No , I am not Frances Mayes, Angela Bassett or Diane Lane

It's so funny how 95% of the people who ask me about Italy say, "I bet you meet a man in like a month" or "Will you have time to write in between all your dating?" Folks need to get a grip! "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" are movies not real life. I love how in the first movie, Frances gets to stay in Italy no problem...no visa, money or language issues. Meanwhile I am trying to figure out all this contract stuff for an apartment rental. Regarding "Stella", you see how the non-fiction version of that story turned out.

The freaking dollar dropped to an all time low!!! The Fed is going to cut interest rates again next month, so the dollar is not rebounding any time soon. How can I even think about romance when I might be broke in two months? sigh.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

This book is fantastic. A little dry at times but a real eye opener. Many of the things we eat cannot be classified as food. The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar business but yet we are the fattest industrialized nation on the planet. Pollan's theory is that the rise of "nutritionism" has lead to us eating worse. Regular vitamins found in nature are being replaced by fake foods loaded with "nutrients". Remember how people were freaking out about eating butter so they switched to "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" and other manufactured spreads? Turns out those spreads are worse for you to eat. Plus they taste like crap. I haven't bought margarine in years and I refuse to eat it. If I want butter on my toast I will eat some, not some pretend butter. It's all about moderation.

I was reading a low-fat yogurt label and was shocked to see that it had high fructose corn syrup in it? WTF? It's dairy product. It seems corn syrup is in everything. My whole wheat bread...that is good for you right? The third ingredient? High fructose corn syrup. sigh.

Pollan also talks a little about how big agri-business has changed the way we eat. It's depressing. The typical American diet is responsible for many of the major health issues we have, esp. adult onset diabetes. Instead of addressing the root causes we stick Omega 3 into foods that don't have them naturally.


Some of his solutions are:

Pay more, eat less. We love big portions here. Quantity does not equal quality.
Eat meals. That seems like common sense but 1/5 of American adults eat in the car. We snack more and rarely sit down to eat a meal.
Cook
Try to eat foods that your grandparents would recognize. We are eating less variety now than two generations ago.
Shop at farmers markets/try to eat food that is in season

I want to read his other book "The Omnivore's Dilemma". Do you think American food culture will change for the better or the worse?

Essence Magazine's Hollywood Luncheon and the Oscars.

This has been a subdued Oscar week. Post writers strike a bunch of big parties were canceled. It has been rainy and chilly all week adding to the blah mood. One of the highlights of the week for me was the first Essence Magazine Luncheon honoring Black Women in Hollywood. Ruby Dee was one of the honorees and her speech was so moving, as was Jada Pinkett Smith's. Tom Terrific and Katie were there. Their body language was weird. Tom presented Jada with her award. Will came up first and was hilarious and charming.

I saw a bunch of people I have seen in a while. Many of the actresses looked stunning. Kerry Washington and Paula Patton really stood out. Both of them have such great energy. I wish there were more interesting roles for actresses.

A jazz singer signed to Verve/Universal named Ledisi performed. She was amazing! Ledisi sang one original song (she had a pianist with her) and then did a cover of "Yesterday". Okay how many times have we heard that song covered? However, when she starting singing, it was as if I was hearing the lyrics for the first time. I looked around and saw quite a few execs tearing up. I think we sometimes forget how powerful these songs are and the musicianship involved because we hear them so often. Something about her vocal choices just kicked me in the gut. I almost started sobbing but I pulled it together. Phew.

Some random thoughts about the Oscars:

I actually laughed a couple of times during the opening monologue.

Javier Bardem - You sir are too f*cking talented and sexy. Love the suit.

John Travolta - I'm scared!! Lay off the Botox.

Why did they show that Cuba "acting a fool" Gooding clip?

Yeah! Ratatouille won best Animated movie.

Best Actress award goes to Marion Cotillard! Yes. She was just amazing in La Vie En Rose.

Once - Yeah, they won best song. This was one of my favorite movies last year. Made in Ireland for under 100k in a couple of weeks, this is a really sweet romantic movie. It's out on DVD.

Diablo Cody is now an Oscar winning screenwriter.

Daniel Day Lewis - You are a bad ass. No American actors won awards this year.

The Coen Brothers win for best directing - yes. I used to see Ethan when I lived in NYC. He lived near the original Kiehl's store on 3rd Avenue (a place I spent too much money in).

Denzel - You are looking f*cking fine at 53!

Best Picture - No Country for Old Men!!! I am very happy about that.

Meme - three writing tips and an award

I have been tagged by Jen to give three pieces of advice on writing. Here are three things that I find helpful and that writers I respect always talk about.

1. Read - I am shocked by the number of people I meet who tell me they want to write but they never read. That is like wanting to work in film but never watching movies (wait I know a bunch of people who do that). I agree with the other bloggers and writers who have said it's important to read different genres. If you write horror don't limit yourself to only horror books. Read non-fiction, poetry, short stories, anything you can get your hands on. Also make sure to mix in some quality works with you light reads and vice-versa.

2. Write - Hard to be a writer if you are not writing. Stop reading about writing and just do it. The words don't have to be perfect. It's all about rewriting anyway. There are two schools of thought on this. Some say to write every single day including weekends. Other says Monday -Friday, just like any other job. You need a day or two to have a life. Alot depends on your schedule. If you work full time and/or have kids you will have to squeeze out time whenever possible. It is important that you find that time. Which leads me to number three.

3. Have/find a group of creative people - They don't have to be writers-musicians, photographers, chefs, anyone who creates will be helpful. Let's be blunt. In our culture at the moment the arts are taking a beating. Other people who are not artists may not understand your writing, seeing it as a waste of time (because as we know in America if you are not making money every single minute of the day, something is wrong). You might start to question your sanity and wonder what is the point unless you can be the next J.K Rowlings? Remember J.K. wrote that book because she had a story to tell, the rest is gravy. Having creative people in your life will inspire you and you in return will inspire them. One of the things I love about writing is the amazing community of writers in my life who have been so supportive.

Speaking of supportive writers, Jen also nominated me for an award. Saying:

Ragazza talks straight up about her experiences as a writer and producer, making the transition from LA to Rome. No matter what her subject - the movie biz, fashion, racism, music, politics, love of all things Italian, Ragazza fills her posts with humor and clear perspective.


I'm verkelmpt, thanks Jen.

This award has been given to many of the blogs I love. I would like to tag Bleeding Espresso, a fantastic writer for the writer Meme. Michelle, If you have done it or are too busy not to worry. If any other writers want to share their advice please do!

Next Friday I will have another Flashback. Hint: This man proved once and for all Jheri-curls and fireworks do not mix.

I have a lit. manager!

I called a manager at a firm with excellent clients to tell him I was moving to Rome. He asked what I was going to do there. I said "keeping writing".

Manager - "Can I read your book?"

Me - "Why?" (what the hell was wrong with me?). I sent it off not giving it a second thought. After all, a male agent earlier in the week passed. That rep said he liked my writing but didn't respond strongly enough to the material. I get it. I pass on material all the time for my job but it's still hard not to take these thing personally. I have been so focused on querying book agents I didn't think to look at managers.

He read it over the holiday, loved it (I said "really?" again I ask, what the hell is wrong with me?) said he would call me on Tuesday. Tuesday morning he calls, schedules conference call for that afternoon. Super intense conversation lasts an hour. He asks questions they ask all prospective clients. I thought the questions were excellent and thought provoking. Some of the questions were about writing and the writing process, others were about life goals. He says he will talk to the other partners and call me in a few days.

Calls me today. They want to sign me. Already he has put a list together of book agents he wants to go out to.

I do realize that getting representation doesn't mean all of a sudden I will be a working writer. However, for someone like me who is making a big transition from film exec to writer, having someone go out on a limb like this is amazing. Their client list is small. This is good, they work closely with their clients. I don't get the point of having a manager who has a million clients and an agent with a million clients. The whole point of having a manager is they are suppose to help guide your career, thinking about the big picture and work along with the agent. Of course some people hate having both and resent it. It could because 20% of your income is out the window (10% percent for the agent and 10% for the manager. Along with 5% for your attorney and if you have a business manager 5% percent for them as well. Add taxes and there isn't much left).

I told my co-workers and they were excited.

Another exciting thing that happened today was, I put a deposit down for my move. The estimate did not drop by that much because the consolidator had a minimum size requirement. I did save some money on the packing/local end.

I was going to stop by the store to get some wine or cake to celebrate (as one of my good friends suggested. She also told me to stop questioning why my new manager likes my book, just go with it) but then I remembered I ate a bag of chips and had a Coke earlier today. I cannot stop eating this week. I do not like PMS. It's a pain.

Forgive me for I have sinned. I watched "Flavor of Love" last night.

I know I shouldn't but I got sucked in...again. Who are these women? Why are they on the show? Do they really think they will be able to jump start an acting career? What does Chuck D think about all this foolishness?

Okay, gotta get back to work.

An apartment in Rome.

The moving consultant just left. I might have to get a smaller crate. We'll see if the consolidator has a size minimum. If not, my shipping costs might drop by 50%. That would be fantastic!!

Speaking of fantastic, I finally have an apartment in Rome. An Italian film executive here (he grew up in Rome) asked his mom if she knew of anyone renting an apartment. His mom's best friend will be my new landlord. The apartment is half the size of my current place (ouch) but the location is amazing. I will be a 10 minute walk from Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Farnese. Trastevere will be a short walk across the river.

More good news: one of my bosses wants to buy my car for her son who is away at school. Mere words cannot express how happy I am to sell my car. My car is great but after living in L.A for nine years I actually hate driving now. The minute I could take Driver's Ed in high school I did. I used to love the freedom a car represented, especially living out in the suburbs. However, driving here is not fun. The traffic is horrific and people have no idea how to freaking drive. I can't tell you how many near accidents I have had because some idiot was on their non-hands free cellphone.

My days of valet parking will be ovah soon. It cracks me up that there is valet parking at the Gelson's in Century City. Seriously, the mall has a huge parking lot, do people really need to valet the Jag at the darn supermarket?

As I budget out the security depost/first month rent I have to restrain myself from crying over the exchange rate. I keep reminding myself if I were to pay market rates here it would still be more than my Rome rent. Then again I have a job here...god knows what my finances are going to be after my production bonus money runs out. Maybe I should ask my parents to ship out my old flute from jr. high school so I could be a street musician. The only problem with that plan is I can't play a damn thing anymore.

I had a crazy productive weekend. I finished shredding and throwing out old files, director reels and scripts. I downsized from fourteen file boxes to three. This job creates a ton of paperwork. I still have a long to-do-list for my move but it feels more manageable with the movers, an apartment and a buyer for my car.

I know writers should write everyday but I felt so overwhelmed earlier with work , volunteer projects and the move. Now I am so excited about writing the script. It will be a good challenge. I haven't written a script in over five years but this idea is not a novel. Even if I can carve out only fifteen minutes in the morning, it will be great to get back into a groove.

This Phyllis Hyman song sums up a typical Valentine's Day for this Ragazza.

It's another Valentine's Day. As usual I have no man, no flowers, no candy, no nothing! ha

Like the song says, "I can't stand this living all along."

I used to love this song. It was quite the slow jam back in the day. I don't know why Ms. Hyman took her own life. We lost a very talented singer that day.

Ciao! Welcome to Italian bureaucracy.

I have a migrane. It started yesterday as I tried to figure out how to move my household goods.

Work was insane. I had to go to a screening of our movie at the last minute, which meant I was out all afternoon. The head of the studio and marketing were there. We had an hour long meeting afterwards with the director and other producers to go over our notes, preview schedule, possible release date, ratings etc. During the meeting I thought my head was going to explode. Then I had to go another meeting (more on that group some other time).

Last week I called several different international moving companies to get estimates. One, the price is a good $1000-$2000 more than what I budgeted, and two, the information required by Italian customs is completely confusing. All the movers said moving goods to Italy and dealing with the port of Naples is drama. One suggested I make my point of EU entry the UK but that would add almost another month to the arrival time. I don't want to wait 3-4 months to get my things. Plus, the more places this crate has to travel, the more opportunity there is for something to go wrong.

I am not moving any furniture so I am getting a crate that is 1/4 the size of a 20ft. container. The movers will pack my stuff, get it to the warehouse, consolidate it in NYC and then it sails across the Atlantic.

I called the Italian consulate to get to the bottom of what I need to do. They told me to call the French consulate (I have a French passport). The lady at the consulate annoyed that French citizen was asking about moving to Italy in English, (zut allors!!) referred me to a website of the French Embassay which was of no help.

I had two moments of "what the hell am I doing?" yesterday. When I was sitting in the meeting I thought, I will really miss working with my colleagues and when I was looking for information on an Italian website regarding Codice Fiscale (similar to our social sercurity number), my eyes glazed over from trying to read the legalese Italian. It's one thing to read an occassional article in Italian Vogue or Vanity Fair, (which takes me forever) but this completely frustrated me. All my expat friends keep saying once I am there I will become fluent. I think about trying to open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, Internet etc. in a foriegn language and I start to panic.

Also, I am finally at a point in my career here in Hollywood when I'm not living check to check. Now I'm moving to where the dollar is so freaking weak and I am going to write for a living?! ha. Everyone and their mother is writing a script or a novel in Los Angeles. Most do not succeed.

Okay I need to freaking relax. The move seems more real now. I am starting to get calls from agents and execs as the word gets out that I'm leaving. Last week I began cancelling all my utilities, insurance, etc. It's a major pain in the butt and this process is in English!

Writers strike could end this week.

I hope the deal is a good one. The strike has caused a loss of 1.9 billion dollars in revenue. I was talking to an actress friend of mine who told me several of her friends had to sell their houses.

SAG's (Screen Actors Guild) contract is up in June. They have many of the same concerns as the writers. The studios were able to coast for a while during the writers strike (they had stockpiled a bunch of scripts) but if the actors go out this town will shut down immediately. We'll see what happens.

Flashback Friday - Shannon "Let The Music Play"

Ah a classic from 1984. It still gets played in clubs today. This song along with Madonna's "Holiday" were the monster dance hits from that year.

Later I would hear this song at parties in college and we would bust out with the dance the Wop. Now when I hear the song I always think of the Delta pledge line. There were always rumors on campus when a line was going to debut. We would be at a frat party at Skytop (a campus venue), the lights would dim and then the line would come out. Even the kids who were not into the Greek system (they called themselves, MPM, Me Phi Me or GDI, G*d Damn Independent) would get into it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

J. Crew's yellow purse in Rome, Terroni and Whitney Houston

I know those things would seem to have nothing in common but they do. Ha.

(I just heard on the news HRC won Cali. I knew she would with her coalition. It's not a winner take all state so we'll see how many delegates Obama gets).

A friend in NYC told me she just got her J.Crew catalogue in the mail. This issue was shot in Rome. Bellissima. I haven't received mine yet so I went to the J. Crew website and found a short film. Okay, I have walked down Via Giulia (one of the most beautiful streets in the world) many times and don't remember seeing any sailors. As I watched the film it occured to me, I am moving there next month! It doesn't feel real.

(I don't know what is going on with Blogger but the code in the short film is the J. Crew.com site but it pulls up mine instead. Weird. I'd tried to fix it this morning. It did the same thing when I tried to link to Sara's blog earlier). Anyway, I suggest all the Rome lovers check it out.

Speaking of Italy, for lunch I met a film exec at Terroni. It was just as good as the Toronto branch. While I was waiting for her, I bumped into one of the actors from our movie and the director's former assistant. It was so good to see them.

As I was leaving the restaurant, I saw Whitney Houston. She looked great. I was worried about her for a minute around the time of her infamous Diane Sawyer interview. Some of her music was too cheesy for even me, but damn her voice was amazing. I hope her comeback album does well.

Super Tuesday and World Nutella Day!

Phew there is a lot going on today.

If you are stateside and have a primary, please don't forget to vote.

If you love Nutella please take a look at Sara and Michelle's blogs for recipes and info on this world wide event.

Grazie Michelle and Sara for doing this year's round up.

Gooooooo Giants!

TA-DOW!!!

Yes, The New York Giants won a major upset against the Patriots. Eli Manning, has been in the shadow of his big brother, called boring (why because he doesn't date a super model or have baby's momma drama like Tom Brady?) and used to fumble like crazy. Eli broke it down yesterday. The last minute of the Super Bowl is probably one of the best games I have ever seen.

The Giants who started the season at 0-2 weren't even supposed to make it this far. The team had lost several key players and had a young QB.

Eli's final 83 yard drive was incredible. His 32 yard pass to David Tyree was a thing of beauty. Eli was close to being sacked. The Patriots defenders were tugging on his shirt and he still connected. Talk about concentration, composure and luck. David Tyree got the first down. There were 59 seconds left in the game.

When Plaxico Burgess caught the touchdown I screamed. I called my parents in the Caribbean and my brother was there on a quick trip. He and my sister are very big Giants fans. I called my sister too. I wish I could be in NYC tomorrow at the ticker tape parade in lower Manhattan.

The Giants were 14 point underdogs. Everyone thought they were going to lose and the Patriots would have their undefeated season. Did people forget the Giants almost beat them during the last game of the regular season? Do not count out New York. Man, this team had heart. With only one minute left they were losing and they pulled it off. The Giants defense was amazing as well. Brady was sacked five times.

I watched part of the post-game wrap up. Is it me or is Bill Belichick a sore loser? His attitude was stank during his interview, not gracious at all. That was a punk-ass move for him to leave the field before the game was over. I shouldn't be surprised. This team ran up their scores which is not cool. No wonder they are one of the most hated teams in the NFL.

Banana and Nutella Dessert Pizza

In honor of the upcoming World Nutella Day (this Tuesday, February 5th) here is my recipe.

I had dessert at a restaurant that used to be on 3rd Street near Orso. It was made with strawberries. When I went to the supermarket I bought bananas instead; the strawberries didn't look that great to me. This is what I came up with.

BANANA NUTELLA DESSERT PIZZA

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (F)

Pizza dough for a medium (I bought mine at Trader Joes. Your local pizzeria might also sell dough)
2 ripe bananas
Nutella
Powdered sugar
Extra Virgin Olive oil

Split the dough in half and roll out both pieces.
Lightly brush olive oil on top of both. (You could use melted butter as well)
Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes. I have a pizza stone but a cookie sheet will work. You might want to line it with parchment paper so the dough won't stick.

Meanwhile mash the bananas with a fork.

Let the pizza cool for a second. Spread a thin (or thick..ha) layer of Nutella on the pizza. Then the bananas.
Add the two layers and bake for 2-4 minutes until the pizza is light brown.

Let the pizza cool for another second and sprinkle with the powdered sugar.
Cut into wedges and enjoy.

Note: My layers weren't as flat as the restaurant's version. My version wasn't pretty but man, did it taste good.
Next time I go the farmer's market I will try this recipe with strawberries.

The Writing Game - A short story

Please check out the other short stories at the blog Jen put together. Thanks Jen this was a great exercise.

I have not written a short story since freshman year in college, you know, back in the stone-age. I have no idea what I am doing but here goes. We were given some guidelines, which I will post at the end of the story. Please feel free to give any feedback.



27 Woodland Lane


He didn’t like it at all. Not one bit. Bob Waters stood in the backyard and wondered what had happened to his house. The glass walls exposed everything.

Bob lingered for a moment watching as Susan ran around the kitchen. He was fond of Susan. She had that same kind of sneak-up-on-you-type beauty as his wife Rose. Bob walked around to the front of the house. The boxy, sleek structure looked out of place among the towering oak and maple trees in the historic section of Greenwich Connecticut. What distressed him even more were his poor rose bushes. They looked horrible. The petals were the color of a polluted river. Susan had been distracted lately with the remodeling but he couldn’t cut her any more slack. The roses were dying. He had to do something.

Susan tried again to snap her barrette shut.
“Dammit.”
“Mommy said a bad word,” her five-year-old daughter Grace yelled as if no one had heard the first time.
“Don’t worry about Mommy. It’s time for you to go to bed.”
“I want to stay up until dad gets home. Can you read another story?”
“No, it’s past 8:30. Let’s go”
“Noooo, I want to stay up!”
“Grace. I am not telling you again.”
“Look you made Mom mad. You’re a pain,” Jack, age six, said to his sister.
“No, you are a pain!”
“Grace use your inside voice and get upstairs.”
“Yeah Grace,” Jack added.
“You too Jack. Let’s go.”


Finally the kids were down. Susan brought a ’97 Barolo up from the cellar, poured herself a glass and opened the Sunday New York Times. She was getting to it on Thursday, which was a record of sorts. The house was quiet. There was only the soft hum of the refrigerator. Her husband felt for the price they paid for the six-bedroom house it should be completely silent but Susan liked the company.

She was reading the business section, which featured a story about one of her former Wall Street colleagues when her husband, Peter rushed in. In his early 40s, Peter still had the build and good looks of a Division I athlete.

“Hey honey,” Peter said as he gave Susan a quick peck.
“Hey yourself. There’s dinner in the fridge.”
“I already ate in the city.
“Your assistant neglected to mention that this afternoon when she called to go over the guest list for the housewarming. The list is too long.”
“No it’s not,” Peter said gently, waving off the subject. “You won’t believe what Casey did today during a conference all.”

As Peter went on about his day, Susan thought about her typical schedule.
Get kids ready for school.
Drop kids off at school.
Volunteer at school for three hours.
Drop off donated items at Greenwich Junior League thrift shop.
Pick up Peter’s dry cleaning.
Return home. Reheat for lunch dinner from last night that Peter did not eat.
Let Rosalie in. Tell her not to worry about cleaning Peter’s bathroom. She did that yesterday after Grace threw up in there.
Go to supermarket for groceries.
Pick up kids from school.
Drop kids at their play dates.
Update RSVP list for housewarming.
Check email. Delete spam.
Pay Rosalie.
Pick up kids from respective play dates.
Cook dinner.
Try to eat dinner.
Get kids ready for bed.
Sit here and listen to husband talk about bumping into all our friends in the city.

“Are you listening to me?” Peter asked.
“No, I’m not.”
“You are so funny.”
“No, I’m not.”
“The landscaper is coming tomorrow. He’s going to deal with the rose bushes once and for all.”
“Oh. I forgot to prune them.”
“We’re getting rid of them. They don’t fit the house.”
“We can’t. Mr. Waters planted them. I promised his kids we wouldn’t dig them up.”
“You were okay with tearing down old man’s house, but you want to leave his flowers?”

Bob wondered whom Peter was calling an old man? He was a spry 66 when a heart attack killed him. He had walked into the kitchen and had been eavesdropping on their conversation since Peter had come home.

“I think the bushes are beautiful,” said Susan. “It’s sweet he planted them for his wife.”
“Yes, yes it’s very romantic,” said Peter. “But let’s be practical.”
“Oh, you mean like this house?” Susan shot back. “The roses stay.”
“The landscaping has to be finished before the party. Susan, we have to get rid of those nasty rose bushes.”

Bob couldn’t take it anymore. He had planted those bushes after his wife’s accident. He promised her once he retired they would travel and he’d spend more time with the family. She died two weeks after he took the commuter train into the city for the last time. Those bushes were his life the twelve months before his heart attack and he wasn't going to let Peter disparage them. Couldn’t Peter see? Bob used to be like him.

Bob pushed a glass off the counter and it shattered sending shards racing across the tile floor and startling Peter nearly out of his skin.

“I guess Mrs. Waters doesn’t like my idea,” Peter said trying to pretend he wasn’t freaked out.
“Mrs. Waters is not a ghost in this house.” Susan smiled and gave her husband a kiss.
“Ask the landscaper to help you nurse the rose bushes back to health. I’m going upstairs to change. Save me some of that wine.”

Susan picked up a broom and swept up the glass.
“Thanks Mr. Waters.”
“You’re welcome,” Bob said. He knew Susan couldn’t hear him. He ran out to tell the roses the great news.


I drew Soccer Mom in Denial's idea.
A. A ghost visiting his former house. A living couple is gently aruging over how to decorate the house.
B. The ghost lived in the house most of his life, raised his family there and lived alone in it after his beloved wife Rose died. He tended rose bushes in her memory. One partner of the couple wants to make changes now the other isn't in a hurry. The rose bushes haven't been tended to in a while.
C. The ghost overhears someone say "those nasty rose bushes" have to be removed.

World Nutella Day 2008!

It is that time of year again. February 5th is a very important day. It's Super Tuesday (don't forget to vote) and the second anniversary of World Nutella Day.

Check out Ms. Adventures' blog and Bleeding Espresso's blog for more info about this glorious event.

Write what you want or worry about marketing?

I was speaking with an editor at one of the big publishing houses today about the business. It seems book publishing is becoming more and more like the movie business. Mid-range authors are out. You are either established or brand new. Your book must be easy to market (I'm talking about commercial fiction but even literary fiction has changed).

When I was speaking with the editor she did say it is going to be tough to sell my book. It's multiracial but the protangonist is black. So is it a black book? Is it Chick Lit? Is it Travel Lit ala EAT, PRAY, LOVE (I have heard from more than one book agent/editor that everyone and their mother is trying to sell manuscripts that are the next EPL). That is just great.

I was a little down but what is done is done. I like the characters in my book. It never occured to me to make them all one race. That is not the world I live in. What about all the women who watch GREY'S ANATOMY? Will they not read a book set in Rome with a group of expats from different backgrounds? Would a guy who likes to travel or Italy not read a book set there because a woman wrote it?

I was on the treadmill thinking about my next project. It would make more sense to write it as a script. I have no idea if I can do it. It's in a different genre for me. I want the script to be well written. These are the things I worry about. Maybe I should try the opposite (ala George Constanza). Pick a topic I think the studios would want (like some really stupid comedy for Dane Cook) "write" the script in two weeks, use a guy's name, send out after the strike. I kid. I have no idea how to write for Dane Cook which is why my ass will probably be broke forever. ha.

Bill's comment about South Carolina, a new low.

Dear our former President,

I am sick of you. I worked on your presidential campaign in '92. I still have close friends from those days I worked in "Delegateland" which was next door to "Hillaryland". I enjoyed getting to spend time in Little Rock and seeing that part of the country. Working at the convention, standing on the floor of the transformed Madison Square Garden to hear you accept the nomination was a highlight of my life. I knew you had flaws but believed you would be a better president than re-electing President Bush Sr. We were ready to "roll the dice" on a young governor from a small state. I looked around the Garden and the diverse crowd. It was exciting to watch democracy at work.

Today after your wife got routed by Obama, instead of showing some class, saying congrats and moving on you said, "Well Jesse Jackson won in '84". Well Obama also spilt the white male vote with your wife and won the young white vote. Also as you must know, Jesse wasn't running agains "the first black president" (more on that later) so by that logic Obama shouldn't have done as well as he did. Obama is a legitmate candidate for president. Jesse was not. Obama is a sitting United States Senator who won Iowa and did very well in New Hampshire, two states with very low minority popuations. Your diss is ridiculous.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out differences with your opponent. You have taken this to another level and made it personal. I thought your wife was running, why the hell are you so out front as the attack dog? Even non Obama supporters in the party are saying to chill out. The votes you are dismissing today you might want to support your wife in the general.

Your use of codes words is not slick. We know you are a southern democrat and you know about playing racial politics. This is beyond cynical especially coming from a democrat in 2008. Focus on the issues please. This country has so many problems and we want to hear how you will solve them not what you think of "the nice man from Illinois". I can see why you pursued this strategy. If Obama defends himself, he is just another angry black man, if he doesn't, his record gets distorted. Keep it up Clinton...keep bringing out your old guard black supporters who are completely out of touch with my generation. I see many pastors in South Carolina endorsed your wife (so they could get that GOTV money) but look at how their congregations voted my friend. You and your dysfunctional, hateful, tag team represent the ugly politics of yesterday.

I thought the following from Bob Herbert's column in the New York Times sums it up.

"Still, it’s legitimate to ask, given the destructive developments of the last few weeks, whether the Clintons are capable of being anything but divisive. The electorate seems more polarized now than it was just a few weeks ago, and the Clintons have seemed positively gleeful in that atmosphere.

It makes one wonder whether they have any understanding or regard for the corrosive long-term effects — on their party and the nation — of pitting people bitterly and unnecessarily against one another.

What kind of people are the Clintons? What role will Bill Clinton play in a new Clinton White House? Can they look beyond winning to a wounded nation’s need for healing and unifying?

These are questions that need to be answered. Stay tuned."



I have voted in every general election since the day I became eligible to vote at 18. I worked in politics. I taking voting very seriously. I don't just vote along party lines. I am not going to support someone just because they are the same race or gender as me. I look at the candidates' records and their plans, then make my choice. Not that long ago people who looked like couldn't vote so staying home as a protest is not an option for me.

We'll see what happens during the rest of the primary. I think Hillary will still win given her base of Latino voters, older white women and blue collar women. That said, I am putting you on notice. I am not the only person I know completely disgusted with you. You must think all black folks and young people are stupid. As of today I am not going to vote for Hillary if she is the nominee. I don't like how this campaign was run at all and I refuse to reward her with my vote. I don't believe a word that comes out of her month. I have no idea what her core convictions are other than winning.

I won't be living in America in November but I will be voting.

Regarding "the first black president" thing. Stop it. Just because you eat fried foods, come from a broken home, and sleep around does not make you black. I can't even explain to you how offensive this is. Bill you are not black. Talk to some black men around your age and let them break it down to you what it was like for them to be a black man in America.


signed,

A democrat

Flashback Friday - Duran Duran "Rio"

Last week we did "Every Little Step" with Bobby Brown. This week's Friday Flashback is another '80s favorite...Duran Duran.

I received so much grief in college for liking this group. I believe the word "oreo" was said. Yes only in America was your racial identity so tied up into what music you like. God help you if you like Faith Hill or something, your black pass will be revoked! Add this to another reason I am glad to get the heck out of here. I think the younger generation doesn't care as much, they are exposed to all different types of music.

My friends and I still listened to this group along with all the early east coast hip-hop. I wasn't a fanatic like some of the women in my dorm. I thought they were going to lose their minds when Duran Duran played at our college. Women were arguing over who was cuter as if Simon Le Bon was going to show one day on the Quad and ask them out.

Like Michael Jackson and Madonna, Duran Duran really got how to make a good music video. Back then MTV actually played music (not reality shows 24/7) and theirs were among the most popular. Musically I do think they were underrated. The base line in "Rio" is fantastic.

Here is zee video for Rio. I bet you remember the words. ha

"Wait, you are leaving before the Sex and the City Movie?!"

One of my good friends and I were having lunch yesterday. She is also a film executive. We were talking about the huge opening for "27 Dresses" and maybe now studios will stop saying no one wants to see romantic comedies. Teen boys are not the only people who go to the movies.

I told her I gave notice the other day. When I said something about leaving March 31st, she yelled out the above quote. I started laughing. She said "I thought we would go to the movie and then drinks after." She reminded me that I gave her a hard time when she told me she watched the re-runs even though she owns the DVDs. Another exec said she did the same thing because it a nice surprise when you see which episode is on. ha.

This friend was the one who said Miranda was clearly the "sister" of the group. She was just like us, single and bitter. This friend now has a boyfriend and she's not bitter. However, a few years ago when we were in different jobs, there were many days we would call each other on our cell phones on the way to lunch meetings or screenings screaming and complaining about our crazy ass bosses.

Unless the script is horrible I think the movie is going to be a MONSTER hit. I will have to wait and see it in Italy.

I just quit my job, good-bye Los Angeles.

It is the point of no return. I told my immediate bosses at lunch I'm moving to Rome at the end of March. There were some tears. They thought I was going to say I found a new job, sold my book or that I was moving back to New York City.

They couldn't be more supportive and happy for me. Then in the middle of our lunch we started getting calls that Heath Ledger was found dead at 28. WTF?!

MLK Day

While TV ads go on and on about how this is a weekend for shopping (look at all these sales!), I wanted to take a moment to remember why we have this three day weekend in the first place.

This was Dr. King's last speech. He was assassinated the next day. He was only 39, leaving behind a wife and four young children.

Flashback Friday - Bobby Brown "Every Little Step"

TGIF. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Remember when Whitney said her husband was the King of R&B? Ha, no but I do love this song, the whole album was great

This video was released in 1988 during the height of the Gumby style era. That haircut was HUGE in the late '80. Grace Jones had one too.

Check out the spandex shorts worn with suspenders.

"No Country for Old Men" directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

The Coen brothers have done it again.

This is brilliant filmmaking. I know some have complained about the ending but it didn't bother me.

The movie is based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. Incredible cast...solid acting all around. The look of the movie, just gorgeous. I felt I was standing under the open skies of West Texas circa 1980. It is violent. I had to close my eyes several times. Javier Bardem was so scary, including his Prince Valiant haircut. My boss and I were talking about the writing today. Not a word was wasted.

I think it's interesting the title of this movie and the final season of the Sopranos both referenced Yeats poems. I would watch this movie again. It's a lot deeper than a cat and mouse game.

I thought his jumping on Oprah's couch was bizarre.

I'm not able to link to it but Defamer.com has the Tom Terrific video up (scroll down on the site). I'm not sure how effective that indoctrination video is. If I had any interest in joining Scientology that video would make me run in the other direction.

Homeslice is koo-koo for Coco Puffs. What the hell is up with the weird laughing?

meme - Seven Random Facts

katerinafiore tagged me to write seven random facts about myself. Here we go.



I had to take a speech class for a semester during elementary school because I said "ting" instead of "thing".

I cannot drink Pepsi.

In second grade my teacher Mrs. Munoz put tape on my mouth for talking in class. She did warn me and told me to stop chatting in class, which I did. Unfortunately, the boy behind me showed me a picture book that had puppies in it. All I said was "they are so cute" and bam...tape went on my mouth. When my mom picked me up from school she was not happy. My dad came home from work and made me stand in a corner as punishment. I've been a cat person ever since.

I have a crush on Andrew Ibifiniwari Dan-Jumbo (aka Andy, from all those home improvement shows on TLC).

I had my first brush with scotch at age 5. According to my mom, my dad's friend was over and they had after dinner drinks. My dad put his drink down on the coffee table and I drank some of it. He had no idea. My mom worked from 3-11 (she was a nurse) and the next morning she wondered why I was acting weird. They put two and two together. She was not happy. This happened over 30 years ago but last year she said to her husband, "I can't believe you let my child get drunk."

I also have a crush on ABC foreign correspondent Jim Sciutto.

When we lived in New York, the girl across the hall used to babysit me sometimes. Her name was Brenda and she was in high school. I thought she was the coolest person in the world. She had a huge afro (like Beyonce's in Austin Powers) and was very pretty. She used to let me play her records and I would spend hours looking through her magazines. I'm sure she would have rather hung out with her boyfriend instead of an eight year and a four year old (my brother) but she made us feel like she actually enjoyed spending time with us.


There it is, seven random facts.


The bloggers I would have tagged have done this one already. If spirit moves you to do one, let us know.

Giorgia - Stonata

I have been playing this CD since I received it as a Christmas gift from "La Contessa di Filicudi". At some point I will try to translate all the lyrics.

Giorgia is one of my favorite singers. Her voice is beautiful.

Stonata means out of tune or sorts. Even if you don't understand a word of Italian, this is a great album.

"Parlo Con Te" is the first single off the album.

Giada stepped on my foot.

Yes, one of the highlights of going to last night's premiere was seeing Ms. De Laurentiis. My boss and I were going over to say hi to a CAA agent we know. The gentleman he was talking to, turned around and said hello. That gentleman was Todd, Giada's husband. (gibber I know you are thrilled).

While I was talking to the agent, (my boss started speaking to a producer who walked past us), a woman passing by, lightly stepped on my foot and said "Excuse me". We were all blocking the aisle so it was a tight fit.

I had to restrain myself from stopping Giada and telling her I thought she was ROBBED during her Iron Chef battle with Rachel "no talent" Ray. If Rachel had not been teamed up with Batali she would have gone down.

Giada, who is about to have a baby, looked great.

I thought Katie, Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton also looked amazing. I walked in behind Diane and I had no idea she was that tall or slim. Her legs go on for days. Tom Terrific looks old standing next to Katie.

I don't get that whole scene at all. Katie seems so different from the sweet, somewhat shy person I met a few years ago.

The after-party was oustanding. The venue was huge. The food was from Mozza, there was a gelato cart, a candy bar (I lost my mind...gummy bears and swedish fish!) and a very good DJ. Of course only a few brave souls were dancing. Parties are for networking not dancing. ha

Yes...my car passed its smog test. Mad Money premiere.

Finally! I almost cried when I heard the news. I look at this experience as good practice for Rome with all the running around, red tape and long lines.

Speaking of crying, it appear HRC's tears def. helped her in New Hampshire. South Carolina is going to be intense.

Tonight is the MAD MONEY premiere. We are going because the same studio financed our film. Going to Westwood is always drama with the traffic. We have to take a shuttle bus to the after-party. I am very curious to see how this red carpet is going to be given the Mrs. Cruise of it all.

The creator of BROTHERS & SISTERS breaks it down.

I swear I'm not bashing L.A. but I had to link to this.

Jon Baitz is a native Angeleno who was recently ousted from a show he created, BROTHERS AND SISTERS. This is his post on the Huffington Blog. My boss was reading it and she told me to check it out. She said it was depressing. It would have depressed me as well if I were not leaving.

It's a long post but the following jumped out at me:

"But perhaps most disheartening to me, a man who adores women, is the daily LA visual horror show of how they are discarded there, no matter how desperately they try to cling to youth. LA hates and fears aging, and especially despises the revolting notion of women aging. And in LA, more than anywhere I know, women of a certain age, who should know better, are complicit in their own degradation, going to desperate lengths to dodge what should be taken for granted. No actress would dare present herself as proudly and as honestly as Simone Signoret, would they? No. Women should hate LA, and I will never understand why they endure it all. Why? If I were a woman, I would burn LA to the ground, and spread salt on the earth where the men all gathered. (I may do that anyway.)"

"There is the matter of how to live in LA, before the decision of leaving it. LA is the world capital of loneliness. In the age of isolation, this is a very special achievement. I could not crack it. I could only survive it. Many of the single (or not) gay men I know in LA rely on the internet for courtship/release. I have nothing against this at all. I have met incredibly interesting people through the net. I have availed myself of its charms. But used habitually it can easily turn romance into renting, with boys queued up like your movies (Indie french) on Netflix. (Such a bad metaphor on so many levels but true; and I don't like rentals, I prefer permanence, and permanence is forbidden now.)

The online world is followed by the high temple of the gym: In Los Angeles, the gym occupies a special place. It is the town square. There is no real centralized street-life in LA, unless you wander the Botoxed, pumped, hyper-sexualized, bargain-basement gay ghetto that is West Hollywood. And why would you, if you're over thirty?

The online thing is not just an LA thing by any means. However, in New York, the life of the street, the flirtation and ebb and flow of strangers getting off of the bus, makes for a perpetual energy machine. New York is just sexier, smarter, and better dressed, less vulgar, more diverse, filled with accident, and unexpected encounters, as a rule. There is the Neue Gallery across from the Met, down the street from the Guggenheim, which is up from the Whitney, just a twenty minute walk to MOMA, across Central Park, etc, etc, forever and ever. You will see, smile at, spy on, talk to, stare at, be enchanted by any number of utterly different kinds of people within twenty minutes of leaving your apartment in NYC. A barrage rather than the white noise of the undulating palms and brackish skies of the dream coast.

In a company town like LA (which with it's segregation often reminds me of Johannesburg in the 1970's), agents date lawyers, managers date set designers, etc -- you get the drift. The homogeneity of the movie making classes means that most everyone dates within the tribe. Writers date producers, and everyone dates actors. They are everywhere. They are the butlers of charm who flirt expertly, gorgeously, giddily at the restaurants and catering companies where they work while awaiting the next great thing. Instead of the vibrant grid of Gotham, you have little cantons in LA. The hills above Sunset are known as the Swish Alps and there is something precise about the peculiar sadness/silence of the decorator-beige homes occupied by mid-to-high level show biz homosexuals who reside there, trying to dodge the parties and paparazzi at the Paris Hilton House. Even the pools seem joylessly limpid in those houses. Going up into those manicured, depopulated hills filled me with dread. Disheartening too was the endless talk of the business, this while America eats itself alive."

The Golden Globes, Hillary's tears, and other random thoughts

The Golden Globes are canceled. People are pissed because most stars refused to cross the WGA picket line. Let's see how many advertisers want to pay top dollar for a "news conference."

I love David Letterman and Craig Ferguson. Leno? No. He is a member of the WGA, what part of "pencils down", does he not understand?!

Hillary is crying up in New Hamphire. Will this hurt her the way it did Muskie? Or is it different for female candidates? Did her advisors say "People think you are too cold. You better shed some tears up in this mug now."

Why is there a FLAVOR OF LOVE 3?

Why does my stomach look like I'm in my 2nd trimester?

What happened to good romantic comedies? I could really use one, since there is nothing funny or romantic about my life.

Viggo Mortenson, is handling his business. 50 years old and doing naked fight scenes. I am not mad at him.

Why isn't Anthony Mackie getting more roles? He is very talented and fine. I guess all the rappers are getting his roles.

Are more women missing these days or is there just more news about it? The police just arrested someone in connection with the missing hiker in Georgia.

What is wrong with Britney? Maybe Dr. Phil can help her.

I just spent $500 on my car yet I'm not upset. Very zen about the whole thing. Hopefully this is the last major repair I have to do before I sell it. Fingers crossed it will pass smog inspection tomorrow.

Mitt Romney might beat up John McCain at the next debate. Those two don't seem to like each other.

I'm still sick. This is annoying.

Is it wrong to have a glass of wine when one is sick? I have to use white wine when I make dinner tonight. I think it's okay.

I am trying not to set my car on fire. The ANTM marathon.

One of my friends said this is yet another sign that my move is a good thing. I am so looking forward to not having a car.

I still haven't passed my smog test. My car was in the shop all day yesterday and today. I have to take it back on Monday. They are trying to activate certain sensors. I will be out at least $500 because of this test. I picked up my car today because I must run some errands tomorrow. I get in the car and my alignment is complete off. I almost crashed into parked cars. I don't know what happened at the body shop during the last 24 hours. I am annoyed.

I am also sick. Yesterday my throat felt like I had just swallowed a cup of tacks.

My apartment looks crazy. I have gone through boxes of files. I don't know why I didn't throw out some of these things before I moved to Los Angeles. It has been fun to read some old letters. In the era of emails, hand written letters are rare. I found some letters my sister wrote to me when I went to college. She was eight when I left. For some reason every letter starts with "Hey Dork". I also found one from her written during her first year in college. She talked about some guy she met at a frat party that was very nice. That guy is now her husband.

I still have a file cabinet to go through. Ugh. I did get rid of 70% of the back issues of my favorite magazines.

While I was shredding and throwing out files I happened to catch some of the AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL marathon on VH1.

I have never been into this show. However, I do appreciate Ms. J in all his fabulousness. Tyra is a trip. Everything is about her even when she is giving advice to the contestants.

I asked my sister who is Nigel Barker?! Hello gorgeous. She said his mom is from India and his dad is British. Nigel has it going on. I love his style. I wish more men here wore nice suits. Wait a minute, why do I care? I'm outta here. :)

I am not sure what the hell Ms. J is wearing in this clip. ha.

3rd Place for Hillary in Iowa?! Major upset.

Oh you know she is SALTY! What the heck happened? Wasn't it only a few months ago everyone was saying (esp. her camp) that she WILL be the nominee. She based her whole campaign on "electability" and "experience". Okay she has been a Senator for only one term longer than Obama and has the highest negatives of any of the nominees. I think Chris Rock sums up her whole experience with this, from the NYTs review: While discussing Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign, he mocked the notion that she had presidential experience, explaining that marriage doesn’t confer professional expertise. By way of example, he mentioned his own marriage.

“I’ve been with my wife for 10 years now,” he said. “If she got onstage right now, y’all wouldn’t laugh at all.”

This is a big set back for Senator Clinton. Of course she can still be the nominee. Dukakis came in third in Iowa. The difference is the turnout. It was huge, with many new voters. Younger people, first time voters and Independents really pushed Senator Obama to the top. The caucuses are interesting. It's a time commitment. You have to go to these meetings that can last an hour to voice your vote. That so many people came out sends a clear message, voters want a change. Senator Clinton also lost the women's vote. Ouch.

Edwards and Obama better watch out. It's going to get very ugly. Team Clinton will get down and dirty. I read the race is tight in New Hampshire as well but South Caroline is going to be a battle royale. I'm sure the "poverty pimps" are pissed about Obama's win. They will try to dismiss him as "suspect" because you know all those white people in Iowa voted for him.

If I was Senator Clinton I would be very worried about my poll numbers among women and new/young voters. That should be her base.

On the Republican side, Huckabee was outspent by 10 million dollars and still won. His base is Evangelicals and Born Agains so not sure how he is going to do in New Hampshire where they are a much smaller part of the populaion. Romney has to do well in New Hampshire or it's over. He is the fomer Gov. of the state next door.

That these two major underdogs won last night has shocked the establishment. This is going to be a very, very interesting primary.

It's 2008!

Wow that was fast. I can't believe 2007 is over. I hope everyone has a great New Year.

Every year I write down my resolutions with the goal of keeping at least 75% of them. This year there are going to be some big changes. Instead of doing a long list all I have to say is, I am going to try and live in the moment. Not to get too Oprah on folks but I really need to stop stressing out about the future.

Of course I will try to get back into shape, start/finish book number two, among other things. However, if everything goes by in a blur because I'm not paying attention what is the point?

I had a great trip back east to see my brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews (3 years, 11 months). My nephews are so freaking cute. My sister stayed an extra day so we could spend some time together. I am so glad I got to seem them before my move.

This is the first time I have come back to L.A. after the holidays excited about the New Year. 2008 is going to be great.

Happy Holidays greeting with Totti & Gattuso

Today was my last day in the office. I will use this down time to get super organized. I've already started going through my closets. I am having a hard time with my books. I will put one in the donate pile then take it out. There is only so much I can take when I move so I better get it together.

I haven't written a thing for book #2 since I sent out my ms. I will follow up with the few agents it went to in the New Year. I am going to cut myself some slack next year. I will be moving, I have a few volunteer events to organize and a movie in post production. I may not be able to write for as many hours in the a.m. as I would like.

While there is much to blog about these days, the Presidential race, the war, Momma Spear's bad parenting skills (two words...birth control), this Ragazza will be back next year.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and see you in '08.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly directed by Julian Schnabel

Stunning movie. Visually, emotionally, was in tears through out. Still processing it.

This movie is based on the internationally best selling book by Jean-Dominique Bauby. Bauby was the editor of French Elle and very much a man about town. At only 42 he suffered a massive stroke. His mind functioned but he was "locked-in". He was completely paralyzed. Bauby could only communicate by blinking one eye. That is how he "wrote" his book.

This movie will stick with me for a long, long time. It's in French w/English subtitles. The director and producers are American. I was a big fan of Schnabel's movie BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, which was the first movie I saw Javier Bardem in.

Here is a review from the NYTs.

Caribbean Week: Books...The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao

I just bought a copy of Junot Dìaz's novel and I cannot wait to read it. I still have to finish LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, SHARP OJECTS and TO THE LIGHTHOUSE.

There is a great deal of interesting literary fiction and non-fiction books about the Caribbean. I have read books by Caribbean writers or writers of Caribbean descent like, Zadie Smith, Julia Alvarez, Edwige Danticat, Jamaica Kincaid and Andrea Levy. I don't know of many commerical fiction writers. If you have some suggestions, please share them. Thanks.

Caribbean Week: Food... Pastelles

Thanks to Seville for the following recipe. I am in a really bad mood today. Any talk of my mom's amazing cooking will probably send me over the edge so I'll have to write it another time. I should send this recipe to my parents, they have fig/banana trees in their yard.



Let me be forward and offer a recipe I lifted from a Trinidadian newspaper, to start your Caribbean collection. This one is for pastelles. Don't know if your mother made these, but maybe you'll try them. (If you cannot get fig (banana) leaves in LA, I think you can steam these in parchment paper).

Get your fig leaves before, clean and soften them and keep them in the refrigerator until you need them. Buy your filling ingredients and make your filling a day ahead and refrigerate it. On the big day all you need to do is prepare your cornmeal, fill and wrap.

To prepare fig leaves, steam them in a large pot of boiling water for ten minutes until they become pliable and soft. They may also be softened by waving them over an open flame.

Cornmeal dough and pastelle assembly

Ingredients

2 cups yellow cornmeal
3 cups warm water
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 tsp salt

- In a food processor or by hand, combine cornmeal with butter and salt.
- Add water and process to make a soft, pliable dough.
- Divide the dough into 12 balls. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
- Place one piece of dough on a greased fig leaf and press into an eight-inch square. Spoon two tablespoons of filling onto the middle of the dough and fold and seal pastelles.
- Wrap in fig leaf and tie into a neat package.
- Steam pastelles for 45 minutes until cooked.
- Makes 12-15 pastelles.

Chicken and beef pastelles

Filling

1 lb chopped beef and chicken, chicken only, or beef only
2 onions, finely chopped
2 tbs olive oil
1 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme
2 pimento peppers, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbs chopped celery
1/2 Congo pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup tomato sauce
4 tbs capers
3 tbs stuffed olives, sliced
1/4 cup raisins
2 tbs fresh thyme

- Combine beef with chicken. Add salt and black pepper.
- Add a quarter-cup chopped chives and one tablespoon thyme.
- In a large sauté pan heat olive oil.
- Add onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Add pimento peppers, remaining chive, pepper and thyme. Add meat and cook until brown.
- Add tomato sauce, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Add raisins, capers and olives and stir to combine.
- Cook for about five minutes more. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Add two tablespoons fresh thyme and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- Prepare dough as in recipe above and fill and fold pastelles as indicated.
- Makes 12-15 pastelles.

A break in Caribbean Week for a great cause: Menu for Hope.

I will post early next week about two of my favorite things, books and food. Since my mom does not write down her traditional Caribbean recipes and I will have to come up with something else.


Speaking of food, it's the season for the 4th annual MENU FOR HOPE. During this time of year it's easy to get caught up in shopping and stressing out about the holidays. Here is something that is fun, quick and will have a positive impact. This year the funds are going to the UN World Food Programme. Through the UN the funds are ear marked for a school lunch program in Lesotho, Africa. Please click on to Sara's blog for more information and links on this amazing event. There some fantastic items and many food bloggers have gone all out (including Sara).

Every little bit helps. Tomorrow morning I will be wrapping presents for a non-profit that works with foster children. I do realize getting a Christmas gift is not going to change the fact that they are in the system. However, for at least one day these children get to have fun and just be kids.

Caribbean Week: Music, Bob Marley

I was eight the first time I saw Bob Marley. One of my mom's friends and co-worker lived out in the suburbs. Her friend went through a ten year phase where every single one of her boyfriends was black (the friend was not). I remember one boyfriend was a doctor from Nigeria. We went to visit her friend and her boyfriend stopped by. He put on PBS and there was a Bob Marley concert on. My brother was four and he stopped playing with his toys to watch as well.

I used to think Jersey was like another country. So quiet compared to the city and very green. If we had not been over that day sitting in the guest room, who knows when I would have found Mr. Marley. My parents' generation is more about calypso and soca not reggae. The name "The Mighty Sparrow" was a big deal in our house.

Robert "bob" Nesta Marley was the son of a white Jamaican of British descent and a black Jamaican woman. He was constantly picked on because of his bi-racial background. Once his mom became a widow, they moved to Kingtson's Trenchtown slum. He learned how to fight and that is how he got the nick name "Tuff Gong".

I'm not a Rasta but Marley's music means a lot to me. He was so talented, the lyrics were deep and I'm not going to lie...I thought he was fine. He was such a charismatic performer, you knew he meant every word he sang.

My three year old nephew is already a fan thanks to my brother playing Marley during baths.

"life is worth more than gold" 'nuff said.

Caribbean Week: The I Love My Ram contest

Many islands celebrate Carnival. Trinidad is known for having one of the largest and liveliest in the Caribbean.

There are always interesting local festivals and fairs going on. I never heard of the I LOVE MY RAM contest until my sister saw something about it on Anthony Bourdain's show. Anthony has been going to the island for over 20 years. Jess was so kind to let me post some photos from her blog. She is an American who has been living in St. Maarten for years.

The contest is held in a valley very close to where my family grew up. Many people used to raise animals in St. Martin. This contest is reminder of the island's agricultural roots.

St. Maarten (esp. the Dutch side) is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean. Some say she has lost her soul. It's nice to see that there are still some village traditions that continue despite all the development. People bring their rams and enter them in a competition. There are different age ranges and the rams must have a pleasant disposition. (ha) Of course there is music and plenty of food.

My brother and his family were visiting our parents during the festival. My sister and I asked him to buy us an I HEART MY RAM t-shirt. He thought we were joking. I am still salty he did not get us any shirts. The winners of the contest won medals, cases of Presidente beer and bags of goats feed. I assume the beer is for the owners of the winning rams.

Thanks Jess for the photos!

The valley. So green and full of mango and coconut trees.


Looking fly.


Ready for their close-up.

Caribbean Week: Film, The Harder They Come

There are many movies that have shot in the Caribbean, for example, several Bond movies. I don't know of many movies about the Caribbean. The number of foreign films that make it to the United States gets smaller and smaller every year.

The movie THE HARDER THEY COME was a tiny movie release in the States in the early '70s. The soundtrack, constantly rated as one of the top albums ever, is credited for introducing reggae music to the world. The album isn't strictly reggae, it's also rocksteady, rudeboy, and ska.

I saw this movie for the first time in my 20s. Although it is in English the film had subtitles because the Jamaican accents were so strong. This gritty little movie became a cult classic. Of course Hollywood wants to remake it. It is set up at New Line. sigh.

The story is based on a real life gangster. Jimmy Cliff plays a man who gets involved with the wrong folks as he tries to make it in the music business. The soundtrack is a must have for anyone who loves music. The following clip of "Many Rivers to Cross" is from SNL. Jimmy was the first reggae artist to appear on the show. I know I am going to sound hella old but notice he is singing LIVE. No tracks, backing vocals or lip synching. How many "singers' do that today? UB40 did a cover in the late '80s that was pretty popular.

Caribbean Week: A beach in Anguilla.

This will be only the second Christmas I have not spent with my family. I don't get upset about Thanksgiving. It wasn't as a big a deal in our house. We still had an amazing dinner but my parents are West Indian and did not celebrate that holiday growing up. Christmas on the other hand was pretty special and my siblings and I always went home.

Christmas is two weeks from tomorrow and I am trying to get into the spirit. I do realize that my siblings are married and have their own traditions. This is when being single and far from your famliy f*in sucks. I never knew I would miss hearing really bad soloists during Christmas service. My brother, sister and I would try not to laugh. My dad would glare at us from the choir section. Once we got in the car he would tell us our behavior was not appropiate. I'm sorry, if you bring a boom box and sing some weird uptempo carol no one has heard of at 11:30 p.m. when everyone is already restless you might get some reactions.

I miss the crazy ornaments my sister bought from her elementary school's Secret Santa shop. My parents still have them (she is now in her 30s) and treat them like they were purchased at Cartier. I am shocked I miss my mom's brother who always argued at the Christmas dinner table with my dad about politics. He felt Nixon was misunderstood. My mom would try to bring peace to the table but my dad was not having it. Dad supported JFK.

No matter was going on during the year, I always looked forward to Christmas. I would see my family, eat well and get one or two nice presents. Once my parents moved back to the Caribbean we started a new tradition of going to the beach after church.

Anguilla has some of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean. I'm not saying that because both grandmothers were born there. "Conde Nast Traveler" and "Travel and Leisure" editoral and their readers have said it as well. Anguilla, named by Christopher Columbus, is Italian for eel. I suggest going to the long skinny island before it becomes over-developed. There isn't much to do except relax. If you are looking for nightlife her neighbors St. Maarten or St. Barths are a better choice. St. Barths is a more in your face scene. Think the Hamptons in the Caribbean. Many celebs and fancy types go to Anguilla but they keep it low key. Anguilla can be very expensive but if you check out some of the laid back places to eat you won't kill your budget.

When I was a kid we used go to my aunt's for a couple days during August Monday. The holiday is on the first Monday of the month and there are boat races, parties and lots of good food. She made us herd the goats. Those are some freaky looking animals. Only after chores (hello, we were supposed to be on vacation) we could go to the beach with our cousins. There are more hotels/villas now but the island has retained most of it's charm.

Last year when we went to see family, it was the middle of the day, high season and the beach looked like this. The hotel in the background will be the Viceroy (the same owners of the Viceroy here). I hear the prices are outrageously expensive. I didn't have my digital camera yet. I wish I could post photos of the Villas at the St. Regis. The prices there are quite high as well.



This is the view of the other end of the bay. The hotel at the very tip is Malliouhana. It was one of the first hotels on the island and sits on some of my maternal grandmother's property. Too bad I can't go back in time and look at that lease. The hotel is very nice. Here is their photo gallery. Anguilla used to be so off the beaten track that when the owner started building the hotel his friends in England asked him why he was building in Angola which was in the middle of a civil war.

Anguilla is part of the British West Indies, so be careful when renting a car, they drive on the left. You will have to stop for goats, cows and locals who like to talk to each other and tie up traffic. I wouldn't have it any other way.

A brunch with some amazing women, the Christmas spirit and Caribbean Week.

Yesterday my friend Sfashionista (she used to comment quite a bit on the blog but she has a newborn and a growing design business) held a brunch for me. Why? We share a birthday but that was months ago back in August. I was in Toronto for two months producing a movie and when I returned said she wanted to throw a brunch. I was so touched. I am in such a weird place right now, post-Toronto/Italy funk, worried about my future, stressed about finding an agent, my stupid car has some kind of electrical problem and I'm a little homesick.

For a few hours I didn't have to think about any of that stuff. I had great time. Sfashionista sent out written invites. She asked, "What would Jackie do?" I agree. Even if Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were alive today, she would not send out an Evite (unless she lived in a place notorious for poor mail delivery) for a small gathering. I can't tell you the last time I received a paper invite.

The host's baby was too cute and another guest brought her baby girl. Sfashionista's husband broke out quickly, after helping us solve a stero/iPod situation. One of the women is leaving L.A. to move back to Atlanta. She is the second friend this week who told me they are leaving. Now that the talks between the writers and the studios have broken off again, the number of people leaving is only going to grow. Another friend told me she might move to Berlin.

Despite all the bad news on the work front (several women at the party are screenwriters) we all had fun catching up. Ms. Tramble summed the day on her blog here. I am verklempt.

Until yesterday I wasn't feel much of the Christmas spirit. Since I will not be in the Caribbean this Christmas, I am going to bring some of the Caribbean to my blog starting tomorrow.

Sfashionista knows how to set a table.


Who knew Fred Segal (the one in Santa Monica) had a florist? These flowers are stunning!! If I were rich or had a garden, I would have fresh flowers in my apartment at all times. I have some gorgeous roses on my dining table. One of my friends surprised me yesterday. Lucky me.


View from the patio. It rained the other day. This is the clearest I have seen L.A. in a while.

The mall shootings and a classic from Marvin Gaye

I had a much longer post about the shootings but deleted it. I just can't understand this senseless shooting at the Westroads Mall in Nebraska.

I volunteer with foster and at risk children. Some of the things these young people have been through would break most adults. The shooter said he wanted to be famous. Now he infamous which is different. I know he had a lot of pain in his life but he did have people close to him who tried to help him. That he could shoot an innocent person in the back shows a complete lack of empathy. Not everyone who grows up in a tough situation goes out and mows down people so they can be on the evening news.

I don't know there are more of these type of shootings or if we are just more aware of them. The United States has always had a problem with a high level of violent crimes compared to other industrialized nations. The only country that is even close is South Africa (hmmm interesting).

Anyway I really try not get too down and feel like all hell is breaking loose. While people make fun of Jennifer Love Hewitt, a size two woman, for being "fat" the war continues, the mortgage industry is in free fall, and we still have too many freaking guns in this country.

This song is from the early 70s and unfortunately the lyrics could have been written today. The version I found on YouTube is from an out of print movie from 1973. It's a great live (and long) version of Gaye's "What's Going On". Preach on brother Marvin, you died way too soon but your music lives on.

"La Vie en Rose" and "Idiocracy"

The awards season has started which means Oscar screeners. I watched "La Vie en Rose" the bio-pic about Edith Piaf. Amazing. I was talking about it with my bosses yesterday and I got choked up thinking about it. Marion Cotillard who looks nothing like the 4'8 Piaf, rocked it. I can't believe this is the same actress from "A Good Year." Marion transformed herself. She better get an Oscar nomination. The movie was released in the U.S. over the summer and is now out on DVD.

I knew a little about Piaf but had no idea her story was so intense. There is something that is explained late in the third act that upset me so much I yelled at the TV. The movie is non-linear which might annoy some people. Given all the things that happened to her during her short life and her influence, a traditional bio-pic would not have worked. The movie looks gorgeous and of course the music is beautiful. Even if you know nothing about Piaf the movie stands alone...you do not have to be a fan to appreciate it. The movie is sad. If you are depressed you might want to follow up the movie with something light.

Here is the trailer:
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I finally saw "Idiocracy". For some reason the blogsphere and several people I know have been talking about this movie recently. Fox dumped this movie, no ads, it played in only a couple of theaters and there was hardly any press about it. The movie is from Mike Judge who created "King of the Hill" and directed "Office Space." Satire is tough to pull off but there are several laugh loud out moments in "Idiocracy".

The premise is Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph play two of the dumbest people on earth circa 2007. They are in an Army experiment that goes wrong and instead of jumping one year into the future they jump 500 years. Society has become so dumbed down by then, they are now the two smartest people in America. The production value is horrible. The movie does look like it was made for two cents. However, some of the digs about the state of our culture are so dead on it's a little scary. Actually, very scary.

I hope "I Love New York" is scripted.

I saw a commercial for "Nip/Tuck" which announced Tiffany Patterson aka Miss New York was going to be on the show. Wow.

I remember when "The Real World" premiered on MTV. I don't think any of those housemates knew what they were getting into. Now people go on most of these shows to become famous for being famous. At least with "Project Runway" and "Top Chef" you have to have some kind of talent and create something.

I watched "I Love New York" last night. I can't believe the mom, Sister Patterson could be that crazy. This has to be scripted for better ratings. I also have a hard time believing Sister Patterson paid $1,500 for her weave. She might need to fire her hairdresser, stat.

Who are these men on the show? Why are they on the show? I love how the parents wonder "what is my son doing?" Why did Miss New York butcher her body? What does she hope to gain from all this "exposure?" Over the weekend VH1 was showing repeats of "Flavor of Love" season one and it was clear then that Miss New York stood out. I asked my sister what happened to her dad?

With the writers' strike entering it fifth week, the networks have announced more reality shows for prime time. They are importing shows from overseas and moving up the schedule of shows that were supposed to air during the slow summer season. I don't think advertisers will be happy. They signed up for shows like "Ugly Betty" not "The New American Gladiator."

Forget having a Plan B.

I am driving myself crazy. I have just started to query a few agents. I analyze every email, every phone call looking for signs, do they like the ms? How long should it take before they respond?

Once you have an agent (a big step) they shop it to publishers. More waiting and freaking out.

I was reading an article in TIME magazine about Will Smith. He said he never had a Plan B because that implied your Plan A was going to fail. Interesting.

Someone the other day asked me what type of work I was going to do in Rome. I started to give my "in a perfect world I will write full time", speech then stopped. To be honest I don't know. On one hand that worries me, on the other it's freeing. My job is such a huge part of my identity it's hard for me not to stress about being in Rome without having a film or some kind of "great" job.

Maybe it's time for a new approach. Of course I will plan the logistics of my move the best I can but how can I predict what I will be doing for work? I don't live there. There is no such thing as a perfect world. Plenty of writers do other things until they can support themselves by writing. Some writers never give up their day jobs. They cannot afford to. Maybe I will get a part-time film related job with a festival, maybe I'll work for my sister-in-law friend's company. Maybe the writers' stike will end sooner rather than later. Who knows?

I was talking to my parents the other day. My dad said I was just existing here and that was not good. They are both supportive of my move. Although I know my mom is nervous about me living so far away from my family.

My move is not rational to begin with so I might as well go the distance. Next time someone asks me what I'm going to do in Rome, I'll say live.