate. Salty. All words I would use, and more, to describe the dynamic Denzel in the lead role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson's crowdpleaser, which won a Pulitzer in 1987. Perhaps Wilson's most accessible work, almost devoid of some of the deep symbolism and metaphors which thread through many of his other plays, "Fences" quite movingly articulates the struggles of an ordinary man to hold onto some semblance of meaning and joy in his life; to forge a relationship with his son, to cast off the demons of his own father, and to hold his long-suffering wife at arm's length as he pulls another woman close. Literally and figuratively, the fence that he builds around his small property defines his own limitations, and keeps the important people in his life from getting too close.
The audience that night was largely African-American, and how I do love attending the theater with my people!! We talk back to the stage, much as we talk to the screen at Will Smith movies (or Eddie's or Tyler's or Latifah's or whomever). When Denzel said "...I'm 53 years old..." one woman down front screamed "that's allright, Baby, you STILL fine!!" and when he revealed his ultimate betrayal of his wife, Rose (played by the magnificent Viola Davis), every woman in the house groaned with her. "OHNOYOUDID'ENT!!" we yelled. But yes, he did.
The audience was quite different last night when I went with my pals ( Lisa, Chris and Betty) to see Daniel Beaty's one man show, "THROUH THE NIGHT", currently at the Riverside Theater until May 23rd. An exploration of the struggles faced by Black men in today's world, the work has an immediate feel but speaks to issues long faced by our men regardless of age, economic rank, or education level. All of our brothers, sons, husbands, fathers, lovers and friends have a hard time, at some point, dealing with some issue, some circumstance, some personal demon, and just making it"through the night". Daniel brilliantly and seamlessly weaves his narrative stories, songs, and poems, connecting a wide range of male and female characters into an impassioned cry for unity, strength, and perseverance over the forces that affect us all. This audience was mezmerized, stunned into reverent silence. Riverside Church was thus the perfect setting for this amazing young artist, whose spirit and soul are surely touched by the Divine.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Here we Go...
Hello and welcome. Read on and comment if you like it, take a "pass" if you don't. I am going to talk about three main areas of my life, starting with "EAT". This section will be about FOOD, nutrition, vitamins, restaurants, recipes, and my ongoing bitch about the high salt content in packaged and restaurant food, not to mention the lack of decent grocery stores and fresh produce in certain areas of NYC, notably Harlem and Washington Heights, which is where I live. I will point out where the good street fruit vendors are as I find them, and I will report on any new and exciting goings on at my favorite grocery stores (Fairway, Garden of Eden, and the much anticipated Trader Joe's coming to 72nd and Broadway in the fall). I will also point out any food related items of interest as I come across them in the media. I may, from time to time, talk about my trainer at the Reebok Club, Alex R., as well as my other friends in the fitness industry, along with anything else fitness and health related that I feel like talking about.
"DANCE" will be about my newfound passion for SALSA, which I now indulge as often as I can, usually in the company of a likeminded crew of women and a few intrepid guys,( most of them not our husbands, who are happy to have us out of the house and out of their thinning hair). I will chronicle as best I can the activities of our particular Salsa group, our classes with our teacher, The Fantastic Carlos K., and will report on any new and happening Salsa venues and upcoming parties as I come across them. There may be some gossip included in this section, but I promise to try and keep it clean!!
"ETC" will be about any and everything else I feel like talking about; most frequently, REAL ESTATE!! After a brief hiatus from the industry, I am returning to Wohlfarth and Associates, which was my brokerage home for a number of years. As before, I will assist buyers and sellers in the buying and selling of properties anywhere in Manhattan, but primarily on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, and Harlem. I am particularly knowledgeable about 790 Riverside Drive, also known as The Riviera, where I have resided with my beloved husband, Charles White, since 1984, and where we have raised two spectacular offspring, our son, Justin the Magnificent, who graduates from Harvard in two weeks (YAAAAAYYY!!) and his sister, the lovely and gracious Jordan, who is in the 7th Grade at Hunter, and recently won a Scholastic Art and Writing Award from the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education (brag Mom, brag!!)
Finally, I will talk about THEATER. At night while I am out dancing, my beloved is either attending a production of something, or at home working on his first play. Theater is our shared passion, the one that brought us together. In the words of "Chorus Line", he is my "One Singular Sensation", and I am his. So I will report on any and all plays and theatrical experiences that we attend, starting with tonight, when I take my Mom, the lovely Joan, out to dinner and to see Denzel in "Fences". Happy Birthday, Mom!
More later!
-Donna
"DANCE" will be about my newfound passion for SALSA, which I now indulge as often as I can, usually in the company of a likeminded crew of women and a few intrepid guys,( most of them not our husbands, who are happy to have us out of the house and out of their thinning hair). I will chronicle as best I can the activities of our particular Salsa group, our classes with our teacher, The Fantastic Carlos K., and will report on any new and happening Salsa venues and upcoming parties as I come across them. There may be some gossip included in this section, but I promise to try and keep it clean!!
"ETC" will be about any and everything else I feel like talking about; most frequently, REAL ESTATE!! After a brief hiatus from the industry, I am returning to Wohlfarth and Associates, which was my brokerage home for a number of years. As before, I will assist buyers and sellers in the buying and selling of properties anywhere in Manhattan, but primarily on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, and Harlem. I am particularly knowledgeable about 790 Riverside Drive, also known as The Riviera, where I have resided with my beloved husband, Charles White, since 1984, and where we have raised two spectacular offspring, our son, Justin the Magnificent, who graduates from Harvard in two weeks (YAAAAAYYY!!) and his sister, the lovely and gracious Jordan, who is in the 7th Grade at Hunter, and recently won a Scholastic Art and Writing Award from the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education (brag Mom, brag!!)
Finally, I will talk about THEATER. At night while I am out dancing, my beloved is either attending a production of something, or at home working on his first play. Theater is our shared passion, the one that brought us together. In the words of "Chorus Line", he is my "One Singular Sensation", and I am his. So I will report on any and all plays and theatrical experiences that we attend, starting with tonight, when I take my Mom, the lovely Joan, out to dinner and to see Denzel in "Fences". Happy Birthday, Mom!
More later!
-Donna
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