Happy Birthday Sis!

My sister is ten years younger than me. I remember hearing her first words, seeing her first steps and now she is a married woman.

Unfortunately I don't have any baby photos of her. She is lucky the movers have come already. I found some letters she wrote to me when I went away to college. She was eight. They were classic! I liked her drawings (she would always find the time add a picture to her letters). I would have asked my former co-worker to scan one of the letters.

She lives on the east coast but we talk every single day, even if it's only for a second. Once I move to Rome I will miss those daily conversations.

I was thinking, what would my sister like to see on her big day? This cover came to mind. ha

Happy 80th Dad!

I didn't realize I had "older" parents until I reached high school and learned the ages of my friend's parents. My parents looked so young. Today many women are having their first child after the age my mom had me. Times have changed.

Growing up with parents from a very different culture was frustrating. Now that I am older I understand where they were coming from. My parents were concerned abourt raising their kids in America. I think moving here was really difficult for my dad. America in the early 60s was not the most friendly place for a black man, especially one who didn't know he wasn't supposed to have pride or dignity. Like most people of that generation from the Caribbean, my parents were strict as hell, did not play when it came to our education, and your family was more important that anything. Of course when I was a teenager the last thing I wanted to do was hang out with my family.

I can't believe he's 80. I'm not going to lie, it freaks me out. He doesn't look it but every time I talk to my parents it seems they are going to another funeral. My mom is 73 and she keeps talking about when she is gone. She wishes I could just get married, or at least have a great boyfriend before she dies. She worries about me being alone.

It is said that women look for men that are either very similar to their fathers or the complete opposite depending on the relationship. I don't know it that is true. Maybe it is and that is why I'm attracted to smart, funny, kind, confident, tall, stubborn, handsome men who can wear the hell out of a suit. ha.

Me and my dad.
I wish my parents had saved that silver Christmans tree. They are so hip now. Once we moved to the 'burbs we started to get real trees.

Flashback Friday - Corinne Bailey Rae - "Put Your Records On"

Last week we "made it night to remember" with Shalamar. I notice most of these Flashbacks are from the early 80s. Here is something a little more current.

As I get ready for my big move I was reminded of this song.

Spring of 2006 I rented an apartment in Trastevere for a three weeks. It was my second trip to Rome in 12 months and pretty much sealed the deal.

This song and video from British singer Corinne Bailey Rae was HUGE in Italy that spring. I heard the song everywhere and the video was on MTV Italia all the time. I came back the States and around six months later the song hit.

This video says "Spring" to me. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday to my brother.

It's birthday week in my family. My brother's is today, Dad's on Saturday and my sister's is on Tuesday.

It is a Caribbean tradition not to cut a male child's hair until he is one year-old or starts speaking. One of my friends said it's an old school Jewish tradition as well. As a result my younger brother had the biggest 'fro ever as a baby.

As I was packing up I asked my former co-worker to scan these photos. Today my brother is a married man with two young boys.

Aught! Happy Birthday to one of my best friends.

My poor Pink Panther stuffed animal is on the floor. The second photo was taken at the Turtle Back Zoo in South Orange, New Jersey.

Outkast/Charlie Brown mashup

There is so much to talk about these days most of it depressing. The crazy primary (Florida/Michigan/superdelegates), annoying as hell Sean Hannity (he doesn't get it. I don't remember him calling Rev. Pat Robertson unamerican when he said gay people were one reason 9/11 happened), Wall Street bailouts, the mortgage mess, the recession, the sinking dollar, the fifth year anniversary of the start of the war, Rachel Ray's plan for world domination with her unappealing mediocre cooking, the list goes on.

I was the gym this morning stressing out about things I cleary have no control over. One friend said I should just stop watching the news. I could cut back but I will not stop reading the paper, political blogs and watching news programs. I like to be informed. Sticking my head in the sand doesn't mean all these problems will just go away. What I need to do is think about the good along with the bad.

Speaking of good things. I can't help but smile when I watch this video. So well edited.

Director Anthony Minghella is dead?

I know his producing partner, director/actor Sydney Pollack is sick with cancer but I am stunned. Mighella was only 54. He just directed Jill Scott in the movie "The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" based on the popular books by Alexander McCall Smith. The movie will be on British televsion this week and turned into a series for HBO here in the Sates.

Last year Minghella and Pollack spoke to this small group of female Hollywood execs I belong to. It was an amaizing evening. They are passionate about life, the arts and it shows in their work. They are filmmakers not hack directors. I am just so sad to hear this news. I know two execs at his company. They were dealing with Sydney illness and now this.

Last week several of my friends went to the funeral of a women (she used to be an assistant to a studio head) who died suddenly of a brain aneurysm at 40. If there is something you want to accomplish in live...don't wait, do it now. If there is someone you love and don't say it to them often enough, start. In the last couple of weeks I have heard of so many deaths. A colleague's boyfriend died in a car accident, my dad's best friend from a stroke. A friend's wife died of cancer. She was only in her 30s.

You don't know when something like this can happen to you. It's a joke to think we can somehow control these things.

Hereis an article about the Oscar's
winner death.

The trailer for The Talented Mr. Ripley.


R.I.P. Mr. Minghella

Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano, I'll Steal You Away by Niccolo Ammaniti

GOMORRAH by Roberto Saviano - Perhaps I should not have read this book before moving to Italy. I kid. Saviano is under police protection after his book on the Naples' mafia the Camorra, became a best seller in Italy and in Europe. The translated English version came out earlier this year. At times the book does get bogged down and it's hard to follow which criminal is with which crew. He writes a little about the Siclian mob, the Calabrian mob (the 'Ndrangheta), and how they interact with each other.

Saviano is a native of Naples and you can sense his rage at what is going on in the city he loves. The reach of the Camorra is far and wide. The chapter on Chinese goods, manufacturers and the black market is deep. I wish the tourists who purchase fake Prada, Gucci and what not from the street vendors could read this book first and see where their money is going. The toxic waste and garbage problem is discussed at length. The Campania region has the highest murder rate in all of Europe thanks to "the System". Innocent people do get caught in the middle of warring clans. Non-corrupt officials are murdered no problem.


I'LL STEAL YOU AWAY by Niccolò Ammaniti. My friend Robin gave me this book. I'm glad it was the translated version. I'm not ready to read Italian at this level yet. This book by the author of I'M NOT SCARED, was sad but beautifully written. Pierto is a small 12-year old who is always being bullied. He is best friends with the richest and prettiest girl in their very small southern village. His story connects and intersects with Graziano's, an aging playboy who used to be a big fish in a small pond. Granziano moves to Rome with a show girl. He feels out of his element, nobody is checking for him in Rome. He's a joke.

He returns home to his friends and falls for the local teacher, Flora. This teacher has always had a soft spot for Pierto and is disappointed when her student takes part in a prank (he was bullied into it) that has severe reprecussions for everyone. I was really rooting for Pierto and Flora. Ammaniti cares deeply for his imperfect characters. So did I and I wished things had worked out differently for them.

Flashback Friday - Shalamar - "Night to Remember"

Sticking with the early 80s, here is a little old school track from Shalamar. I LOVE this song. Jody Watley and Howard Hewitt sound great together. The lyrics are sweet and it's fun song to dance to.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

My last day at work.

Very bittersweet. It doesn't seem real. I really liked my job and my co-workers. It was a small office so we got to know each other well. We went to lunch at Katsuya (Hollywood and Vine). Excellent sushi.

It feels weird not to come home with my large L.L.Bean tote filled with scripts to read for the weekend. For the last nine and a half years I have worked pretty much every weekend.

The movers are coming next week so this weekend I will be packing, getting organized, writing and saying good-bye to some friends.

Bedtime Stories by Trey Ellis, Kinky Gazpacho by Lori L. Tharps and The Last Single Woman in America by Cindy Guidry

Recenty I have read a few memoirs. Unlike that fake gansta chick Margaret what's-her-name, these are really non-fiction. Trey Ellis' book BEDTIME STORIES: ADVENTURES IN THE LAND OF SINGLE FATHERHOOD, is funny and bittersweet. After his talented, beautiful wife leaves him for a New Age lifestyle, he becomes the primary caretaker for their two small children. At the same time he comes down with a life threatening disease, his screenwriter career is cold and he has to sell his house. Things are not looking good. He also talks about his upbringing, (being called the N word and an Oreo..during the same day) full of tragedy (what happened to his parents) and comedy.


Lori L. Tharps' book KINKY GAZPACHO:LIFE, LOVE & SPAIN also touches on some of the issues Trey writes about. Raised in well-to-do suburbs of Milwaukee, she was often the only person of color in her school. Once in college she finds some black kids are not feeling her. Lori decides Spain will be the place she will fit in. However, Spain is not what she thought would be. She vows not to be a study aboard cliche and have a romance with a local since she will be leaving. Of course she ends up meeting the love of her life. I read this book in one afternoon, very funny and thoughtful. I could so relate to some of her jr. high and high school drama.


THE LAST SINGLE WOMAN IN AMERICA by Cindy Guidry hit a little close to home. Cindy was an executive on a film I worked on. This is her first book. A couple years ago during the span of a few months, she is fired from her high profile job and her husband-to-be has gotten another woman pregnant. Everyone keeps asking her why is she so darn happy? Shouldn't she be depressed? After all she is a single woman over 40, living in a one-bedroom apartment and no longer working for a studio. In Hollywood that is tragic! Guidry explores confusing gender roles, the whole work vs having a life balance thing and goes off on Internet dating. Ha.

New York's crime busting Governor is "caught" in a prostitution ring.

File this one under WTF?!!! I cannot believe this. Didn't Gov. Spizter bust several high-end call girl rings as Attorney General? Since he became Governor, Spizter, a rising star in the Democrat Party has made one mistake after another.

I also want to know what do these women do that is worth $5,500 an HOUR? This "club" is very big in New York, London, and Paris. Originally there was an investigation into financial issues, which lead to them wiretapping his phone calls to the ring and his emails. He was a frequent customer.

I know State Sen. Majority Leader Bruno must be cracking up. He can't stand the Princeton, Harvard Law, Fifth Avenue raised (Spitzer's father is worth over $500 million) Governor.

Is Spizter is going to resign? I don't know how he can stay in office. This is not about morality. He broke the law plain and simple. This ring has ties to organized crime. What was he thinking? He left himself wide open for bribery, kickbacks etc.

He is married with three teenage girls. I wonder how his wife feels.

A very fun good-bye party

Last night was my big party at Maison 140. There are a few smaller dinners coming up but last night was the party. Originally I wasn't going to do anything. However, my friends said I could not leave L.A. after all this time and not do something.

My fear was it would turn into a "industry/networking" thing. I had a flashback to when we were moving up in the business as D-Boys and D-Girls (development), and would go to birthday parties with guest lists of over 300 people.

Two friends co-hosted and reserved the boutique hotel's lobby bar.

I love the decor of this place. I think it was the first commercial interior Kelly Wearstler designed. Overall around 70 or so people came. Only a few random folks showed up, including a few who want my current job. I seriously don't get why you would go to to a good-bye party for someone you don't know. I and several of my friends were horrified. Anyway I was a gracious host and just reminded myself that some people don't know where work ends and real life begins. Being a shark 24/7 must be exhauasting. One of the baby sharks was so hard core I wanted to pull her aside and tell her to freaking relax. It's a Friday night and a party. Not a networking conference.

One of my bosses couldn't make it, she was out of town but my other two colleagues were there along with our boss. He joked that I looked too happy. I almost choked up several times while saying good-bye to friends. I told people no gifts but I did receive some. I received Eyewitness guide books for Paris, London, Milan and the Lakes, for all those weekend trips. Ha I hope I have $$$ to take some. One friend gave me the Moleskin Roma guide. I am a big Moleskin fan and have several of their journals. Speaking of journals I received a few of them, books on Italy, chocolates, a reggae mix CD, a gorgeous pen from a good writer friend and some beautiful lingerie from my friend's line. One of my cards was from two writer friends who said they wish they could give me a big bill but they are struggling writers and hopefully will used the money enclosed to pay for the tips at the airport. It was such sweet and thoughtful gesture.

One friend gave me a gift in this bag. I have no idea why the hell she still had this:


I laughed so hard when I saw the bag. Three of my friends and I went to see this terrible movie on a Friday after work. I thought it was worse than "You Got Served" because it took itself seriously. It was probably one of the best times I have ever had at the movies. My friends and I were cracking up with the other adults the entire movie. One 12 year-old screamed "IT'S NOT FUNNY!" during a very dramatic moment of Britney trying to act. Inside the bag was a photo box with card that made laugh and cry when I read it at home. We have really been through a lot during these past nine years.

The greatest present of course was that my friends came out and had a great time. I will really miss them. I was talking to a friend's fiance and he said he likes L.A, but hates that it takes a special occaision to see your friends.

Number of times someone said "Have you read EAT, PRAY, LOVE? You're like Elizabeth Gilbert. ".... too many to count. :)

Cake, Champagne and cookies are a nice way to start a class.

Next week will be my last at work. Weird.

One of my classmates made oatmeal cookies. A couple weeks ago we had wine. I find it easier to speak in class after a glass of wine. ha.

The head of our Italian school had a big surprise for us. They offer an Italian cooking class at the school and she asked us to go to the kitchen. There was a gorgeous cake that said "Buona Fortuna/in Bocca al Lupo" and bottles of Champagne. She had the students who are moving to Italy come up front. There are six of us moving out of 14 students. All women.

One woman from the other class is moving to Rome and the others are split between Florence and Milan. The director said they have never had that many students moving to Italy at the same time. It's kind of ironic given the all the problems in Italy and the low dollar we are going now. At least I'm not alone in the madness.

The cake was Sicilian with a ricotta filling. As we stood there toasting and singing (one of the professors, a professional singer busted out with Volare) I was damn near giddy.

This is a clip of something I will not be doing when I move. First, the Trevi Fountain area is always crowded. How would I actually get close to the water? Second, I don't want to get arrested.

Girl Scout cookies, Chateau Marmont

It's that time of year again. One of my bosses' daughters is in the Girl Scouts. I had to buy my favorite cookies, the Samoas.

As I sat on my couch eating my 5th cookie of the afternoon while reading scripts this weekend, I realized how much I will miss these cookies when I move to Italy. Today I said to one of my co-workers, "I wonder if there are Girl Scout cookies in Italy". His response? "They are called the Girl Scouts of AMERICA." ha. I know but I think there are scouts in Italy. I remember seeing some film where the teenage protangonist was one and reading an article mentioning the Scouts.

I loved being a Brownie then a Girl Scout. I still have the "Fun in the Kitchen!" cookbook I received in 4th grade. It's a little battered but I kept it for the helpful place setting guide...very important. I quit the Girl Scouts in 7th grade. I believed being in band and chorus was enough geekiness, being a Cadet would put me over the top. I wonder what happened to my sash with all my badges?

Another thing I will miss about L.A. is the hotel Chateau Marmont. It is one of my favorite places to "do drinks". There is always a celeb sighting. I mean real A-list ones. Not the random reality show contestants who are running around L.A. saying "don't you know who I am?". Of course we pretend we don't notice/care about said celebrity but it is a fun place to take out-of-town guests. I was there yesterday after work for a mixer a friend of mine organized for female producers. There were about fifteen of us. It was fun to catch with some friends and meet a few new people. I am crazed with work, writing and moving so I had to leave early. Most celebs don't show until later. It's not like they have to be in an office in the morning or anything.

At night you might need reservations even for drinks. I'm not sure about during the day. When it is a nice night, sitting outside in the garden, (especially this time of year when the night jasmine is blooming) is fantastic. It doesn't feel like Sunset Blvd. is just a few yards away. Instead it feels as if you are visiting your friend's villa in the South of France.

Last night my smoke alarm went off for no reason at 3:00 a.m. I still woke up at 5:15 to go to the gym. I cannot stay up all night looking at the election results. I always say I will watch for only an hour and next thing I know it's midnight. I'm tired. I must go to bed soon.

Me + Advanced Italian = molto confusione, Rossellini's Stromboli

This semester is almost over. The classes kicked my butt. Earlier in the semester when our professor was speaking, half the time I had no idea what she was saying. Things got better as the class went on. While advanced grammar is still very confusing I do feel more comfortable speaking in class. I usually bust out with some crazy Italian/English hybrid but at least I am trying.

I borrowed Rossellini's "Stromboli" from the school's library. I knew I would have to play it on my Macbook not my DVD player since it came from Italy and was a region 2 DVD. I forgot the film would not have subtitles. doh!

I watched it anyway. I was able to follow most of it. I had to rewind a couple scenes because I missed the quickly spoken dialogue. This move came out in the middle of the Bergman/Rossellini scandal. They were even denouced on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Times have changed. If this happened today, nobody other than the jilted spouses would care.

The film is great. Ingrid Bergman plays a war refugee from the Balkans. She marries a local Italian soldier so she can get out of the camp. He takes her to his small village on the island of Stromboli. The war is over and his fisherman work keeps him away from home. To say she doesn't fit in is an understatement. She finds the village oppressive and lonely. You do feel her for her husband as well. He loves her but doesn't understand her. She complains about his home (too small, broken down), the island, his family, his neighbors. It's as if she traded one prison for another.

The ending is vague. You don't really know what became of her.

Flashback Friday - Michael Jackson - "Thriller"

Last Flashback we "let the music play" with Shannon.

I cannot believe it's the 25th Anniversary of this album's release. Since I was only two years old at the time I don't really remember much.

Seriously, when this album (I guess my use of the word "album" proves that I'm older than twenty-six) dropped it was a major event. The biggest selling album in the world had 8 singles out of 9 tracks! Now you are lucky to get two decent tracks out of 15 and the record labels wonder why people would rather buy singles off iTunes instead of buying a whole CD.

Produced by the amazing Quincy Jones "Thriller" stayed on the charts for weeks. John Landis directred the video for the single "Thriller" which is one of the best known short films in the world. Sadly for Mr. Jackson, things were never the same. He kept trying to top this album in order to keep his "King of Pop" title. He drastically changed his appearance. We "broke up" when "Thriller" came out. I didn't like his Jheri -curls, nose job and thought his relationship with Webster was suspect.

It was difficult time in my young life. See, I was supposed to marry Michael Jackson. I just knew it from the time I was seven. During his years with the Jackson Five, reaching its peak when "Off the Wall" came out, my love for Michael was strong. After we broke up I moved on to El DeBarge (a little too skinny but still cute) and Sting (I didn't know he was 30. Loved the accent) from The Police.

It was hard to decide which clip to link to. In the end I went with "Billie Jean" which was the first single of this legendary album.

Have a great weekend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Some of his solutions are:

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

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

Essence Magazine's Hollywood Luncheon and the Oscars.

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

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

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

Some random thoughts about the Oscars:

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

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

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

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

Yeah! Ratatouille won best Animated movie.

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

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

Diablo Cody is now an Oscar winning screenwriter.

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

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

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

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

Meme - three writing tips and an award

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

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

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

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

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

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


I'm verkelmpt, thanks Jen.

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

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

I have a lit. manager!

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

Manager - "Can I read your book?"

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

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

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

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

I told my co-workers and they were excited.

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

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

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

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

Okay, gotta get back to work.

An apartment in Rome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ciao! Welcome to Italian bureaucracy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Writers strike could end this week.

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

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

Flashback Friday - Shannon "Let The Music Play"

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

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

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Super Tuesday and World Nutella Day!

Phew there is a lot going on today.

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

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

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

Gooooooo Giants!

TA-DOW!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Banana and Nutella Dessert Pizza

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

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

BANANA NUTELLA DESSERT PIZZA

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (F)

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

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

Meanwhile mash the bananas with a fork.

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

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

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

The Writing Game - A short story

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

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



27 Woodland Lane


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

World Nutella Day 2008!

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

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

Write what you want or worry about marketing?

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

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

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

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

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

Dear our former President,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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


signed,

A democrat

Flashback Friday - Duran Duran "Rio"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MLK Day

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

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

Flashback Friday - Bobby Brown "Every Little Step"

TGIF. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

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

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

Check out the spandex shorts worn with suspenders.

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

The Coen brothers have done it again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

meme - Seven Random Facts

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



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

I cannot drink Pepsi.

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

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

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

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

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


There it is, seven random facts.


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

Giorgia - Stonata

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

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

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

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

Giada stepped on my foot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The creator of BROTHERS & SISTERS breaks it down.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why is there a FLAVOR OF LOVE 3?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm still sick. This is annoying.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's 2008!

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

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

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

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

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