Kids Allergies Suck
Every year my poor 8-year-old suffers terribly from seasonal allergies. It started when he was about 2 with a dry cough that never resolved itself. Original allergy testing showed he was allergic to dogs so he took Singulair every day for the next 5 years. Then last year we went to an awesome allergist who did a full range of tests and showed that he’s … Continue reading Kids Allergies Suck
Google Search Stories: Life Entertains
This is so cool and so 2010. I have been the go-to Google Gal for a long time so clearly Google Search Stories excited me. I wasted no time … and this is far from the last search story by yours truly. Check out my 30-second creation about the year that was: I’ve always had plenty to talk and write about when it comes to … Continue reading Google Search Stories: Life Entertains
Reflections on 32 Weeks
In the grand scheme of life, and with all the hormones that course through my veins, it won’t surprise me if, in retrospect, my 40-weeks of incubator duty won’t seem as awful as they did while I was living them. But my first 24 weeks of pregnancy were a hard, lonely and guilty stretch of life. My kryptonite is nausea … and for almost 6 … Continue reading Reflections on 32 Weeks
Dreaming like Daddy
I’ve been a daddy’s girl for as long as I can remember. I called for papa while I was still in the crib and he would try to appease me; somehow mama never had the same calming power. Even then my dad understood me better. She would offer me a doll and I would shake it away – he came up with the idea of … Continue reading Dreaming like Daddy
Back to the Blog
I started this blog after I lost my advertising job in 2008. The pent-up writer in me found an expression for her pseudo-voice and a place to foster my insanity. By the end of the year, I got a rebound job that quickly spiraled out of control, just like any rebound relationship would. I thought when I got fired the second time, I would dive … Continue reading Back to the Blog
Me – Preggers McGreggers
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
Wymoming Explosion Haven
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
Hearts Beyond the Potato
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
Obama Hearts a Heart Potato
For those that didn’t catch our President on the David Letterman show last night, I was pleased to see that the 44th President of the United States appreciates the value of a heart. Mary Apple was the woman (who will find my Website one day) who found the heart spud. She had apparently visited the Letterman show two years ago and brought her prize possession. … Continue reading Obama Hearts a Heart Potato
Randomisms…On Anger, Writing, Divorce, Fear …
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 …
Eight Years Ago, Our Lives Changed Forever
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
Birthday Wishes Welcome – But Save the Whistle
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
Maximizing Every (Toilet) Moment
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
I’ve Been Busy … But I’m Back
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
Train Uptown: Diverted
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
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
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
Happiness is Finding Your Place…
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…
Me vs. the Public Toilet
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
Flowers in Riverdale
Surrounding the fancy private school were some flowers the morning after the rain. I take photos of too many flowers but it’s my blog and I’ll post flowers if I want to … Continue reading Flowers in Riverdale
Ending First Grade with Hatching Chicks
One of my first-grader’s favorite memories from this year was the hatching of chicks. Last week, after their first grade show, I snapped some pix of the chick-a-dees. Each class got to vote on the names for the chicks. Jake’s class came up with Fluffy and Cocoa; clearly this was the week that most of the boys were out with the flu. Jake came up … Continue reading Ending First Grade with Hatching Chicks
Memorial Day in our Nation’s Capital
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
Ode to Mississippi, the Step Turtle
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
Wedding Wishes
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
May Flowers
I snap flowers all around … these are from the bus stop waiting for my son to come home from school… Continue reading May Flowers
Life Advices
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
Face Painting … on My Leg
My boyfriend got me (and my sister) into face painting. Previously we did them with stamp templates, but we’re branching out … big time. On a recent afternoon, we shopped for Snazaroo paints and brushes and even got crazy containers to store it all at the Container Store. Then we came home to practice by copying a book … but instead I used acrylic paints … Continue reading Face Painting … on My Leg
Happiness in a Pizza Box
Advertising on pizza boxes is not very new … but this one made me smile. Pizza = Happy. It’s that easy…(unless you’re lactose intolerant). Continue reading Happiness in a Pizza Box
Unemployed and Happy(Yep, I said it)
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)
From Behind the Umbrella
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
Look What I Made
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
Sparkly Pretty
I could have snapped all day at Lee’s Art Shop on 57th Street. Continue reading Sparkly Pretty
From Mine on Mother’s Day
This is what I got from my 7-year-old for Mother’s Day. He said everyone had to add the line about being kind; I wonder if he would have included that about me. I am most flattered that he thinks I’m funny. Continue reading From Mine on Mother’s Day
When I write my first official blog
> 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
A Mother’s Love
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
Talent Fuels Dreams
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
I Heart Brüno
I have more excitement than words. Watch the adult-rated preview here. Of course, you can see more hilarity at: http://www.meinspace.com/bruno, become his Facebook friend … and of course follow his Tweets! Continue reading I Heart Brüno
Hearts-a-Whirl
On the way to bring my son to the bus this morning, this rain-washed pinwheel caught my eye. Zoom in on the center: my hearts in a whirl! Continue reading Hearts-a-Whirl
Jury Duty Poetry
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
Reflecting on the Holocaust Memorial Museum
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
I Heart Tulum
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
Addicted to KenKen
I always thought I was a verbal mind. But the SATs proved me wrong 20 years ago; I scored 100 points higher in math. WHAT? HOW? I had stopped math after the required geometry. Nonetheless – I have always enjoyed number-related puzzles rather than verbal ones like crossword puzzles. With numbers I always thought I had the power to figure it out eventually; a proven … Continue reading Addicted to KenKen
Raindrops on Tulips …
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 …
A Decade After Columbine
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
The Camera as a Model
On our recent flight back from Tulum, I had a few minutes at the airport with my boyfriend’s camera. Finally the camera and I switched places. Canon is the official camera of our family. This picture sums up the moment for me. The light from the windows at the airport created a streaky blurry lens effect and it fit the weathered, … Continue reading The Camera as a Model
Scenes from Waterside Park
It felt like summer and I ate up every morsel. Continue reading Scenes from Waterside Park
Unemployment: Day One
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
Creating the Life I Want: Take Two
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
Scenes from the Commute
C train at 96th Street Just in case … C Train to 34th Street M96 Bus Continue reading Scenes from the Commute
New York City Flowers
Who said Spring wasn’t in the air? Continue reading New York City Flowers
Where Did You Meet?
“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?
HeartsEverywhere 