We just got back fromn NYC- Love that City!  We saw South Pacific and were extremely disappointed in the acting.  The singing did not disappoint, but the acting was horrible.  Then we ran into a casting director who was working the Tribeca Film Festival.  He said the musicals are awful on Broadway and have been for a while because the casting is like a factory- as long as you are gay, cute and can sing you get the part.  There is no attention paid to acting ability.  He hit the nail on the head with what we witnessed.  However we saw an off Broadway play that was tremendous- Our Town.  Wow o Wow!

LOL- now that is funny!  And she lost the job because of her truthful answer.

With all of the pressing issues we are facing- this journalist must be a moron to think this assinine question should be asked.  What a jerk.  Where has the professional journalist gone?  Investigative, well-informed, objective, tough, dig for the story.  No wonder newspapers are going by the wayside.

Andrea- I was never claustrophobic until I went in an MRI.  After just a few seconds I had to force them to stop the test and get out.  I will never go in one of those machines again - at least not without a lot of drugs before hand.  I think it must be a common reaction because I was asked several times prior if I was claustrophobic and said no each time they offered a prescription to help with it.  A horrible feeling!

Thanks Frannie for your kind words.  The transitions are always hard.  New routines, new expectations, new experiences.  I was never one to dwell on the past but now as I walk down the street I have flashback thoughts of pushing my now grown boys in strollers, or see them roller blading with hockey sticks and friends on the street- now long gone.  I was never sentimental about things and that is entering into my feelings about the house I raised my kids in and all that has happened here.  I always wanted to move once the kids were gone and don’t think I now can now.  A move would help establish a new phase in my life but I have to come to terms with maybe living my whole life here surrounded by memories. 

Dora you are so right about that reaction when you are not acting true to yourself.  I am in a situation(s) that is not in accord with my true self.  Thank you for reminding me what is going on.

L.C. I am not familiar with your posts- but you are WAY out of line with your reaction to my comment.  Your misguided attack and insults show your inability to read, comprehend and interpret.

Your words lit a spark for me, Rocky.  "Keep fighting!"  I was always a fighter- though I haven’t wanted to fight anymore.  I want peace, harmony, serenity - for a little while anyway.  But without that I will have to muster up my fighting spirit once again - never thought I would ever be one to just fade away, but seems quite possible if I don’t start fighting again.

This is the first time in my life when I feel trapped on many levels.  Usually I felt strong and courageous and able to generate a lot of doable options.  Now with the economy, the death of the city I live in, my age, my obligations - my optimism and options are not apparent.

It is time we value talent over superficial "style".  The MTV generation has moved us back in seeking the real talents.  We like looking at the covers of books more than reading them today.  I listened to two young girls in an airport saying how they don’t know what is going on and don’t read anything until they hear everyone talking about a topic.  Geeeesssshhh!  They are our future?  Heaven help us.

I am tired of how we keep excusing stupidity.   The law of natural selection - survival of the fittest- should apply at least to retaining jobs.  Too many stupid or corrupt people are in top jobs guiding our destiny. 

I also voted for Obama and I too am outraged with the alarming government intrusion in private sectors. 

Yep Wowed!  I also like Eric Bolling…

Oh I love to cook and have since I was a little girl.  My favorite cookbooks are Alice Waters (I have 3 of hers) and then I have  more specific favorites for bread, muffins, international.  For the basics - as a good solid reference guide: Joy of Cooking (which has changed so much throughout the years since I give it as a gift to young people when they are starting out on their own from when I did 30 years ago) 

 I have a Nebraska Centential First ladies cookbook from 1967 which has great "comfort food" recipes from the cooks of the prairie, which my grandmother was one of the best. 

Being Italian, cooking comes naturally to me and so for Italian food- I don’t need any one elses recipes (and my family and friends don’t want to ever go to an Italian restraunt when they know they can get my cooking).   I enjoy Biba Cacciano and have one of her cookbooks Modern Italian Cooking . 

Through the years as trends in food change favorite cookbooks have also rotated in and out of favor with me.  Madeleine Kamman guided me through my french cooking phase. 

I am into Indian food along with the slow food movement  and like Nancie McDermott’s The Curry Book.  A great chef in Ann Arbor, Michigan , who is also into the slow food movement is Eve Aronoff and her cookbook has been used often - called Eve Contemporary Cuisine. 

For ethnic food a great resource I have used throughout the decades creating international meals for my little kids (they were required to make the country’s flag and select regional music) Creative International Cookbook by Charlotte Turgeon - not one single mediocre recipe in the book!  Atlanta Natives’ Favorite Recipes is tattered, Recipes and Reminiscences of New Orleans, Delectably Danish Recipes and Reflections, Southern Sideboards, The Fish-Lover’s Cookbook by Sheryl & Mel London and In Madeleine’s Kitchen have been cherished and used. 

 

I love that there is not a dish or pastry in the world that I am not able to make.  I have often gone on searches and numerous taste testings to find the best chocolate mousse, tarts, breads, etc.  My kids are discerning and wonderful adventurous eaters.  My poor husband has gained 30 pounds since being married to me. 

I have no subscriptions but I do love to look at the beautiful Living magazine by Martha Stewart and up until a few years ago I used to swear by the recipes in Bon Appetit.  Obviously they have money problems and the content has been slashed and appears to be mostly advertisements.  I got tired of the guilt when the newspapers and magazines would pile up without me having the time to read them.