From http://www.hammermania.com I haven’t posted anything in over 5 months. I’ve even written posts about not posting and haven’t posted them. I have plenty written – all in back posts but never posted. Here’s why. Step 1: I got knocked up. Step 2: I had over 6 months of gruesome, disgusting, debilitating nausea that lasted most of the day and had me barfing every day. … Continue reading Me – Preggers McGreggers
This summer I went on a 10-day road trip through 9 states in the North / Midwest. All new to me — this piece of the country was laden with gorgeous serene landscapes that left this city girl hungry for more air. I sat in the car staring out the window for hours; never tiring of the passing grass, hay, barns, life outside my window. … Continue reading Wymoming Explosion Haven
The Internet allows us to find people we would never otherwise would have met. After I blogged about the heart potato lady (Mary Apple) from Letterman, her daughter, Claire emailed me to share her love of hearts with me. I found someone whose love of hearts may trump mine. She was lovely enough to share personal photos of her home with me. Claire is an … Continue reading Hearts Beyond the Potato
Recently I went on a computer scavenger hunt to find some old writing pieces. On my way to the X-Marks the Spot, I found some random G-isms that I wrote here and there along the way. Most fall under the category of life and emotions. Here I spew: ON ANGER: Don’t give in to the anger. Some pattern of behavior causes you to be mad … Continue reading Randomisms…On Anger, Writing, Divorce, Fear …
9/11 as a number, when spoken out loud, has become redefined. For most Americans, visually 9-1-1 has always symbolized emergency. After September 11th, 2001, 9/11 represented a day that surpassed emergency. It became a day I wouldn’t forget as it happened in real time. Soon it evolved into my generation’s JFK question: “Where were you on 9/11?” I remember the day in bits of pieces, … Continue reading Eight Years Ago, Our Lives Changed Forever
August birthdays are complicated. In fact, to date I’ve had no more than 3 birthday parties (mostly because no one was ever around). When I was a kid – like many of my 80s-raised cronies – there was none of the crazy birthday parties New York City parents are famous for throwing. Ironically, I was OK with it (yes I still very much a Leo). … Continue reading Birthday Wishes Welcome – But Save the Whistle
I pull down my pants and begin the squat for the toilet in one fluid motion. As the pee starts flowing, I turn to the right and automatically notice that I only have one square of toilet paper left. In a movement that seems to come instinctively to those born with two X chromosomes, I pull off the remaining swathe of toilet paper and as … Continue reading Maximizing Every (Toilet) Moment
So I’ve been busy the last two months. I’ve moved – apartment, job, neighborhood … life rearranged, really. I have been the living epitome of TRANSITION and the last two months, instead of fostering my anxiety, stress, and worry into words on my blog … I didn’t. So the blog has been lonely and my soul has been carrying a load heavier than it needed. … Continue reading I’ve Been Busy … But I’m Back
She was buxom, plump – altogether about 100 pounds too heavy. She wore faded black leggings and a black fitted t-shirt. Her softness spilled out despite the black spandex trying to hold in her body. She sat with her arms crossed on the uptown train to somewhere. Her blonde frizzy curls were piled sloppily into a lazy bun on the top of her hair. She … Continue reading Train Uptown: Diverted
In light of today’s horrific shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, I am re-posting this — originally posted 6 weeks ago — originally written in 1995. I wrote Three Years Later: Survivors Reflect on the [US Holocaust Memorial] Museum when I was a senior at NYU. It is magazine feature length so these are just some clips. Read the full article here. ———- Three … Continue reading US Holocaust Memorial Museum
It wasn’t until my third summer in my apartment that I really started enjoying the luxury of a New York City balcony. By balcony I mean fire escape. But it’s a special fire escape – it has a concrete base so no tightrope maneuver necessary to stand outside my window. Nonetheless, perched above 97th street on my very own outdoor space, I get high as … Continue reading Happiness is Finding Your Place…
My shit stinks too – just not in someone else’s bathroom – mostly because I won’t drop my load there. How ironic for those who know me since I won’t blink an eye at a two-hour conversation discussing the merits and different kinds of bowel movements. I’ll tell anyone who listens how my nerves send me to the bowl; tests in college, a work review, … Continue reading Me vs. the Public Toilet
Washington DC is iconic. It is hard and rigid; everything seems a shade of off-white, creamish, gray. Erected in the same type of marble and limestone, many of the buildings use similar designs and look like they were made from the same block of imitation Greek Legos. Aside from the population of academia (which comprise a large chunk of the residents), the city seems filled … Continue reading Memorial Day in our Nation’s Capital
Mississippi the Turtle has lived at my house for the last 3 years. My boyfriend was going away on a trip, dropped her off and decided this would be a better home for her. So now she goes on walk-abouts in my Manhattan flat. We forget about her for a week or so sometimes and out she’ll come, dragging a bunch of dust from under … Continue reading Ode to Mississippi, the Step Turtle
To HER on her WEDDING DAY: There’s no such thing as a perfect person – only a person that’s perfect for you. Trust yourself to know that you found him – and hold onto that trust in yourself and in each other. Remember this day and how you feel about each other. Life will be rocky and there will be days when your mind will … Continue reading Wedding Wishes
I made this list when I first created a MySpace page. I’ve since deleted the page, but a hunt through old files revealed this list. It’s random and incomplete (life fills it in …) but without further ado … here’s what I preach: Life Advices by Me: • Walk carefully in high heels.• John Lennon said it best – life is what happens when you’re … Continue reading Life Advices
A year ago I was fired for the first time in my life. The next day a friend asked how I was doing. This is what I wrote: After the initial blow – you can imagine for a prideful Leo, I was ecstatic. I am the happiest I have been in a really long time. This is the best thing that has happened to me … Continue reading Unemployed and Happy(Yep, I said it)
To the virgin 97th street walker, the old, hunched-back woman begging on the street, dodging cars with her small handmade cardboard placard, elicits a sense of pity. “Homeless, please help,” she mutters and shows a toothless grin. She seems lilliputian on Manhattan’s busy cross street; a small speck on an otherwise busy thoroughfare of the intersection of Dunkin Donuts and One Fish, Two Fish. I, … Continue reading From Behind the Umbrella
I like letters. I like colors. My friend is having a baby girl and I made this painting for her. I photographed it lousily (if that’s even a word) – but there are many layers … it was a while before I was satisfied. I also love the thick texture of paint … I hope she hearts it. Continue reading Look What I Made
> When I write my first official blog posting, I believe that it will focus on a rant spawned by a business women’s leadership luncheon I attended last week. My post-lunch assignment was to “figure out your true calling in life.” Apparently therein lies the ultimate secret to becoming the ultimate woman leader. If I just follow my calling … Well … if I only … Continue reading When I write my first official blog
I can’t describe a mother’s love. It would be like describing a song to a deaf person – or the perfect red to someone who’s color blind. A mother’s love; it exists only in a dimension understood once you enter it. A mother’s love is uprooting her life from one side of the world and moving to another. A mother’s love is carrying a potty … Continue reading A Mother’s Love
I didn’t get hooked on the Sopranos until Season 3; same with Sex and the City. I didn’t catch onto Arrested Development until after all 3 seasons were old on DVD. But … for Susan Boyle, I am just under a month late. Susan Boyle is not driven by money or fame. She is driven by the bubbling cauldron of passion inside her gut. She … Continue reading Talent Fuels Dreams
Meeting Poetry originated in the havens of New York City’s court system as I was sitting in Jury Duty two years ago. Human entertainment and bureaucracy was amusing me and words started pouring out for no rhyme or reason. I dubbed these words strung together: Jury Duty Poetry. Since it would be years before I was dazzled by the likes of our judicial system again, … Continue reading Jury Duty Poetry
The Holocaust altered the course of history and humanity. Destruction, tragedy, annihilation; it was an attempt to bring an entire species to extinction. The Holocaust was an era where the ugliest of humanity was on parade. But in the darkness of cellars and the dingiest of tents, survivors and heroes emerged. However, their verbal accounts dwindle daily. Projects like Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation are designed … Continue reading Reflecting on the Holocaust Memorial Museum
We wanted a serene, deserted, untouristy, unpopulated, local paradise. We wanted silky golden sand, azure waters and peace. Buck-fifty beers were preferred, but not required. We wanted a thousands part nature to one part people. We found the whole enchilada in Tulum, Mexico. Two hours south of Cancun exists this perfect beach town – it’s like a photo shoot at every angle; nature provides the … Continue reading I Heart Tulum
Yesterday I spent the day in Central Park with the family and I took a million pictures of the flowers blooming in the Conservatory Garden. My sister told me that you can take the best pictures in the rain. So today, while waiting for my son at the bus, I captured nature’s droplets on the city petals. PS: Normally this weather would have me gloomy … Continue reading Raindrops on Tulips …
Ten years ago Americans sat in disbelief, outrage and disgust around their TV sets as a high school in a town called Columbine was massacred – by two of their own. Dead were 12 students and a teacher; physically wounded were 23. The nation witnessed the massive murder suicide, the fourth-deadliest in our country’s history (it was the third then, but since then we’ve had … Continue reading A Decade After Columbine
It felt like summer and I ate up every morsel. Continue reading Scenes from Waterside Park
Last night was awesome – I celebrated my first night of unemployment. (Again.) The bf and I went to this awesome art opening of Michael Albert at the Gershwin Hotel. His art is like pop music – engaging, fun and approachable. It’s colorful and clever and he just published his first book. He’s also been doing a tremendous amount of education outreach, inspiring and teaching … Continue reading Unemployment: Day One
So it looks like I did it again. I was 33 when I got fired for the first time; 34 when I got fired for the second time. Apparently life is giving me a second chance; Take two on creating the life I’m meant to live. A life of happiness. Happiness is like a drug; once you get a taste of it – you want … Continue reading Creating the Life I Want: Take Two
“Where did you meet?” When you’re in a relationship for a long time, you hear this question a lot. When this relationship is also seemingly successful, inquiring minds are often pulling for the ‘once upon a time’ of your story. My boyfriend and I have been together over 4 years. We recite the story similarly when we’re apart, but when we’re together, he always tags … Continue reading Where Did You Meet?
Sunday afternoon was a quintessential spring day in New York City. 61 degrees and the sky was as blue as the Caribbean I’m dreaming about (and will feel on my feet in 3 days). But somehow my 7-year-old son and I couldn’t motivate out of our pajamas. By 3:00pm the guilt was killing me. I had to take this boy outside. Heck, I had to … Continue reading A Modern Urban Sunday Afternoon
Today is my son’s 7th birthday. When he was born I made a pledge to write everything down – I didn’t. Next I swore I’d write him a letter every year on his birthday – I wrote two. Last year, when I lost my job and my son asked me what job I wanted, I told him I wanted to be a writer. “You’re a … Continue reading HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY JACOB!
Mistake number one was telling anyone at my new job about my blog. Good decision number one was making a rule that no one at my new job becomes my Facebook friend. Social networking policies … we all have to create them for ourselves. Rules to live by in our fake little online worlds. I wrote something that I thought came out awesome, but it’s … Continue reading My New Job: Writing Dangerously
Yesterday I posted what I’ve titled MEETING POETRY. Here is yet another meeting, same speaker. Meeting Poetry IIIIt’s just my reality…Did anything pop out?What do you mean when you say we lost them?What are you commenting on?Where are you?How do you clean a list? I’m gonna assume that…It used to be okI remember when… Wait. Stop. Can I ask you a question?No, forget it. I’m … Continue reading Meeting Poetry III
Standing out in the online community is like walking into a room filled with total darkness. Being pretty is no longer an advantage. You need to think about ways to stand out from the crowd. How can I be remembered? How can I leave a mark? Marketing yourself online is just like any marketing. While it is not an exact science, I do think it’s … Continue reading Standing Out in Hyper Cyber
“Daddy, wait for me,” she half-pleaded, half-squealed. She was about three, going on six. Long brown springy curls bounced behind her as she struggled to keep up with her father, five feet in front of her. Her pink coat was wide open and she was tussling with the lid to a bottled beverage. In her small hands, the glass bottle seemed gargantuan. Her father, too … Continue reading A Girl, A Dad, A Dog and Some Squirrels
I always have a pen and in order to maintain my sanity during meetings, I write down phrases uttered. This was all one person’s dialog during a one-hour meeting. Contradictory? Check. Condescending? Check. Absolutely clueless that this is what she projects? CHECK! Meeting Poetry II We are in a bubble she says. We are hovering that’s what we’re doing. We’re that close – every little … Continue reading Meeting Poetry II
I feel like I’m regressing. This past weekend I spent playing Dance Dance Revolution for Wii. Last year’s kick was Guitar Hero. I spend unforgivable hours on social networking sites fake interacting, creating a micro-spec on a microcosm that is something much bigger than I will probably ever understand. But I’m there. Playing with the others. Sometimes I think I’d list the same hobbies du … Continue reading Game On!
Paper cups of coffee, clear cups of water, plastic cutlery in a glass jar, rubber coasters in an iron caddy, white walls, hard table, metal chairs. electronic communications to help us talk to each other in this box. No time for me to speak — but she keeps on talking. She tries to teach the world. She wants to listen but doesn’t hear. It’s hers, … Continue reading Meeting Poetry I
Remember the day when you reunited with an old friend and you picked up the phone, had a 3-hour conversation and hung up the phone? Or how about when you were getting set up on a date and you “got someone’s number?” You’d dread it, plan it out, call, chat for whatever chemistry deemed the right amount of time, and then HUNG UP. But how … Continue reading How Do You Hang Up an Email?
A friend of mine tagged me in a note on Facebook. She conducted an interview with her 7-year-old son and suggested I do the same. I did – but my experiment evolved… My sister was hanging out with us when I was conducting the interview with my son — and she wanted to give her answers. So I documented those. Then I thought it would … Continue reading Who’s Mommy? By: Son, Sister Boyfriend
Until recently, my sister was a server at a high-end restaurant on the Upper East Side. On an evening when a new haircut made me feel fancy, I decided to capitalize on my food connection and dine like [family] royalty at The Restaurant. **********When I enter, the tag team of overdressed Host and under-aged Manager greets me. Both click on their smiles and direct me … Continue reading Tales From an Upper East Side Restaurant
My six-year-old wrote this in school (in perfect handwriting, no less!) Yes, he has a blog. No, I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Social Networking: Kids.1.0 Tear. Smile. Love. What makes my world wonderful? I will tell you …Although I’m allergic to dogs, I still love them. School makes me smart every single day. Playing with Legos makes … Continue reading What Makes His World Wonderful…
Four years ago today I met you and knew I would always know you. Three years ago, the world tasted differently. We were just beginning to merge the flavors of our bountiful meal. My love wrote me this poem on one of those mornings where he used to sneak out before Jake got up. We had just celebrated our one year anniversary. Today feels like … Continue reading Kiss Goodbye
Once upon a time … Female O+ met …Male O-> There were some standard relationship courting …Wink ; )Smile : ) He got … Tongue-tied :& But finally figured out the right thing to say: You’re Hot! ~~:-) She started … Blushing *^_^* He gave her a … Big Kiss :-(|) that left her … Dazed %-) He set the mood … Lit Candle ~= … Continue reading A Simple Love Story-icon
The sun is shining so brightly that by the time I survey my chosen place on the sand, I find myself amidst a posse of 70-something Russian men enjoying their summer dacha here in Little Russia: Brighton Beach. Volodya and Misha are directly in front of me. They are both sporting George Hamiltonian tans. Only one of the two has a folding chair; the other … Continue reading Remembering a Summer Day in Little Russia
Dear Leo, Here is your horoscope for Tuesday, February 24: Keep your wallet tucked safely away today — you need to avoid spending as much as you can, especially on joint purchases. Put them of for a while or say no, because you’ve got to hang on to your money. Now … horoscopes like this one are exactly the reason that things like this happen … Continue reading Hanging Onto My Money
I put things off – sometimes important things – like tax bills. I think it all boils down to my commitment phobia. And procrastination. Sometimes I let all the little dreadful things (like paying the tax bill, dealing with the creditors, making doctor’s appointments, filling out financial aid forms…sense a trend?) build up and create a stack I can’t tackle. Life builds up because we … Continue reading I Take on The Tax Bill and "The List"
Birthday party season is upon us here at New York City private schools. Birthday parties in this circuit take on a special flavor. Where the rest of middle class America is feeling the economy and throwing more modest parties, the private school scene still plans some elaborate bashes for the tykes. Today my son went to a Robot Galaxy birthday party for a 7-year old … Continue reading Robot Birthdays + Toys R Us + Times Square
HeartsEverywhere 