Billy Joel's THE STRANGER

I seem to have a gift for remembering useless information. There is a station in L.A. called Jack FM which plays an eclectic mix of music. I was listening to Steve Wonder's "Superstition" then "Only The Good Die Young" came on.

Seton Hall University, a Catholic college, was not far from where I grew up. They had a great radio station. When I heard the Billy Joel song yesterday, I remembered there was a big controversy regarding the lyrics. It was on the local news and in the papers. Would the DJs be able to play a song with the lyrics "Come out Virginia. Don't make wait. You Catholic girls start much too late"? Yes, things were more innocent then. If the song was released today, I'm sure the lyrics would be much worse and the song would get airplay no problem.

I was a little young when the album (there were no CDs in 1977) came out, but my friend's older siblings all had it. I own the CD and play it often, I am PCB Billy Joel fan, (that would be Pre Christine Brinkley). I think the biggest single off the album was "Just The Way You Are". I always liked "She's Always a Woman". Could you imagine a man writing those word about you? I believe he wrote the song about a girlfriend. "Movin' Out", "Scences From An Italian Restaurant", and "The Stranger"' seem so NY/NJ to me.

When I got to college a student from "do or die Bed-Sty" said to me "Yo, WTF is up with your music?" I was so naive. I didn't think anything was wrong with playing U.T.F.O. and Mr. Joel. LOL

Would love to hear from other bloggers/posters which songs bring back random memories.

This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

Walter Mosley is one of my favorite writers and this book is a must read for anyone who is interested in writing. The slim book, 103 pages, is packed with useful and inspirational information. For those who have a MFA it might seem like common sense but I enjoy reading how talented writers approach their craft.

One thing he said, which I have heard several times, is writers write. Every single day (does blogging count?). I know so many film execs who say they know they can write a script (you know, 'cause it's so easy!) but don't have the time. A writer has to write, they make the time. They are not doing it so they can sell a spec script to make a ton of money.... that person is a hack. Of course there's nothing wrong with being a well paid hack, if that is your goal but it's a tough group to break into. On the other hand strong, solid good writing will find an audience sooner or later. Sometimes a writer might write a script that does make a ton of money but the original goal was to tell a story.

Hopefully I will be getting my editorial report next week. I am looking forward to getting back into my novel. In the meantime, I am going to read Mr. Mosley's book again.

"You know we don't use tokens anymore, right?"

This is what one of my friends said to me when I referred to a Metrocard as a token. I haven't been on a NYC subway in so long, I went directly to the booth to purchase a Metrocard. The lady on duty looked at me like I was stupid and pointed to a machine. I kept trying to put my money in the slot and nothing happened. I asked a man how did the machine work. He sighed and pressed the right buttons.

Sunday a.m. went one of my favorites, The Coffee Shop (Union Square) for breakfast. My sister and two friends were there. Hilarious. We got into a huge debate about the Alec Baldwin backlash. My sister and I walked over to Barnes and Nobel then up Broadway.

I continue all the way to Bryant Park. I really like that park. During the summer HBO sponsors movies in the park. Very fun. I met another friend at The Grill (Bryant Park) and her new boyfriend. He is fantastic and my friend, (another one who abandoned me in L.A. to move back to New York) is doing really well. Food was yummy and I bet in nice weather it's a great place to sit outside.

I went back downtown, this time getting on the subway no problem. There was a man walking back and forth singing really badly asking for change. Thank god I only had a few stops. I met up with a friend then went to another screening that shall remain nameless. I had read the script and passed on it. Did not like the movie. My friend and I skipped the after party and went to dinner at Pepolino (sp?, West Broadway, just south of Canal). We didn't have a specific restaurant in mind but it looked good. This one thing I like about cities where people walk. You don't have to have a specific destination in mind and can discover new things.

I had to get up early for my flight so we made it an early night. My hotel was only a few blocks from Little Italy. I went to Ferrara, the oldest pasticceria in America (founded 1892). The place was packed. The takeout line was long, as people ordered cannoli and biscotti. I noticed they also had that pasty I saw all over Naples, sfogliatella.

Speaking of Italian, I heard more of it in 4 days being downtown then I do in a year out here. Some were tourists but most I guess live/work in the area. There are many high end Italian design and funiture stores in Soho/Tribeca.

It's interesting New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude. While they might be blunt and I find the majority friendly and more importanly not fake. Everyone is not dressed the same. Walking around I loved hearing the different accents. West Indian, African, Staten Island, Brooklynese, Chinese etc. I missed the sense of humor. For a writer, walking around and hearing how people talk is priceless.

It was a short trip but a great one.

Film, Friends, Food, Fun

I am back from my trip and exhausted. I saw a few good films (more on that later), had productive meetings and a very good time with some old friends.

I will say, being in NYC brought "my sexy back." I had to crack up laughing several times at some of the lines men were throwing my way.

Thursday night met a friend at Bar Pitti (Bleecker and Ave. of the Americas, aka 6th ave.). I had heard mixed things about this place next door to the infamous Da Silvano. Maybe the trick is to go early. The food was delicious and the service good. It isn't a place to linger. They do turn over the tables quickly. Anyway it was great to see JCinNYC. Very cool woman with exceptional tastes in music. :)

Friday's weather was not good, rained most of the day. For lunch I went to Sant Ambroeus (Perry and W. 4th). The orginal is in Milan and the first one opened on the Upper East Side. I heard that one is very, well, Upper East Side. My lunch (penne with Bolognese sauce), was very tasty. I loved the decor and the vibe. I stayed and read a script, everyone was very friendly. After my filmmaker meetings I met a friend at Pescetore (51 & 2nd). We met in DC over 16 years ago. She is married with two boys and is one of the smartest and funniest women I know. She is also stunning but I won't hold it against her. She has a very intense job (a lawyer) and still manages to have a life. I don't have kids and can barely find time to do my laundry. Over very good fish and a bottle of wine we caught up and laughed our asses off. She told me living in L.A. has warped my brain (how I see myself) and I need to move before it's too late. I heard that a couple times over the last four days. Ha.

Saturday brunch with my sister at Bubby's (Houston and No. Moore). I used to love this place but I do think it's overpriced. Come on $25 for breakfast and all I had were some damn pancakes? I had my last JFK jr. sighting there. He lived around the corner and used to come in there all the time, when it was smaller and more of a local spot. He was a stunning man. One of my friends worked on a fundraiser with him and said he was so nice and down to earth. Now Bubby's is twice the size and always crowded. I will have to find another brunch place.

I saw Julie Delpy's movie 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Very funny! She wrote, directed, edited and scored the movie. Not sure when it's coming out but it does have distribution. Adam Goldberg plays her boyfriend and her real parents (big actors in France) play her parents. On the way back to New York City from a vacation in Venice, they stop by her Paris apartment. She lives right upstairs from her parents. This doesn't sit too well with her boyfriend, nor does the fact that she is still friends with her ex-lovers/boyfriends. There are language barriers, the movie pokes fun at American and French stereotypes and Delpy and Goldberg are great together.

I also saw a doc directed by Michael Apted called THE POWER OF THE GAME. It was the priemere and distributors were invited. I hope someone picks it up. I enjoyed it. The doc follows serveral teamns/people to the 2006 World Cup. One of the most fascinating stories was about a female sports journalist from Tehran. In Iran women are not allowed to go to the stadiums to see men play. Apted also spent a lot of time in South Africa and spoke to the soccer and government officials about what hosting the games means to their country.

Unfortunately, one of the American officials sounded like a jack ass when he bragged how they manipulated the tickets for the Mexico vs. Untied States qualifying game. When Mexico plays against the U.S. in Los Angeles, out of 70,000 fans, more than 60,000 are rooting for Mexico. So they moved the game to Ohio and did something funky with the tickets.

Saturday night, in NYC? Amazing. I went to the after party at Tribeca Grand with a friend. She is the one who used to live near me out here then abandoned me and moved back to NYC. (ha) We were going to go to dinner but the food was surprisingly good at the party and there was open bar. One of my former co-workers during my NYC days and a good friend was working the party and came to chat with us for a while. An agent from William Morris met us, then we went to the Soho Grand to pick up a friend who just arrived in from L.A. for the festival. As we waited for her Amy Winehouse walked in to check in. She is tiiiiiny! Big hair very petite.

The four of us walked over to Lucky Strike (Grand and West Broadway) one of my old stomping grounds. Years later, it's still going strong. I had some proscecco and fries. Maybe I shouldn't have had that last glass of alcohol. I had 2 and 1/2 glasses of wine at the party.

We talked for hours and had an Andy Garcia sighting (he is staring in one of the movies showing at the festival). It was a long day.

I need to get back to unpacking. I'll wrap up tomorrow.

Tribeca Film Festival

I have arrived in NYC. I'm writing from the Film Festival's Industry Lounge. How nice of them to provide computers and snacks.

The new terminal at JFK is amazing. My red-eye flight? Not so much.

I couldn't check-in until three. I showered and chilled at one of my closest friend's loft. We went to lunch after picking up her daughter from pre-school. Okay where did all these kids come from? My friend was saying how most of her friends are not moving to the suburbs after having children. There are kids, nannies, and strollers everywhere. LOL

I miss her. We worked together at Sony Music and despite the crazy hours, had a blast. There were many fun and funny moments, great concerts, hilarious, and passionate co-workers. I can't believe it's been eight years since my move to the west coast.

It is so strange to be back in city where people walk. We cut through Union Square Park and the steps were packed with people eating lunch, reading or just hanging out. My old neighborhood has changed so much. There's a Trader Joes and a Jamba Juice.

I have already walked at least three miles today. Looking forward to dinner in the Village tonight. I saw a very cute man on the elevator of my hotel and he was so nice to pick up something I dropped. See, chivarly is not dead.

Tomorrow it's meetings all day.

New York, New York is a hell of a town

Very excited about my trip!

My parents are liquidating my wedding fund

Songs of the day:
Bob Marly and the Wailers - "Forever Loving Jah"
Laura Pausini - "Resta In Ascolto"

I had a long tallk with my mom recently. She is very worried about me. She said my sister has her husband and my brother has his wife and children. I am all alone. My closest family members live 3,000 miles away on the east coast and most of my family lives overseas.

She also said, of course when she and my father die (morbid!) they would provide for us so she isn't worried about my finances. I told her that everything is going to be fine. I'm okay with the fact that the chances of me getting married are slim. At least I'm in good company, 70% of black women in America are single.

This is hard for my mom to comprehend. My parents have been married for a long time. In their culture people get married in their 20s, maybe early 30s and stay married. The divorce rate is very low. Every time I go to St. Martin, the only single women at family functions are the widows and myself. Good times.

Even if I were to get married tomorrow, I wouldn't expect my parents to pay for my wedding at my age. I received a check shortly after my "there won't be a wedding anything soon" conversation with my mom. I used the money that would have paid for flowers to buy a MacBook and an iPod. Out of the photographer's budget, I still need to get a new printer and I might treat myself to some shoes.

Both my parents are very, very concerned I don't own a home (like my siblings), so they are putting some of the wedding fund toward the "our daughter needs to buy an apartment soon fund". One bedroom apartments in my area, avg. $600,000 so that is not going to happen.

Given how much my mom likes to worry, I thought she would freak out about me moving to another country. She told my brother they would help me once I'm ready to move to Rome. I am shocked. I knew my dad was cool with my plans, but mom? She did say she just wants me to be happy.....and married.

Can it be..another good weekend?

Songs of the day:
Stevie Wonder - "As"
Bob Marley - "Work"


I told my sister yesterday getting out of the house is improving my mood.

I voted on Saturday morning. The polling place at the French consulate was packed. Who knew there were so many French people in L.A.? Everyone was very nice even though I asked for help in English and replied "Si" instead of "Oui". I stopped by Borders and bought a bunch of magazines, then met a friend for brunch on Saturday. She's just fantastic and super positive. We went window shopping on Melrose Place. Marni has some stunning bags. Marc Jacobs seems to only cut clothes for women shaped like his muse Sofia Coppola. Across the street is the Carolina Herrera store. I love her clothes, very classy. Jewerely designers Me and Ro recently opened a shop and DVF is around the corner. The street is only two blocks long and Monique L'huiller (sp?) is opening up soon.

Saturday night met another friend for dinner. It was so good to see her and catch up. We saw each other again at a brunch yesterday. A former agent turner producer had a "girls" brunch at her house in Brentwood. I had a great time. I got to catch up with some friends, touch base with a few colleagues (all the attendees except for one or two of the host's friends are execs in the film business) and enjoy some good food.

I have high hopes for next weekend as well. Why? Because I will be in New York City. I am going to the Tribeca Film Festival for work for a few days. It will be a hectic time running around for meetings, screenings and what not. However, I am still looking forward to being back 'in the city".

ENDURING LOVE by Roger Michell

One word. Creepy! Daniel Craig, plays a man who witnesses a horrific accident. Rhys Ifans was also there and thinks they have a connection. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan we see Craig's character become unhinged by Ifan's stalking. Samantha Morton is his girlfriend and Bill Nighy is a close friend.

Very good movie but distrubing. Craig (with his sexy self) is fantastic. I was worried his character would literally snap, he was wound up so tight. Ifan made me very nervous.

A library card - a good thing

After living in Los Angeles for eight years I finally got a library card. At Paula's dinner party, my friend Nichelle told me there was a branch a few blocks away from my apartment. There are so many books I want to read. Some books I want to own but others I can check out at the library.

I have spent many happy moments in libraries. I found my Verona Public Library card, issused in 1977. Back then parents had no fears regarding letting kids walk all over town (Verona is tiny, 2 miles by 2 miles) by themselves. I would go and spend hours reading books, reading magazines, VOGUE, SEVENTEEN, ARCHITECTUAL DIGEST, and NEW YORK MAGAZINE were my favorites. I don't think they had RIGHT ON OR ESSENCE. I would have to go to the Montclair library for those. ha.

The library was in the town center, near the H.B. Whitehorne Middle School, the Municipal Building, the police station (we had maybe 4 or 5 officers and everyone knew their names) and the fire station. The librarians were very nice. A perfect day was the library, then stopping by Anna Capri for a slice, or the Lakeside deli for a hoagie (called a sub in some non-Jersey places), and a little Drakes apple pie. I am annoyed I cannot get Drakes out here. I am not feeling the Hostess pies at all.

When we lived in New York City, my dad would take us to the local library branch. My mom, a nurse, worked every other weekend and he wanted to get us out of the apartment (unless the Mets were playing). On the Saturdays she worked, we would hit the library, then the park. I would go through books so quickly, it drove my dad nuts. I couldn't wait to go every two weeks, so sometimes all of us would go.

Two years ago I started to read for leisure again. The flow of screenplays and books to read for work never ends. However, I missed picking up a book just to enjoy it and not looking at it as a "piece of business." I could read scripts/books for work 24/7 and still not catch up so I try to read at least one or two books a month that are not work related. I believe being a well-rounded film exec actually make me better at my job, esp. when working with writers. Of course it helps that I work for a talent (actor/producer) driven company. If I worked elsewhere I might not be able to read, sleep or doing anything that wasn't connected to the biz.

The French Elections

I had to take a break from the news last night. Instead of only focusing on all the negative things going on in the world today I needed to remember something positive.

For example, the right to vote. There are places in the world where this is not a right. In this country I wouldn't have been able to vote 100 years ago and it would have been very difficult to vote only 50 years ago. I have no patience for people who don't vote then complain about the government. In order for a democracy to work we have to participate.

France holds their national election on Saturday. This will be the first time I can vote as a French citizen. I have Googled info on the three main candidates. I received emails from them and a big packet of campaign literature from all the candidates. Too bad it's all in French (kidding!). I have had nothing but positive interactions at the French Consulate despite my inability to speak French. I'm not sure what I was doing during my 8 years of studying zee language (jr. high/ high school and one year of college...so sad).

I haven't received any sample ballots so I hope when I go to vote I won't seem like a idiot.

off topic: Can I spell check on blogger?

Cho Seung-Hui's rights vs. public safety

Hindsight is 20/20. If someone writes distrubing material and appears to be troubled but doesn't break the law, what can authorities do? Should they start kicking every kid off campus who is a loner? There are many kids who like graphic material and stick to themselves who don't buy a gun and massacre innocent people.

Mr. Seung-hui alledgely stalked a female classmate and set a small fire in his dorm. He was on anti-depressants and had deep seated issues against women and rich students (although many of the people he killed belonged to neither group). One professor, the noted poet Nikki Giovanni, was so alarmed by his anti-social behavoir, she spoke to her department head. Her creative writing class dropped from 70 students to 7 during the fall of 2005 because of Seung-Hui.

One professor, a surivor of the Holocaust, died while trying to save his students. As we learn more about the people who died, it makes me sad, angry, and just frustrated. Why do things like this happen here? Overall violent crime has dropped in our major cities but you rarely see these types of shootings (unless its terror-related) in other countries. Columbine, The Amish school, WTF?

On the Hollywood-Else site one poster said our winner takes all culture combined with loose (or non-existant) family/friend bonds doesn't help. I don't know about that but there must be depressed people all over the world and anyone if they really want to can find a gun legally or illegally, so why doesn't this happen more often in other countries? I fear things will only get worse.

Virgina Tech shooting

Details are slowly coming forward. The shooter was a student.

I just don't understand any of this.

Barneys, The Secret and some quality (and tacky) TV viewing

Songs of the day:
"Rapture" - Blondie
"I Know You, I Live You" - Chaka Khan

Yesterday I saw my friend Sfashionista for the first time since she gave birth to her adorable baby boy. As always, she looked amazing and we had a great time. Instead of rolling to brunch like a slob, I wore a pretty Tory Burch tunic dress a friend gave to me. I received many compliments. I will no longer wear track pants to brunch. The two guys next to us had on shorts and baseball caps. I get it if you are at a casual place but we were eating at Barneys. At a dinner party last weekend, a friend wanted to know when did it become okay for grown ass men to dress like sloppy 14 year-old boys? Is this a So. Cal thing? I don't remember men in NYC, DC, Houston or Austin and def. not in Rome dressing so young.

After brunch we did some window shopping. I wish I had some money. I saw my former neighbor Jason. He is a shoe salesman on the first floor. On that salary (and I assume commission), he was able to buy a condo (which are very expensive around here), owned a Jeep and a 5 series BMW. I don't miss him playing his music extremely loud or trying to keep track of all his girlfriends but he was a really nice neighbor.

I saw a fantastic pair of Christian Louboutin shoes (well, several really) and I am glad to report I did not whip out my Barneys charge card. I have so many expenses coming up and there was no way I could justify spending $570 on a pair of shoes. None of that "cost per wear analysis" was going to work. I did charge a Diptyque candle as a gift to myself for all the drafts I have completed on my novel. The scent Baises is my favorite. I do not have a bunch of scented candles in my apartment and it has been years since I bought a Diptyque. I didn't feel guilty about that purchase.

A friend gave me a copy of THE SECRET. I started to read it yesterday. It's all about the principal of postive thinking. I will finish it this week.

I watched "60 Minutes". Lesly Stahl interviewed the three lacrosse players from the Duke rape case. Sfashionista (a Duke alum) and I had a long conversation about the controversy. What if the boys had come from poor families and couldn't afford top legal advice? If I were the parents I would sue the prosecutor, and the 88 Duke professors who convicted the guys in the press might want to apologize. Every crime accusation must be taken seriously. However, once things don't add up, you drop the charges. No one brings a case to trial unless they feel they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt a crime has been committed.

This case made no sense. There were no DNA matches, one of the alleged rapists was at a restaurant at the time of the attack and had an ATM receipt/was recorded on the bank camera, the other stripper said nothing happened. How can you do a line up without any decoys? The D.A. had a tough election coming up and thought this unstable women's story would help him win. It did but now he might be disbarred and could face criminal charges of his own. Regarding the accusser, I feel sorry for her three kids, there is something truly wrong with her. Where is her family?

I happen to catch the show "Killing Pablo Escobar" on the History Channel. Fascinating. The writer Mark Bowden was interviewed along with government officials, Delta Force ops, Escobar's former allies etc. If the movie ever gets off the ground I wonder who will be cast as Escobar. The movie will make "Scarface" seem like Romper Room.

The Sopranos had me cracking up. Best line of the night,
"Who is Leonardi Da Vinci?" asked Phil Leotardo
"The guy who wrote the Da Vinci code," said by one of his nephews. Then Phil's wife, a devont Catholic, went off on a mini-rant about the book.

I have a feeling something bad is going to happen to Christopher.

Now for the trashy part. I LOVE NEW YORK. WTF? If someone trashed my mom on national TV I would be salty as well but Tango acted like he didn't know what he was getting into. I want to know what hair care products Real uses. It's so healthy. 12 Pack? I don't even know what to say.

CHARM SCHOOL - I am glad they told the girls that their past behavior was not cute and people were laughing at them not with them. I did say "oh damn" when Mo'Nique thought Saaphria's (sp??) name was her nickname and said it was just wrong. Oops.

I hope the girls will learn something from the experience but man do they have some serious issues.

Ayo - JOYFUL, Amy Winehouse

Songs of the day:
Ayo - "Down on my Knees"
Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"

Okay I know I am a little late on the Ayo front. I first heard about her from my friend Jane who was in Florence last summer and from Sara in Milan. I pulled up her video on YouTube and had to get the CD.

She is Nigerian/Romanian and has a very striking voice. I love the first track "Down on my Knees". The pleading in her voice is sad but beautiful. Her CD reminds of chilling on the beach in St. Martin or in an outdoor cafe in Rome. She hasn't broken in the United States at all.

Amy Winehouse out of the U.K. is starting to blow up in the U.S. Tiny woman, big voice. The CD is excellent. I like that she is not some cookie cutter pop singer. She has an interesting sound and look. I wonder why soul music (an American art form) seems to be more appreciated overseas these days.

I am finally going to buy a Mactop. My old desk top at home is on it's last legs. It used to be my computer at my old job and who the heck knows how old it is. It keeps shutting down and I can't run certain systems on it. A friend's boyfriend works for Mac so I will get a little discount. Thank god for the 'rents or I wouldn't be able to buy anything. Of course I was tempted to buy some shoes but common sense told me that was a bad idea.

I was under budget on my Rome trip so I'm going to get an iPod. The digital camera will have to wait until my birthday or christmas (unless I get a production bonus) because I do need to buy some spring clothes. I can't walk around L.A. looking crazy.

Everyday Pasta by Giada De Laurentiis

Songs of the day:
"Baby I'm a Star" - Prince
"Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) - Squeeze


I really didn't need to buy a new cookbook, especially one that is focused on pasta. I blame Sen. Bill Bradley. I went to a book signing for his latest book, THE NEW AMERICAN STORY (it has received some glowing reviews), and on the way to the cash register I saw Giada's latest. It was great to see the Senator. I am still sad his presidential campaign didn't work out.

There are many fantastic recipes in the book and I love the layout. I cannot wait to try them out. I know some men and lesbians will be thrilled by the Giada photos.

Random thoughts

Imus is a "stronzo".

Perfect Stranger's trailor - is this movie from 1985? I'm confused.

Howard K. Stern - Not sure why he refused to take the DNA test for so long. Stevie Wonder could see he was not that baby's daddy.

Angel and Demons - Rumor have Tom Hanks getting the highest salary ever and Giselle (the model from Brazil) being his co-star. In the book she is an Italian supersmart woman. Why didn't they cast Giovanna Mezzogiorno or another Italian actress? Giselle is very pretty but this is uhm, crazy.

I'm sick of being on strike. One of my resolutions was to have at least one date in '07. It's April and so far....not a damn thing. I'm salty.

I need to buy an iPod and a digital camera.

I miss my family, a lot.

This strike, oh wait, I already blogged about that.

I can't stop eating.

KISS AND TANGO by Marina Palmer

Songs for today:
Dexter Gordon "Our Love Is Here To Stay"
Eros Ramazzotti "Sta Passando Novembre"


I know some in the expat community in Buenos Aires have ripped this book to shreds.

It wasn't as bad or as good as I had heard.

Marina was an ad exec fed up with her job and her life who moved to B.A. to become a professional Tango Dancer. She was 30 and had never danced professionally.

The book is written in diary form. Marina was able to live in BA without working for three year because her parents supported her. She talked about how sexy tango was, all her lovers (and their shortcomings), and a little about the culture of the city. It's not deep just a quick read. Very Cosmos. She was there when the country went through a terrible recession and political turmoil. Meanwhile she was still going on and on about finding the right man.

The book was just bought for Sandra Bulluck's company for her to produce and possibly star.

The Sopranos, a great end to a weekend.

Spoiler alert:

My stomach was in knots the whole time they were playing Monopoly. I knew something bad was going to go down. I figured Janice and Tony would get into it again. I did not expect, Bobby to slug the boss!! WTF? Especially after Tony had promoted him?

What the hell is wrong with Chris-Ta-Fer?

Janice is turning into pyscho bull busting mom, just like Livia Soprano.

Phil Leotardo (aka the Shah of Iran looking m.f.) is not playing.

Cannot wait until next Sunday.


Saturday night, my friend Paula had another fantastic dinner party. It was a last minute thing (for L.A.) that she planned on Monday. It was great to get together with the girls and catch up. One friend brought her baby (so cute) and we celebrated the engagement of another. This group of women is just so together, funny, and positive. I always enjoy seeing them.

The weather has been awful with a very thick marine layer. It didn't feel like Easter weekend at all. This year I returned to All Saints' Episcopalian in Beverly Hills. Last year I went to another church, which just left me cold. I know how crowded churches can be during the big holidays, so I arrived early for the 9:00 a.m. service...clearly not early enough. I saw a friend and her boyfriend and squeezed into their pew. I had no idea she was going to be there.

I have never seen the church that crowded. The upstair's balcony was filled and people were standing in the back. The flowers were stunning and All Saints' is one of the most beautiful churches out here. Reverend Carol Anderson was very funny and gave a great sermon. For me the music is what gets me. The last hymm, which they sing every Easter is really moving. To hear all those voices in song was just incredible. During the last verse the horns came in and at the end of the hymn, everyone claps and whistles. Just because the church is Episcopalian and in Beverly Hills doesn't mean it's stiff. :)

George Clooney's cousin is a minister at All Saints' and I had to chuckle when I overheard someone talking abou their latest TV show.

Happy Easter

I miss my family but looking forward to seeing my other favorite family tonight, 9:00 p.m. on HBO.

Two years ago today, I fell in love. With Rome.

This post might be a little long. :)

It was love at first sight. I didn't expect it but since my first trip to Rome, nothing has been the same.

I arrived in Rome a mess. No job (the company I worked for shut down suddenly right before Christmas), depressed, angry, confused about how my life ended up in such a state and no idea where I was headed. I worked in such a competitive business, there was no chance that I would find a job any time sooon. I found myself staring down the barrel of a big birthday with no husband or children, no mortgage, no savings, and the icing on the cake... my parents sold the house we grew up in and moved back to the Caribbean.

That Christmas was interesting. People would ask me, are you going home? I wasn't sure where home was any more. I would no longer be spending the holidays in Verona, New Jersey, where we had spent the last 30 ones. At that point I had lived in Los Angeles for 6 years and it def. wasn't home. I had never lived in St. Martin but had visited there since I was a baby, but I felt at that time I couldn't say it was my home.

At the last minute, after hearing from an agent that the last producer I met with thought I was over-qualified for a VP job, I booked a trip to Rome. I would be in the city two weeks later. I was planning on taking a longer trip later in the year but put a pin in it due to, you know, not having a job. March of 2005 I really felt like I was on the verge of being in serious trouble. I had always been a glass is half full type of person and suddendly I felt like the damn glass was empty.

I started to think moving to Los Angeles to work in film was one of the biggest mistakes I made in my life and the damage was beyond repair. I took such a big pay cut when I first started it set me back years (and I am still paying the price i.e. no retirement funds to speak of). The day I called my travel agent, I had a meeting with an exec at one of the studios. I stopped by to see a friend on the lot and she told me she was worried about my future in the industry because I had limited myself by not working with mainstream (i.e. white) talent. It wasn't like I set out not to work for "mainstream" companies. One of the first places I interviewed when I moved to Los Angeles, was to be Jerry Bruckheimer's first assistant (he has four). They liked my political experience (Bill Bradley, Ann Richards, etc.) but needed someone with film experience. I thought the filmmaker and the actor I had worked for were talented and was proud to work for them. My friend said it was going to be harder for me to find a job because I "only" worked for Spike Lee and Forest Whitaker. She went on and on about how I needed studio experience etc. I walked across the lot in tears. I was an "older" (anything above 29) black woman working in Hollywood. I was screwed.

The Pope died right before my trip. People including some who had never been to Rome told me to cancel my trip. They said Rome was a crazy city even without millions coming in to say good-bye to the popular Pope. I had booked everything already so I went anyway. I had two names to look up, both friends of friends.

I wasn't thinking "oh my God I can't wait to get to Italy". I had traveled to other countries so I was just relieved to get a break from L.A. for a minute. I didn't know anyone in Rome and I was traveling solo. I could take my time and do what I wanted. To the best of my knowlegde there is no one in my family of Italian descent. I didn't speak the language (I had taken a course at Berlitz and knew how to say hello, good-bye, and my name). I had never step foot in Italy, yet by the end of the week I knew I was home. I felt it to the core of my being.

I wondered if it was the timing, maybe because of everything that was going (or not going on) in my life. May 2006 I went back and rented an apartment in Trastevere (I had my blog by then so I did write about that trip) for almost three weeks. Timing had nothing to do with it.

On that first trip I realized I was focusing on the wrong things and my values had been completely corrupted. I was getting too caught up in shallow Hollywood bullshit. I am not a film snob (hello, I think Pootie Tang is hilarious) but with marketing departments deciding which movies get made, art gets thrown out the window. Movies dumbed down to appeal to everyone and made by committee usually suck. In Rome I remembered why I wanted to work in film in the first place and it had nothing to do with making money, leasing a Beemer or having a house in the Hills. It was about telling stories and being creative and maybe every so often you worked on something that might move people. In Rome surrouded by all the art, history and culture, something was telling me there was more to life than reading about who was shopping at Kitson in Us magazine.

Post Rome I got back on track. I did get another job, again working with talent as the Senior VP of his production company. He actually does work on some big commerical movies along with independent films and anyone who says he's not "mainstream" because of the color of his skin is ignorant and needs to spend more time away from the studio lots and out in the real world. I started writing again and hope to finish my first novel in a few months. I started a blog. I have my E.U. citizenship and speak another lauguage (somewhat poorly, ha). I refuse to lie about my age anymore and think Hollywood's obession with youth is fucking stupid. Heads up people, all the plastic surgery isn't going to stop time. Guess what? All of us will die. Deal with it.

Rome changed my life for the better. I was talking my friend Giampiero the last night of my latest trip a few weeks ago. We met during my first trip to Rome. He is a friend of a friend's friend. He said he hoped I would move to Rome soon, that I had such a great energy and was so positive. I found my journal from that year. I re-read the entries before my trip. I have no idea who that miserable person was.

I LOVE NEW YORK, making the world a better place for Ninja Turtles

I laughed my ass off yesterday on the way to work. I was listening to Power 106 as Big Boy and the crew were doing their wrap up of the season finale.

They played several of Chance's rants when he went off on Tango calling him Ninja Turtle looking *beep*, *beep* *beep*.

Is Miss New York really going to marry Tango? What happens when he sees how she talked smacked about his momma earlier in the show?

Is VH1 going to spin off another show called "Second Chance" or "The New Yorks: A Wedding"?

Marvin Gaye

Yesterday was his birthday. Sunday was the anniversary of his death.

I was hanging out in my dorm room at Syracuse University and a floormate ran down the hall and said Marvin Gaye was dead. Shot by his own father.

We were furious and thought it was a messed up thing to say as an April Fool's joke. Unfortunately, it was no joke.

My dad and all his friends were big Marvin fans. His music is timeless. If you listen to the words of "What's Going On" that song could have been written today.

I loved his duets with Tammi Terrell. I know there are several Marvin Gaye bio-pics floating around Hollywood. The problem is the music rights. I doubt Berry Gordy would let them go without some kind of script approval. We all know one of Marvin's most acclaimed albums almost didn't see the light of day because Berry thought it wasn't pop enough.

Also who would play Marvin? If I hear one more person out here say Usher is the new Marvin, I will scream. Usher is fine but please people let's get a grip. Marvin is in a very rare league with people like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. When he sang it could mend your heart or rip it in two. I like Usher's voice, the beats are nice but I get nothing emotionally from him or his music. I forget the songs the minute they are over.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I love my share of fun, pop music depending on my mood. However, there are songs and artists that mean the world to me. I was in the car the other day on the way to the gym and Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" came on the radio. One, I love that song, two I rememeber how powerfully Spike Lee used it in MALCOLM X and three, between Iran, Iraq, North Korea, the escalating gang violence here in L.A., etc. I was hoping Sam was right and a change is going to come.

Another boring ass weekend, Joss Stone

Gym, worked on book, read scripts, went to bed. My phone did not ring once the entire weekend. One of my friends is overseas on location. Another basically spends every waking moment with her boyfriend, the rest were working.

I did watch IMAGINE ME & YOU by Ol Parker (I think he is Thandie Newton's husband) which was sweet. I thought it would be the typical boy marries girl, girl falls in love with the female florist at her wedding, romantic comedy. Matthew Goode, Lena Headley and Piper Perabo were excellent. Piper is American but has been living in the UK for a while.

I received the new Joss Stone cd. I heard/saw the first track at the gym and thought it was okay but I really liked the rest of the CD. I wasn't suprised, Raphael Saadiq formerly of Tony, Toni, Tone! produced the CD. I was a big fan of the group.

Track number 8 "Arms Of My Baby" I have played to death. It is hardcore old school funk/soul. Great organ, drums and horns. Joss is only 20 or 21 but sounds like a world-weary 50-something black American woman. Speaking of funk, on Thursday we were in my boss' car and he was blasting Rick James "YOU AND I" and some Cameo song I didn't know. I know Rick had some issues but damn he was talented.

T.G.I.F.

Yesterday's meeting went well. When we spoke about the project in question, my immediate boss said I should be our company's producer on set, etc. Our boss nodded and said yes. That was it. Cool. Now we have to make sure the studio and the other production company are okay with it.

After a long meeting I bought some Girl Scout cookies from his daugther. Sorry, eating right will have to take a break for a weekend. Samoas only come out once a year. I had to get some.

We (I and the producing partners) went to lunch at Border Grill and I managed to get a little buzzed after having a celebratory Mojito at lunch. We were next door to West Elm. I broke down and finally bought a new duvet cover and comforter. I'm not take Italian lessons this semester so I used that money to pay for it.

I had to say good-bye to the comforter I have had for a very, very long time. I could no longer take it to the tailor for repairs. I bought it for $5. I had a great summer internship during college at Bloomingdales for one of the housewares buyers. I worked in the flagship store (59th and Lex) and got to know the sales associates in the Ralph Lauren home dept. When items were discontinued we were able to buy them for dirt cheap. I didn't care that my comforter was a king (I had a full size bed) and a light pink, which didn't match my other bedding.

That comforter and the other bedding I bought lasted a long time. I don't know if the quality has gone down over the years but my pink Ralph Lauren comforter has "lived" with me in New York City, Jersey City, Washington D.C., Verona N.J., Little Rock, Austin, and Los Angeles.

Thinking like a guy

I don't think women need to act like men in order to do well in business. However, Hollywood is a boys town and sometimes you have to play by their rules to get anything done.

I have a big meeting with my boss today at his house. We are going over the entire slate of projects. We also have to discuss what my role will be on one of the projects that might be going into production this year.

I had a long conversation with his producing partners and they are supportive. My friend, a female producer at another company, gave me some great advice. Instead of going into the meeting thinking I need to prove that I belong at the big boy's table, I am going to be like my male peers and act like I am already at the table. A man with the same title and experience as me wouldn't even question whether he would be a producer on the movie.

What I don't know I will figure out or ask someone who does. My male peers have such a sense of entitlement which is one reason they move up quicker from D-Boy (development exec) to producer. They don't worry about silly things like experience or proving themselves. They know their powerful friends or mentors will help them out.

We'll see how the meeting goes.

Wow I am out of shape

I am talking about writing. Today I woke up at 7:00, didn't go to the gym and worked on the novel for an hour and a half. Yesterday I had to drag myself out of bed at 5:15 a.m., worked out for 40 minutes then came home to edit before work.

These few weeks off have thrown me off my schedule. I hope this weekend will help me get back on track.

Heading South by Laurent Cantet, The Hills

I really liked this movie. It was upsetting at times but the performances esp. Charlotte Rampling, Karen Young (the FBI agent who was Ade's handler on the Sopranos), and the newcomer Menothy Cesar were excellent.

The movie is based on the short stories of Haitian author Dany Laferriere. Three middle-aged women traveling from North America meet at a high-end lush private resort in Haiti. It's 1978 and Baby Doc's Haiti is in the middle of turmoil. However, everything is chill at the resort.

The women feeling invisible at home, revel in the attention they get from the young, gorgeous local men. Two of the women are in love with the same 18 year old, Legba (Menothy Cesar) but they really don't know anything about his life beyond the resort. The local men are happy to get presents, attention, and money.

The movie asks many questions. Is it what the women do exploitation? What impact do the tourists have on the people who lived there full time? I just read an article about vacations that mostly British, American, and Canadian women go on to get their groove back. Everyone knows the game. The women (usually 30 and up) and the locals act like they are "dating" but the real deal is the women are paying for sex. The article interviewed several women who go every year to the same Jamaican beach. Some of the women continue to send men money once they are back home.

Why are the majority of these women are British and American? Why aren't French, Italian, German etc. women doing the same in larger numbers?

The Hills - I watched it last night because Andre Leon Talley was on it. This show is hilarious. Spencer is such, like, a jerk.

March Madness Final Four and a very difficult choice

I cannot believe it. I am going to root for Georgetown. Georgetown hasn't won the big one since 1985 and they are the underdogs. I gotta support the Big East and I don't follow any of the other teams.

I would like to know where did the last few years go? How is it John Thompson's SON is coaching and Patrick Ewing's SON is playing with the Hoyas? I clearly remember screaming at the top of my lungs at the Carrier Dome "LET'S GO ORANGE" and that Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas (btw what the hell is Hoya?) sucked.

Now I have bunch of Georgetown alums in my life. I do not know how this happened. My attorney and several of my close friends went there for undergrad or law school. In order to maintain our friendship we do not discuss the Big East.

I love college basketball. Pro-ball I don't follow as much. I am not a Lakers fan and the Knicks broke my heart during 1994 NBA Finals in Houston. I will never forget Game 7, freaking John Starks shooting brick after brick in the last few minutes. Ugh!

My book

The days of sleeping in until 7:00 a.m. are over. Last week I received notes on the latest draft of my manuscript and found a freelance editor. Now it's time to start waking up at 5:00 a.m. again and writing before going to the office.

One screenwriter/director friend asked me why would I work with a freelance editor. She thought one writes a book, finds an agent, agent sends it to publishers, editor at publishing house buys book and edits it.

Back in the day a mainstream fiction writer with potential might get a deal. Now that manuscript better be close to ready. The marketing dept. has to believe they can actually sell the book. I don't have a MFA, did not major in creative writing, and I have never written a novel before. I feel more comfortable having an editor look at my ms before I start sending it to agents. I see it as an investment in my future. The editor does not re-write the book. She does basically what I do when I read scripts for our projects, give extensive notes.

I am really excited about working with my editor. Until last year, she worked at a major publishing house. She is not cheap but at least she isn't asking for an outrageous amount like the other editor I spoke to. She is a better fit since she worked mostly in commercial fiction and the other editor's background was in literary fiction.

Her comments were very similar to the other two I received last week. Very positive overall but there are some structure problems. For example, in the beginning I don't provide enough info so non-industry insiders will get the whole Hollywood scene and rush too quickly through it. However, it still takes too long to get to the heart of the book. So basically I have the worst of both worlds. Ugh. She will be sending me an editorial report next month. In the meantime I am going to fix some grammar issues.

I haven't touched the ms in five weeks. Looking forward to getting back into it...and a little nervous.

Calvert DeForest (aka Larry "Bud" Melman)

According to his wishes there will be no funeral service. He had no living family members :(

I remember many late nights in college sitting in my dorm room with friends and laughing our asses off during Letterman's NBC years. He will be missed.

There are a bunch of clips on YouTube.

It's Birthday Week, bye bye Blockbuster

Tuesday was my brother's birthday, today is my dad's and Sunday is my sister's. Happy Birthday!!!

Spoke to my dad today. He sounded great. The cancer is not growing and he is in good health otherwise. My mom is taking him out to dinner tonight. I wish I could be with them St. Martin. I would take them to Le Gallion beach for a nice lunch and some drinks.

I have finally signed up for Netflix. Given what I do for a living I should have signed up a long time ago. I like to go to the store and browse but after yet another frustrating experience this past weekend, I had to say good bye to Blockbuster.

I do not understand how a store in the city where the entertainment business is based could have such crappy selection of movies. Horrible!! The foreign section is a joke and they are always out of everything except for the biggest hits. I have been trying to rent ENDURING LOVE starring Daniel Craig for months. You would think that after Casino Royale opened they would order a few more copies. It's not like LOVE is some random movie. It was well reviewed Stateside. I went on Netflix.com and I'm astounded by the depth of their selection. The foriegn section alone is worth the price of membership.

Anna Nicole's baby and DNA

Some of the tabloid craziness has died down. Now the news is focusing on the two sixth-graders busted for having sex at school.

I agree with Sognatrice (aka Bleeding Espresso) that the legal aspect of this sad death is very interesting.

I do not understand why Howard K. Stearn is appealing the order to take a DNA test. If he is the father, what is the big deal? Take the damn test so this poor little girl can have a chance.

There's something not right about this whole situation. Maybe Howard wanted Anna to move to the island because there the name on the birth certificate regardless of biology is considered the father. However, given all the press I guess the local government decided to allow testing. One of Anna's close friends is saying Howard is gay and she was so drugged up at the end she had no idea what was going on. Who knows if he is but what I do know is, if one of my closest friends was eights months pregnant I would not give them shrooms, tape them, and laugh while they can't even see straight. This guy is supposed to be an attorney looking out for her best interests? Sorry, for poor judgement alone, he needs to be far away from her kid.

I still want to know what he was doing when two healthy (meaning not suffering from any uncurable illness) adults dropped dead under his watch within 5 months. The timing is very, very strange.

I Love New York on VH1

I really don't know what to say about this trainwreck. Of course I can't wait until the finale.

I survived the ShoWest dinner

I'm back from Vegas. I won, then lost $80 playing at the roulet table.

My boss and I had lunch at the Border Grill. I feel to peer pressure and had a mojito. I was pretty much flying the rest of the afternoon. I don't think you are supposed to drink after taking Sudifed.

It was good to spend time with my boss outside the office, although yesterday was a rough day. It should have been an exciting day because of some great news we received about one of our projects. However, a producer on another one of our projects has lost their damn minds over some Hollyood nonsense.

After gambling a bit, I showered and changed for the dinner. We met up with our agents and went to the ceremony. I enjoyed seeing the clips from upcoming summer movies. I'm not sure about Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS. I thought the toys kicked ass back in the day but do I really want to see a movie about them? I'm just saying.

One thing that shocked me was brothers saying "hello/good morning" smiling,etc. Stop the presses. At first I was so thrown off I forgot to reply. The other shocking thing was all the stripper-type outfits on women from ages 15 - 60. Stripper wear is fine...for strippers. If you are in high school or a grandma, come on. LOL

Viva La Vegas?

Yes, I am off to Vegas for work. I went to Vegas a couple years ago for a very bizarre film biz meeting.

I know Vegas is the fastest growing city in America and many people loooooove it. It's trippy. I remember the first time I walked into the Bellagio and saw the "canal" complete with gondalier (sp) that goes nowhere under a bright painted blue sky. In L.A. they constantly play the "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" commericals.

When I first started out in the biz, all the guys were constantly going to Vegas (some still do) and I see it as a kinda frat boy/bachelor party hang out. One of my girlfriends said she wished another friend would hurry up and get engaged so she could plan a bachelorette party in Vegas. I'm sorry, I am a grown ass woman and have no desire to go to a strip club to see men (who are mostly likely gay) "dance" to bad music. I would rather stick heated toothpicks in my eye.

Dreams from my Father, The Namesake, The Farming of Bones

I started to read these books during my trip to Rome (I had a lot of down time at Heathrow) and really enjoyed them all.

It was interesting to read Barack Obama's DREAMS FROM MY FATHER since he wrote it way before running for any public office. His memoir deals with his quest to find out more about his Kenyan father and what it means to be a black man in America who was raised by his white mother and her family. That in 2007 some black folks are questioning his blackness is crazy. I will have to post on that BS later.

Jhumpa Lahiri's THE NAMESAKE is about Gogol Ganguil a first generation American of Indian parents. At first he wants nothing to do with their traditional ways, hates his name and feels like he doesn't fit in anywhere. Although Gogol is techically the protagonist, it is the story of his mom, Ashima, that moved me the most.

There was one passage in THE NAMESAKE that really jumped out at me. There is a female character who like Gogol is first generation American. "Immersing herself in a third language, a third culture, had been her refuge - she approached French, unlike things American or Indian, without guilt, or misgiving, or expectation of any kind. It was easier to turn her back on the two countries that could claim her in favor of one that had no claim whatsoever." Switch out the words French and Indian for Italian and West Indian and pershaps this passage eloquently describes the freedom I feel when I'm in Rome.

Edwidge Danticat's THE FARMING OF BONES. Devestating and yet I could not put the book down. In 1937 there are rumors that the dictator of the Domincian Republic wants to get rid of the Haitian laborers. He feels there are too many and this not good for the future of his country. Some are killed, other flee to the border back to Haiti. The novel focuses on Annabelle a young Haitian housekeeper, the wealthy family she works for and her boyfriend Sebastien, who works in the cane fields.

This novel is at times horrific, beautiful, sad, joyful, painful, and hopeful. The writing is gorgeous. I love reading about history and I barely remember hearing about this shameful event. One thing that was so strange is how they tried to determine who was Dominician vs. who was Haitian since the two countries share an island and there had been quite a bit of intergration. Skin color was not the most reliable way, there were plenty of dark skinned Dominicans and light skinned Haitians. One method was, could the suspected Haitian "thrill" their Rs. Even the Haitians who spoke fluent Spanish, along with Creole and/or French had trouble with rolling the Rs. Needless to say those pages were hard to read.

Hello, my name is not Stella and I did not get my groove back

The next woman who asks me if I met a man on my trip might get hit upside the head. I went to a screening last night at CAA and was asked the question several times. When I said no, I could see the disappointment in their faces. No one asked about the art, food, the city only about hooking up. I started to feel bad. Perhaps my trip was not "successful" because I failed to meet the man of my dreams or at least the fling of the week.

Believe me I would like to end my strike (or at least have the two sides meet at the bargaining table) and have some romance in my life. It just doesn't seem in the cards for me. I tried online dating and it was not fun. Men here are really picky and I rather be rejected to my face not via email.

I have struggle with the whole organized religion "thing" but now might be the time for me to call for some heavy duty help. That is right, I'm talking about God and Jesus. I know with everything that is going on the world the last thing these two need to focus on is my little situation but seriously I don't know what else to do. I cannot go yet another year without a single date.

New Neighbor, a cold and fires.

My loud neighbor with her even louder young daughter moved. She asked me if her daughter had kept me up lately. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth so I said it had gotten better recently.

I think the apt. next door is cursed because now a single guy lives there with one of those annoying little Paris-type dogs. The dog barks non-stop. Great.

I think the worst of jet lag is over but now I have a cold. ugh. I have a meeeting on the other side of the hill and a screening to go to tonight so laying in bed all day is not an option. Anyway that damn dog would keep me up.

The fire season has started early due to the dry rainy season. Yesterday it was close to 100 degrees with strong Santa Ana winds. Two big brush fires broke out in Orange Co. Two houses were destroyed but no one was hurt.

My dinner with Clive

Around 6.00 p.m. yesterday evening my boss's producer partner says to me:

PP - "Can you go to this dinner meeting for me? I am slammed before leaving town tomorrow (for an event with a client)."

Me - "I hate what I am wearing, I'm jet lagged and I wasn't in the last meeting about this project. How will I be able to contribute to the discussion?"

The other producing partner - "You are crazy. Go home and change, quickly watch the movie (a film the other production company and directors referenced), have some caffeine and get to the Four Seasons by 8:00."

Okay, so the jet lag has clearly made me speak nonsense. Instead of being excited to meet one of my favorite actors, I was looking forward to getting into my jammies and going to bed. It is a good thing the women I work with knew I wasn't myself yesterday. Some how I rallied (ha) and met my boss, the other producer, the directors, and Mr. Owen.

Most actors seem much smaller in person since the camera adds weight. That is not the situation with Mr. Owen. He is one of the few male actors who has "it". Not only is he extremely talented but is also smart, freaking hilarious, and has quite a presence. The meeting went well. Some random (and bold) women stepped to him as we were walking toward the lobby. He was very gracious. To have people approaching you all the time must get really old, unless you are one of those stars who needs constant validation.

We were all saying good-bye. I held out my hand to Mr. Owen and instead I got a kiss on the check. I am a professional, therefore I did not act stupid, i.e. pass out or something.

I usually don't post about the talent I meet/deal with through work but he is on another level (that voice, that accent). I walked away from the meeting thinking it's great to meet people who are actually trying to make good/interesting movies. He and my boss are actors first. Yes, it's nice to make some money but they also do theater and are in for the craft...the other stuff is gravy. Attitudes like theirs are rare these days.

Treadmills vs. walking around Rome

This jet lag is not fun. I felt like I was drunk all day at work yesterday. My office loved the biscotti I brought back.

Yesterday I woke up at 4:00 a.m. so I made a pizza sauce. I bought the pizza dough at Trader Joe's and made the pizza for dinner last night. A pizza stone really makes a difference, it was delicious.

Today woke up at 2:00 a.m. then at 5:00 a.m. I went to the gym at 5:30. I was bored to tears walking on the treadmill. I tried to visualize walking around the cobblestone streets near Piazza Navona instead but it didn't quite work.

I told my sister the next time I go to Rome I want to be looking at apts. for a long term stay. It is just too hard to come back.

Some random observations during my Rome trip

Orange pants - Takes a confident man to rock pants that color.

The Burger King chicken strips ad - I don't know why but everytime the commerical came on I laughed my ass off. Something about the chickens speaking Italian cracked me up.

The Norbit ads - Even more offensive seeing them overseas. Enough with these types of movies. I am sick of sexist and/or closeted black men wearing fat suits to portray the worst stereotypes of black women.

People walking arm in arm - I saw men, women, kids, couples and a few grandkids with their grandparents walking arm in arm. I think it's sweet. One of my fondest memories is walking around Piazza S. Maria locking arms with my friend Giampiero.

The word "tesoro" - It means treasure and I heard it over and over again in Rome as friends said it to each other.

Not a single news report on Britney or Anna. I went to the supermarket in L.A. yesterday and that is when I found out Anna has been buried (finally) and K-Fed and Brit's mom have basically kept Brit away from her own kids. Poverina, good thing she is in rehab.

Hair issues - So when I move to Rome where will I get my hair done? Last year through a friend I met one black women who lived in Rome for a semester during college. She was in town visiting our friend and she told me she and her friends had to go to Milan for a touch up. I stopped relaxing (to make it straight) my hair a while ago but I still need to get hair cuts or what if I decide to twist it or press it? The few local black women I saw had bad wigs or jacked up hair.

Walking - It was nice to be back in a city where people walk. There is something very alienating about being in a car all the time.

Food - Not seen as a means to an end but something to be enjoyed. I don't know anyone in Rome doing the Zone, South Beach, Jenny Craig etc.

Waiters - They don't tell you about their recent auditions.

Sex in the city - I was there during the winter and Rome was still sexy.

L'utimo giorno (the last day)

Sigh! Okay someone is messing with me. As if I didn't already love this city, today is one of those perfect spring days. I had great weather all week. Today it's around mid to high 70s and sunny. All the outdoor caffes are packed.

I got lost once again this morning. I was trying to check out the area just behind Trastevere and ended up near some big park (Dora Villa area?). I walked all the way back home then had a quick lunch outside at Caffe Marzio (sp), which is on the S. Maria in Tastevere Piazza.

Last night hung out with Ettore in the Piazza Navona area. Earlier in the day I went to Santa Vittoria and it was closing hours again, so I will have to see that church another time. I had lunch at 'Gusto Osteria. I had the Orechiette with Clams and some kind of greens (maybe the infamous chicory?). Seriously, this dish was so good I almost passed out. Alright that statement was a little melodramtic but the food was that delicious. While I was there the owner put on Barry White's greatest hits.

Between Barry's (may he rest in peace) deep sexy baritone voice and the food it was sensory overload. Speaking of sexy, there was no exchanging of numbers (or anything else)with members of the opposite sex on this trip but I am continuing on my quest to bring "sexy back" to my world in L.A. So what if no one else notices, the days of moping, whining, worrying about the future, obsessing about the past, and being on strike must come to an end.

I will be flying all day tomorrow, so I must go and pack.

Ciao bella Roma.

pasta grigia, scooters and window shopping

Yesterday was a very good Friday. I checked out the cool little shops on Via Governo del Vecchio (I think that is the name of the street). It's near Piazza Navona and I first read about the area in the New York Times a couple weeks ago. Some of the clothes are very pricey and are made by local designers. Given my budget I only window shopped at those stores. I did buy some great smelling soap and some cute earrings that weren't expensive.

I had lunch at Maccheroni in Piazza Coppelle. I had the fantastic pasta grigia which is Rigatoni with wine wine, bacon, cracked black pepper and goat cheese.

I worked up quite the appetite because I kept getting lost in the side streets around Piazza Navona and couldn't find the restaurant. After lunch I walked around the Prati area (near the Vatican), then back home.

Okay, so my usual Friday night routine in L.A. is as follows:
All my friends are exhausted from work. They have scripts to read or notes to do. I stay home make some dinner, read a script or two to get a jump on the weekend read, then I watch "What Not to Wear", the local news until maybe 10:30 then I go to bed.

This was my night last night:
Three different friends calling at around 6:00 p.m. asking what I was doing. I already had plans with my friend Giampiero. We met during my first trip to Rome through a friend of a friend back in L.A. He used to live in L.A. and still has an apartment there. We went to dinner aroung 8:30 (very early for him). The restaurant is called Ripa and it's in Trastevere. The food was outstanding! We had clams and mussels to start and the waitress insisted we try (on the house) the sea snails which were incredible. I haven't had snails or conchs in a long time (so I was not really into it) but once I tasted the butter and garlic delights I was very happy.

G. picked the wine, I can't remember the name but it was a white Siclian wine. I had the white fish w/fresh tomatoes and chicory. I was told you can't get chicory everywhere in Italy. I wonder if I could find it in the US? It's a bitter green with spicy kick. Around 11:00 we asked for the check (if you don't ask they might not bring it. It's considered rude to give you the check while you are eating) and G. told me to not to even try and reach for my wallet.

Next stop. One of his agents (he is an actor but not crazy) and his partner had a party and we stopped by for dessert. I walk past this building in Trastevere everyday. Who knew that behind the huge, heavy doors was such a place? Freaking incredible. I also met some of the most attrative men in my life at the party. All were actors....and gay. Lots of couples. Everyone was so friendly and took the time to explain what was going on with the San Remo music festival.

Final stop. G., myself and some of the women from the party (all straight, smart, beautiful...and single) went to a new bar called Etabli. It's near Piazza Navona. I had to get on G.'s scooter with a dress on. Second time this week I have been one (Ettore and I rode to our meeting on Thursday) and I am not comfortable flying through the streets with drivers who talk with their hands all the time.

If you are in Rome check out this place, Etabil. It has only been open for 2 weeks. It's a bar/lounge with plenty comfy chairs, magazines, books, really cool but without the attitude. I had to speak more Italian last night since the women spoke only a little English. One of our waitresses was an American expat who has lived in Rome for 18 months. She was very friendly. We finally ended the night about 3:15. Again G. refused to let anyone pay.

I said to G. I have to remind myself that I'm on vacation and if I lived here I would probably fall back into the same routines. He pointed out that everyone I met worked a full day yesterday and the women we went to the bar with, an important casting director, a senior agent, and a production designer, have very busy careers and yet find the time to see their friends and have a life. Point taken.

An American in Rome

I have really lucked out with the weather. Today is the first cloudy day, not bad for winter weather.

I had a nice lunch meeting yesterday with Ettore and three producers. Where did we eat? At a Sushi place called Zen in the Prati area. I felt like I was back at Sushi Roku in L.A. except for the everyone speaking Italian thing.

It was stunning out so I walked back home. The area around the Vatican was very crowded. Later that afternoon I met the bella ragazza Shelley. Check out her blog, At Home in Rome. It's very smart, interesting and entertaining (just like Shelley). We went to the bar Friends (it has nothing to do with that fake NYC show. LOL) which is a great place to chill out. I had such an incredible time, hearing more about Shelley's experiences and what brought her to Rome in the first place. She was so encouraging about making the move. I noticed both she and Tracie B speak flawless Italian. Of course it helps that they live in a place where it is spoken.

I met Denver for dinner who has lived in Italy since grad school. She went to NYU undergrad for film and received her master's in film here. She is a screenwriter and a casting director. We have a mutual friend back in L.A. If you are in Italy you can see the latest film she casted "The Night Before the Exams - Today" which was directed by once of her classmates. We met last year when I was here and it was good to see her and catch up again. We went to a very good place off Campo dei Fiori. I have no idea what the name of it is. As we left at 11:00 and some people were walking in for dinner.

It is hard for me to explain to my non-Italophile friends back home how my first trip to Rome changed my life. I have traveled to other foreign countries but I was surprised by Rome. I felt to my core that for some bizarre reason this is the place I am supposed to live. Talkng to expats here makes me realize I am not crazy. I told Denver last night, that on my first morming here I walked to Piazza Navnona. It was very early and the sun was just peeking over part of the Piazza. I can't explain how happy and moved I was that very moment.

See Naples and Die

I can't remember which famous artist/writer said that quote. He was talking about how incredible the city is and after you see it you can pass on. I thought of that quote often yesterday as I tried to cross the street.

First I digress, while walking to the internet place I bumped into Matteo (the friend who was in L.A. last week) at the end of my block. He lives a couple yards from my apartment. We acted like we haven't seen each other in years. Anyway I have a lunch meeting today so I could not join him and Martina for lunch.

Speaking of L.A., in the last three days of watching (I barely understand a word, the newscasters speak so quickly) the morning news on RAI I have not seen one story on Anna Nicole Smith or Britney's meltdown. It is kind of strange, they were the lead stories on the Today Show last week.

Okay back to Naples. I can't really discribe how intense it is. Naples makes Rome seem like freaking Mayberry. I walked out of the station and it was more hectic than NYC's Port Authority. The noise, the traffic. I swear most of the cross streets lights don't work and if they did, people ran the red lights anyway.

I got lost and went to Castel Nuovo. I asked the wrong man for direction to the Museo Archeloglogico Nazionale and got lost again. I finally gave in and put my life in a cab driver's hands. What an amazing city. We up these tiny side streets, went along the water, the to the Museo.

Many of the artifacts from Pompeii are at the Museo. I really enjoyed it. The "secret galley" is somewhat trippy. No kids under 14 can enter unless they are with an adult. Let's just say back then folks really liked to get their freak on. I also noticed a mosaic that the series ROME uses in the opening credits.

I met Tracie B (and briefly met Gennaro who gave her a ride) and we went to lunch at a place not far from the Museo. Of course I can't remember the name. I think it was Soprilla? This pizza was amazing. I had a great time meeting Tracie B. She lucked out that my analog self still doesn't own a digital camera. She claims she is not photogenic. Whatever. Tracie is gorgeous so I don't know what she is talking about.

After a three hour lunch (apparently, we both love to talk), we took the metro to the Chiaia area. Tracie refused to let me pay for lunch. Next time I'm treating. The metro was spotless and nobody was pushing. This area is close to the bay. Very pretty with a lot of cool shops, bars, cafes, plus the high end stores like Gucci, Prada (I am not feeling the new Prada shaggy bags. I must discuss with Sfashionista upon my return to L.A.) etc.

We walked back towards the station and then hoped in a cab. Tracie B had to remind to put my wallet anwyay pronto. I got on the wrong Eurostar. I thought my train was leaving early but I was on the express one. I paid 15 extra Euros while on the train but it was worth it. It took only an hour and a few minutes to get back to Rome.

I cannot believe how two cities so close to each could be so different. I felt like I was in another world. In the last year I have seen several travel articles on Naples, in places like the NYTs, Travel and Leisure, and Vanity Fair had one last month. I don't think Naples (the most densely populated city in Europe) is going to turn into a Disneyland time place anytime soon even with all the "it's the in place" to go to hype, which is nice. I didn't see many tourists at all, just a few Americans and British people at the Museo.

Naples is like NYC in the 70s. The energy is unreal. I found it overwhelming. It's not laid out on a grid like New York, or easy to navigate like Paris. Naples is a city of contrasts, sublime beauty next to chaos. I saw a mafia gathering for a funeral. That was interesting. The police were everywhere.

Once I left Termini, I was too busy talking on my cell phone (confirming planes for today's lunch) and got lost walking home. I passed by the Coliseum, which was so not in the right direction. I took the long way home but I didn't mind. While I was on the phone an Italian man around my age with a cane and a limp said my english was great and I had a fantastic smile. I don't why homeslice was all up in my conversation but it was pretty funny at the time.

I am sorry I am not more computer savvy and all the directions on this computer are in Italian, so I can't link to Tracie B's post. You can find it on the left under Tracie's Life Italian. She has great photos of Ischia and posts on food, wine and her version of La Dolce Vita.

Naples is molto bananas

I will have to write about it tomorrow. I am wiped out. I slept for only 5 hours last night.

I thought we were going to have an early evening last night since I was meeting my friend Ettore, his girlfriend and their 3 months-old baby boy. We went to a local cute place off Piazza Navona. Everyone had to stop and say "bello bambino". Their son is so cute, it's not right.

Around 10 we started to walk back to Ettore's car. He stopped by a bar to see if his brother is there. He is. All his brother's friends came out and checked out the baby. Another friend cames over on his scooter and I noticed he was quite cute and looked familiar. It's because it was the actor Claudio Santa Maria. Very nice guy and he scored major points with me when he complimented me on my Italian. We all stood outside and talked for a while.

The music at the bar was great, lots of Prince, Marvin Gaye, and the Police. Around midnight my friend's girlfriend said she needed to get home and get ready for work tomorrow. I couldn't believe how many people were out so late on Monday. Ettore said it was very quiet and in the Spring and Summer the streets are packed. I walked home and by the time I went to bed it was 1:00 a.m.

Tomorrow I will try to post about my day in Naples with the one and only Tracie B.

Ciao from Roma!

I realized two very important things today:

I really "heart" Rome and my Italian sucks. I swear it's worse than last year. Not taking classes for six months clearly has set me back. I went to Trenitalia at the train station to buy tickets for Napoli. I thought this should be easy enough to say in Italian. The ticket lady busted out laughing. Not in a mean way but more like, "You get an A for effort. Now we are going to switch to English."

I have spent so much time worry about the grammar my vocab is lame. I can conjugate the hell of out of a verb but I'm having trouble stringing together a sentence in italian that makes sense.

Let's see, I have been in the city for less than 24 hours and already have received some very enthusiastic "Ciao Bellas" from a couple male members of the geriatric set. Thanks Gramps. Seriously, a compliment is a compliment.

Woke up to a very nice and sunny day. I like the apartment and neigborhood I'm staying in. I wish it had internet but there is a internet place close by. The apartment is only a few blocks away from where I stayed last year. I went to the supermarket (this time I said "si" when the cashier asked me if I wanted a bag. Last year I had no idea what she was saying). I got lost walking to Piazza Navona. Unfortunately Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain is being renovated. While I stood in the Piazza, I thought, "I am just so freaking happy be back."

I walked back to Trastevere, spent some time in Santa Cecilia and "found" a small church not far away that I had not noticed before. It was pretty old and had the tiniest tower. Finally I had lunch at Le Mani in Pasta. Oh. My. God. I have been think about this stupid pasta dish for months (gnocchiette w/fava beans, cherry tomatoes and truffles) and it was as good as I remember. Waiter was very nice, winked alot. lol.

After getting my tickets at Termini, I wanted to go to Santa Vittoria church but it was closed for a couple of hours. I walked the street down past the Capital. It still trips me out to see officers with machine guns. I also think it's weird most of them are gorgeous. Is that a law? Are ugly men not allowed to apply for the academy? I wound not be surprise since employment ads here can state age requirements and that applicants be attractive. In the USA that would be a lawsuit so they don't put it in writing.

I continued on and hit the clusterfuck, aka The Trevi Fountain. Okay, this is supposed to be low season and the whole area was packed. I had to fight through the crowds to throw in my three coins.

I had my first gelato of the week after seeing the fountain. I was too tired to find San Crispino. I must have walked six miles today, therefore I am not concerned about the pasta and wine I had for lunch.

I finally made it back home and now I'm going to walk back over to Campo dei fiori area to meet a friend for dinner.

Tomorrow onto Napoli.

Vado Roma oggi ( I go to Rome today)

Last night I sat on The 10 for almost an hour. I was returning back to my apartment after going to the Spirit Awards party at Shutters in Santa Monica. This is a trip that should take 15 minutes.

I calmed myself down by repeating, "You are going to Rome, You are going to Rome". I have no idea why there was so much traffic at 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday night. La Cienega was also backed up but that was because of all the pre-Oscar parties.

I am going to try an experiment by dressing a little nicer (by L.A. standards) for my flight. I don't have to be sloppy to be comfortable.

Usually on very long flights I wore these Old Navy cargo pants and my cross trainers (as they were the heavies shoes I traveled with). I think it might be too cold and dark to go walking/jogging at 6:00 a.m. I will be walking alot during the day anyway. I'm leaving the clunky white workout sneakers at home and taking my green and grey Puma sneakers.

Off to the gym, then I have to finish cleaning and packing. I will be spending hours at LAX and six hours at Heathrow. Good thing I have plenty to read.

YOU on a Diet - Week Four

I have lost 3 and 1/2 inches from my waist. Considering last week's junk food fest this is good news.

I am going to try and maintain this size or maybe even lose another inch or two. That said, there is a plate of Cacio e Pepe (bucatini pasta with cheese, olive oil and cracked black pepper) with my name on at 'Gusto Osteria.

The timing of my Rome trip could not be more perfect

Yesterday as I was leaving the office my co-worker said:

"Please try to have a good trip. You seemed postal the last couple of weeks and I can't run as fast as I used to."

The blinding migranes are gone, so my mood is much better. I know already what I'm going to wear to the Independent Spirit Awards party, no need to stress out about it. I had a pedi yesterday, getting my brows done today and will get my manicure tomorrow morning before the show.

I have to do laundry and clean today. I like coming back to a clean apartment.

I saw Francesco's show on Wednesday. He went to Rome and Naples. He shot in one of my favorite places in the world, the Borghese Galleria. He also spent time in an underground tunnel in Naples that was incredible and kind of creepy. I am so looking forward to my trip. Sometimes I forget I'm going. Then I remember and try not to do a spastic dance, ala Elaine on Seinfeld.

Why are people so flakey?

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say they are going to do something then don't it. I was supposed to have a conference call this morning. I left my gym class early so I could be home in time and changed my scheduled. Haven't heard back from the person.

An actor friend in Italy I'm working on a project with, told me the producer of his latest film is interested in our project. Said producer is in L.A. and wants to meet. I call producer, he's says he'll call back in an hour. That was three days ago.

I don't know why after working in this business for eight years stuff like this still annoys me. I need to take a deep breath and relax.

The Secret, The Secret, The Secret

I first heard about "The Secret" at a dinner party back in October. Now everywhere I go I'm hearing about this DVD/Book. Oprah did a show on it (I didn't see it) the other week and the response to her website was so strong it almost crashed her server.

Several friends of mine said it changed their lives. It sounds like it has a lot to do with the laws of attraction. Basically, if you focus is on negative things, negativity is what you will get back in return.

You know I am not a fan of the super "crunchy" stuff I'm subjected to by living in LaLa Land, but this is something I am going to check out after my trip. It can't hurt.

Rome - one week from today

I just have to make it through a hectic week at work. There are so many things I need to do before getting on a plane.

Speaking of Rome, last night's episode was fantastic.

YOU on a Diet - Week Three

I am not going to measure my waist today. I am bloated and look like I'm in my second trimester. I did break down yesterday and bought some candy from the store across the street from my office. I then went to Trader Joe's and bought a bag of air-popped popcorn and a bottle of blood orange Italian soda.

I had to leave work early. I was sitting at a nice lunch when all of a sudden, I got the worst migrane. It felt like someone threw a vice at my head, then put my head in the vice.

Before the migrane and cramps extravaganza, I was having a great lunch with one of my favorite people. She is a producer at a pretty big company but is very laid back and down to earth. She grew up in L.A. and lived in NYC for a couple of years.

I was feeling a little down about my non-valentine having ass and felt better after talking to her. We were cracking up talking about the whole weird dating scence here.

She met her husband at the valet line at a hotel. He was in town on business and they started dating long distance. They were married within a year and now have a baby girl.

I had a chance to really talk to him at Sfashionista's baby shower a few weeks ago. He's been living in L.A. for about a year now. All his wife's single friends complain about not dating and he can't understand what is going on with the fellas out here. He told his wife I should move to Chicago. I would be "scooped up" in a minute. LOL.

Black Barbie is on the cover of Sports Illustrated and Jennifer Hudson is on the cover of Vogue

LOL. This is too damn funny. If you want to be taken seriously as an actress, you should say "no" to posing for the S.I. Swimsuit issue. The news, yes the news, was breathlessly saying how Beyoncè was the first non-model or non-athlete on the cover, blah, blah, blah.

Meanwhile, Jennifer, who is not a size 0, is going to be on the cover of one of the most influential magazines in the world. I can't wait to get my copy in the mail. It's the Power Issue and I rather read about smart, powerful women doing interesting things than read yet an another interview where a certain person said she had to hold back on her singing so she wouldn't overshadow Jen.

You know Matthew Knowles is salty.

It's Valentine's Day

Whatever.

The Brambles by Eliza Minot

Despite the abrupt and somewhat strange ending, I really enjoyed this book. It's a funny and at times poignant portrait of the adult Bramble siblings as they deal or not deal with each other and their father's illness. I thought Minot (who lives in Maplewood, NJ) nailed the stress of a former career woman turned overwhelmed suburban mom. I laughed out loud when she described Margaret constantly hearing "Mom, Mom, MOM!"

I'm bringing the following on the plane: TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf, THE NAMESAKE bu Jhumpa Lahiri and THE FARMING OF BONES by Edwidge Danticat. I have been swamped with scripts to read for work, so I haven't had much time to read for pleasure.

Speaking of books, I am waiting for feedback on mine from one writer friend and a freelance editor. I am nervous.

In the meantime, I have an idea for a travel article for solo women travelers and I should start reseaching it, so I can pitch it. Other than my blog, I haven't written anything in two weeks. I do like having my mornings back, but I feel kind of off.

The Police

They can stand close to me anytime they want. I watched the first hour of the Grammys. The Police looked great as did Mary J. Blige, Prince, and Justin Timberlake. I choked up when Stevie Wonder talked about his mom (I am so PMSing). I am trying to be less snarky in '07, so I will not comment on Black Barbie. I did change the channel when she started singing. T.I. looked very handsome in his tux and I don't know what happened with the chick from the Pussycat Dolls. After 9:00 I switched to ROME which was a great episode.

My sister and I were talking about The Police the other day. My sister is ten years younger than me, but my brother and I played them all the time and she became a fan. I know we did not have cable when the video came out for "Don't Stand So Close To Me." My parents did not want to encourage us to watch TV so we were probably the last family in Verona to get Suburban Cablevision. Anyway, I think I saw the video on Friday Night Videos or whatever the name of that show was. I knew who they were because of "Roxanne". That was a huge single for them and it was one of the few records back then that got played on both Pop and R&B stations.

When I saw the video, I fell in love. Steward Copeland is one of the greatest drummers, ever and Sting, really I mean the man was just incredible. Good singer and very, very handsome. I bought the Zenyatta Mondatta album and played it to death. Every single track on that CD is great.

During college I saw them play at the Carrier Dome during the Synchronicity tour and was very sad when they broke up. "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic", "Message in a Bottle", and "Every Breath You Take" (aka the stalker song) are some of my favorites songs of all time.

Anna Nicole Smith and the diaper wearing astronaut

It's official, people have lost their damn minds. I feel bad for Anna's family. That said, what is with the "Candle in the Wind" references? She was not Marilyn Monroe. Her death is not a "national tragedy". This did not need to be the lead news story during a time of war and the Scooter Libby trial. One of my friends works with a woman who said Anna is a legend. Okay for what? I don't get it.

I do think something is up with her lawyer/"husband" (the marriage is not legal). How is it he was around for two very suspicious deaths within a five month period?

Last week the news was all about a crazy woman wearing a diaper so she didn't have to take a ten minute bathroom break as she drove "to confront" her rival.

If I turn on the TV this weekend, it will be to the Food Network and Travel Channels. So far they have not changed their programming to offer breaking news about either of these women.

Francesco's Italy from Top to Toe

This is a series that was produced by the BBC. The first episode aired last night on the Travel Channel. There are only 4 or 5 episodes.

It is great. Francesco is a good host, very funny, and insightful. I think he is a Count or something and lives in Venice.

Last night he went to Padua, Bologna, Verona, Portofino, Milano, and Torino. The Giorgio Armani segment was pretty funny when Mr. Armani was trying to help Francesco find a jacket.

I really can't describe how beautiful the art and architecture were.

YOU on a Diet - week 2

I have lost 2 inches from my waist. I feel so much better. I sleep very well and I don't crave candy. I had two little cookies from the Gelson's bakery on Sunday and it was fine. I didn't feel the need to eat an entire bag.

I tried whole wheat pasta. I know it's better for you but it will take me a minute to get used to the taste. Speaking of pasta, in 20 days I plan to eat some at Le Mani in Pasta. It is one of my favorite places in Rome.

Buon Nutella Day!!!

Yes everyone, a joyous day has arrived. My sister is the one who first introduced me to this fantastic treat. She spent the summer between her junior and senior year in high school at a school in Dijon, France and basically ate it everyday. She also spent alot of time drinking wine and kissing boys but I digress.

I heard the version sold in the U.S. is different (they try to make it more peanut butter-like), so I will be buying a jar to bring back to L.A.

Congrats to

shelley

sara

for organizing this new holiday. Tomorrow they will be posting a round up so check their sites for delicious recipes from all over the world.

Nutella recipe

Tomorrow is the official World Nutella day. I will post a link to the website tomorrow. It is going to be a crazy day at work tomorrow so I'm posting my choice today. Just looking at it makes my mouth water. Enjoy.


From the Food Network:

Banana Nutella Crepes
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
See this recipe on air Sunday Feb. 18 at 1:30 PM ET/PT.


For the crepes:
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt, preferable gray salt
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons hazelnuts, peeled, toasted, chopped

For the filling:
4 bananas
3 tablespoons butter
2 fresh bay leaves
2 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup tangerine juice
1 cup fresh raspberries, optional
1 small jar hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)

For the sauce:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Confectioners' sugar, for serving


For the crepes:
In a non-reactive bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a separate bowl mix the flour and salt. In a small sauce pot or saute pan over low heat melt the butter and cook it until it is light brown.

Add the egg and milk mix to the flour and salt and mix well so that there are no large clumps. Add the browned butter and mix to incorporate, being careful not to overwork batter. The batter should just coat the back of a spoon. If seems too thick, thin it out with a little more milk or water. Let the batter rest for 1 hour prior to cooking crepes.

For the filling:
Peel bananas, cut in half lengthwise and then cut 1/2-inch slices widthwise. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat melt the butter and cook until lightly browned, add the bay leaves to the hot butter and cook until it crackles slightly, add the lemon juice and sugar, stirring so that the sugar dissolves. Add the bananas and tangerine juice and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes so the flavors incorporate and the bananas are hot but not mushy. Add the raspberries, if using. Stir gently to combine. Set this mixture aside and let cool slightly.

After the crepe batter has rested for 1 hour, heat 1 (10-inch) nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Add 2 ounces of the crepe batter to the pan, remove pan from heat and tilt slightly to spread the batter over the entire pan. Return to heat and sprinkle the top with 1 teaspoon of the chopped hazelnuts. Cook for about 1 minute until the bottom side is lightly browned. With your fingertips and a spatula, carefully flip crepe and cook the second side for about 15 seconds. Set the cooked crepe on a baking sheet and repeat until you have used all of the batter. You should be able to produce 8 to 10 crepes.

Lay the crepes out on a flat surface. Spread each crepe with about 1 tablespoon of hazelnut spread. In one fourth of the crepe, spoon about 2 tablespoons of the banana mixture and fold the crepe over in half and in half again so that it has a triangular shape. Repeat this with all of the crepes.

For the sauce:
In a small saute pan over medium heat melt the butter and cook until lightly browned, add the lemon juice and brown sugar and stir to dissolve.

Serve the crepes on a plate with the sauce spooned over the top and sprinkled with the remaining chopped hazelnuts and confectioners' sugar.


Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: about 8 to 10 crepes
(the user rating on this one was 5 stars...the highest)

The Jackson 5 enjoying themselves on VH1 Classics

I was at the gym this morning on the treadmill going nowhere fast. One of the TV monitors was showing the VH1 Classics channel. After a Peter Frampton song, they showed a video for the song "Enjoy Yourself." It looked it was from a live show like Top of the Pops or something. Michael was so handsome with his huge 'fro and electric blue jumpsuit.

I am not going to ask again what the hell happened, but I almost teared up seeing that video. I think all his plastic surgeons should be arrested for crimes against nature.

Later a Journey video came on. Steve Perry's shirt was unfortunate but what a voice. I know people like to talk smack about Journey saying they are cheesy. I think this is unfair. Most videos from the 80's were cheesy. Although special mention goes to Journey's "Separate Ways" video. It's one where they are standing on a shipping dock somewhere.

Speaking of the 80's one of my college roomates was in town for work. We went to dinner at Angelini Osteria. As always the food was amazing. I had fish instead of pasta, only one glass of wine, no bread or dessert.

I cannot believe my friend is married with two boys. It seems like only yesterday we met on Boland 8, our dorm freshman year. After dinner I looked at the coffee table book on Impressionism art she gave me one year for Christmas. She signed the book and I cracked up reading her comments. For some reason she name checked Corniela Guest (the daughter of the late, great C.Z. Guest). She also wrote we would be friends forever and twenty years later that is true.

emotional eating per YOU On A Diet

I am happy to report that I have already dropped an inch from my waist since I started reading the book. Despite the lack of pasta, Jelly Bellys, Swedish Fish, apple pie, popcorn, and other things I enjoy have not turned into a cranky, beeatch.

I'm now on the chapter regarding emotional eating. According to zee book, I like to eat the above items because I am depressed and sexually frustrated. Hello, Ray Charles could see that. Well, actually I don't think I'm depressed anymore, but the other reason is cause for alarm. Seriously. The book also points out that the section of the brain that deals with sex also deals with appetite.

I was at an agency meeting today with my boss and during half the meeting I was thinking about sex. I wondered "why am I stuck in this conference room? I would rather be at L'Ermitage or Chateau Marmont meeting my sexy boyfriend." Then I remembered, oh hell, I don't have a boyfriend, not even a lovah!

Okay, so post Rome I have to figure something out. I refuse to be "on strike" for all of '07. It just isn't right. I talked to my friends about fix ups. All the decent men they know are married, the others are gay or are single for a reason. Also, in L.A. a major problem is my age. Most of my peers want to date women at least 10 years younger.