Monday, June 4, 2018
Recent memorable quotes and some not so recent ones
I don't even have to turn to a reality show on Bravo anymore. The news is entertaining enough these days. You really can't make this stuff up. Have any of you been watching? All of it is so much juicier than The Real Housewives.....
As Dorinda Medley from NYC Real Housewives says: Say it, Forget it: Write it, Regret it!
In response to Roseanne's explanation for her racist tweet about Valerie Jarett, she said, "it was two in the morning and I was Ambien tweeting. So, I need to ask: Who knew that Ambien's side effect was racism? The only side effect for me, is that I get up and have a snack in the middle of the night!
In reference to Disney-Owned ABC's quick firing of Roseanne: a host on MSNBC asked: Who could believe Mickey (Mouse of Disney fame) has a greater voice or influence than our current President?
(Trump did not think Roseanne should have been fired).
Bette Midler posted her hysterical reason on Melania Trump's (in)visibility these last 3 weeks: "Melania still hasn't been seen. 22 days. It seems ominous. Maybe she just drunk-cut her own bangs and doesn't want to upset her fans. I've done that plenty of times!!!"
Maury Povitch on fighting with wife Connie Chung: She (Connie) wants to talk it over until she wins. And then when we get up in the morning, she wants to discuss it even more. Come on ladies-Isn't that all women?
Bill Clinton said today that "he has never personally apologized to Monica Lewinsky". In a brilliant interview this morning by Craig Melvin, Clinton was definitely not contrite enough about his affair with Lewinsky. If he had just said that he regretted the affair, and that he wished he had apologized directly to her, it would be over. Rather, he portrayed himself as a victim who left the White House 16 million dollars in debt. Oh, Poor me. In that moment he sounded exactly like Trump who always makes himself out to be the victim. Bill-you had the opportunity to make it better; to apologize, set an example, and move forward. I am stunned you were so unprepared for the questions and you made it about yourself. Disappointing.
That being said, Clinton went on to talk about the Trump administration and said: "Do we have the
right to change the rules? YES"
"Do we have the right to change the facts? NO" Here I agreed with him!
And close to that same topic, Rudy Giuliani explains why it would be a bad idea for President Trump to testify, and said; " Our recollections keep changing." Ha Ha-that's exactly what happens to me, Rudy, when I have had two vodkas on Saturday night. What's Trump's excuse? He doesn't drink! Edibles, maybe?
As Colonel Nathan Jessup says in the movie, A Few Good Men: You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! Believe me-I am soooo ready for the truth. Robert Mueller-tell us what you got!
OK-enough quotes and commentary. Here's what to watch on Television when you are not vomiting from the news. Search on demand to find these shows now.
The Handmaid's Tale-HULU
America Inside Out-Katie Couric's new show on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Looming Tower-Jeff Daniels stars in this 9/11 series. HULU
1968-4 part series on CNN. Excellent
The Kennedy's-6 part series on the political family dynasty. CNN
Succession-new series about a ruthless media mogul and his grown children. Loved. HBO
The Fourth Estate-4 part series on NY Times reporters in the Age of Trump. SHOWTIME
Billions-U.S. Attorney goes after hedge fund king. Great Cast. SHOWTIME
Tired of Watching? Here's a Reading list:
Assymetry by Lisa Halliday. Young editor begins an affair with older writer.
Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta. 46 year old divorcee dealing with her son leaving for college.
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer. After 40 years of marriage, Joan Castleman decides to leave her spouse.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer. Pulitzer Prize winner. Lovelorn writer on a journey.
Florida by Lauren Groff. coming June 5. 11 short stories.
Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles. A paralyzed Veteran and his recovery.
A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. Debut novel about an American Muslim Family.
Until Next Time-
Hasta La Vista, Baby! One B
As Dorinda Medley from NYC Real Housewives says: Say it, Forget it: Write it, Regret it!
In response to Roseanne's explanation for her racist tweet about Valerie Jarett, she said, "it was two in the morning and I was Ambien tweeting. So, I need to ask: Who knew that Ambien's side effect was racism? The only side effect for me, is that I get up and have a snack in the middle of the night!
In reference to Disney-Owned ABC's quick firing of Roseanne: a host on MSNBC asked: Who could believe Mickey (Mouse of Disney fame) has a greater voice or influence than our current President?
(Trump did not think Roseanne should have been fired).
Bette Midler posted her hysterical reason on Melania Trump's (in)visibility these last 3 weeks: "Melania still hasn't been seen. 22 days. It seems ominous. Maybe she just drunk-cut her own bangs and doesn't want to upset her fans. I've done that plenty of times!!!"
Maury Povitch on fighting with wife Connie Chung: She (Connie) wants to talk it over until she wins. And then when we get up in the morning, she wants to discuss it even more. Come on ladies-Isn't that all women?
Bill Clinton said today that "he has never personally apologized to Monica Lewinsky". In a brilliant interview this morning by Craig Melvin, Clinton was definitely not contrite enough about his affair with Lewinsky. If he had just said that he regretted the affair, and that he wished he had apologized directly to her, it would be over. Rather, he portrayed himself as a victim who left the White House 16 million dollars in debt. Oh, Poor me. In that moment he sounded exactly like Trump who always makes himself out to be the victim. Bill-you had the opportunity to make it better; to apologize, set an example, and move forward. I am stunned you were so unprepared for the questions and you made it about yourself. Disappointing.
That being said, Clinton went on to talk about the Trump administration and said: "Do we have the
right to change the rules? YES"
"Do we have the right to change the facts? NO" Here I agreed with him!
And close to that same topic, Rudy Giuliani explains why it would be a bad idea for President Trump to testify, and said; " Our recollections keep changing." Ha Ha-that's exactly what happens to me, Rudy, when I have had two vodkas on Saturday night. What's Trump's excuse? He doesn't drink! Edibles, maybe?
As Colonel Nathan Jessup says in the movie, A Few Good Men: You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! Believe me-I am soooo ready for the truth. Robert Mueller-tell us what you got!
OK-enough quotes and commentary. Here's what to watch on Television when you are not vomiting from the news. Search on demand to find these shows now.
The Handmaid's Tale-HULU
America Inside Out-Katie Couric's new show on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Looming Tower-Jeff Daniels stars in this 9/11 series. HULU
1968-4 part series on CNN. Excellent
The Kennedy's-6 part series on the political family dynasty. CNN
Succession-new series about a ruthless media mogul and his grown children. Loved. HBO
The Fourth Estate-4 part series on NY Times reporters in the Age of Trump. SHOWTIME
Billions-U.S. Attorney goes after hedge fund king. Great Cast. SHOWTIME
Tired of Watching? Here's a Reading list:
Assymetry by Lisa Halliday. Young editor begins an affair with older writer.
Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta. 46 year old divorcee dealing with her son leaving for college.
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer. After 40 years of marriage, Joan Castleman decides to leave her spouse.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer. Pulitzer Prize winner. Lovelorn writer on a journey.
Florida by Lauren Groff. coming June 5. 11 short stories.
Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles. A paralyzed Veteran and his recovery.
A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. Debut novel about an American Muslim Family.
Until Next Time-
Hasta La Vista, Baby! One B
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Thirteen Reasons Why (I can't sleep, I crave chocolate, and why I am feeling down)
As Summer approaches and the temperatures rise, I find my insomnia at an all time high. With so much to be thankful for, I know that I shouldn't be struggling. But I am. And here are my issues:
1) There have been 22 school shootings so far this year: I am tired of funerals and moments of silence. It is time for the gun laws to change. The U.S. is getting scarier. How can we protect our children? I want to home school the world.
2) The Political discord in this country. I get up and go to bed (not to sleep) with CNN causing my stomach to literally ache. The violence, racism, prejudice, and hate that is so pervasive and swirling around us makes me yearn for a large dose of Zoloft or a move to Canada.
3) The New Jersey School bus driver who made a u turn on route 80 and caused deaths. Didn't the company vet him? He had a horrendous driving record. Why was he hired?
4) My elderly parents living all alone in Florida. Enough said.
5) Philip Roth died yesterday. One of the all time great American authors.
6) John Updike is already dead (2009). My other all time favorite author. Both writers had the same themes, but Updike gave us the WASP viewpoint and Roth gave us the Jewish viewpoint!
7) It's summer. I hate the heat, the humidity, and truthfully, the hot sun. Give me Fall. And did we even have a Spring?
8) My newest aches, pains, wrinkles, and my degenerative toes and feet. No more pretty high heeled sandals. Those days are long gone.
9) It's not as easy to lose those last 5 lbs. as it once was. You work out more; you eat less. And still the scale doesn't cooperate. My clothes still fit, but the body has morphed into an unrecognizable sight. Why can't French fries, pizza, and cookies be healthy for you? Goodbye fast metabolism.
10) I have no one to play Mah Jongg with, and I don't know how to play Canasta!
11) I knew no one on the Billboard Music Awards except Salt N Pepa, En Vogue, and Janet Jackson. Who the hell is BTS, Khalid, Dua Lipa, and Karni B? God, do I feel old.
12) My grandsons are at the stage that they like their Ipads better than me.
13) Yanni vs. Laurel. For the record, I heard Yanni!
1) There have been 22 school shootings so far this year: I am tired of funerals and moments of silence. It is time for the gun laws to change. The U.S. is getting scarier. How can we protect our children? I want to home school the world.
2) The Political discord in this country. I get up and go to bed (not to sleep) with CNN causing my stomach to literally ache. The violence, racism, prejudice, and hate that is so pervasive and swirling around us makes me yearn for a large dose of Zoloft or a move to Canada.
3) The New Jersey School bus driver who made a u turn on route 80 and caused deaths. Didn't the company vet him? He had a horrendous driving record. Why was he hired?
4) My elderly parents living all alone in Florida. Enough said.
5) Philip Roth died yesterday. One of the all time great American authors.
6) John Updike is already dead (2009). My other all time favorite author. Both writers had the same themes, but Updike gave us the WASP viewpoint and Roth gave us the Jewish viewpoint!
7) It's summer. I hate the heat, the humidity, and truthfully, the hot sun. Give me Fall. And did we even have a Spring?
8) My newest aches, pains, wrinkles, and my degenerative toes and feet. No more pretty high heeled sandals. Those days are long gone.
9) It's not as easy to lose those last 5 lbs. as it once was. You work out more; you eat less. And still the scale doesn't cooperate. My clothes still fit, but the body has morphed into an unrecognizable sight. Why can't French fries, pizza, and cookies be healthy for you? Goodbye fast metabolism.
10) I have no one to play Mah Jongg with, and I don't know how to play Canasta!
11) I knew no one on the Billboard Music Awards except Salt N Pepa, En Vogue, and Janet Jackson. Who the hell is BTS, Khalid, Dua Lipa, and Karni B? God, do I feel old.
12) My grandsons are at the stage that they like their Ipads better than me.
13) Yanni vs. Laurel. For the record, I heard Yanni!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
In A World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind (UnKnown)
On my recent trip to San Antonio and Austin, I came across this sign. San Antonio is a place that has so many incongruities.
It is quite confusing that Texas is essentially Trump Country, yet 63% of San Antonio's population is Hispanic or Latino. This is the largest majority-Hispanic city in America (as of 2010). How can this group who makes up over half of San Antonio be Trumpsters? He wants to build a wall and keep them from coming into the U.S. AND he wants to send the immigrants who have been living here for years, who pay taxes, and who lead productive lives with jobs back to their countries.
Next, as I drove on the highway from Austin to San Antonio, I witnessed so many billboards advertising AR 15's, gun clubs, and gun stores. In this city founded by friars and named for a saint, you then see religious billboards posted intermittently between the AR 15 signs. God loves you; Think God; After you die, You WILL meet God, etc. Basically, you are inundated at every turn with these Christian signs.
So, what I need to know is why these religious "Christian" God loving people are also loving guns, hating immigrants, and hating many other groups in our society? How can they possibly want a President who builds walls, perpetrates a culture of meanness, hate, divisiveness, bullying, abuses women, and would rather appease the NRA than choose to keep our children and schools safe? With that being said, I will tell you I didn't care for San Antonio. And maybe the above reasons are why.
Those aside, I will tell you a few things I did like in the Seventh largest city of America.
Of course, see the Riverwalk which is lovely between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. This is the time you should choose to walk along the banks of the San Antonio River. It is beautiful, peaceful, and tourist free. By noon, the restaurants are booming with tourists and you can barely move-UGH, not for me. Next, Remember to go to The Alamo which was the location of a battle where Texans fought for independence against Mexicans ( the Mexicans finally overpowered them) until they gained independence in 1836, walk through the King William Neighborhood which has beautiful historic homes from the Antebellum Period through Post WWII Era, Visit the San Antonio Zoo which is fabulous. Finally, the only place to stay is Hotel Emma in The Pearl District. This is a beautiful boutique hotel with an awesome bar and the restaurants in The Pearl District area surrounding the hotel are fun too.
Next stop, Austin. The SXSW Conference was happening while we there so it was a bit insane. The slogan in this city, which is absolutely beautiful, is Keep Austin Weird. Be prepared to party-it's a very happening town. I loved the food, the diversity, the music, the bats-it was all FUN!
The buildings downtown are architecturally magnificent, so walk around and look up. The state capitol building is worth a trip-and take the tour. It is both fascinating and beautiful. Go to the LBJ Library and the Ladybird Wildlife Conservatory (only if flowers are in bloom)-the library was so informative and interesting. Skip the Zoo-it is chicken wire with a few rescued animals and truly a sad spot. Go to the bars on 6th Street-We loved Pete's Dueling Piano Bar; and Shop on SoCo (south of Congress) which has a few cute boutiques. But, my most favorite moment in Austin was watching the bats emerge from underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave. Bridge. This happens at dusk-and it is quite a sight. As they emerge they fly into the sky and the sky literally becomes a mass of black. Totally cool. Must be amazing on Halloween Night.
A couple of restaurant recommendations: Bouldin Creek Café for breakfast or lunch, Forthright for lunch, Juniper is a pretty spot with good food for dinner, and Fonda San Miguel for traditional Mexican on your last night. And do not miss all the food trucks for bbq and lots of other yummy street food.
O.K. - still feel like dancing when you get back to N.J.? I know of 3 places:
The Dome at The Manor-there is a rooftop bar and lounge. They have a Happy Hour from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. They serve bar food from 6-10:30p,m. and a D.J. from 9p.m.-2a.m.
Par 440-D.J. on Saturdays from 9:30p.m.-2a.m. $5 Martinis for Ladies!
Verona Inn-Bar food and Sat. nights a D.J. or live music.
Not in the mood to dance? Go for Ice Cream or Desserts at:
Sweet Kitchen-533 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Pastries, cakes, cookies.
Dairy Air-521 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Nitro infused ice cream. flaming ice cream sandwiches. Try Peppermint Fanny or Peanut Butt'r Booty.
Gelotti-571 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Try the Cookie Monster, Banana Oreo, Rice Pudding or the Maple Bourbon.
Until next time-peace out. One B
It is quite confusing that Texas is essentially Trump Country, yet 63% of San Antonio's population is Hispanic or Latino. This is the largest majority-Hispanic city in America (as of 2010). How can this group who makes up over half of San Antonio be Trumpsters? He wants to build a wall and keep them from coming into the U.S. AND he wants to send the immigrants who have been living here for years, who pay taxes, and who lead productive lives with jobs back to their countries.
Next, as I drove on the highway from Austin to San Antonio, I witnessed so many billboards advertising AR 15's, gun clubs, and gun stores. In this city founded by friars and named for a saint, you then see religious billboards posted intermittently between the AR 15 signs. God loves you; Think God; After you die, You WILL meet God, etc. Basically, you are inundated at every turn with these Christian signs.
So, what I need to know is why these religious "Christian" God loving people are also loving guns, hating immigrants, and hating many other groups in our society? How can they possibly want a President who builds walls, perpetrates a culture of meanness, hate, divisiveness, bullying, abuses women, and would rather appease the NRA than choose to keep our children and schools safe? With that being said, I will tell you I didn't care for San Antonio. And maybe the above reasons are why.
Those aside, I will tell you a few things I did like in the Seventh largest city of America.
Of course, see the Riverwalk which is lovely between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. This is the time you should choose to walk along the banks of the San Antonio River. It is beautiful, peaceful, and tourist free. By noon, the restaurants are booming with tourists and you can barely move-UGH, not for me. Next, Remember to go to The Alamo which was the location of a battle where Texans fought for independence against Mexicans ( the Mexicans finally overpowered them) until they gained independence in 1836, walk through the King William Neighborhood which has beautiful historic homes from the Antebellum Period through Post WWII Era, Visit the San Antonio Zoo which is fabulous. Finally, the only place to stay is Hotel Emma in The Pearl District. This is a beautiful boutique hotel with an awesome bar and the restaurants in The Pearl District area surrounding the hotel are fun too.
Next stop, Austin. The SXSW Conference was happening while we there so it was a bit insane. The slogan in this city, which is absolutely beautiful, is Keep Austin Weird. Be prepared to party-it's a very happening town. I loved the food, the diversity, the music, the bats-it was all FUN!
The buildings downtown are architecturally magnificent, so walk around and look up. The state capitol building is worth a trip-and take the tour. It is both fascinating and beautiful. Go to the LBJ Library and the Ladybird Wildlife Conservatory (only if flowers are in bloom)-the library was so informative and interesting. Skip the Zoo-it is chicken wire with a few rescued animals and truly a sad spot. Go to the bars on 6th Street-We loved Pete's Dueling Piano Bar; and Shop on SoCo (south of Congress) which has a few cute boutiques. But, my most favorite moment in Austin was watching the bats emerge from underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Ave. Bridge. This happens at dusk-and it is quite a sight. As they emerge they fly into the sky and the sky literally becomes a mass of black. Totally cool. Must be amazing on Halloween Night.
A couple of restaurant recommendations: Bouldin Creek Café for breakfast or lunch, Forthright for lunch, Juniper is a pretty spot with good food for dinner, and Fonda San Miguel for traditional Mexican on your last night. And do not miss all the food trucks for bbq and lots of other yummy street food.
O.K. - still feel like dancing when you get back to N.J.? I know of 3 places:
The Dome at The Manor-there is a rooftop bar and lounge. They have a Happy Hour from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. They serve bar food from 6-10:30p,m. and a D.J. from 9p.m.-2a.m.
Par 440-D.J. on Saturdays from 9:30p.m.-2a.m. $5 Martinis for Ladies!
Verona Inn-Bar food and Sat. nights a D.J. or live music.
Not in the mood to dance? Go for Ice Cream or Desserts at:
Sweet Kitchen-533 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Pastries, cakes, cookies.
Dairy Air-521 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Nitro infused ice cream. flaming ice cream sandwiches. Try Peppermint Fanny or Peanut Butt'r Booty.
Gelotti-571 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair. Try the Cookie Monster, Banana Oreo, Rice Pudding or the Maple Bourbon.
Until next time-peace out. One B
Saturday, March 3, 2018
So much information swirling in my mind. Notes are scattered everywhere. And today is the perfect weather to hang home and send you all my thoughts. First off are my Oscar Predictions. I have seen all the movies! Let's place bets on Faye and Warren making an encore presentation Sunday night-I'm betting yes, for sure. It should be hilarious.
Best Picture: Hard to pick between Three Billboards and The Shape of Water, but I'll go with Three Billboards.
Best Director: Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water. Beautifully shot and brilliantly done. And, Sally Hawkins is equally deserving of the Best Actress Award. But....
Best Actress: Frances McDormand will win over Sally Hawkins, I think.
Best Actor: Truthfully, I did not think Gary Oldman was that great in Darkest Hour. I have watched John Lithgow in The Crown on Netflix, and I felt his performance as Churchill was truly amazing. I was not wowed by Oldman or The Darkest Hour. So my pick is Timothy Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.
However, Oldman WILL get the Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress: Hands down Allison Janney should win for I, Tonya. And I think she will, but Laurie Metcalf was awesome as the mom in Ladybird.
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards. This was my favorite performance this year. He was spectacular. Hands down-The Best.
Further thoughts: I saw The Post and Phantom Thread. Although The Post was entertaining, it was not deserving as a Best Picture Nominee. What can I say about Phantom Thread? It could be tied as the worst movie I have seen since Stormy Monday in 1988 with Sting and Melanie Griffith; and the original Flatliners in 1990 with Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland. Horrendous.
OK-Where to eat before the Oscars...
Osteria Giotto Cafe-Church St. Montclair. Salads, Soups, Pastas, Sandwiches to go. Parking is tough and especially if you are only running in to pickup your takeout. Known for their Lasagna.
Woodstack -Pine Brook. Haven't been, but have heard great things. Charred Pizzas, Delicious breads, and pastas. Supposedly a nice Sunday brunch menu. Full bar. Can't wait to try!
Giovanni's-Berkley Heights. Recommended highly for dinner. Make a reservation and give it a try.
Mezze-New Mediterranean in Livingston. Menu has lots of delicious options. Open for Lunch and Dinner.
Assado-New Portuguese Steakhouse in Livingston. Exterior looks lovely. Once inside it's a bit institutional. Food was mediocre and prices seemed high. Not a great combination.
Honey's-Fairfield. Tiny dive with delicious fresh food. Great for breakfast and lunch. Loved it!
Satis Bistro-Bloomfield. This town is having a major resurgence. Little restaurants are popping up near the train station and the new apartments. Essex Junction started the trend. Satis has a lovely menu, a great bar, and good food.
Marcus Samuelson's B & P-Newark. A very interesting menu and a great chef. Hopefully, this restaurant will draw lots of patrons. Looks fabulous.
Zeugma Grill-Montclair. Lovely Mediterranean menu with a wine bar. A bit pricey on the entrees, but you can go and order a few appetizers. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner.
Zaferon Grill-Verona. New Persian/Mediterranean restaurant. Interesting kebabs, flatbreads, burgers and entrees. BYOB.
Noble East-Montclair. Delicious, fresh Chinese food. More expensive than most other Chinese restaurants but white glove service, hot spa scented towels and lovely presentations make it worth the price. Known for Peking Duck. Give T.S. Ma a break and try this!
Closed-Above in South Orange. And Al Sogna in Montclair. Stay tuned-new restaurants coming to both locations.
Places on my NYC List that I want to try:
Upland-345 Park Ave. South
Pasquale Jones-187 Mulberry Street
Don Angie-103 Greenwich Avenue
Petee's Pie Company-61 Delancey Street
Underwest Donuts-638 West 47th Street at 12th Avenue
What to watch on Television, and What to Read, and Who to Listen to
Mozart in the Jungle-Amazon. This series grew on me. I didn't love the first few episodes, but ultimately it was a joy to watch. Gael Garcia Bernal and Malcolm McDowell are spectacular. And lots of classical music is a major bonus.
Last Tango in Halifax-Netflix or Amazon. Romantic Comedy about two widowed childhood sweethearts.
Man in High Castle-Amazon. Based on Philip Dick's novel. About what the world would look like if WWII had a different outcome.
The Looming Tower-Hulu. Starring Jeff Daniels and Alec Baldwin. Middle East Politics and Islamic terrorists.
Coming June 1st- A book by first time author, Fatima Farheen Mirza, called A Place For Us. This is published by Hogarth who just partnered with Sara Jessica Parker. They search for new authors and books that will knock your socks off. I love reading first time authors! Such a thrill.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics-by Dan Harris. For those of you who are gym rats but would like to get into meditating. Try this book.
The Wife-by Alifair Burke. How far will a wife go to protect the man she loves?
A new singer to listen to - Alice Merton. Go to youtube and listen to "no roots". She's really superb. Loving her.
Beauty Products and Cool Apps
Josie Maran Argan Moondrops-available at Sephora or QVC where it's a bit cheaper. Lovely oil and glow all at once. Super moisturizing.
Tarte Shapetape Concealer and Foundation-available at Sephora or QVC. Recommended to buy a shade lighter than your skin. Great product-beautiful coverage.
Josh Rosebrook Day Cream. It's a moisturizer with an SPF of 30. Pricey at $85.00. Available on line.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lip-lasts 16 hours. Ten Shades. $9.50. At CVS.
I Track Bites App-put in your diet plan: calories, weight watchers, etc. Track what you eat for free.
Like this better than E Tools from Weight Watchers.
MorningSave.com- Deals from a bunch of television shows. Recently saw a deebot vacuum and mop for $199 instead of $400! Lots of great bargains. Check out this site. Lots of great bargains.
And finally, if Comcast is out and you have no television: check out the podcast Dirty John. That's what I will be listening to tonight during my sleepless hours. The storm has disabled television and internet. So earplugs and smartphone are my only options. This is a true crime story about a possible murder in Newport Beach. Deals with themes of abuse and manipulation. I am just starting so I can't review. But it's quite compelling so far.
Till Next time-Austin and San Antonio will be the topic. Peace Out-One b
Best Picture: Hard to pick between Three Billboards and The Shape of Water, but I'll go with Three Billboards.
Best Director: Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water. Beautifully shot and brilliantly done. And, Sally Hawkins is equally deserving of the Best Actress Award. But....
Best Actress: Frances McDormand will win over Sally Hawkins, I think.
Best Actor: Truthfully, I did not think Gary Oldman was that great in Darkest Hour. I have watched John Lithgow in The Crown on Netflix, and I felt his performance as Churchill was truly amazing. I was not wowed by Oldman or The Darkest Hour. So my pick is Timothy Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.
However, Oldman WILL get the Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress: Hands down Allison Janney should win for I, Tonya. And I think she will, but Laurie Metcalf was awesome as the mom in Ladybird.
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards. This was my favorite performance this year. He was spectacular. Hands down-The Best.
Further thoughts: I saw The Post and Phantom Thread. Although The Post was entertaining, it was not deserving as a Best Picture Nominee. What can I say about Phantom Thread? It could be tied as the worst movie I have seen since Stormy Monday in 1988 with Sting and Melanie Griffith; and the original Flatliners in 1990 with Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland. Horrendous.
OK-Where to eat before the Oscars...
Osteria Giotto Cafe-Church St. Montclair. Salads, Soups, Pastas, Sandwiches to go. Parking is tough and especially if you are only running in to pickup your takeout. Known for their Lasagna.
Woodstack -Pine Brook. Haven't been, but have heard great things. Charred Pizzas, Delicious breads, and pastas. Supposedly a nice Sunday brunch menu. Full bar. Can't wait to try!
Giovanni's-Berkley Heights. Recommended highly for dinner. Make a reservation and give it a try.
Mezze-New Mediterranean in Livingston. Menu has lots of delicious options. Open for Lunch and Dinner.
Assado-New Portuguese Steakhouse in Livingston. Exterior looks lovely. Once inside it's a bit institutional. Food was mediocre and prices seemed high. Not a great combination.
Honey's-Fairfield. Tiny dive with delicious fresh food. Great for breakfast and lunch. Loved it!
Satis Bistro-Bloomfield. This town is having a major resurgence. Little restaurants are popping up near the train station and the new apartments. Essex Junction started the trend. Satis has a lovely menu, a great bar, and good food.
Marcus Samuelson's B & P-Newark. A very interesting menu and a great chef. Hopefully, this restaurant will draw lots of patrons. Looks fabulous.
Zeugma Grill-Montclair. Lovely Mediterranean menu with a wine bar. A bit pricey on the entrees, but you can go and order a few appetizers. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner.
Zaferon Grill-Verona. New Persian/Mediterranean restaurant. Interesting kebabs, flatbreads, burgers and entrees. BYOB.
Noble East-Montclair. Delicious, fresh Chinese food. More expensive than most other Chinese restaurants but white glove service, hot spa scented towels and lovely presentations make it worth the price. Known for Peking Duck. Give T.S. Ma a break and try this!
Closed-Above in South Orange. And Al Sogna in Montclair. Stay tuned-new restaurants coming to both locations.
Places on my NYC List that I want to try:
Upland-345 Park Ave. South
Pasquale Jones-187 Mulberry Street
Don Angie-103 Greenwich Avenue
Petee's Pie Company-61 Delancey Street
Underwest Donuts-638 West 47th Street at 12th Avenue
What to watch on Television, and What to Read, and Who to Listen to
Mozart in the Jungle-Amazon. This series grew on me. I didn't love the first few episodes, but ultimately it was a joy to watch. Gael Garcia Bernal and Malcolm McDowell are spectacular. And lots of classical music is a major bonus.
Last Tango in Halifax-Netflix or Amazon. Romantic Comedy about two widowed childhood sweethearts.
Man in High Castle-Amazon. Based on Philip Dick's novel. About what the world would look like if WWII had a different outcome.
The Looming Tower-Hulu. Starring Jeff Daniels and Alec Baldwin. Middle East Politics and Islamic terrorists.
Coming June 1st- A book by first time author, Fatima Farheen Mirza, called A Place For Us. This is published by Hogarth who just partnered with Sara Jessica Parker. They search for new authors and books that will knock your socks off. I love reading first time authors! Such a thrill.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics-by Dan Harris. For those of you who are gym rats but would like to get into meditating. Try this book.
The Wife-by Alifair Burke. How far will a wife go to protect the man she loves?
A new singer to listen to - Alice Merton. Go to youtube and listen to "no roots". She's really superb. Loving her.
Beauty Products and Cool Apps
Josie Maran Argan Moondrops-available at Sephora or QVC where it's a bit cheaper. Lovely oil and glow all at once. Super moisturizing.
Tarte Shapetape Concealer and Foundation-available at Sephora or QVC. Recommended to buy a shade lighter than your skin. Great product-beautiful coverage.
Josh Rosebrook Day Cream. It's a moisturizer with an SPF of 30. Pricey at $85.00. Available on line.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lip-lasts 16 hours. Ten Shades. $9.50. At CVS.
I Track Bites App-put in your diet plan: calories, weight watchers, etc. Track what you eat for free.
Like this better than E Tools from Weight Watchers.
MorningSave.com- Deals from a bunch of television shows. Recently saw a deebot vacuum and mop for $199 instead of $400! Lots of great bargains. Check out this site. Lots of great bargains.
And finally, if Comcast is out and you have no television: check out the podcast Dirty John. That's what I will be listening to tonight during my sleepless hours. The storm has disabled television and internet. So earplugs and smartphone are my only options. This is a true crime story about a possible murder in Newport Beach. Deals with themes of abuse and manipulation. I am just starting so I can't review. But it's quite compelling so far.
Till Next time-Austin and San Antonio will be the topic. Peace Out-One b
Friday, March 2, 2018
March did come in like a Lion....
So much information swirling in my mind. Notes are scattered everywhere. And today is the perfect weather to hang home and send you my thoughts. First off are my Oscar Predictions. I have seen all the movies! Let's place bets on Faye and Warren making an encore presentation-I'm betting yes, for sure.
Best Picture: Hard to pick between Three Billboards and The Shape of Water, but I'll go with Three Billboards.
Best Director: Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water. Beautifully shot and brilliantly done. And, Sally Hawkins is equally deserving of the Best Actress Award. But....
Best Actress: Frances McDormand will win over Sally Hawkins, I think.
Best Actor: Truthfully, I did not think Gary Oldman was that great in Darkest Hour. I have watched John Lithgow in The Crown on Netflix, and I felt his performance as Churchill was amazing. I was not wowed by Oldman or Darkest Hour. So my pick is Timothy Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.
However, Oldman will get the Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress: Hands down Allison Janney should win for I, Tonya. And I think she will, but Laurie Metcalf was pretty amazing in Ladybird.
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards. This was my favorite performance this year. He was spectacular.
Further thoughts: I saw The Post and Phantom Thread. Although The Post was entertaining, it was not deserving as a Best Picture Nominee. What can I say about Phantom Thread? It could be tied as the worst movie I have seen since Stormy Monday in 1988 with Sting and Melanie Griffith; and the original Flatliners in 1990 with Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland.
OK-Where to eat before the Oscars...
Osteria Giotto Cafe-Church St. Montclair. Salads, Soups, Pastas, Sandwiches to go. Parking is tough and you are only running in to pickup your takeout. Known for their Lasagna.
Woodstack -Pine Brook. Haven't been but have heard great things. Charred Pizzas, Delicious breads, and pastas. Supposedly a nice Sunday brunch menu. Full bar. Can't wait to try!
Giovanni's-Berkley Heights. Recommended highly for dinner. Make a reservation and give it a try.
Mezze-New Mediterranean in Livingston. Menu has lots of delicious options. Open for Lunch and Dinner.
Assado-New Portuguese Steakhouse in Livingston. Exterior looks lovely. Once inside it's a bit institutional. Food was mediocre and prices seemed high. Not a great combination.
Honey's-Fairfield. Tiny dive with delicious fresh food. Great for breakfast and lunch. Loved it!
Satis Bistro-Bloomfield. This town is having a major resurgence. Little Restaurants popping up near the train station and the new apartments. Essex Junction started the trend. Satis has a lovely menu, a great bar, and good food.
Marcus Samuelson's B & P-Newark. A very interesting menu and a great chef. Hopefully, this restaurant will draw lots of patrons. Looks fabulous.
Zeugma Grill-Montclair. Lovely Mediterranean menu with a wine bar. A bit pricey on the entrees, but you can go and order a few appetizers. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner.
Zaferon Grill-Verona. New Persian/Mediterranean restaurant. Interesting kebabs, flatbreads, burgers and entrees. BYOB.
Noble East-Montclair. Delicious, fresh Chinese food. More expensive than most other Chinese restaurants but white glove service, hot scented towels and lovely presentation make it worth the price. Known for Peking Duck. Give T.S. Ma a break and try this!
Closed-Above in South Orange. And Al Sogna in Montclair. Stay tuned-new restaurants coming to both locations.
Places on my NYC List that I want to try:
Upland-345 Park Ave. South
Pasquale Jones-187 Mulberry Street
Don Angie-103 Greenwich Avenue
Petee's Pie Company-61 Delancey Street
Underwest Donuts-638 West 47th Street at 12th Avenue
What to watch on Television and What to Read
Mozart in the Jungle
Best Picture: Hard to pick between Three Billboards and The Shape of Water, but I'll go with Three Billboards.
Best Director: Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape of Water. Beautifully shot and brilliantly done. And, Sally Hawkins is equally deserving of the Best Actress Award. But....
Best Actress: Frances McDormand will win over Sally Hawkins, I think.
Best Actor: Truthfully, I did not think Gary Oldman was that great in Darkest Hour. I have watched John Lithgow in The Crown on Netflix, and I felt his performance as Churchill was amazing. I was not wowed by Oldman or Darkest Hour. So my pick is Timothy Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name.
However, Oldman will get the Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress: Hands down Allison Janney should win for I, Tonya. And I think she will, but Laurie Metcalf was pretty amazing in Ladybird.
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards. This was my favorite performance this year. He was spectacular.
Further thoughts: I saw The Post and Phantom Thread. Although The Post was entertaining, it was not deserving as a Best Picture Nominee. What can I say about Phantom Thread? It could be tied as the worst movie I have seen since Stormy Monday in 1988 with Sting and Melanie Griffith; and the original Flatliners in 1990 with Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland.
OK-Where to eat before the Oscars...
Osteria Giotto Cafe-Church St. Montclair. Salads, Soups, Pastas, Sandwiches to go. Parking is tough and you are only running in to pickup your takeout. Known for their Lasagna.
Woodstack -Pine Brook. Haven't been but have heard great things. Charred Pizzas, Delicious breads, and pastas. Supposedly a nice Sunday brunch menu. Full bar. Can't wait to try!
Giovanni's-Berkley Heights. Recommended highly for dinner. Make a reservation and give it a try.
Mezze-New Mediterranean in Livingston. Menu has lots of delicious options. Open for Lunch and Dinner.
Assado-New Portuguese Steakhouse in Livingston. Exterior looks lovely. Once inside it's a bit institutional. Food was mediocre and prices seemed high. Not a great combination.
Honey's-Fairfield. Tiny dive with delicious fresh food. Great for breakfast and lunch. Loved it!
Satis Bistro-Bloomfield. This town is having a major resurgence. Little Restaurants popping up near the train station and the new apartments. Essex Junction started the trend. Satis has a lovely menu, a great bar, and good food.
Marcus Samuelson's B & P-Newark. A very interesting menu and a great chef. Hopefully, this restaurant will draw lots of patrons. Looks fabulous.
Zeugma Grill-Montclair. Lovely Mediterranean menu with a wine bar. A bit pricey on the entrees, but you can go and order a few appetizers. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner.
Zaferon Grill-Verona. New Persian/Mediterranean restaurant. Interesting kebabs, flatbreads, burgers and entrees. BYOB.
Noble East-Montclair. Delicious, fresh Chinese food. More expensive than most other Chinese restaurants but white glove service, hot scented towels and lovely presentation make it worth the price. Known for Peking Duck. Give T.S. Ma a break and try this!
Closed-Above in South Orange. And Al Sogna in Montclair. Stay tuned-new restaurants coming to both locations.
Places on my NYC List that I want to try:
Upland-345 Park Ave. South
Pasquale Jones-187 Mulberry Street
Don Angie-103 Greenwich Avenue
Petee's Pie Company-61 Delancey Street
Underwest Donuts-638 West 47th Street at 12th Avenue
What to watch on Television and What to Read
Mozart in the Jungle
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
You Either Get Older or You Don't-either way it's a swamppit of Mishegosh! (crazytime in yiddish)
Recently, I traveled to Florida to celebrate my Mom's 91st Birthday. While there, my almost 94 year old dad was dealing with an Achilles tendon injury and trying to navigate walking with a cane. He was simultaneously fretting about taking a driving test and wanted me to teach him how to make a k-turn.
In these first few moments there, I realized that I had, now, taken on the role of parent and I was treating them as if they were my children. I can remember my dad teaching me how to drive and now here I was teaching him. As your parents age, we experience many concerns. We want them to be safe in their homes so we install grab bars in the shower and by the toilets. We remove area rugs. We invest in lights for their tables and desks. We purchase groceries and water so they are well fed and stay hydrated. We try to teach them how to use computers and smart phones so they will stay connected with us. We buy medic alert necklaces so someone will come if they fall. And we buy them special sweet treats because we like to see them smile.
We all fiercely cherish our independence: it doesn't matter if we're 12, 17, 30, 70, or 90. So, when people attempt to give guidance, it is very often met with defiance, anger, resistance and deaf ears(literally!). But, we also have to understand that the people trying to help and guide you (whatever your age), love you to the end of the earth, and just want to keep you healthy and safe from any harm.
In the past several months, I have found the following help for my Florida parents-now if they would only use it!
DELIVERY of Groceries, Prescriptions, and Whatever is needed:
Instacart-Put app on phones. Publix, Target, Whole Foods, Costco, CVS, Petco, Total Wine and others will deliver. They must be able to order from a smartphone or a computer.
Shipt-another app for your phone which delivers from many of the same stores. Again, the person must be able to use a computer or smart phone.
INSTALLATION of Grabbars, adhesive strips, and general "senior proofing" a home to avoid falls:
Atlantic HealthCare Products-located in Boynton Beach or West Palm Beach. 561-964-6767.
Mr. GrabBar 1-888-674-7222.
DRIVERS to run errands, go to the beauty parlor, transport to and from doctor appointments.
Uber-of course! But yet again, you need to be able to use a smart phone or a computer.
Gogograndparent-24/7 customer service. HURRAY-you don't need a smart phone. Any phone will do! Call them and they will take you anywhere at anytime.
HEARING DEVICES to make television watching easier:
Sennheiser, Sony, and many others make wireless and bluetooth devices to clarify and enhance the sound of television. The better ones are $300-$400. Go to Best Buy and pick their brains. Then order them on Amazon! However, you can pay Best Buy to hook up the system, which may be necessary.
OK-Now for the nirvana that gets me through my sleepless nights (because I am up worrying about my Mom and Dad)! Thank Goodness for HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. They are my Xanax....
Some of these I like and some I don't.
The Versace Assasination-FX American Crime Story. Very difficult to watch. A ton of violence. Don't recommend.
You're the Worst-FXX or HULU. Not a typical romcom. Two "farbissina" (angry or bitter in Yiddish) start a relationship. Funny, clever, well written and I loved it!
Divorce-HBO. Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church star in this series about their divorce.
Last season was more interesting. I'm bored this season-don't waste your time.
Red Oaks-Amazon. Story is about a NYU college student who works as a tennis instructor at a Jewish Country Club in suburban New Jersey. An amazing cast: Paul Reiser, Jennifer Grey, Richard Kind, and Freddy Roman. I absolutely loved every second! (Full disclosure: a few of my friends couldn't get past the 2nd episode.) Buy I, personally, strongly recommend!
David Letterman Interviews-Netflix. So far Letterman has interviewed President Obama and George Clooney. The interviews are compelling, funny, and mesmerizing. Definitely watch!
Transparent-Amazon.I am currently watching this now. Judith Light is a revelation as Jeffrey Tambor's ex wife, Shelly Pfefferman. To be honest, the main plot about Mort Pfefferman becoming trans isn't so compelling. But Judith Light literally lights up the screen-pure entertainment. Worth watching just for her.
Mozart In the Jungle-Amazon. New York Symphony Maestro retires and young Gael Garcia Bernal replaces him. What conflicts ensue between them is what the story centers on. Watched the first episode and jury is still out. Didn't hold my interest, but maybe it will hold yours.
The Chi-Showtime. Danger, gangs, and life on the South Side of Chicago. I only watched a few episodes and so far, I am not into it.
The Resident-Fox. Another medical show. A rip off of Chicago Med which I like better, Having said that, this held my interest and was an enjoyable distraction.
911-Fox. Examines the lives and careers of first responders: firefighters, police, and paramedics. Again a rip off of Chicago PD and Chicago Fire. I like the cast though: Peter Krause, Connie Britton, and Angela Bassett. Something to watch when looking for some entertainment and you are tired of the Olympics.
Next time movies and food.....Peace out. Oneb
.
In these first few moments there, I realized that I had, now, taken on the role of parent and I was treating them as if they were my children. I can remember my dad teaching me how to drive and now here I was teaching him. As your parents age, we experience many concerns. We want them to be safe in their homes so we install grab bars in the shower and by the toilets. We remove area rugs. We invest in lights for their tables and desks. We purchase groceries and water so they are well fed and stay hydrated. We try to teach them how to use computers and smart phones so they will stay connected with us. We buy medic alert necklaces so someone will come if they fall. And we buy them special sweet treats because we like to see them smile.
We all fiercely cherish our independence: it doesn't matter if we're 12, 17, 30, 70, or 90. So, when people attempt to give guidance, it is very often met with defiance, anger, resistance and deaf ears(literally!). But, we also have to understand that the people trying to help and guide you (whatever your age), love you to the end of the earth, and just want to keep you healthy and safe from any harm.
In the past several months, I have found the following help for my Florida parents-now if they would only use it!
DELIVERY of Groceries, Prescriptions, and Whatever is needed:
Instacart-Put app on phones. Publix, Target, Whole Foods, Costco, CVS, Petco, Total Wine and others will deliver. They must be able to order from a smartphone or a computer.
Shipt-another app for your phone which delivers from many of the same stores. Again, the person must be able to use a computer or smart phone.
INSTALLATION of Grabbars, adhesive strips, and general "senior proofing" a home to avoid falls:
Atlantic HealthCare Products-located in Boynton Beach or West Palm Beach. 561-964-6767.
Mr. GrabBar 1-888-674-7222.
DRIVERS to run errands, go to the beauty parlor, transport to and from doctor appointments.
Uber-of course! But yet again, you need to be able to use a smart phone or a computer.
Gogograndparent-24/7 customer service. HURRAY-you don't need a smart phone. Any phone will do! Call them and they will take you anywhere at anytime.
HEARING DEVICES to make television watching easier:
Sennheiser, Sony, and many others make wireless and bluetooth devices to clarify and enhance the sound of television. The better ones are $300-$400. Go to Best Buy and pick their brains. Then order them on Amazon! However, you can pay Best Buy to hook up the system, which may be necessary.
OK-Now for the nirvana that gets me through my sleepless nights (because I am up worrying about my Mom and Dad)! Thank Goodness for HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. They are my Xanax....
Some of these I like and some I don't.
The Versace Assasination-FX American Crime Story. Very difficult to watch. A ton of violence. Don't recommend.
You're the Worst-FXX or HULU. Not a typical romcom. Two "farbissina" (angry or bitter in Yiddish) start a relationship. Funny, clever, well written and I loved it!
Divorce-HBO. Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church star in this series about their divorce.
Last season was more interesting. I'm bored this season-don't waste your time.
Red Oaks-Amazon. Story is about a NYU college student who works as a tennis instructor at a Jewish Country Club in suburban New Jersey. An amazing cast: Paul Reiser, Jennifer Grey, Richard Kind, and Freddy Roman. I absolutely loved every second! (Full disclosure: a few of my friends couldn't get past the 2nd episode.) Buy I, personally, strongly recommend!
David Letterman Interviews-Netflix. So far Letterman has interviewed President Obama and George Clooney. The interviews are compelling, funny, and mesmerizing. Definitely watch!
Transparent-Amazon.I am currently watching this now. Judith Light is a revelation as Jeffrey Tambor's ex wife, Shelly Pfefferman. To be honest, the main plot about Mort Pfefferman becoming trans isn't so compelling. But Judith Light literally lights up the screen-pure entertainment. Worth watching just for her.
Mozart In the Jungle-Amazon. New York Symphony Maestro retires and young Gael Garcia Bernal replaces him. What conflicts ensue between them is what the story centers on. Watched the first episode and jury is still out. Didn't hold my interest, but maybe it will hold yours.
The Chi-Showtime. Danger, gangs, and life on the South Side of Chicago. I only watched a few episodes and so far, I am not into it.
The Resident-Fox. Another medical show. A rip off of Chicago Med which I like better, Having said that, this held my interest and was an enjoyable distraction.
911-Fox. Examines the lives and careers of first responders: firefighters, police, and paramedics. Again a rip off of Chicago PD and Chicago Fire. I like the cast though: Peter Krause, Connie Britton, and Angela Bassett. Something to watch when looking for some entertainment and you are tired of the Olympics.
Next time movies and food.....Peace out. Oneb
.
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