The Marianne Pearl casting drama

I finally saw a photo of Angelina Jolie as Marianne Pearl. She looks like her. I didn't know what to expect. One of my friends told me on Gawker someone asked if the studio was going to break out the "Max Factor light Egyptian" make-up. All jokes aside, some people are very upset about this.

I was talking to an exec who is working on the project and they have received all these irate calls. "How dare Hollywood cast a white woman to play an African-American." "It's an outrage. I'm going to write the L.A. times." "They should have cast Halle."

Okay. Let's back up. Warner Bros. orginally bought the memoir for Jen Aniston. Think about that for a minute. In what universe is Jen (not a strong dramatic actress) believable as a worldly French woman of Cuban and Dutch descent? Anyway, news flash. Mrs. Pearl is not African-American. She does she consider herself as a woman of color but clearly she had no issue with casting since the book could not have been sold to Warners without her consent. She really wants this story to get out into the world and is probably relieved they cast someone who can actually identify Pakistan on a map.

re Halle: She has something like three movies (including one based on a true story and that woman is white. Another is based on a remake where the lead actress in the orginal was white. So should Halle not have been cast in those movies?) shooting back to back. Who knows if they approached her and what she said? Oscar aside, Halle is American as apple pie, not sure about her doing an accent. Thandie, passed. I do know what Angelina's dad looks like but not her mom. Angelina is doing this role with a French accent. Her mom is French. I wonder if the people complaining to my friend would've been upset if J.Lo was cast? She is Latina. Why can't she play someone of Cuban descent...because she is Puerto Rican?

My friend Susan used to live near Marianne in NYC. We saw her and her baby at a local bakery. She was very friendly. Marianne is beautiful and her son is gorgeous. We were in downtown Manhattan and I couldn't help but think about how many people in that bakery were directly impacted by terrorism.

Re: the people who are outraged. I really can't get that worked up about which $12 million per film actress wasn't cast. This is not some popcorn movie. I just hope the movie turns out well. Perhaps they should write the L.A. Times, about the people who lost everything because the wealthiest country in the world cut money from the budget to improve the leavies in New Orleans. Or how we are the only industrialized nation that has these kinds of school shootings. I think it's an outrage that many pensions are being cut, that millions of working people in this country cannot afford health care, and that we are spending billions of dollars in Iraq and yet Osama is chilling in Afganistan five years after 9/11.

I think the message of what Marianne is trying to say is very important and I hope this issue doesn't distract from that.

Project Runway, Sur La Table cooking class

The plot thickens. I have tried not to look at any photos from the shows during Fashion Week. Does Jeffrey get the boot? I'm not mad at Laura. Michael thought Jeffrey's collection was suspect as well. If Jeffrey cheated, he needs to go. Jeffrey had no sympathy for Keith Michael (who was kicked off the show for cheating) so why would he expect some from the other three designers? I wonder, how can they prove he had help?

I'm worried about Michael's collection. "Sfashionista" told me it was a mess. Laura's apartment is huge. How does she get anything done being a working mom with five kids? I can barely keep it together and I live by myself.

Last night after work I took a cooking class at Sur La Table by the Grove. It was a birthday gift. Most of my fellow students were novice cooks (or don't cook at all). We made an olive oil cake and the woman on my team/table, was too impatient to finish shifting the dry ingredients. When I tasted the cake it was delicious until I bit into pieces full of salt. Everyone kept asking what was broccoli rabe? (it's like a mustard green)

The chef was great and the food excellent. The Fall Tuscan Dinner menu was: wild mushroom pizza with caramelized onions and fontina cheese, roasted figs with gorgonzola and prosciutto di parma, mashed parmesan potatos, baked pork loin with quinces (he used cactus fruit instead) sauteed broccoli rabe, the olive oil cake, a pear tart (I had to leave before the tart was done).

They gave us a ten minute break so we could shop with our discounts. Not to worry I wasn't cheating on Williams-Sonoma. This class was a gift. I know the W/S in Beverly Hills has classes also but they start too early. I have a bunch of left over basil, maybe I will make pesto this weekend.

Little Children, Cancer Vixen, Bachelor Rome

My boss let me borrow her copy of Tom Perrotta's LITTLE CHILDREN. I wanted to read the book before seeing the film, which received excellent reviews. Not sure how long this film will be in theaters. I work in the biz and have no idea what is going on with this movie. There has been hardly any marketing for it.

LC is about a nice suburban town and what happens beneath the surface. It's not AMERICAN BEAUTY. Perrotta has more compasion for his characters and there are some very funny moments. Two thirty something stay-at-home parents begin an affair and a convicted child molester moves back home with his mom. Both these events pop the balloon of the typical lazy days of summer.

Once I started reading it, I couldn't see Kate Winslet playing a mousy, frustrated suburban mom. My boss said she was angry when she heard about the casting but Kate was amazing. I am a big Perrotta fan. ELECTION was great but my first love is probably his short story college, BAD HAIR DAYS, Tales from the Seventies. There were set in Jersey and I laughed my ass off when I read this book nine years ago. I was still living in NYC then and went to a friend's beach house for the weekend. A novelist/filmmaker was raving about Perrotta and gave me his copy. I still need to read Perrotta's JOE COLLEGE which is sitting in pile a with about 15 other books.


CANCER VIXEN by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.
I am not a comic book fan. I used to read them as a kid but other than the graphic novels I need to read for work, I don't seek them out.

CV is a graphic novel about Marchetto's battle with breast cancer. At 43, a terminal bachelorette is about to get married in 3 weeks to the one and only Silvano Marchetto, the very popular and dynamic owner of long time hot spot Da Silvano. She has found true love and her career is picking up when THE NEW YORKER hires her for more cartoons.

In the middle of all this bliss she finds out she has breast cancer and her health insurance has lasped. I have always been a fan of her work in THE NEW YORKER, and the late great magazine MIRABELLA. At times her book is very in your face and while there is nothing funny about a disease that kills over 40,000 women a year, Machetto's story brings some laughs along with the tears.

I loved her cartoons. The way she described and drew the catty women talking smack about her, after her engagement, as sour grapes on a vine was hilarious. Her mother (aka Smother, the Sophia Loren of New Jersey) needs her own book. I liked how it didn't sugarcoat anything. Marchetto does get angry, wonders if walking around for days in the ash of 9/11 has anything to do with it and if her larger than life fidanzato (he's very Italian, so she refused to say fiance, because it's French) will bolt when he hears the news. She takes a hard look at her pre-cancer anger and superficial life. She still loves her shoes and lipstick but doesn't let things get to her the way they used to.

A portion of the sales are going to cancer research.

BACHELOR ROME. I love that there is an Italian woman, Agnese, living with these crazy American girls. She can't understand why the girls are always screaming/cheering. I wonder the same thing myself. I belong to a volunteer group with hundreds of women from recent college grads to grandmothers. We never scream like that. And there are quite a few ex-sorority girls and cheerleaders in my group.

Lorenzo needs to find about the girl (he gave her the diamonds) that has her timeline. She all about the ring. I don't think she cares about him.

Borghese Park looked so beautiful. All weekend I have been thinking about booking a quick trip during Thanksgiving. American Airlines and Lufthansa are having winter sales. Two of my friends are going to be in Florence. One, is going to see her boyfriend, the other it will be her first trip to Italy. Since I am broke and will be spending almost $2,000 to be home at Christmas, I need to sit tight. I meet with my accountant in February. I want to see how much I will own in taxes. before spending any of my birthday money (thanks Mom and Dad) on a trip.

Allora, back to my so-called life.

T.G.I.F.

Off to write. That's all.

The Bachelor - Rome

Hahahahahaaa! I laughed my ass off last night. It was a much needed chuckle after the last 48 hours. My dad was supposed to have surgery on Thursday but my uncle died over the weekend. My parents are headed back to the island for the funeral. My uncle was in his late 80's and had a great life. It's sad but not unexpected. I didn't know him that well. He didn't come to the U.S. to visit and we were closer to my dad's other siblings.

I have not watch this show since Trista married Ryan. I had major issues with the premise in the first place. All these women competing with each other over one man? This is not good for the sisterhood. I believe none of the Bachelors have married or maintained a relationship with the women they proposed to. Meanwhile the first Bachelorette is still married. Hmmmm.

So after receiving several emails about this season from my friends, I had to watch. I don't know where to begin. I think the New York Times said it best. They keep hyping the show about this Italian prince and how the show is set in Rome but with American people. Prince Lorenzo Borghese doesn't speak Italian (born in Milan but he grew up in NY/NJ) and there is no monarchy ruling Italy.

Where did they find these women? I'm feminine and I like the color pink but never once in my life did I want to marry a prince. Michael Jackson (pre-thriller), Sting (when he was with the Police), Bob Marley, Seal, Andy Gibb, Bobby D (Godfather 2 era), Mark Sandemeno (he was a year a head of me at Verona High) Denzel, my youth group minister Rev. Cadmus, these were some of men I imagined myself walking down the aisle with. I don't get this Cinderella crap.

Every single woman on the show last night was saying how it's EVERY woman's dream to be a princess. Some of the women are supposed to be smart and with the exception of one "dancer/model" and a socialite they all have jobs. I'm not sure why eighty percent of these women talk like this:

"Oh. My. God. His name is, like, all, like, over Rome. He's, like, from, like, a really really important family."

Rome looked great. There was a shot of the piazza where I stayed in Trastevere. I miss it so much.

The Prince is cute but I'm sensing some knucklehead tendencies. I could be wrong.

I must thank Mike Fleiss (producer of the Bachelor, and yes he is related to Heidi, they're cousins) for providing some needed Roman eye candy. I am talking about the city, not the Prince.

Rococo by Adriana Trigiani and The Known World by Edward P. Jones

ROCOCO is a fun, breezy book that was a little frustrating. I read THE BIG STONE GAP years ago for work and enjoyed it. ROCOCO takes place in a small wealthy New Jersey town by the shore during the 1970s. Our protagonist is Bartolomeo di Crespi "aka B" who is the most famous interior decorator in town. His company is called "The House of B." He was a wacky family and is distraught when the local priest hires an outside firm (WASPs from Philly) to renovate Our Lady of Fatima.

I subscribe to a bunch of shelter magazine and love shows about design but Trigiani goes way overboard with the descriptions. I don't know a single man gay or straight who gets that turned on by trim (no pun intended. I'm talking about fabric). The biggest problem I had with the book was B. He did not ring true to me at all. She wrote him as a very flamboyant gay man but yet tell us he's straight. Okay. Toward the end she implies he might be bi.

Nobody in this small town thought it was strange that at 40 he was still engaged to a woman he never went out with. This is the groovvy 70s not the Eisenhower 50s. I didn't feel like I was back in the 70s or in a small Italian-American town by the "shora". We moved to a town just like this in the mid 70s (we were close to NYC not the Shore). I liked how close the family was and how they all looked out for each other. There was some romance and some laugh out loud moments. I read Mario Cantone did the audio version and was hilarious.


THE KNOWN WORLD by Edward P. Jones. This book won the Pulitzer in 2004 and there have been many comparisons to Morrison and Faulkner.

A young screenwriter I had a meeting with, told me it was one of his favorite books. He sent this book to me as a thank you. It had been on my list and I was excited and touched to receive it. This was not an quick read. There are many well developed characters and the story is non-linear at times.

Jones sets the story 20 years before the Civil War in the fictional county of Manchester, Virgina. Augustus Townsend has bought his freedom from William Robbins, the most powerful and richest man in the county. Eventually, Townsend is able to buy his wife and his son's freedom as well.

His son, Henry, buys his own slaves and runs a successful plantation. When he dies, his widow Caldonia, is not as disciplined and things quickly fall apart.
This book was difficult to read at times. How could Henry purchase slaves? His father was devestated when Henry told him.

The book is about the Townsends, Robbins, the slaves, the sheriff, the patrollers and every single person who is touched by this "most peculiar" institution.

(semi-spoiler)
There is something that happens to Augustus that is heart breaking. I know this is fiction but things like this did happen. The sheer inhumanity and disregard for another human being is something I cannot understand.

To blog or not to blog

First thanks to all my friends and bloggers who called or emailed me about my dad. He is going to be okay.

I was debating posting about the cancer the first place. I know there are some blogs where every detail of the blogger's life is on display. My former assistant was the first person I knew that had a blog. I thought it was so weird. Why would someone post an online diary? I have keep journals since high school but only I read them. My assistant was more than ten years younger than me and all her friends had blogs. It didn't seem weird or self-absorbed to them.

I don't know how many blogs there are but I have to watch myself. Some of them are so informative and/or entertaining I could spend all day reading them. I have spoken to writers and other bloggers and they told me to write what I want. I grew up in a culture where people do not "put their business out on the street." Also my life is so freaking boring, if I were to write about my personal life all the time the posts would be very short.

This blog is not a Hollywood version of Wonkette (again, I'm not sleeping with anyone so nothing to post about. Althougth I did stand next to Brad Pitt on the Oceans 13 set. He's not a bad looking guy...ha). I don't talk about the inner workings of the biz or how one can break in. There are other blogs for that.

I started the blog after the crazy year I had. I know I post about nonsense most of the time. Feel like your life is going nowhere and you might be depressed? Blog about Project Runway and why Rachel Ray gets on your nerves. I don't think I will start blogging about the things that keep me up at night anytime soon. Everyone says writing can be cathartic but we'll see.

I have to admit I did feel better after I blogged about my car drama. I received the bad news while I was in Rome. I was with my fried Max. I was so pissed and told her I shouldn't blog while angry. She disagreed and told me to let it rip. Despite every other word in that post being with a "f" and ending with a "k", I'm was able to enjoy the rest of my trip, once I got that off my chest.

I'm glad I started this blog. I would not have started writing again were it not for this blog. I don't know what will happen with my novel but writing it has been one of the most creatively fulfilling things have done in my life. Through the blog I am able to keep up with my friends who live all over the world. We don't feel as disconnected anymore.

I have "met" some incredible people because of our shared interests in writing or Italy. Los Angeles can be an very lonely place, especially if you are not from here and work 24/7. It's easy to get "caught up" in the shallowness of celebrity culture. Reading my favorite blogs remind me it's a big world out there. I'm happy to be a part of it.

Cancer. A word I don't like to hear.

I spoke to my sister at work today. Our dad has cancer. My sister and my parents told me not to worry, they caught it early. How could I not worry?

I called my dad. He sounded fine. He said the doctor is excellent and the biopsy didn't hurt too much. They were supposed to return to St. Martin on Saturday but will stay in the States for a small operation. His doctors on the island will share info with the doctors here.

My dad asked about me, the job, the book, and how my Italian lessons were coming along. He loves to pratice speaking "Italian" with me. It's more Spanish. He grew up speaking French, Dutch, Spanish, and Papimento. Not sure where he learned these random Italian words, maybe on his job.

Speaking of Italy, he said he wants to meet me the next time I go. My mom is not a fan of flying but I hope she'll come too. My brother laughed and said "Italy is not ready for Dad." My dad has two very good friends, both are younger, who are not doing well. One had a stroke and the other (a veteran) is suffering from dementia. Dad said he doesn't want to wait to travel more. He has the time and means, he wants to go to Italy before he's too old.

My parents had us late in life (for their generation and my dad is seven years older than my mom) so they are older than most of my friend's parents. Dad is almost 80. He looks 20 years younger but cancer doesn't care about that shit.

They are so at ease about their lives and getting older. My mom keeps trying to talk to me about their will but I always change the subject. I worry about them getting older and living so far away. I keep telling them to take it easy. Last time I was in St. Martin Dad was moving heavy wet cement for a wall they were building. It's good to stay active but they shouldn't over do it. My dad is constantly driving relatives around. He said he didn't retire so he could "drive Miss Daisy" refering to my aunt who doesn't drive but has a million errands.

Yes it's good the cancer was caught early. I'm glad my parents do not mess around regarding their health and get yearly check-ups. I was told not to get upset but the tears keep coming.

Project Runway and the art of not writing.

I am looking forward to the runway show. These four designers could not be more different. Ulie (sp) is lucky she won last night or she would have been sent home. I didn't think it was cool for her to choose Michael's model but the blue dress did look great on her.

Feeling very anxious. I haven't worked on my novel in a week. Things are very hectic at work. We are getting ready to pitch a couple of projects and post-Toronto have been receiving more material from agents. I'm still trying to get over this cold, so my whole routine is off. I'm not working out and I have been waking up at 7:00 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m.

This weekend I will get back in it. I have a pile of post-its, loose leaf paper and buck slips with random notes, lines of dialogue, quotes etc. on them. When I am driving, at the gym, in the shower or at work and I think of something for my book I write it down. I hate when I think of something right before I go to sleep and forget about it the next morning. I usually re-write the items in the composition book I am using for this novel. I will do that tomorrow.

Stopped by Williams-Sonoma in Beverly Hills after a lunch meeting yesterday. I love that store. I want the Kitchen-Aid mixer, several different cookbooks and they sell this pasta brand I bought in Italy. I'm on a strict budget so all I bought was some dish detergent.

To help me get back into the proper head space, I am going to make pizza this weekend. The dough I will buy from Trader Joe's but the sauce I will make from scratch. It's pretty simple. I will also make some bellini, look at my photos from my Rome/Positano trips, play some music, watch a movie or two and hopefully I will feel inspired to put pen to paper (or fingers to computer).

VW Ad. Holy ....Safe Happens

I had my first meeting with my provisional group last night. It took me 45 minutes to get to Santa Monica. After the meeting, 12 minutes to get home. Gotta love that L.A. traffic. I do love Casa Del Mar. Nice hotel lobby bar and I pulled up as the sun was setting. It was great being by the ocean.

I saw the newest VW ad last night. These ads are very jarring and memorable. The agency is Cripin Porter & Bogusky out of Miami. They are also the agency responsible for those creepy Burger King ads.

The spots are interesting. Usually car safety ads are geared towards families and older adults. These ads are so realistic. None of that slow motion, pretty stuff. Plus until the crash happens they are funny. Last night's ad had three guys in the car commenting on a Viagra radio ad. "Four hours that is a problem? Call your doctor? I'd hold all my calls."

Best line on last night's Nip/Tuck:

Christian Troy to Sanaa's character while he is prepping for surgery.

"Your chocolate cupcakes are looking very tasty today."

Il Ritorno Del Gatto Col Cappello (The Return of the Cat in the Hat)

Had a great time at dinner the other night at my Italian professor's house. One of my friends is leaving for Italy today for three weeks. Very jealous.

I called Inna at the Instituto and told her I'm not taking classes this fall. It is too busy at work, volunteering, and I need to finish my book. There is no way I would have time to study. She suggested I repeat Intermediate Level 2. I agree. I'm not ready for Advance Italian. There are people in that class who have been speaking it for years.

I bought the Dr. Seuss book at Feltrelli (sp) in Rome. Our professor suggested buying the Italian versions of books we know to help us practice. My friend picked up "Il Dario di Bridget Jones" as a gift for me last year when she was in Italy. Not ready for that book. So I bought a kid's book. I thought it would be a breeze. I mean what reading level is this book?

I'm going to Barnes and Noble before work to get the English version. I have read this book thousands of times to my younger siblings and during my suburban babysitting years. Yet the Italian verson was difficult for me. I did not know several of the verbs. I don't understand why there is the Passato Remoto tense in a kid's book. I am going to go online and start printing articles from Corriere Della Sera, and buying Italian Vanity Fair at the newstands. I must read a little Italian everyday. I cannot forget everything I learned just because I haven't been in a classroom since June.

I asked "the Contessa" to see if she can fix me up with any guys here who speak the language. That way I can kill two birds with one stone. I'm sick of this damn strike. There seems to be no end in sight. Really the two sides are not even speaking at this point. I am in my prime, it's just sad.

World, Hold On by Bob Sinclair, Timberland, Reggae and Eros

I just got his CD WESTERN DREAM from Amazon. It's an import from Australia, so it was a little pricey. I heard the single "Love Generation" at the gym and "World, Hold On" in Italy. Blogger Sara in Milan told me the latter was one of the songs of the World Cup.

I have the Sony Dream system. I bought it three years ago after I started a new job and an executive on the Sony lot let me use her employee discount. I have surround sound, which is great for DVDs and CDs.

I played this CD so loud, I felt like I was back at the Palladium circa late 80's. I love this CD esp. those two tracks. Jamaican Gary "Nesta" Pine sings the lead vocals on "Love Generation" and I love his voice and the message of this song. "World" I listen to it and I forget for five minutes about everything that is stressing me out.

Timberland (aka Tim Mosley) is the producer of the year. I have been a fan of his work since the day he teamed up with his classmate Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot". I am so feeling Justin Timberlake's CD. "Damn Girl" is very Sly Stone, and "My Love" is a track that would make Prince proud. I can't believe this is the same guy who was in N'Sync. I'm not mad at Justin at least he tries different things. I know some of his fans really dislike "Sexyback". I love the beat (lyrics are whatever) and it's a great song to work out to. I am feeling so not sexy so maybe this song can inspire me to get "my sexy on."

The other new CD I can't get enough of, is a b-day CD JC in NYC (thanks J) burned for me. I thought I knew my reggae. Some of these artists I have never heard of. I love Delroy Wilson, Toots and the Maytals, The Ethiopians and Laurel Aitken. I am counting down the days to my arrival at Princess Julianna Airport, SXM. My sister and I have vowed to go to the beach the first day we arrive, if only for a minute. Le Gaillion, Baie Rouge, Friars Bay, any of those beaches work for me.

Eros Ramazotti's NINE another birthday gift (thanks fe), is one of my favorite CDs to write to. I understand maybe fifty percent of the lyrics. I googled them and tried to translate them on my own, then pulled up the English versions. I wonder if that is his real first name. I have to add he is very attractive.

I don't know what I would do without music.

I was two minutes from throwing my computer out the window.

I was finally able to get on the internet ten minutes ago. All weekend everytime I tried to get on, my computer would freeze. I broke down and called SBC support (at $139) and after hours of being on the phone, running to the computer store (which was useless), getting my laptop from the office (again, useless) we were able to find out the problem. My whole day was shot. I didn't write a damn thing today or go to the gym. I feel very blah.

I do need to get a new computer at some point. Seeing how my trip home for Christmas will cost almost $2,000, not happening anytime soon.

I did hike in Tesmescal Canyon yesterday with a friend and we bumped into another friend of mine on the way out. I'm still getting over this cold, so I took a long ass nap yesterday afternoon, made some soup and watched GOODFELLAS.

I need to pull myself together before my dinner tonight. My Italian professor invited me and another classmate to dinner. His girlfriend is American so I will not be the only person speaking English tonight. It's casual but I don't want to show up looking crazy. Taking a shower would be a step in the right direction.

T.G.I.F.

I was looking forward to writing this morning but one of my new neighbors is doing construction on their house. Even with the windows closed I can hear the saws, banging etc. sigh.

Instead I will get organized. My phone log is on my home computer so at the office I just write down my calls (so analog) I need to update my log which I haven't done in two weeks. I usually update the log daily.

I must deal with my living room and desk which are a mess. I have been so busy writing, I let things get a little cluttered. I hate clutter. It's the Virgo in me and growing up in a very neat household. My mom was the super neat one but after over 40 years of marriage she got my dad on her program. All his messiness was assigned to a drawer and the shed in the backyard. Even the garage and basement were organized. I am not as hardcore as my mom.

Last night met two of the "italian donne" from class. "The Countessa" just returned from over a month in Italy. My other friend is leaving on Tuesday for three weeks. The four member of our group is a prosecuter and in the middle of a trial, so she could not meet us. I cannot wait to her about her month long trip to Florence. She returned last week.

Let me get started on cleaning, returning calls and emails, paying bills, reading scripts etc. What a great way to start the weekend. Not.

Rachael Ray is everywhere

Why? I don't get it. Billboards, her new magazine, her new daytime show, "cooking" shows on Food Network, "travel shows" on Food Network.

Ray is really popular with men, as a girl you can have a beer with type person. They don't feel that way about Giada.

She's an awful tipper. Have you notice on those $40 a day or less episodes, how little she tips for those meals? As a former waitress I find it outrageous. She cannot help her voice so I will not comment on it.

Oprah is the producer of her show and clearly they are going for some kind of Martha Stewart type dominance.

I think next week is the finale of Project Runway. Cannot wait.

Looking forward to getting back to writing this weekend. Very busy at work this week so did not get to write that much.

Sarah Phillips, If You Want to Write, La Bella Figura and Nip/Tuck

I read three books this past week.

SARAH PHILLIPS by Andrea Lee. I ordered this book after reading LOST HEARTS and an agent at ICM suggested I check it out. I wished I had read this back at S.U.

The book is a collection of stories that ran in the New Yorker. Since this book was published there have been other books sent in this world but Sarah broke the mold. Lee's protagonist is a black woman born in the 50's to a well off family in Philly. Sarah attended a prep school, lived abroad and has a P.O.V. different from most of her peers.

If this book had been required reading in my AAS (afro-american studies) class at Syracuse back in the late 80's, Sarah would have been dismissed as a confused Oreo. She doesn't fit in any boxes. I like that she is a complex character. Not sure why in this country (though it's changing a little, see Kanye West and Pharell), the only authenic black expericence is the urban and/or poor one. I remember when the Cosby show first came out, one of the big complaints was that it was unrealistic. They weren't really black. I have heard people say that. What the fuck does that mean? I'm sure when Dr. Huxtable tried to get a cab, they still passed him by. The only thing only unrealistic about the show was that a family with five kids and two parents working full-time had no maid. The Jefferson's had one, and Lionel was grown.


IF YOU WANT TO WRITE by Brenda Ueland. I received this book as a birthday gift (thanks Jc in NYC). It was very postive and helpful. Brenda was born in 1891 so it's a trip to read about her writing classes and the students in them. Some of the advice is a little dated but at its core the book is about taping into your creativity.


LA BELLA FIGURA, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind by Beppe Severgnini. This was another birthday gift (thanks Corrina) I wasn't crazy about the format of the book but found parts of it very funny and true. For example in America a red light means stop. An Italian red light is an invitation for reflection. "Let's think about this red light. What kind of red is it? A pedestrian red? But it's seven in the morning. There are no pedestrians about this early. that means it's a negotiable red; it's a not-quite red. So we can go." Another line I liked was "Italy has too much style to be hell but is too disorderly to be heaven." If you have spent any time in Italy pick up this book.


Nip/Tuck, hello old friend. I stopped watching this last season. I thought the whole carver story line was over the top and I really disliked Sean and Julia's freaky son. It seem like all the humanity was sucked out of the characters last season. I happened to watch it last night. I remember reading in the trades that Sanaa was going to be on the show this season and I wanted to see what her character was about. I might have to start watching again. Christian Troy is still vain but I laughed out several times last night. As always, the music selection was outstanding.

Excuse me miss. Do you have any spare change?

Said by a homeless man on 3rd and 37th, NYC.

me: No, sorry I don't have any change.

homeless man: That's okay, I take dollar bills.


A few blocks later.

Frederick Douglass looking man talking with some friends on a stoop near Union Square: Well, hello there pretty lady! You have a nice day.

me: Thanks. You too.

It was jarring to be back in NYC. I miss it. The energy, the diversity, the sense of style, the sense of communtity, the creativity. It's an amazing city.

I read a couple of books on the plane. I have to read a script before work so I'll post about them later.

Back in L.A.

Yesterday I saw a wild turkey in my brother's backyard.

I did not get a chance to work with my mom and fill out the French citizenship forms. We only got to see each other on Friday and I did not bring them with me. There is a French women on my JLLA committee and she said she would help me.

Friday my sister and I went to pick up our parents and then went to Short Hills Mall. I was so excited to see them. I miss them already. I won't see them again until Christmas.

I am not a mall person but I loooooove Short Hills. There is no sales tax on clothes in NJ. My friend, who lives in Chatman came and met us at the mall. I haven't seen her since she moved from L.A. to NYC. She was an agent, was sick of Hollywood, moved to the city, and within months met the man who became her husband. It was so good to see her and catch up.

We dropped off my parents, went to Wegmans and then back to my brothers. He made dinner and my nephew went to bed. We stayed up for a while talking and tried to come up with baby names. My sister in law is due early next year. I don't think I have laughed so hard in months.

Sat. went to the city. It took me almost an hour and a half by train. I went to MOMA. It's the first time I have been there since the renovation. I love that museum. It was good to see some of my favorite works of art, and I enjoyed the design exhibits, which I don't remember visiting before. The sculpture garden is beautiful. It had rained all week but Sat. was perfect.

I walked around Central Park then met another friend for lunch. I was telling her how happy I was to be back east. I walked up 6th Ave. to MOMA and there was a street fair going on. So many people were wearing Yankee gear (there was a double header that day against the Red Sox). All the bars, pubs and restaurants were full with people watching the game. I had a great time at lunch. She was so positive and had some good, solid advice.

I walked over to the east side. Went into Bloomies then Dylan's Candy Bar. It was packed. I walked downtown toward the Flatiron buidling. Went into Jo Malone. I have a Saks gift certificate and was thinking of getting her Pomegranate noir scent. The Lime, Basil one i have is more of a spring/summer scent.

Walked down Broadway, past my old gym, Equinox on Broadway and 19th, my old farmer's market at Union Square, The Coffee Shop. There has been so much construction since I left, a Whole Foods and a Trader Joes. Now there are Jamba Juices in the city.

I continued walking downtown and went all over Soho. Met another friend for dinner at Barolo. We sat outside in the courtyard. She also lived in L.A. for over 11 years moved back NYC last year. She looks great and is happy. I told her within three years I do not want to be living in L.A. full time. Not sure how I will make this goal.

I read my book on the flight back. I addressed the notes I received. I hope I executed them well. I did enjoy this last re-write. I went from around 65,000 to 77,000 words.

I left my car at the airport. It was 8:45 so I took the freeway back. Big mistake. I got off the 405 at Venice. The 405 was backed up for miles. Why on a Sunday night at almost 9:00 p.m.?

Last night I woke up at 12:30 a.m. because my neighbor and her child were loud again. Why is this girl drinking apple juice so late at night?

It was hard to come back to my apartment after this weekend. My brother's kitchen is probably bigger than my living room and the laundry room is around the same size as my bathroom. I loved the guest bathroom. They have a big Kohler shower head. So relaxing. I look forward to the day I move out of this apartment.

I'm going to put on some music and start writing.

Greetings from Green Acres

I finally arrived at my brother's new house. My plane was delayed for an hour due to the bad weather.

I am in the middle of Green Acres. There are woods behind the backyard, a golf course across the street and working farms up the road. Very beautiful.

People like to talk smack about New Jersey. They should spend some time off the turnpike.

Anyway my sister in law and nephew (2 years old and so freaking cute!)picked me up at the airport and we stopped by the Wegmans. I think it's in Bridgewater. Oh. My. God. I almost lost my mind in the supermarket. The veggies looked like they were picked an hour earlier, the take out section is huge, the cheese shop is the size of my living room, great wine shop, etc. It was sensory overload.

I am still trying to process how my younger brother is living in this amazing house. Maybe I should leave Los Angeles and move into the guest bedroom. They can pay me to be the nanny.

My brother got home only a few minutes ago. Was stuck in Boston because of the bad weather. My sister drove up from DC to see me. awwh. Tomorrow my sister and I are going to see my parents. My brother and sister in law have to work.

Everyone has gone to bed. I'm still on L.A. time.

Last night's Runway was outstanding. So glad Laura won. Okay, so I think Michael will def. be in the final three. Next week's show is going to be amazing. Maybe Ulie (sp) will be "aut."

Ann Richards died today

She was 73. I cannot believe it. I was a staffer on her re-election campaign in Texas. Governor Richards was smart, funny, tough, and a little intimidating. She had an incredible life.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060914/ap_on_re_us/obit_richards_1

Much better mood today

Why? Because tomorrow I'm going to see my family. I fly out super early and cannot wait.

I had a good workout this morning. I'm starting to lose some of the "I just got back from Italy and now I'm depressed" weight I gained.

Meeting a writer in from the UK later today, then I have to finish packing.

I am not happy about checking in my weekend bag. When are these restrictions going to be lifted? It's not like they give you toothpaste, lotion and lip balm on the plane.

I hope they are modified before before Christmas. There is nothing like taking a red-eye and having no way to freshen up before the next leg of the trip.

I am going to try very hard to be postive today

Yesterday was not a good day.

development exec on phone: you seem down today, did you also have (the personal thing he is going through) happen to you?

me: A friend died today with most of his co-workers at Cantor Fitzgerald

development exec: Oh right, today is September 11th.

Okay does this man watch any news other than Entertainment Tonight?

I didn't sleep at all last night. My next door neighbor's kid started bawling a couple times. I could hear my upstairs neighbor slam her windows shut. I don't know whatis wrong with my neighbor. I banged on the wall once because she was yelling at her daughter to shut up. At 3:00 in the morning. She banged back. Is this child having bad dreams? What is she crying about almost every night?

My workout this morning was a joke. I was so tired I barely hit my target heart rate on the treadmill. I thought I would feel better after going to the gym but I don't. I am exhausted.

The one postive thing going on is my re-write. I am going to print out a copy and work on it during my flight. I am so glad I will be with my family this weekend.

I printed out all the forms I need to apply for my French citizenship. My sister and I are going to ask our mom to help us fill them out. Despite seven years of French, I cannot speak it. Not sure how long this process will take. Once I have my E.U. citizenship I can plan my move.

Five years later

I still have a hard time wrapping my head around what happened that day in Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon and in my city.

Rest in peace Nigel.

Runyon Canyon

There is too much dog poop. I went at 7:00 a.m. and it was crowded. I was going to drive out to the coast and go to Temescal but I need to get back and write. I lost an entire day yesterday.

I tried to write after my JLLA meeting but just couldn't. I had to be at the Beverly Hills Women's club at 8:00 to help set up and got home around 2.

I wanted to be the provisional advisor for the Bev. Hills/West Hollywood group since it's closer to wear I live and work. I have the Santa Monica/Brentwood group. LOL. I now have to drive from Hancock Park to Santa Monica for meetings, during rush hour. Fun.

The Bev. Hills group is more than 40 women so they needed two advisors. The South Bay group, Valley and my group have around 20 women and only one advisor. For some reason the League cut the number of women on our committee last year. Of course this group of volunteers is one of the largest groups in the League's history. The West LA group also has more 40 women. Should be an interesting year.

Books, Books and more Books. Project Runway.

I have received two more books for my birthday. Very excited.

One of my friends in NYC sent me two books via Amazon. "On Beauty" by Zadie Smith and Francine Prose's "Reading Like a Writer".

I haven't finished "Sarah Phillips" because I have been trying to finish this rewrite. I will take it on the plane with me next week.

Re: Project Runway. Vincent finally left the runway. He should have left weeks ago when he put that basket on his model's head.

I think Michael and Jeffrey are going to be in the final three. Kayne, needs to go next. Not sure who will be the third finalist. I like both women.

Suri and Katie Couric

I don't think Walter Cronkite would've talked about this photo during the evening news.

The Beat That My Heart Skipped by Jacques Audiard

I saw Audiard's thriller "Read My Lips" starting Vincent Cassel a few years ago. I remember Paramount bought the remake rights, not sure what happened to it.

I had read great reviews about "The Beat" so I rented it this weekend. It's a remake of Toback's "Fingers." It took a minute to get into the movie but I loved it. Romain Duris, who was in "L'Auberge Espagnole" plays the son of a washed-up, wealthy, "player" who made his money in real estate. He loves but also resents his father. His mom died young and was a well respected concert pianist. One day he bumps into her former manager. The manager remembers him as being very talented and asks him to audition.

So we have a thug (it's the only way to describe him and his co-workers) trying to decide between following in his father's or mother's footsteps. He might be a little too rusty to play at the level he used to. He finds a tutor. She's Chinese and speaks no French and maybe two words in English.

At times the movie is pretty violent. I have a hard time watching people getting the crap kicked out of them. The music is beautiful Bach, Brahms, French hip-hop, and dance music. Romain is an incredible actor. I could watch him for days. I thought this film was really moving. Probably one of the best films I've seen this year.

Interesting article in yesterday's New York Times Sunday magazine about the lack of interesting, complex, leading roles for actresses. The cult of celebrity, the pressure to make movies that will appeal to the widest audiences, and the ageism and sexism of Hollywood are making it difficult for any actress who would like to carve out a career similar to Meryl Streep's. Those days are over. It's too bad.

No comment on Flavor of Love.

VMA's

Best Hip-Hop Video went to the Black Eyed Peas for "My Humps.

I stopped watching after that announcement.

Off to write.

Project Runway

Wow were the comments harsh last night. Kayne's outfit was awful and I can't even comment on Andrea's.

I did think it was unfortunate that Andrea had to fly all the way to Paris to be eliminated.

It is so slow in the office today. Everyone is leaving town for the Labor Day weekend. Soon after Labor Day is the Toronto Film Festival, so things will be slow those two weeks as well.

back to work.

can't hang like I used to

Yesterday was bananas (I started saying that way before Ms. Stefani). I had a breakfast, a lunch, a pitch meeting all the way across town at Shutters on the Beach then birthday dinner/drinks with friends back in Beverly Hills. I was exhausted.

I did receive some great gifts, a gift certificate for a cooking class at La Sur Table, the Bella Figura book by Beppe Severgnini, and olive oil/herbs from Oliviers & Co. (not sure if I got the store name right).

I didn't write at all yesterday or this morning. I am going to try and write a little after work. Depends how I feel. I seem to function better in the morning. So looking forward to the long weekend and four days of writing.

Michael Jackon, the man I was supposed to marry, is 48 today

How is that possible?

I used to love MJ and the Jackson Five. I think it started when I was five. I still have the album "Looking through the Window." My parents gave me the ablum for my 7th birthday and it was one of the best gifts ever. Since my parents are West Indian I couldn't cover my bedroom with posters but I did have all the teen mags, books and anything about the Jackson 5. I wish I saved my lunch box, it's probably a collector's item now.

I don't remember this but my dad said he came home from work one day and I was sitting on the couch crying. He asked my mom if everything was okay. She said I was fine I was crying because the Jackson 5 were on TV. Ben, would make me cry (I didn't know it was about a rat), I Want You Back and The Love You Save, from the "ABC" CD still make smile.

Michael was older than me but I felt he was really singing to me and my friends. We were still living in New York then and all the girls in my building loved Michael too. We would talk about MJ all the time. Not only was he a great entertainer, he was so cute. He had the baddest 'fro and a great sense of style. Jermaine was cute too but waaaay too old for us.

As I got older I still had mad love for MJ. "Off the Wall" was/is one of my favorite CDs of all time. Produced by Quincy Jones, it was one hit after another. I did notice something seemed different. It would be crystal clear with his next CD, "Thriller".

I "broke up" with Michael Jackson when "Thriller" came out. I loved the CD, PYT, Billie Jean, Human Nature, The Lady In My Life, all great songs. It was a variety of reasons. He had a very wet jehri curl, his nose job was too severe and his skin was getting lighter. What was he doing to himself? Then he started hanging out a lot with Webster. He "dated" Tatum O'neal and Brooke Shields. MJ wasn't feeling the sisters so I had to cut him loose.

My parents sent me to Holland to visit some cousins one summer. I was walking through a record store and saw a poster for "Bad". It took me a minute to realize it was MJ. I thought it was Paula Abdul at first. That was when he started hanging out with the Culkin kid.

John Singleton directed the "Remember the Time" video and MJ had his hair styled like Veronia Lake. I met him a couple years ago for work and it was surreal. His skin is so pale it's almost translucent and his nose is literally about to fall off his face. He is taller than I expected over 6 feet.

When I left the meeting I was so sad. How much did his father mess him up? He hates being black so much he made sure his kids wouldn't be black. He clearly had a white sperm donor. I have bi-racial relatives and friends, those kids he had with Ms. Rowe are not. When you bleach your skin your DNA does not change. Why doesn't anyone in his family help him? I'm not even going to touch his fascination with young boys.

It's all too sad. However, I thank MJ for years of amazing music. I'm going to put on "ABC" now.

Weekend update

I miss my old spinning teacher. We had a sub today. He started out the class with that song "Life is a Highway" I don't know if that's the title but I liked only one of the songs he played, SexyBack. I have a hard time spinning to bad music. David was big on r&b, dance music, brasilian music, etc. he loved his Mariah re-mixes. I do not wish to hear "Since You've Been Gone" at 6:30 in the morning. If he is going to play popish rock, can we hear some classics like "Livin' on a Prayer"? :)

Sunday, a friend took me to brunch at Campinile for my birthday. I haven't seen her since I got from Rome. It was good see her and catch up. She just got a big promotion at a studio, so her life is crazy hectic right now. My mimosa was outstanding.

Saturday went to dinner with a friend at Massimo's in Beverly Hills. Food was very good. We had this artichoke salad with shaved parmesan that was amazing. I have never cooked with fresh artichokes. I am going to try. Our waiter was not Italian but from Eastern Europe so we couldn't practice with him. We exhanged presents. She gave me Eros Ramazotti's 9 CD and Adriana Trigiani's book "Rocco". I read her book "The Big Stone Gap" a couple of years ago for work and liked it. Speaking of books I'm in the middle of "Sarah Phillips" which I ordered from Amazon last month after reading "Lost Hearts in Italy." I was going to wait and read it on the plane but once I started to read it I couldn't wait.

I didn't get much writing done on Saturday. Yesterday was much more productive. My phone rang all day Saturday. I spoke to my family and the Contessa called me from her vacation in Italy. I received more gifts in the mail. One from my old college roommate and another from a friend in NYC. I was dreading this birthday but everything was fine. I can either freak out about still being single and broke or be thankful for the amazing people I have in my life.

One of those people took me out for drinks at L'Ermitage on Friday night. She just started a new, intense job so I might not be seeing her that often in the future. I received a beautiful gift from the store that has the infamous blue box.

I baked a cake yesterday. What is a birthday without cake? My mom used to make the best sour cream coffee cake. I was watching Barefoot Contessa and printed out her recipe. I had to go to Gelsons to find cake flour and Target to buy a 10' tube pan. I think I put a little too much salt in it but other than that the cake turned out well. Not as good as my mom's but close.

Feeling very motivated today. I enjoyed writing yesterday. I know my neighbors must be sick of me playing the same music over and over. Last night I was so close to telling the one next door to please ask her child to use her inside voice. I love kids but the one next door and the little boy in the apartment building across from me are as my parents would say, "some rude ass children."

I love the video for the group, Ok Go. It's the one that is done in one take while the group is on treadmills. Brillant.

I cannot say the same for Jessica Simpson's "Perfect Affair". Is it me or that song sounds too much like Madonna's "Holiday"? Madonna's roller skating video for "Sorry" is much better.

Happy Birthday

To my fellow Virgos Stacey and Nate. Nate may not even know about this blog but I want to put it out in the universe.

Off to the gym, then writing all day.

I heart flowers and Eros Ramazzotti

My sister and brother-in-law sent me a gorgeous bouquet of Gerbera daisies. Those along with hydraenas (sp) peonies, roses and tulips are my favorite flowers.

I was up at 5:15, went to the gym, then the supermarket and the dry cleaners.

I was trying on a dress I bought before my Rome trip, thinking I might wear it tomorrow night. Not going to happen. I am not going to worry about my ever expanding waistline this weekend (I'm doing the opposite thing). I'm still going to bake that cake I saw on Barefoot Contessa. I will bring it to work the next day.

I had a very productive morning working on the book. I have been listening to the same five CD's during this rewrite. My friend loves Eros. Another friend of ours is not a fan. I was indifferent, having only heard one of his songs. Then I bought Calma Apparente and have been playing it non-stop. Love it, love it, love it.

Thanks Mr. Postman, Runway and Beyonce's new video

The festival continues. I received a nice card from my parents with a very nice gift inside. As Snoop would say, "I'm pleased for that."

My boss bought me some gorgeous personal stationary for my birthday. We went to the store and picked out these Cranes Note cards. The stationary should be ready in about two weeks. It is a really thoughtful yet pratical gift. Who knew that stuff was so expensive?

There was no need for Jeffrey to be so mean to Angela's mom. I did not like Kanye's outfit at all. Laura is having her 6th kid? She looks great.

Saw B's new video at the gym. Hmmm.  I don't know what Sasha is telling her.

Spike's Katrina doc

I had to stop watching it. I was getting too upset. There is so much blame to go around. From the federal, state and city level, the people who refused to evacute, to the developers who build in places with a complete disregard for mother nature, the list goes on. A year later and things are still a mess.

One of my friends works for the non-profit Share our Strenght. She has been spending a lot of time in New Orleans. On the one year anniversary many restaurants across the nation will be donating money to help the Katrina victims. If I can find the link I will post it.

So I got to get up early in the morning

I am trying to get back on schedule for this rewrite. Waking up at 5 a.m., going to the gym for 30-40 minutes then writing for a few hours before work. It's really important I try to write everyday. I can't just wait until the weekend. I am so not a night person so after work is not possible.

Off to the gym.

Writing and a big thank you to Sen. Barack Obama, Clive Owen, and Daniel Craig

First, arrivederci to David, who taught his last spinning class this morning. David is leaving Equinox to go back to U. Of Michigan. I met half the people I know in Rome through David. I also heard some very good music. One of my "gym friends" asked me why I didn't go out with David. He's smart, funny, cute and has a sick body. Yes the brother is all those things and gay.

Second, continuing with my opposite plan, I am looking forward to Saturday. Before I was dreading this birthday and was planning to sit on my couch all day and eat pie. Instead this week is going to be AGfest. JCinNYC kicked the festival over the weekend. She is going to Nantuket for vacation so she sent a gift early. It was a nice surprise when I went to my mailbox and found a box addressed to me. She sent me a copy of her favorite book on writing, a mixed CD she burned, a CD on how to get unstuck, notes and my manuscript marked up. Man, I'm seeing a lot of red pen.

So that is it on the notes front for now. Overall, I am feeling really positive. 80% of the notes from three writers (different backgrounds and genres) were similar. I received some great feedback and very constructive critcism. I do have a lot of work to do but excited with how the rewrite is going so far. Saturday I wrote from 9 a.m. broke for lunch (and watched the Food Network then the Travel Channel which had a show about the Amalfi Coast. sigh) went back to writing until 7 p.m.

Sunday bought flowers at the Farmer's market wrote from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Took a break to read Elle Decor around 4. I knew I really wanted to dig into the book this weekend so I read what I needed to read for work on Friday. This weekend I turned off my phones, cranked up the music and got to work.

Thursday I was walking past the newsstand with my co-worker when I saw a sight that tells me there is a God. The following magazines were next to each other: Men's Vogue, GQ and Esquire. The covers were: Senator Barack Obama, Clive Owen, and Daniel Craig. I almost passed out. These men are smart, charming and freaking fine. I think Daniel is the youngest at 39, the other two are in their 40's. I know some people are up in arms about Daniel Craig being the new Bond. The haters need to stop. He is the only reason I will be seeing this movie opening weekend.

I'm a grown woman, I like men not boys. There have been several articles already about what is going on with American male actors. If wasn't for Denzel, the Brits and Aussies, we would have maybe 2 leading men. Casting directors are complaining about it all the time. What is this about? Movies are geared towards teenagers so the actors are younger and smaller? Is it something about our culture, post 80's? Is it the cult of celebrity gone crazy, i.e. blank, pretty boys, who cannot act being cast in movies?

Think about Brando at 29 in "Streetcar", Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at 30, Redford in "The Way we Were", De Niro in "Godfather 2". All of these men were good looking but they are actors first. All came from the stage and when they were on screen you couldn't keep your eyes off of them.

Ashton is on the cover of Details, no comment.

My sister sent my the following link. Enjoy

http://men.style.com/gq

Paris Hangover and the Ghost of Saint-Michel

I read two Paris based books this week. An agent sent me The Ghost of Saint-Michel by Jake Lamar to read for work. Lamar is a former writer for Time Magazine who moved to Paris several years ago. His latest book is about a 62 year old African-American expat, Marva Dobbs. Marva has lived in France for decades. She owns one of the most popular restaurants in Paris and is married to very successful Frenchman. Their daughter is a recent Harvard grad and loves all things American, which drives her mom crazy.

Marva has a short, intense affair with the very good-looking North African number 2 chef, Hassan. He is 28. One day the police tell Marva that Hassan has gone into hiding. He is wanted for a terrorist act. Everything falls apart.

I really enjoyed it until the big plot hole at the end. I don't think the thriller plot quite works but I loved spending time with the characters.

I read Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe after reading an article in New York Times about the rash of expat French novels. Like Jake's book I enjoyed reading about Paris but I was not a fan of the protagonist named Klein. Yes, last name only. It could be because she is off to Paris so suddenly and we don't know much about the life she is leaving behind. All we know is she's tall, hot, rich and really wants to get married and have a baby. The rich French boyfriend she left behind in NYC doesn't want to have kids. Klein is obsessed with her clock and sleeps with half of Paris. Some of the sex scenes were pretty funny. Of course Klein learns what's important. However it happens so late in her "arc" it rings false.

There are some dead on observations about French culture. At times you just want to book the next flight out and take a trip. I wish Klein had more depth. She seems a little immature for 35. Maybe I was expecting too much from a fun chick lit book.

I read an interview with Lobe and she said about 90 percent of the things in the book really happened. Now that is funny. Like Lamar she now lives in Paris full time. The two books and writers could not be more different but they both have a passion and deep love for Paris.

I thought it was interesting in seperate interviews they both talk about how the definition of success is different there. Lobe is a former designer for Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta. She traded in her 2,000 sqaure foot loft in Tribeca for 550 square foot apartment in Paris. She paints full time and no one there thinks that's weird. Lamar said as a writer, people don't ask him how many books he has sold. Writing is considered a worthy thing to do with one's time, whether you sell a million copies or not.

Speaking of designers, I am meeting a friend at the Prada store to check out the "Waist Down" exhibit during lunch.

Yesterday was a really good day. I am trying to figure out this whole Rome thing and I received some excellent advice. For breakfast I reconnected with an American expat freelance journalist I met in Rome. He is in the States for a couple of days, then going back to Rome. He has lived there for 6 years and speaks fluent Italian. For drinks I went to L'Ermitage to meet with one of my favorite people in the biz. She has such a great perspective on what we do out here. She is British and broke it down. Regarding Rome, maybe I am being too pragmatic. Both of them gave me some things to think about.

Project Runway, WTF?

How is Alison out? True that dress and hair was tragic but what about her past work? How is Vincent still on the show? His model could not walk.

Congrats to Michael. Jeffrey is so ungracious.

Off to my meeting.

Madonna is 48 today?

Damn, where did the time go? Madge is still working it. I think Michael Jackson's birthday is next week. Didn't those two go to the Oscars together one year?

I have to drive all the way to the beach for a meeting with my boss and a writer at 9:00 a.m. After work I have drinks. Tomorrow I have breakfast, lunch, drinks meetings, and a conference call. The writer I'm meeting with tomorrow morning, is leaving town so there was no other time to meet.

I need to keep working on my rewrite but I don't want to get fired from my job. I was so busy yesterday I barely had time to proof what I wrote Monday night.

I am looking forward to this weekend. I am not scheduling anything Saturday or Sunday. I am going to get some wine and write.

My opposite weekend and lessons from Flavor Flav

Instead of spending all weekend reading I was very social. Friday after giving notes to a writer I made Spaghetti alla Puttanesca for dinner. This is the first time I have cooked with achovies. I never ate them when I was younger. Not sure why, I ate sardines. After a very good meal I started my weekend read pile.


Sat. morning went to the gym then to a Jr. League event. After the event met friends for brunch. One of my closest friends was in town from NYC. She still works in the industry but moved back east after living in LA for 11 years. My other friend lives in Laurel Canyon and this was the first time we have seen each other since I got back from Italy, in May. We are going to try to get together more often.

Sat. afternoon worked on my book. Sat. evening went to a dinner party. It was five of us ladies and so much fun. 3 of the women I haven't seen in a while so it was good to catch up. Our host made an AMAZING dinner (you can check out her journal w/recipes at Nichelletramble.com, or just clink the link under favorite blogs/the write stuff). These women are so inspiring and positive.

I love to entain but I don't like my apartment. I have to see what happens next year. It might be time to move. I hate to give up a rent controlled apartment in such a great neighborhood but our slumlord is horrible. I just went into the laundry room and it's a mess. I don't think she's had it cleaned since she bought the building last year. One of our neighbors did try to clean it but he gave up. I'm going to talk to some of my neighbors and see what we can do. I think it's hilarious that she wants all of us older tenants out so she can jack up the rent. I feel sorry for anyone paying $700 more than what I pay a month to live with such poor upkeep. I don't think living near Koi and the Marc Jacobs store is that important. Or mabye I should suck it up and stay, save the money for traveling. We'll see. I want to feel like I have a home at some point.

Sunday, day off from working out but I did walk to Trader Joe's. Read the NYTimes and some more of my weekend read. Wrote all afternoon. Another friend was in town for a wedding. I haven't seen her in years. She lives in Nashville with her husband and children. I was there when she and her husband first started dating. We all worked together on the 92 presidential campaign. She went to college with my boss. Small world. She was staying in Venice so I drove over and met her for dinner. People here do not like to drive too far from their neighborhoods. I get it, commuting during the week is a nightmare why drive all weekend? I have friends who live on that side of town and will not go west of Lincoln Blvd. on the weekends. I like that area, if my office wasn't on Larchmont (and I made more money) I would move to the beach.

Re: lessons from Flav. It is more important to be true to yourself than a fake. Therefore the woman who pooped on the floor got to stay, the wanna be actress did not get a clock. She was sobbing about it. Please.

Allora, off to do some italian homework before meeting with my gorgeous tutor.

Can someone explain to me the deal with a 17 year old British suicide bomber?

I was going to mention my Brad Pitt sighting today but I received an email from a friend at LAX airport. She is flying to Rome. She could not bring any lotion, contact lense solution, lip gloss, toothpaste, keys etc. She had to put her passport and wallet in a ziploc. She will be showing up ashy and with bad breath.

In an article in today's New York Times they posted a quote from the website. Someone said they don't know why anyone would travel now. Stay home. I don't think that is the answer but I do understand people's fear and frustrations. I am flying in a couple of weeks and not looking forward to it.

I don't know how long these new restrictions will be in place. I think back to traveling to SXM when I was a kid. Remember all the things people could bring on the planes back then? Why weren't these attacks or attempts happening in the 80's. Is it better technology, the internet? What is the ultimate goal of these bombers? Why are there no suicide bombers in other religions? I don't recall any Catholics trying to blow themselves up the Sony lot to protest the Da Vinci Code.

Sometimes we do take freedom of speech for granted here. A filmmaker (a relative of Van Gogh) in Holland was killed in broad daylight because his murderer didn't like what his film had to say about Islam and the role of women. In court the man said he would do it again. No remorse. I do know most Muslims do not condone these acts. All these religions have been around for centuries. Why all the hatered now? The Crusades were a long time ago.  Are the leaders worried that young people are attracted to the Western lifestyle? If the homegrow British bombers hate everything that the West represents, why are they living there?

I was talking to my sister this morning about our parents. They are flying into the States today from St. Martin. My sister was telling my parents what they could and couldn't bring. I said to her "I am so over these fucking terrorists." The thing that is truly scary is you cannot "win" the war on terror. You can try to anticipate what they are going to do. You cannot reason with people who have no problem blowing themselves up. What does a jail sentence mean to them? If you execute them, they are still marytrs for Allah.

We can talk about sprending democracy but won't the opponents dig their heals in deeper and try to stop it?

Project runway, doing the opposite, no carry-ons?

Big ups to Michael for winning last night. I cannot believe he made those short pants in an hour. He is very talented.

Last night I just wanted to come home after work and start on my weekend read. I did the opposite. Took a shower, put on a nicer outfit and went to good-bye cocktails for a friend who is starting a new job. I got to see my friend and some agents I haven't spoken to in a while.

Earlier yesterday walked across the street to the chocolate store with my co-worker who wanted to buy some candy. I was going to buy some swedish fish and jelly bellys. I did the opposite and bought nothing. The owner gave us a piece of chocolate for waiting on line so long. It was very fulfilling.

I have two friends leaving for Italy and my parents are flying to the east coast from the Caribbean this week. The latest terrorist arrests have me freaked out. It's still early, we don't have much info. On the news here it's saying, you cannot take ANY liquids on the plane except, baby formula and milk (and they are going to look at those bottles at the gate). All carry-on luggage has been banned on UK flights.

Off to boot camp class.

The power of positive thinking and George Costanza

I am having a hard time walking, sitting or moving in general today. Yesterday's boot camp class kicked my butt. I also ate no junk food yesterday.

I have received some very good notes on my book. Excellent and constructive criticism along with some encouraging words. One note that jumped out at me was, my protangonist can be quite bitter at times. If she hates L.A. so much why does she still live there?

Not to get all Norman Vincent Peale but there is something to be said about positive thinking. I have decided to do the opposite of what I have been doing, ala George Costanza. I feel like crap so I sit on the sofa, read bad scripts, and eat? No more. I feel invisible so I don't really care about how I dress? No more. I try to save every penny from my low salary and not travel? No more, life is too short. Guys here are not feeling me? Whatever, their loss. I refuse to be bummed out about this upcoming birthday. So I am going to celebrate it for the whole freaking week.

Now I have to figure out how to turn the power of positive thinking into action. I have made some progress by working out more. I feel better already. I need to buy some more sexy underwear. A friend has started her own lingerie line. It's not cheap but one must pay for quality. Let's see what else can I do? I will be going to see my family on the east coast next month, so very excited about that.

Heat by Bill Buford

I loved this book. I see why it's one of the best sellers this year. Buford is the former fiction editor for The New Yorker. In 2002, in his 50s, he went to intern at Mario Batali's Babbo. A good home cook he wanted to see what it was like to work in a professional kitchen.

This is more than about cooking. It's also about relationships, how food defines a culture, and the larger than life Mario Batali.

Buford retraces Mario's steps and goes to Italy. He learns to make pasta and later works for a Dante quoting butcher in Tuscany. If you are a vegan the butcher chapter might be a little difficult to read. One thing he brings up is how disconnected many of us are from our food source. I know what he means. I had a hard time eating chicken one summer in Anguilla. My aunt broke the chicken's neck, plucked it etc. and we were going to have chicken for dinner. I passed and eat tuna from a can (hello were we not on an island surround by amazing fish?). I couldn't eat the chicken I just saw clucking around chilling on the farm with his friends. Yes I know that chicken had a good life. Clean air, good food, and wasn't stuck in a little pen or something. However, I was used to seeing my chicken pre-cut, pre-plucked, and wrap in plastic. Don't get me started on curry goat.

Anyway if you liked Anthony Bourdain's KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL check this book out. It's also a great read if you love food, Italy, and good writing.

Flavor of Love

I feel so dirty and ashamed. My friend who used to work at VH1 warned me that the show would bring "it" to the next level. Yet, I was still not prepared for what my eyes saw last night. Fighting, drinking, outrageous hoochie wear, and pooping on the floor. Of course I will be watching this trainwreck next week.

Why did Flavor misspell everyone's name? Why did the chick who threw the first punch spend $800 on her tragic weave? Shouldn't a weave look like your natural hair? I think homegirl spent $750 too much for that hot mess.

Flav says he doesn't want a gold digger or someone who only wants to be on T.V. Can someone explain to me why these women are fighting over Flavor Flav? My man wears a huge clock around his neck that doesn't run. Does he still think it's 1987? Yes, he is part of one of the most influential groups of all time but come on! Poor Chuck D must be horrified. I have to play on "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back" to wipe last night's show from my memory. Don't believe the hype indeed.

In these troubled times, some advice from Cher Horowitz; Fergie's new song

My sister sent me the following quote from one of the best movies EVAH! Of course Cher pronounced the word Haitians as HEY-ti-ans


So like, right now for example. The Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all, "What about the strain on our resources?" Well it's like when I had this garden party for my father's birthday, right? I put R.S.V.P. 'cause it was a sit-down dinner. But some people came that like did not R.S.V.P. I was like totally buggin'. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, and squish in extra place settings. But by the end of the day it was, like, the more the merrier. And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion may I please remind you it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty. Thank you very much.


I saw the Fergie "London bridge" video at the gym.  She makes the Pussy Cat Dolls seem like Aretha Franklin.

Keith Michael is "aut"

It's too bad, he was very talented and good T.V. with his arrogant self. However, he broke the rules and had to leave.

Why is naked Britney on the cover of Harper's? I used to love that magazine when the late Liz Tiberis (sp) was the editor. I stopped my subscription years ago. It doesn't have a strong fashion POV and most of their articles are boring. That's all.

Justin's sexy black

My sister has been going on and on about this video. I told her she needed to calm down and not act crazy in front of her husband. I finally saw the video at the gym this morning. I'm not mad at her. I get it. I like the song as well.

Funny how Britney was the biggest star to emerge from the Mickey Mouse club compared to Christina and Justin. Now she and K-fed are better know for fighting, stupidity, and tackiness than talent. I always thought Christina was the better singer (by far) and glad to see her still out there doing her thing.

Tory Burch, Boot Camp, and my new italian tutor

So the first day of this month (which I have been dreading) started out with a nice surprise. My friend is an exec with Tory's company and sent me 4 tops and dress. Me likey!! I love her clothes but I can't really afford to pay $500 for a top.

My friend's boyfriend also sent me a CD with a bunch of old school dance music. Can't wait to go home and play it.

Today is the one year anniversary of my job and the 11 year anniversary of the management company where I work. We are going to celebrate with a lunch at Crustacean. I cannot wait to eat those garlic noodles.

Went to Bootcamp today for the first time since April. Man I am out of shape. I have to figure out a way to write in the morning and still make it to class.

I met my new Italian tutor, Alessio, yesterday for our first lesson. Yes I am out of shape in that department as well. I couldn't remember common verbs. I need to practice more. Alessio is over 6 feet and gorgeous. That's all.

Brand New Heavies and a Washington D.C. flashback

This is going to be a long post. So next month another birthday, not sure why I am so freaked out about it. I told an exec at another company who's birthday is on the same day, that I was looking forward to closing all the blinds in my apartment, sitting on my couch, eating pie, and crying. He's only 27 so he laughed. He thought I was joking. Well another friend (a fellow Virgo) will not let me do that so we are going to dinner to celebrate our birthdays together.

I'm on a tastemaker list for Giantstep marketing and received the latest New Brand New Heavies CD "Get Used To It". I love it. N'Dea Davenport is back as the lead singer.

I played their debut CD a lot while working on my book. In writing the book and with the next birthday coming up, I have been thinking about where I am in my life. The sense of isolation/loneliness/boredom I feel (depite knowing a ton of people here). A few of my closest friends have left Hollyood and moved back east, including the only one within walking distance. The others are so busy with work (all except three work in the industry) I never see them. I haven't had a proper date in uhmm years, and then there is the L.A. issue.

While listening to the BNH I started thinking about when I lived in D.C., aka the Chocolate city in the late 80s/early 90's. I moved there a year after college. I was a Congressional aide for a Congressman from Queens and worked at a clothing store called EPISODE part-time to supplement my income. Since working on the Hill is public service and the jobs are very competitive the pay is very low compared to the public sector. See, from the very beginning I always managed to have interesting jobs but be broke.

The great thing about working at the store were my co-workers and the discount. Our store was like a hipper Banana Repbulic. We were located in Union Station and tried to get the Ann Taylor wearing women to be a little less conservative. My co-workers were a really diverse group of women. The manager was a black woman from North Carolina and a former model. The co-manager was from Cameroon and an African princess (really). She lived in Paris for most of her childhood and would be pissed if people called her Helen. Her name was spelled Helene (and was pronouned el-lan, I don't know to make the accents on the last two e's on this computer). The assitant manager was a blonde women from Hawaii. Some of the salesgirls were students at Georgetown, Howard, Catholic University, and American. A few others had full time jobs like myself.

We had Republicans, Democrats, Independents working there. One sister from Howard had a serious issue with interracial dating. She had to keep it to herself since the manager's husband was from Germany and looked like a slightly thinner version of Dolph Lungren. The manager was in her early 30's so she was like a den mother to all us students or recents grads. She would have these huge Thanksgiving dinners for all us "orphans" in her amazing apartment. All of us would go out to Perrys in Adams Morgan. Everytime I hear Black Box's "Everybody" I am back at Perrys dancing with my friends. There were a group of Nigerians, Brits, Argentinians, and people from Madagascar (Madagascians?) we used to see almost every weekend.

We all had a crush on this Argentinian bartender Diego. One night we went out to celebrate one of my co-worker's birthday. Karen looked a little like Charlene from "A Different World". On her birthday she had quite a bit to drink. When we got to the bar I told Diego it was her birthday. He asked her what she wanted and she replied "Kiss me, damnit Diego! Kiss me!" He leaned over the bar and kissed her. I almost fell off my stool I was laughing so hard.

Helene and her boyfriend, who had a French mom and African dad, were always having arguments in the store. Since they were fighting in French it didn't seem so bad. All the relationship dramas, bad haircuts, car accidents, and money woes, we heard and saw it all. One co-worker's roommate was raped in their backyard at gunpoint by two strange men. One had an older brother who was kill in Vietnam.

Many people think Washington is not very comospolitan but it is the nation's Capital. On the Hill I met people from all over the country (it was less partisan back then). Through my friends at the store I met people from all over the world. Althougth D.C. and L.A. are both dominated by one industry, in D.C. you are not as myopic. You have to know what is going on in your homestate. You are constantly being lobbied by both sides of every single issue. The bills passed do impact more peoples lives more than the box office of a movie.

Some of my friends to this day I met in the Congressman's office. I don't know what is going on with the ladies from EPISODE. Last time I saw our manager, she was being transfered to Atlanta. All our student co-workers graduated. One went on to be a stylist and I have seen her work in Harper's Bazaar.

Maybe next week I'll write about the Sony years in NYC.

Lost Hearts in Italy by Andrea Lee

This book was a little frustrating. I loved some of the short stories in Lee's INTERESTING WOMEN and I was so looking forward to reading this book. There have been so many books about Americans in Italy but I don't know of any from a black female POV (if anyone does please let me know).

I don't mind some of the sloppy errors critics have pointed out. My problem was I just couldn't get a read on Mira, the protagonist. Maybe this was intentional?

Anyway the book examines the breakup of Mira and Nick. A young, golden couple who met at Harvard. It cuts between the present and to when Nick and Mira first moved to Rome in the 80's. Nick is a up and coming banker from a WASPy New England family and Mira is from a very prominent black family in Philly. At the wedding the author points out how Nick's family notices no one in Mira's family is dark skinned, heavy or wearing loud clothes. Uhm okay. Mira is a writer and beautiful. Most of the time Italians are not sure if she's Spanish, Cuban etc. She meets a very rich older Italian, Zenin and begins an affair that wrecks her marriage. Mira and her daughter stay on in Italy. Mira and Nick remarry. Nick now living in London and Mira in Turin.

I'm not sure why we are supposed to care about Mira. Why did she start the affair? She didn't seem to have any real feelings or passion for Zenin. Re: her P.O.V. Mira seemed somewhat disconnected from anything having to do with black american culture. I say this as someone who listened to get the "Get the Led out" on New Jersey's classic rock station and loved Duran Duran along with my P.E. and Erik B.

This book did make me more curious about the author. Like Mira, she has a daughter who is a student at Harvard, is from a prominent family in Philly, is married to a wealthy titled Italian and lives in Turin with her two younger children. I want to check out her other novels. I wish I were in a book club so I could talk about LOST HEARTS some more.

I am loving HEAT by Bill Buford. I cannot put it down.

Lance Bass

Why is this considered news? Why are people shocked that he is gay? Hello!! Stevie Wonder could see that.

I think Keith Michael is the one who is going to get kicked off Runway next week. I read that he copied some designs for his interview portfolio.

I was going to say I'm sick of this heat but I'm trying to make it through day two of "operation stop whining."

Day 1 of operation "stop whining"

So far so good. Well, I haven't really spoken to anyone today other than to say "good morning" to the receptionist at the gym.

I am going to get a pedicure during lunch today. Something to look forward to. I should get a manicure but I'm going to be doing some major cleaning this weekend.

I just finished LOST HEARTS IN ITALY. I have to write about it later. I'm still thinking about it.

I will be getting some feedback on my book later this week and next week. Very nervous. I asked one friend, she is a producer who has great taste but is very tough on material, to be please careful with the scalpel and not hit my jugular vein.

Tomorrow is a new day

I just saw some photos "the countessa di filicudi" sent from dinner at La Buca Saturday night and some from watching the World Cup. I look like I'm pregnant.

We all know that is impossible so I might want to reign in the eating of popcorn, Jelly Bellys, Swedish Fish, those Chicken taquito things (sp) from Trader Joe's, cake, cookies etc. Skirts that were too big in Rome, I can't get into now. Che cazzo?

I know some of it was working on the book and being back in L.A. I had to cut my gym time in half, so I could get some writing done before going to the office. I drive everywhere so no more walking three or more miles a day. I haven't taken a boot camp class since I been back. I am going to try to take class on Thursday. Also when I'm down, stressed, or bored I eat. I am all of those things at this moment.

At some point I need to go to London to see some writers. I have enough miles but I have to see how my finances are this fall. Having to get the new car after the accident threw my entire budget off.

I met my three friends from Italian class for dinner at La Buca. Amazing food. Mama came out to say hi. She made this homemade pasta with mushrooms and truffle oil that we are still talking about. The owner flew her out from Italy and she barely speaks English. My friends are leaving for Italy soon. Two of them will be there for a month at around the same time and the other is leaving in late September for three weeks. I know I was just there in May but it seems years ago.

I remember when I got back I said I was going to work on my attitude and stop complaining about L.A. I have failed. My job is going well but I am finding living here tougher everyday. What the hell is wrong with me? Is it as I get older I have less patience for bullshit? Is it because I make such little money I'm over this one actress I know complain about making ONLY 1.4 million a year for a couple hours a week work? I'm at the age where I shouldn't feel insecure about not having a blond weave down to my ass like Beyonce (okay at some point they need to redo that video) but living here makes me feel like crap. I miss my family and not seeing my nephew grow up.

I am going to try again. Starting tomorrow I am getting my act together. I am going to drop some weight. I refuse to weigh myself so I am going to say I need to drop at least one size. While I wait for feedback on novel number one, I am going to start the outline for number 2. I am going to get out of the country before I go home for Christmas. I will use flyer miles and I will have to figure out the rest. It's important for my mental health that I get out of here even if it's just for a long weekend. I wish I could go out of town for my birthday but I have to save money to go back east to see the family in September. My parents will be in the States.

Okay that is enough complaining for today. I think the heatwave is breaking tonight. Thank god.

A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger

I finished the book this weekend. I did have to read it for work but I thought it was good read. Sebastian Junger (The Perfect Storm), wrote a book about the famous Boston Strangler case. What is bizarre is that the man, Albert DeSalvo, who confessed to the crimes was a handyman who worked on the Junger house. Creepy.

An elderly neighbor of the Junger's was murdered. A black man, Roy Smith, who was hired from an agency to work in the house that day was arrested and convicted for the crime. At first the police thought they had the Strangler but there was no way this suspect could have committed those crimes. While Smith was in jail the Strangler continued to kill. In the end no one knows who really killed the elderly neighbor.

1-800 Dentist, America's number one hobby

I assume those dentist ads are supposed to be horrible. I can't imagine they do not know that the ads look terrible and are poorly acted, esp. the one with the bride and her mom.

I recently had drinks with an HBO exec who saw on the news that the number one hobby in America is.....Shopping! No wonder the average American has over 10k in credit card debt. This cannot be a good thing.

I might have to stop looking at Jess,Tracie B. and Niki's photos. It just depresses me. I would love to be sitting on the beach in St. Martin, Ischia or Positano right about now.

My parents said it was pretty hot in St. Martin but it's boiling here as well. At least there I could be chilling on Baie Rouge, Friar's Bay or Le Gallion beach. I would have said Dawn Beach but they are building a very unattractive and much too big hotel there. The Dutch side of the island is going to over develop itself into the ground.

Project Runway, Auf Wiedersehen Malan

I'm not sure where Malan's accent is from. I did feel bad for him but his dress was tragic. What was he thinking?

I do not like Vincent. He has the ego of Santino but none of the humor.

I love Vera Wang. She had a good poker face for a judge.

Speaking of fashion, how great was Meryl Streep in DWP? That's all.

Disney's timing is foul but Nina Jacobson will be alright

Why would they fire the President of Production after the monster hits of Narnia and Pirates? Also why do it when she's at the hospital where her partner is giving birth and her dad is dying? Not sure about her dad, that could be a Hollywood rumor but her partner did give birth do their third child. Nina just renewed her contract and they have to pay her out. So it's not a money issue. Great now we have yet another marketing person in charge of making movies. Nikki Finke's article sees sexism at work here.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/and-then-there-will-be-none/

Sprinkles Cupcakes, why must you move into my neighborhood?!

I walked down to Blockbuster to return a movie the other day. On the way back I passed by a brown buidling near Real Food Daily (more about that place later).

I knew the color looked familiar. I took a closer look and there was the sign. Sprinkles is coming. Sprinkles is very happening. They have a cupcake shop in Beverly Hills on Little Santa Monica Blvd. It is always packed eventhough cupcakes are like $40 a pop.

Here is the website:
www.sprinklescupcakes.com

Certain flavors they have everyday and others like red velvet, banana, vanilla milk chocolate, and carrot are only available on certain days.

I am very annoyed they will be so close. I am trying to lose weight dammit!

Okay back to Real Food Daily. This a hard core vegan place. I had to go with my former boss, an actor/director, when we went to meet a producer for lunch. The place was packed with actors. I had this salad I wouldn't feed to a rabbit. Me no likey.

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro

I have made it a priority to read more for pleasure. I don't want to be one of those Hollywood people who will only read something if the movie rights are available. It is hard to find the time but I think it's important.

I just finished Joe McGinniss' book "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro." I really enjoyed it but my man is a trip. He spent one year in a tiny remote Italian town follwing a soccer team as it moved from Serie C to Serie B. You can't believe it's a non fiction book. Joe becomes so involved with the team, he starts to recommend strategies to the coach. Of course this did not go over well. Several times the "scrittore americano famoso", famous American writer, heard "vaffanculo". Basically, go fuck yourself. LOL.

Earlier, I also read "Confessions of a Video Vixen". The editor sent me a copy. It's a quick read and I finished it in one afternoon. I'm not sure if many of the young girls reading Ms. Steffans book see it as a cautionary tale. So many girls will do anything to be famous. It doesn't matter that Ms. Steffans and her son had to live in their car at one point. She got to kick it with Shag, Usher, Mystikal etc.

Saw the German film "Downfall" yesterday. We were interested in the director for one of our projects. He won't be available for some time and is very talented. The movie was hard to watch at times. It's about Hitler's last weeks in the bunker. I had to follow it with a chaser of "Under the Tuscan Son" and "Entourage". I still can't get the image of Mrs. Goebbels and her children out of my head. Bruno Ganz was incredible. Amazing performances but very, very upsetting movie.

Project Runway!

I do not watch many reality shows but I do love Runway. At least the contestants are creative and actually have to make something. Love, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors. Ms. Klum is a good host. How cute did Kate Spade look last night?

I think homeslice with the crazy basket/hat should have been "auut".

Disney to slash slate

I cannot believe Disney is going to reduce from 18 to 8 the number of films they will release a year. Many of my colleagues are going to lose their jobs, as the studio cuts several producer deals.

Movies have always been a risky business. Now with talent being so expensive, the risks are too high and the studios are trying to cut back. The business keeps contracting. Not a good thing for movie fans.

My loud neighbor needs to stop

So last night after months of listening to my neighbor yell at her kid, I banged on on the bedroom wall. It was 1:00 a.m. and once again her daughter was crying or whining about something. I haven't had a solid nights sleep in weeks. My neighbor seems very impatient and with her harsh accent, I really feel for her kid. Her daughter is very cute, around 3 or 4 and her mom is constantly telling her to "shut up."

I'm sorry this is not okay. You do not tell a little girl to "shut up" because you are trying to get to work and if you don't work she can't eat. WTF?

When I banged on the wall, the mom, who is nice to all her neighbors banged back. My sister is ten years younger than me and I don't remember her waking up every single night when she was a toddler. When she did wake up in the middle of the night, my parents would check to see if anything was wrong, not scream "shut up" or "stop" at the top of their lungs.

My neighbor moved in a few months ago by herself, then her daughter joined her. The little girl doesn't seem happy. Her mom says things like "shut up, you live here now." I know it can be stressful and challenging being a parent. I'm sure as a single parent it's more difficult. However, she chose to have a child and shouldn't take out her frustration, anger, whatever on an innocent child.

The strike and wtf is up with L.A. brothers?

So not sure if it's from watching for a month, very attractive men in great shape play with such passion but I am so over this stupid "strike". Not sure what to do about it.

I was think about it this morning and bumped into a friend as I was leaving the gym. Let me be clear this is not going to be a Terry McMillian-ish rant but what my friend told me reminded me why I'm on strike.

As usual when single women in L.A. get together, we complained about the lack of dating. For black women here it's even worse. Now this friend I was talking to is very pretty, smart, funny, and thin. She is over it. We can't figure out if it's self hatred, the shallowness of Los Angeles, the influence of video hoes or what but something is very wrong in the state of Denmark.

I thougth I had heard and seen it all but the following example takes the cake. A friend of her's, whom I've met, told her several brothers have backed off/lost interest after they found out both of her parents are black. Okay this girl is very light-skinned with straight hair so you can see why some people assume she is bi-racial. I am perplex why the brothers who have a preference (most do) for that look would care about the ethnic make up of her parents. She's still light. Ugh!

This chocolate girl is on strike until conditions improve. I fear as long as I live in this dumb ass city I will continue to spend Friday nights watching the Food Network.

Italia wins the world cup!

For all the haters talking about diving, let give some credit to the outstanding defense. Italy allowed only 2 goals against them the entire tournament. One, they scored against themselves and the other was off a penalty kick.

For the love of god, can someone please tell ABC/ESPN to get rid of O'Brien and Balboa for 2010? They are calling soccer matches like baseball games. Their stupid commentary sucks.

Sad that the Cup is over.

A blue World Cup? Hair today.

Forza italia! What a game. France has beaten Portugal several times so we might be looking at a les bleus vs i azzurri World Cup.

After spending $110 on Friday to have my hair pressed and trimmed, I washed it today and went back to my natural. It was the first time in over nine years I had straight hair. I used to relax my hair and did not want to go back to using chemicals so I decided to try a press. I was so sick of my hair.

I'm glad I tried something new but now I know it is completely impratical. One, the idea of avoiding water, humidity and sweating (no more working out) falls under life is too short. I was walking back from Gelsons and freaked out when some sprinklers came on. Two, I cannot spend that kind of money every 2 weeks. Three, by the second day my style looked boring, like newscaster's hair. If my dating chances in L.A. are staying the same (meaning non existent) by having a natural, so be it. Not damaging my hair for shallow brothers.