TWO TAKES ON ONE SPACE

Today we headed out to Laguna Gloria (our first visit) in this glorious weather and saw two wonderful exhibit/installations.....one from a New York artist and the other from Steve Wyman, the owner of UNCOMMON OBJECTS on S. Congress.  Talk about a melding of our two worlds.  Lauren Fensterstock's installations of black cut paper and lucite are gorgeous!  And Steve Wyman's installations of found objects and collages of same remind me of why I fell in love with Austin.  When I first visited Lizzie here she took me to his shop.  And I took photos of her typing on an old typewriter, sitting on an old settee, surrounding herself with uncommon objects and I fell in love!  Then we went to Mayfield Park to see the peacocks and ran into Liz's friends Claire and Marcie.  Nothing more makes you feel like a part of a community than when you run into people who know you.    And are happy to see you and thank-you for the latke party.  And for this lost transplant at this time of year I am thankful for that. 

The lasagne is in the oven.  We had drinks at the Driskill.  And to all of my friends Happy New Year!

WE BOUGHT A ZOO/MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

I soloed to WE BOUGHT A ZOO while Abe saw  MISSION IMPOSSIBLE at the Westgate.  Perfectly intelligent choices  when you're married 29 years.  And the timing coincided perfectly!

I loved the ZOO film.  A widower is left with a 14y.o. son and a 7y.o. daughter and all three are grief stricken in the most realistic and true to life portrayal of a family. Like THE DESCENDANTS.  Imperfect parent, imperfect kid.  Just like life.  This film is heartwarming, oh yes formulaic, but inspiring and a pleasure to watch.  Matt Damon and  Scarlett Johansson are fine actors as always, and that 7 y.o. Maggie Elizabeth Jones is absolutely breathtaking and adorable.!!  I'm glad I saw this film at this time of year.  It portrayed a family authentically, with clashes, stresses, and yelling!  Not like what's portrayed on TV ads this time of year.

Abe said MISSION IMPOSSIBLE was fun, a good action film!  Tom Cruise is older but good.

The weather is perfect, Austin is beautiful.  I'm happy we're here.

Cookin' With SARAH JAROSZ

When I first got to Austin I'd listen to KUT while cooking and hear lots about  this 18y.o. girl, about to graduate H.S. and heading East to Boston to their prestigious Conservatory of Music.  On a Presidential Merit Scholarship no less.  I was impressed with her music, her bio and so I went to Waterloo, bought her first CD, SONG UP IN HER HEAD and I've been hooked.  She's a talented musician, great song writer, child of school teachers and from Wimberley, Texas.  Talk about an American treasure! She's been strumming her mandolin and other instruments with the best of the best since she's a small girl.  On her second CD FOLLOW ME DOWN (yup, Waterloo) she's matured and it just gets better.

Listen to "Come On Up To The House" on her first CD.  You'll be stomping your feet while you cook.  And that's what I did this late afternoon while I made Chicken, Broccoli, Sundried Tomatoes and Farfalle in wine sauce. Of course for Abe who's up at Spring Terrace sharing his good heart with folks.

It's 65 degrees in Austin.  Hallelujah!!

FLOWERS FROM SOFIA

An ordinary day in Austin.  Gym, gardening, tennis for Abe and a stop at THE GREAT OUTDOORS for a 50% sale on plants.  And so it's December in Austin and I acted like it's Spring.

But the highlight of the day was coming downstairs and finding flowers.  For me!  A colleague of Abe's, Sofia, a Residence Coordinator at Foundation Communities sent me flowers.  And the greatest gift of all was her message.  She said that meeting our family reminded her of what was good in the world.  Could you ever imagine a higher praise?  And this evening I feel more content than I have in days.  Thank-you Sofia.

Shrimp and Chicken Tortilla Soup/Latkes Too!

The last night of Chanukah and Liz and Jared joined us for dinner. Jared recited the brucha (blessing) over the candles.  He has a fine singing voice.  Sweet.  A completely eclectic menu of shrimp and chicken tortilla soup; spicky chicken sausage and roasted veggies; chicken tenders; and of course more potato latkes!  A real success.  Here's the recipe for the soup, you won't be disappointed.

Shrimp and Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe | Yummly

It was good to have Liz back in town.  Funny how you get used to having a kid close by when you've lived in different cities for 5 years.  The love of her life is Jared.  He's a fine young man, and a lucky one too.  Abe and I are happy.  Night y'all.

Fiscal Literacy and Biking

Today I learned a new term.  Has to do with educating  people who don't have access to banks, credit cards or the world of finance.  I remember my folks did not have  a checking account until I was in High School.  They relied on my grandpa to write their checks.  And he did not live with us!  So I was in my twenties before I had my own checking account.  Relied on bank money orders.  Can you imagine?  And now our son has helped people without bank accounts or credit cards to share in bike rentals and have access to banking and biking in Washington D.C.  Where there is a large population of  poor people.  A shout out  to you Josh Moskowitz.  You make us proud!

Bike-Sharing for the Unbanked - Commute - The Atlantic Cities

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

The character Lisbeth Salendar is so edgy, unique and refreshingly unparalleled in recent American films.  The Swedish actor Noomi Rapaci really nailed it for me and we both  loved the Swedish film.  But now I can say Rooney Mara does the same.  Her interpretation of this character is perfect.  It's a wonderful film.  Well directed, beautiful cinematography and intelligent plot.  A pleasure to see a film about a man who really cares about what happens to women.  And shows the truth about what happens to women.

We did what all Jews around the world do on Christmas Day.  We went to the cinema.  And it was packed to every last seat.  Just like last year at TRUE GRIT.  Proof that Austin is the quintessential film lovers city.  To our friends celebrating Christmas our wishes are for peace on earth, in every home, with good health and happiness in abundance.

THE ARTIST / Aly Winningham Mosaics at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

I saw this silent beautiful B&W film today at the Alamo.  Yep, it's beautiful, the actors are terrific, the direction and photography beautiful...but alas, give me some sound!!!!  Abe opted out saying he didn't want to see a silent film.  I thought he wasn't willing to step out of his comfort zone.  I guess neither am I after seeing this film.  I love films, but what I love is the screenplay being interpreted by actors into emotional living people.  So...be forewarned.  It's a reach.

I then returned to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar where I follow my favorite artists.  Jason Hooper a potter from UK or down under (who knows but what an accent), and Aly Winningham, a wonderful mosaic artist.  And today after coveting her work for 2 years I bought a mosaic mirror.  And when I got home and hung it with Abe it reminded me how fortunate I am to surround my life with crafted beauty.  Thank-you to the creative artists who have brought beauty and  happiness and a sense of well being to my life.  I am appreciative.

Garrido's

Deeeeeelicious!  Modern Mexican.  We walked over the 1st St bridge, stopped at Urban Outfitters (returned what I bought yesterday---too big),  picked  up some free passes from Violet Crown (there were some tech difficulties at the last film); and cashed in on my Groupon Coupon for this very fine restaurant.  Great atmosphere and location (3rd and Nueces).  We'll be back.  Service, prices, atmosphere just terrific!  And I didn't have to cook!!!!

RAY WILEY HUBBARD and the ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

I LOVE this annual crafts fare at the Palmer Center every year.  It runs for 10 days and offers three music sets every day and absolutely beautiful art and crafts are sold.  Each year I buy pottery from my favorite potters, animals made of recycled metal, ogle at Aly Winningham's gorgeous mosaics and bop in place to Ray Wiley Hubbard's fabulous country music.  He is a wonderful songwriter, great story teller, and provides us with a view of Texas that really broadens Abe's and my understanding of what people's lives were like growing up here.  This is one of my favorite events in Austin.  A combination of American crafts made by local artisans and very American country  music.

YOUNG ADULT /A New York Kind of Day

While there is no question that Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt deliver brilliant performances this is not a likeable film.  In fact I thought it plodded along given that the main character is someone you really have to work to care about.  Think of the nasty prom queen (if you grew up in a small town or suburb) who goes off to a big city (Minneapolis????) and pretends to be a successful writer (ghost writer) who is actually a narcissistic infantile alcoholic.  While one could wish that this happens to the girl who made our lives miserable in high school when it actually does it's so predictable and  redundant that it's boring.  And that's how I felt... bored.  She returns to her hometown to steal her H.S. boyfriend from his wife and their newborn baby girl.  While there she befriends the H.S. victim who was brutalized and left impaired by the town jocks.  Of course she manages to have sex with him before she leaves.  I do not recommend this film.  If you're curious take it out on DVD.

The day was otherwise a good one.  I walked over the 1st Street Bridge, shopped at Urban Outfitters, soloed the film and walked back over the bridge.  That's a New York kind of day only with much warmer weather in December.    

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND/AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY

Tonight was the last film in this Essential Cinema series of comedies of remarriage.  Abe and I have loved these films curated by Kimberley Jones, film and book critic at THE CHRONICLE.  No comedy here.  A movie written by the unusual and independent writer and thinker, Charlie Kaufman.  This movie makes you think as Jim Carrey (great performance here) and Kate Winslet (a pleasure to watch) have their memories erased of each other after a difficult time in their relationship.  Think hallucinations, dream like states, time machine events, a grown up Jim Carrey reduced to a 4y.o. size in pajamas and slippers under a table, and psychological roller coaster rides.  Once again an affirmation that relationships are difficult.  That mistakes are made and will be made.  But the willingness to accept that about the person you love is what works.  This stuff ain't easy.  That's the important message.  It's called life.

Happy Chanukah y'all.   Let the light shine on.

SHAME

Late this afternoon we saw this beautifully made film at the Violet Crown.  While it has an NC 17 rating it is not due to hard core sex, but rather frontal nudity.  This is a film about a brother and sister's pain and how they have developed behaviors to cope with their pain.  Michael Fassbender plays the sex addict and Carey Mulligan, the cutter.  They both are on a mission to self destruct to cope with some dark past experience in their lives.  Hats off to Steve McQueen, director of this beautifully shot film in New York.  This is a painful movie, visually appealing and enhanced by a wonderful score. Go see it but don't expect to leave untouched.

Toward the end of the film two young men left to replenish their beers and as the film came to a conclusion four drinks from different viewers were then spilled with  glasses broken as well.  All accidents?  Abe didn't see a connection.  I certainly did!!!

Latkes and Community

And so tonight we partied with the community we've begun to create in Austin.  Thank-you to all of the good people we've met and to Liz and her friends for appreciating our home, my fixin's, and making me feel this was a wonderful way to welcome people into our home and hearts.  And now the cook rests.

Skinny's Ballroom/Graham Reynolds

How fortunate were Abe and I to spend a few hours with Chale Nafus in this skinny bar surrounded by friendly Austin patrons listening to Graham Reynolds perform his version of holiday classics.  As Chale said think cubism when listening.  You'll hear the melody you know within Graham's constructed interpretation.  We've followed this composer/musician since we've arrived in Austin hearing his original score to WINGS and then an interpretive piece of Mozart's with the Austin Ballet.  He is a brilliant composer/musician.  And a very pleasant man who wheels in his own piano.  While Abe couldn't get past the decibel level (it was advertised as a Holiday LOUD  SHOW) he was patient and open to interpretation (thank-you Chale).  A fine evening ending with more latke cooking.  I'm done!  Yay!

LATKES!!!!

Spent this rainy day making latkes for friends.  Lots of latkes.  But don't fret.....while I peeled potatoes, grated onions and fried up all these potato pancakes I listened to Curtiss Mayfield, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, TheTemptations, Creedence Clearwater, Willie Nelson, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Sonny Rollins, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Hot Chocolate (thanks Liz) and on and on.  Good music has no boundaries.  And while I cooked I drank some wine and danced too!  Who said old boomers can't multi task?

10 UNDER 10/AFS and UT RTF

We were back at the Alamo South Lamar this evening to see the 10 UT student documentaries selected by Chale Nafus and other jurors for this annual event. 10 docs under 10 minutes each (some a trifle longer).  Abe and I loved them all.  Subject matters with a large range of human appeal:  a young woman from Oklahoma traveling to Pakistan to marry her fiancee; a Virginia Tech student now at UT talking about the 2007 shooting rampage and his opposition to handguns on campus; a film about stutterers;  developmentally challenged young people in a swimming pool; an artistic film about memory; a gay Hispanic couple with an adopted daughter facing immigration difficulties, and more.  The film making students are always so appreciative of people coming out to see their films and just love talking about them.  I love these shorts and the glimpses they provide about issues that are so appealing and important.  They each delivered a real punch.

TWO FOR THE ROAD/Austin Film Society

Moving along in this Essential Cinema Series of remarriages is TWO FOR THE ROAD starring the exquisite Audrey Hepburn and the once adorable Albert Finney.  The wardrobe for Ms. Hepburn and Mr. Finney reminded me how easily star struck I can become.   I would have dismissed this film in 1967 (we were very busy protesting the war in Viet Nam and could have cared less about couture) but I am so happy to revisit it now. This film  is so very realistic about a relationship filled with so much passion early on which then becomes a marriage filled with life's realities.  Sometimes it is painful to see the unhappiness, resentment, frustration, and loss of warmth between the two.  But throughout the film (as Kimberley Jones forewarned us) there is so much laughter between the two, so much fun being had.  The underlying truth about a long term marriage unfolds in this film.  It's a relationship that markedly changes.  Sometimes frighteningly so. What wins out  is the acceptance of those changes because this is the person you truly love and want to be with.  There is something special about the  familiarity of one other person  throughout your adult life and the ultimate acceptance that mistakes have been made with that person.  I loved watching this film with my husband of 29 years.  Very reaffirming.

Jeffrey's

Six months ago I bought a Groupon deal for this classy restaurant.  And this evening after a day of pure domestic stuff (baking, cleaning, cooking) gym and run to Petco and Old Navy with Abe I was in wife heaven.  Sitting down, someone else cooking, no World News on the tube, and being served a fine meal by a lovely waiter and talking to Abe.  And the bill didn't hurt so much because of that long ago bought deal.  Groupon I love you.  But not as much as Abe.

A SOUTH SIDE STORY/AN AMERICAN MISSION

Just received word that the film made by UT student James Pinedo at Mission Espada is complete.  And will now be sent out to festivals and wherever else James chooses.  I am looking forward to seeing the DVD.  Film has been renamed  A SOUTH SIDE STORY.

East Side Liz returned to 4th Street today for bagels and lox, help Mom connect her laptop to our speakers, help with a playlist, pick up clothes and of course get some much needed sleep.  She is so happy in her new home.  What could be better?

Matt The Electrician

A number of months ago I heard a song on KUT by Matt the Electrician about a Wal Mart employee, Angela.  Seems she saved Matt from catastrophe by replacing a dead battery in his car which allowed him to get to a gig in Dallas.  The song was  clever, heartfelt, well written and sung with a beautiful voice.  Tonight we headed up to the Cactus Cafe where Matt performed with his band.  And played the Wal Mart song! A great performance delivered by a funny, very personable musician who has a really warm style.  The house was full, the audience really appreciative and clearly filled with his fans.   For me the best part was Abe really enjoying this night of music.  Thank-you Matt The Electrician.

HUGO 3D

Scorsese has created a beautiful film that is magical, visually stunning and if you can suspend disbelief for the length of the film I promise an enchanting experience.  Anyone who loves films and film making will cherish this experience.  A boy lives in a clock in a clock tower in a railroad station.  He fixes broken things, he steals things from a toy shop to fix an automaton who draws, he remembers seeing movies with his dad who has died, he befriends a girl whose godfather has a mysterious past with film making.

On a personal note, the young star of this film looks remarkably like Jason Murphy, Liz's friend.   And when we left the theater two people came up to Abe to tell him he looked just like Ben Kingsley in this film.  He did!  And a couple who sat by us then told us they thought we could have both been put  in the film (that's because the wife has curly hair).  Let's hear it for Texas friendliness.   A nice way to leave a theater.

PAUL GOODMAN CHANGED MY LIFE/AFS & Monkey Wrench

Tonight we ventured up to MONKEY WRENCH, a  radical bookstore we'd heard about back in Brooklyn.  Known for it's collection of anarchist, left wing and  radical literature.  A perfect setting to see this documentary about Paul Goodman, a philosopher, poet, gestalt therapist, father, husband, bisexual lover of many people, and OH SO NY and Jewish. A black and white beautifully photographed film which presented this brilliant man in a kind and non-judgmental light.  The people who spoke of him clearly held him in high esteem, and in some cases loved him.  One man, a gay Texan who never met him, recited his poetry emotively with great reverence crediting Mr. Goodman with his acceptance of himself, his place in the world, and his ability to move to NYC.  Abe loved seeing  NYC with it's handball players, CCNY (his alma mater) and Columbia (his alma mater).  I loved the accents, the culture and listening to a man who made so much sense about the world.  Abe and I were so fortunate to be with Reed and Chale watching this film.   And Abe bought a philosophy book to support MONKEY WRENCH.  A fine night!

It's Still Cold in Austin

Most of my garden made it.  Whattyado?  You go to HEB, the gym for bicycling with Judith and Body Pump, you begin to bake for Latkes, Latkes, Latkes.  You put together a playlist for the party and realize you like Curtiss Mayfield, Edith Piaf, Motown music, Otis Redding, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, The Gypsy Kings and Rudy Vallee and more.  Oy Vey.  Eclectic out of control.  Will ask Liz for help.

PHFFFT!/Austin Film Society

Moving along in this series of remarriages was tonight's film PHFFFT!  The house was packed, lots of couples I observed.  And what could be better than Jack Lemmon, Judy Holiday, Kim Novak and Jack Carson portraying a post divorce couple and the lamentations and silly hook ups that occur once they obtain their freedom?  Abe just loved the make-up, wardrobes and sets of this 1954 film.  And I loved the schmaltz.  That when all is said and done the partner you've been through life's mundane exercises and crises and tribulations with may just well be the person you actually love.  What a great message to be reminded of.

Cold Day in Austin

So whattayado?  Talk to Pam at CCNY; go to the gym for bicycle and Body Pump;  drop off and pick up Abe at his SW consultation job at Skyline/Foundations Community; go to Academy for warmer gym clothes (brrrr it's cold) and Party City in prep for Latkes, Latkes, Latkes.  And come home to a fireplace and wine and cooking for Abe.  Once again...this is a good life and I am grateful for every healthy good day.

GOD OF CARNAGE/Zach Theater

On this rainy cold afternoon we saw a fabulous company of 4 performers in GOD OF CARNAGE.  So spoke to us both.  A  scene between two sets of educated posturing parents in one of the gentrified hoods of Brooklyn discussing an altercation that occurred between their 11 y.o. sons.  One of the boys lost two teeth.  And let the rumpus begin.  We laughed our heads off. The pretentious  posturing of the "victim's" mother all comes undone when a mother vomits, a father's cellphone rings uncontrollably, a father admits to not being a liberal, a mother confronts a father for his murder of the family's hamster, people get drunk on rum, women smash their husband's over the head, alliances shift.  You get the picture.  It's called LIFE.  Hats off to the company and a shot out to Angela Rawna.  You rocked it!

Liz is Eastward Settled

Just returned from moving Liz to her new home on the East Side.  Her style of a house shared with 3 women, chickens, 2 dogs, a big water collector and garden for vegetables.  Reminded me of when Abe and I moved into our loft on 12th street.  Pioneers moving south of 9th Street and not caring that it wasn't manicured and polished.  She will do well there.  She's equipped with an open intelligent mind and a kind heart.  And when I left her all I could think of was "whither thou goest."  And now I'm home to exorcise her room.  Have a nice week-end.

MELANCHOLY RAMBLERS at New World Deli

Tonight we headed up to Hyde Park to hear Marco Parella, acting coach, play his hummel with his Melancholy Ramblers.  Fun old time folk, country, authentic American music.  An up beat group, an appreciative crowd all at a deli owned by a man whose Dad had a deli counter back in New Jersey.  Much like my Dad who had an appetizing/deli counter in all the rich suburbs of NY.  He raised us in the Bronx and he would leave each morning at 6a.m. and get home each week night way past 7 and then 11 on week-ends.  He loved that job.  And loved his retirement job at the Bronx Zoo even more.  He raised me on country western music and would have loved MELANCHOLY RAMBLERS.  He'd be so happy to know I found my way to Austin.

THE FALLS At the Aviary

Tonight Chale and AFS brought us Peter Greenway's THE FALLS a most unusual film about an apocalyptic event that has devastated Great Britain.  The title stands for the last names of 92 victims whose names begin with F-A-L-L.  The writing is clever, the facts about the victims are bizarre, they speak unknown made up languages, they have physical conditions that can make you laugh and cry and after 46 names and vignettes we were bleary eyed.  Abe found it boring and I found it clever.  We left but enjoyed this really cool home decor place that serves wine, beer and snacks.  And the owner is a transplanted Brooklynite who managed Sweet Melissa, a cafe across the street from the Cobble Hill theater in Brooklyn.  I love those connections between Austin and Brooklyn.

This afternoon Judith and I ate at Madeleine's and shopped and most importantly shared intelligent conversation about our lives freely and comfortably.  It was a post bd celebration from Judith.  What a fine day!

Galaxy Cafe and a "WOW" Day

When you bring a die hard New Yorker who doesn't like change whatsoever from NYC to Austin you're in for a difficult ride.  And believe me I got one.  Today Abe came to the gym with me.  He doesn't come often anymore because he bikes with Reed and plays tennis with a bunch of people a few times a week.  And so he gets his exercise without the gym.  But today he joined me and then we headed up to Galaxy Cafe with a coupon I had from Groupon.  It wasn't crowded, there wasn't traffic (the gods were with me) and we sat and chatted and enjoyed the day.  The food was delicious by the way.   Then we headed over to West Elm to take a look at some leather chairs I've been too interested in.  And while we ate, Abe admitted that the move was good, life is good. And so I am eternally grateful to him for joining me in this city I love, love, love!

THE PALM BEACH STORY/AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY

Moving along in this Essential Cinema series about re-marriages we saw this film made in 1942  directed by Preston Sturges.  We laughed our heads off in response to brilliant dialogue and perfect delivery by Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea.  The wardrobe for Ms. Colbert is breathtaking, the sets are lavish and tasteful and once again we're surrounded by the antics of the top one percenters.  Characters like the Wienie King (a rich generous hard of hearing sausage magnate from Texas) and a foreign nonsense speaking gigolo will have you laughing non-stop.  While taking the train to Palm Beach for a quickie divorce Ms. Colbert is surrounded by rich businessmen with their hunting dogs and their frat house antics.  She meets Rudy Vallee a real charmer on the train who falls for her with heart and soul (he's quite cute) and subsequently his sister, a playgirl in Palm Beach fabulously played by Marty Astor.    There is a good trick ending that had us laughing and not minding it's "happily ever after" conclusion. Abe and I loved, loved, loved this film.  Well curated and introduced by Kimberly Jones with helpful notes.

South Lamar Foot Bridge and the Ducks

After gym, errands, house stuff and laundry I walked Town Lake, over the foot bridge on S. Lamar (it is beautiful) and hit West Elm and Lululemon.  Checked out some leather chairs (I like the lighter color), called Abe, formulated a possible selling/buying purchase plan.  Headed over to a great sports/yoga/ gym store where I got the best service ever and then to Office Max for cartridges.  While all of this might sound boring it made my day.  I listened to NPR on headphones and then 94.7.  And while I walked back over the footbridge there were ducks. Lots and lots of ducks.  Swimming in formation. The sun was setting.  And I got teary eyed and thanked God for such a beautiful sight.  Now to cooking for Abe.  A good life!

Renegade Crafts Fair

I soloed down to Palmer Events Center with instructions from Abe to buy what I want. Is there something wrong?  Or did he know that this is a small crafts fair with a lot of DIYs.  No disappointment.  I bought a headband for this mass of unruly hair from a talented young woman.  But Abe did know something.  I needed time to myself to nurture myself after cooking, cleaning and being a mother to two adult children.  The gym, the fair, the NY Times and a little ol headband has me back on track.  In Austin.  My home.

Master Pancake Spoofs Tom Hanks/"Hanksgiving"

We all 4 laughed repeatedly at John Erler's spoof tonight of Tom Hanks' silly/funny films.  All but PRIVATE RYAN where nothing could make me laugh at his dying scene.  But John and company were in rare form.  Particularly when John came out buck naked at mid time in a spoof of CAST AWAY.  With Wilson his friend interviewing him about his attraction to a tennis ball (his only covering).  The audience howled.  And the theater was cold I might add.  Coming to the close of a 4 day week-end with family.  Master Pancake is a good way for us to conclude.

LOST MEMORY OF SKIN

I ordered this novel from my library after hearing the author Russell Banks on an NPR interview.  A novel about sexual offenders who find themselves homeless with ankle bracelets living under a Causeway in Florida.  What could be more unusual for a social worker who worked for 30+ years with victims of sexual abuse to find herself reading a compelling, engaging novel  offering a different point of view?  This is a well formulated fiction asking what have we done to create this population?  For everyone who thinks pornography is not an issue...imagine being 11 years old and being left alone all day long, sometimes weeks at a time and viewing internet pornography 10 hours a day.  No sex life, no normal developmental relationships, just learning about sex and relationships through internet porn sites.  Chilling I'd say.  This is an extraordinary book.  Take it out of the library. It's free and a worthwhile experience.

THE DESCENDANTS

After eating and cleaning up Liz and I headed to the Alamo S.Lamar to see this beautifully cast film.  A film about a family in crisis with proof that life is messy.  And that timing for crises is never planned accordingly.  Imagine a mother in a coma with an adolescent daughter and a 10 y.o. daughter and a husband who learns from his daughter that Mom was cheating.  Everyone in this movie is so real!  George Clooney's performance is perfect. While the young teenage boy who accompanies this family on their dark journey is something out of the ordinary  his presence adds humor to the constant presence of pain, anger and grief. The funny parts are played so well and the shot of the girl under water reacting to her mother's fate is just magnificent.  I'm glad we saw this film on Thanksgiving.  It reminded me that families are not perfect, have lots of moments of stress, can sometimes be supportive and other times cruel and hurtful.  I like confirmation of living in the real world.  And can you imagine?  People were eating french fries right next to us!  Where'd they find the room?  Happy Thanksgiving!

Southern Hospitality and Shopping For Thanksgiving

The last 3 days and nights I've been at HEB and Central Market in preparation for Thanksgiving at least 3 times.  In contrast to years spent on line with stressed out unhappy people (both consumers and workers) I continue to feel so happy about the entire experience.  Last night on the line to check out at HEB (where everyone looked like they had just finished a 12 hour shift) a woman asked me how to make a turkey because she's always been in charge of the tamales in her family. And so I told her. I told her tamales are much harder to prepare.   Every cashier has asked me how I am, how is my day so far (even when it's 8a.m. in the morning!) and just filled this cold northeastern soul with the warmth of southern courtesy.  While I'll never get accustomed to the governor or drivers in Texas I will always be delighted by  the southern hospitality, courtesy and warmth. Each time I experience it it's a "wow" moment. It has definitely made my life much sweeter!  Happy Prep for Thanksgiving!

THE AWFUL TRUTH/Austin Film Society

Tonight was the first film in the Comedy of Remarriage series and this first film was a magnificent beginning.  Made in 1937 starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne with Ralph Bellamy in a supporting role as an Oklahoman country bumpkin suitor we laughed our way through the brilliant dialogue.  It takes some time getting accustomed to the rich life of these incredibly well dressed one percenters who spend their days entertaining themselves.  Once I get over asking "who's going to work today?" over and over in my head I relax and see the spoof of the upper class.  The on-screen relationship between  Grant and Dunne is so appealing and alive.  Their digs at each other are so well timed and delivered.  My favorite scene is when  the wife realizes she does not want to lose her husband to his latest fiancee so she enters the scene of a stuffy upper class parlor as his slutty sister who hysterically sabotages the up-coming wedding.  We both loved, loved, loved this film.  I am so looking forward to the next 5.

Gettin' Ready for Josh

Another highlight of this old age is our guy Josh.  Always has to fly home from somewhere for Thanksgiving.  He's been a true supporter of our move to Austin and embraces the Austin lifestyle wholeheartedly: Polvo's, barbecue,tennis and biking with Abe and Reed,  and joining Liz and her friends with Austin nature, swimming, hiking and then the nighttime crawl.  Living in D.C. he just loves the laid back feel of things here and the incredibly affordable prices.  My job is to always have the food he loves, and be very well aware that he's now a full grown guy and  not my little boy.  Here he is with his girlfriend Abbey at a break from his beloved softball (or baseball).  He'll be touching down tomorrow.  The tennis court awaits him as does a sandwich from Central Market.  Happy preparations to everyone!

63 and Liz at E.A.S.T

Yikes!! Enough said about the age.  Here's one of the highlights of that old age.

A Recycled Dress and E.A.S.T.

We're back at E.A.S.T. today and our first stop was Pine Street Station to say "hi" to Liz.  When I walked in I saw a petite Asian  woman wearing a brown polka dot dress.   I wore that dress to temple for the Jewish High Holidays in Austin 2010.  Then I recycled to LOVELY, my favorite vintage shop in Austin.  It was a brown polka dot shirt waist.  Hand sewn.  I picked it up for $10 on S.Congress at BOHEMIA NOW on a sale rack.  I asked her "did you buy that dress at LOVELY?"  she said "Yes, I did!   It had just come in. "  She said it was the dress Julia Roberts wore when she went to the races in PRETTY WOMAN.  OMG.  Could this dress have ended up on a better person?  Not only that.  She is the owner of THAI FRESH, a restaurant across the street from our library on Mary and S. 5th St.  One I have always been interested in trying.  So there you have it.  Hugs and kisses with a stranger about a recycled dress and a referral to a restaurant in our neighborhood.
Today we visited ART POST and DELTA MILLWORKS and an ironworker, Foster Talgo.  OMG. This man created the most beautiful metal tree.  And clocks galore.  He spent a long time talking to us as did John Langmore, a wonderful photographer who presented THE FAULT LINE.  A photo document of East Austin and it's journey into the artistic creative world.  We had a wonderful day in Austin.  It was 80 degrees as well!

VIRUS

This evening I had the good fortune to see a screening of a film in the filmmaker's home, invited by my acting buddy, Rudi Lee.  This is a contemporary zombie film filled with computer geeks, computer talk, greedy motives, hysterical performances and a fine piece of acting by Rudi playing a Mom in a bathrobe with Alzheimer's.  The cast and crew of this film were warm, smart, collaborative, creative, helpful and supportive to one another.  The home that hosted the screening was welcoming and hospitable with delicious food as well.  Thank-you Rudi for inviting me.

Acting this afternoon with Marco.  Keep learning, studying, experiencing.  Not a bad thing to do with your life.

J. EDGAR

We ventured to see this at Violet Crown midday yesterday.  What a sick-o!  Leonardo De Caprio, Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts offer fine performances in this very disturbing slice of american history.  To be reminded of the insane power this man wielded.  To be reminded of his self glorification, self promotion and cruel interpersonal relations.  Not a perfect film.  The make-up for Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson is ghoulish (not so for Mr. De Caprio) and while his acting as the aged partner is beautiful the make-up is a distraction.  Every good person in the world should have a secretary like Naomi Watts.  Such loyalty.  I would recommend this film but be prepared to feel disgusted.

Last night we ate at T&S Seafood and Chinese restaurant up on N Lamar with Reed and Liz.  I am not a lover of Chinese food but this was absolutely fine food with enormous selections. Try any shrimp dish in the house...ours were all superb. It was a pleasure to hear Liz talk with our Viet Namese waitress about China, Viet Nam, and Hong Kong.  Most everyone in the restaurant was Chinese, the decor plain, clean, simple.  Atmosphere perfect and as always Reed and Liz had us laughing.

OWS NYC Style

The photos coming out of OWS NYC today were disturbing.  Enormous clashes between the NYPD and protestors.  1,000 strong from Union Square downtown to the world hub of finances the NYSE.  Believe it or not that's where Josh worked every summer when he was an adolescent as a messenger on the floor.  He learned so much about life, men, how badly they talked about women and saved all of his $ for college.  He learned how to not become a stock trader by what he saw.  But he loved the energy and talkin' sports with the guys.  Hard for me to see NYPD battling with the young people.  Wrong people are facing off against each other.  Isn't that what the enormously rich want?  Always the same shtick.  Keep the heat off of them.  Have the working class fight each other for the tiny pieces of pie that are left.  YUCK!!!

Russian Films presented by Dr. Thomas Garza

Today was our last day of classes in this session of OLLI at UT.  A shout out here to our seminar teachers.  Dr. Shelton Ekand-Olson was a superb lecturer about the ethical issues surrounding life and death.  He is so smart, funny and most important creates an atmosphere where people can express divergent points of view without killing each other!  How refreshing.  Next I cannot say enough good things about Nick Nichols who taught Sports, Sports, Sports.  This wonderful man taught this totally disinterested in sports woman a class that had me laughing, crying and interested every minute of class.  He is a wonderful instructor!

And finally today our lecture was right up my alley: " Imagining 21st Century Russian Culture Through Films."  Presented by Dr. Thomas Garza, a slavic language UT professor with more awards than I could ever imagine or list.  What a wonderful lecture and great clips of films post 1990. 

This has been a wonderful 6 weeks of learning. You could tell how good the experience was.  We've begun to form a community I think because everyone was so happy with their classes.

WITTGENSTEIN/Austin Film Society

The final film in this Essential Cinema Series had me anticipating a film that would be so obscure and complex that I was prepared to be the dutiful wife who accompanies Abe, a lover of philosophers, to sit next to him and doze.  SURRPRISE!!!!  I loved this film written and directed by Derek Jarman and shot in 10 days in London.  The narrator is this adorable articulate kid with imperfect teeth and some funny observations of Wittgenstein's family.  While I would never attempt to understand Wittgenstein's works I thoroughly related to his life of conflicts (and they were numerous).  While born to a "filthy rich" family he always struggled with issues of class, social status, and the intelligentsia of academia.  His conflicts were related to his sexuality, interpersonal relations (he was a horribly abusive teacher of school age children) religion, and he appeared to not have a comfortable day in his life.  All of this was beautifully shot in a film with the very talented Tilda Swinton, Michael Gough and Karl Johnson.  Chale's copious notes were helpful as always and I quote him when he writes "Perhaps he required repression to think straight."  For some reason that made such sense to me.  Wittgenstein's internal struggles had him groping and groping and moving and changing constantly.  It does not seem he found peace.  Once again AFS has brought me a story of someone whom I would have never encountered.  What could be better than that?

AV Automation

One of the first people we met when we moved into our new South Austin home was Aaron Reilly.  He was in our little cul de sac  setting up a TV system for a neighbor.  Aaron came over and recommended an Audio Visual system that included our wall mounted TV, stereo system, and wall mounted speakers with one remote...I repeat...only one remote.  For people like me and Abe this was a godsend.  He is the best!!!!!  I called him today to ask him about hooking up my computer to the system for music.  And he came through as always.  Patient, providing alternatives with various costs.  He is  so knowledgeable, intelligent, consumer friendly and real.  Check out his website.

About AV Automation | AV Home Automation

E.A.S.T. Day #2

The morning started at East 381/2 St where we saw Cut It Up Mosaics.  Across the street a glass blower.  Then more mosaics by Aly Winningham on 16th Street whom I've been following since last December.  This year at the Armadillo Fare I will definitely purchase a mosaic of hers.  She is spectacularly talented.  Then we went to studio 1011 in a beautifully designed home with more light than you could imagine.  We particularly liked the work of Jeanne Philquist and Terrell Powell.  Lunch at Blue Dahlia and then hung out with Liz for a while as she continued to show her photos and chat with friends.  This has been a truly wonderful week-end for the lovers and likers of artists.

E.A.S.T. and Liz is Eastward Bound

We began our first journey through E.A.S.T with a stop at Pine Street Station where we saw Liz and her photos and many more talented artists in the space managed by Reji Thomas.  I just love this crawl through artists' studios.  We visited a number of galleries and homes and I cannot say enough about Austin talent and Austin viewers.

Our Liz is bound to East Austin  12/1.  And I am happy for her.  She'll share a house with 3 other women and chickens.  The East is where she should be.  So creative, unpretentious, filled with artistic people, hard working, diverse.  Just like we raised her in Brooklyn. 

Today I met a jewelry maker at E.A.S.T who told me I did a good job when I said I was Liz's mama.  What could be better than that ever?????

THE SKIN I LIVE IN

While this has received some mixed reviews The Chronicle recommended it with 4 stars. Both Abe and I agree.  This is an unusual film well cast with Antonio Banderas and the exquisite Elena Anaya.  Pedro Almodovar pushes the card in this film about revenge, gender, beauty, mother/son relationships and the extremes that humans go to to pursue their obsessions.  This is a beautifully shot film that is visually enticing and rewarding.  Abe thought it was a dream, not a film.  It had Almodovar's signature all over it.  I recommend for sure.

E.A.S.T.

Check out this  recommended short list of which artists to see at the East Austin Studio Tour this week-end and for 9 days more. First photographer listed is Liz Moskowitz.

Bite-sized E.A.S.T lists for shutterbugs, thrill-seekers, furniture fanatics, jewelers and 3D buffs - 2011-Nov-09- CultureMap Austin

Second audition today for CAFE AT THE END OF TIME.  We'll see.  Tonight I'm back to class with Marco.

SELAH / Lecture at UT

Have you ever been in the presence of someone that makes you feel if the world had more people like this you'd think the world is a good place?  A person you so admire for taking the journey he took and then  shared it with you that you want to kiss and hug him and say "thank-you" a million times?  Well today our lecturer was just that man.  David Bamberger, 83y.o. (and so cute) the land owner and steward of the largest habitat restoration  in Texas called SELAH, a Hebrew word meaning stop, look, reflect.  5500 acres of the "worst property in Texas" as his land reviewer told him in 1969 when he bought the land.  And today through his low cost and no cost conservation practices he showed us slides of the most beautiful Hill Country land.  Lush with grasses, waterways, creeks, lakes, animals of all sorts and centers to teach other people how to love our earth, plant the right natural habitat seeds, vegetation, trees,and  grass.    I loved listening to this warm, funny and smart man who has worked with young Texas A&M graduates who love this earth as much as he does.  No politics here (we all know Aggies are conservative).  But regardless of politics being with people who care about our planet is inspiring and up-lifting and the very best way to show concern for the human predicament.   Amen!

CARAVAGGIO/Austin Film Society

We're back to Essential Cinemas and tonight's film written and directed by Derek Jarman (1986) was visually beautiful (like many beautiful paintings), unique, and so well acted by Tilda Swinton, Nigel Terry and Sean Bean.  I knew so little of this Italian artist and even less of his incredibly tumultuous life.  Chale's notes share a history of an artist pushing life to the edges sexually, behaviorally, socially and psychologically.  I am always attracted to figures who express their art radically and live their lives unusually.  I imagine it feeds a yearning to be closer to the wild side of life.  That's what I love about films.  They allow you to safely learn more of the human condition and experience lives of people you would never ever meet.

IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY

Tonight we saw this wonderful film with remarkable performances by Keir Gilchrist and Zach Galifianakis.  God that guy is talented and so real.  Emma Roberts did a fine job as well as a cutter on a psych in pt unit.  The movie about a 16yo suicidal teen who gets himself admitted to an adult psych unit brought us back to our home turf in Brooklyn when  he reminisces about his good life in the 8th grade when he bicycled through Coney Island, Bayridge, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and the Brooklyn Bridge with his best friend.  This film is so refreshing in it's lack of stereotypical villains causing his depression.  He acknowledges a loving family, good friends, essentially a good life.  And also acknowledges he lives in this crazy world  of fierce competition to do well in every aspect of life which of course centers around his getting into a summer school program that his father believes will pave his entry to the good life.  This kid has projectile vomitting which  really is the appropriate response to this stress.  Abe and I came away from this film just loving the kindness one can find on an in pt unit between staff and pts and the supportive community some pts create.  A lovely film that will leave you smiling.

The Hill Country

Today Reed drove us through the hill country with stops along the way at a winery, Comfort and Luckenbach.  He is an A-1 Texas tour guide and we are so lucky to have made this kind and fun loving friend in Austin.  The weather had big clouds rolling in and some spots of rain but it made the terrain beautiful.  We first stopped in a winery where we tasted reds and whites and Reed bought himself a bottle of good wine.  Then on to this beautiful restored town of Comfort where I talked to four longhorns on this magnificent  compound of stone houses and pasture.  We had a really delicious healthy lunch at an outdoor cafe.    On the journey I  saw ranches and farms with angus cattle, horses, ostriches, llamas, cows, goats, sheep.  We stopped at a dance hall in Luckenbach where I listened to a live band, drank part of a cold Shiners Bock and enjoyed being around people in jeans and cowboy boots and lots of cowboy hats.  What made it so special was Abe didn't have to drive, was happy and relaxed, didn't have to cuss at every person on a cell phone while driving and really got to see the countryside and laugh at Reed's humor.  One of our nicest days in Austin.  Thank-you Reed.

CAFE AT THE END OF TIME

Auditioned today at the Dougherty Center for a role in this theater piece about a gay bar and the patrons who visit it.  Fun audition.  And as always we shall see.

Follow Up:   AND I didn't get the part.  Nevertheless 3 fun auditions!

TAKE SHELTER

Jeff Nichols has written and directed an exquisite film so beautifully and artistically shot.   Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain are lyrical, beautiful, exquisite in their roles as a couple who love each other deeply throughout the stresses that life throws their way.  Small town America is portrayed without condescension and humbly.  Abe liked this film and Reed and I loved this film. 

We then went to Whole Foods for wine and pizza and of course Reed runs into back in the day folks and always has interesting stories to share about Austin back in the day.

Abe's BD Blues

AHHHHH!  It's Abe's birthday today and he absolutely dislikes celebrating his bd and being reminded he's a year older.  So me?  I do everything in my power to make this a better day for him.  I found a watch at the Blanton designed by an architect who built modern glass buildings in Park Slope (fusion of Abe's worlds).  Ran to Central Market really early to get cut flowers (he loves fresh flowers in the house); bought all of his favorite foods to cook (shrimp with broccoli, sesame chicken, guacamole from scratch), baked him a fudge cake, Liz will join us for dinner as will Reed (that's a surprise), agreed to call his Mom this afternoon because he won't be able to as  he's at work.  He did play tennis this a.m. which he loves.   I am committed to letting him know he is the very best partner (even when he drives me crazy) and cutest medicare eligible and card carrying holder that I could have ever hooked up with.  Happy Birthday Abey!
Post Script:  A huge success.  Abe was happy to have Reed join us and liked the surprise.  Liz made a hysterical card of Abe in different types of hair.  Everyone complimented the food and Liz said it was a fun night.  Most important was that Abe enjoyed the evening..

UT OLLI/Evan Smith Lecture

Our morning seminars continue to be interesting, informative and stimulating.  Ethics is serious, provocative  and so well taught. Sports, Sports, Sports is so entertaining.  And moving!

This afternoon Evan Smith the CEO and editor of THE TEXAS TRIBUNE spoke to us about the nonprofit paper and politics, local and national.  He is very intelligent, articulate, well informed and kept us interested and engaged.   What is so apparent throughout the day is this is a community of people who share ideas, listen and  feel comfortable with sharing different points of view.  I guess we're all older and some are even much much older.

Sarah Silverman presents LIVE FROM N********* at the Paramount

Tonight Abe and I attended a fundraiser for the NAACP at the Paramount.  Sarah performed with Tig Notaro, Ian Edwards, Suli McCullough, Dwayne Kennedy and Jamie Kilstein in an event that had us consistently laughing at the intelligent and satirical humor thrown at us.  Our favorite performers aside from Sarah were Tig Notaro and Dwayne Kennedy.  It was good being in a Texas theater with an audience that laughed heartily at jokes that are left wing, radical, raunchy, sexy, not politically correct and very opposed to our governor and racism.    We spent the night laughing for a good cause.  It felt wonderful!

Halloween in Austin

Most importantly NO SNOW!!!  The city parties all week-end, dancing in the streets since Friday.  In the 3 Halloweens we've been here not one kid or adult has come Trick or Treating!  I guess I'll just save the candy for next year....kidding!  Follow-Up:  Abe told me one little boy rang the bell this evening.  And when Abe waved to the boy's father and said something to him the little boy said "he doesn't hear you, he's deaf."  Happy Halloween in Austin.

Trinity Street Players/Three Viewings

This afternoon I soloed up to First Baptist Church on Trinity and 9th st to see Jeffrey Hatcher's THREE VIEWINGS.  It's a black box theater that reminds me so of Public Theater in SoHo.  The top performance goes to Linda Miller Raf who plays Mac, a woman who robs cadavers in their coffins.  She is a very good actor.  I auditioned for this and did not get a part.  It was nice going back to see the selected performer.  I can see that I was not the right age for either part..too old/too young. The director and asst director were warm and remembered me.  Not bad for this newcomer.

Master Pancake spoofs HALLOWEEN/HUGOS

What fun!!!!  John Erler and partner Joe Parsons outdid themselves with this spoof of this awful movie.  And when Joe entered the audience wearing the Mike Myers mask and stood behind me I screamed my head off.  Abe said I could be hired as a plant it was so funny!  After this spoof Reed, Abe and I  headed to a new restaurant on S. Lamar, HUGOS.    Delicious, beautiful atmosphere, great service, FREE PARKING, great affordable prices.  What a lovely restaurant.  Hats off to new owner Magna Sampaio!!!!

East Side Studio Tour 2011/ Liz Moskowitz Photography

When we first arrived in Austin we spent a week-end at this artists' crawl.  From gallery to studio we were so impressed with the artists' talent.   And now our girl (oops woman) Liz Moskowitz has her photography represented in this quintessential Austin  artists' event celebrating Austin's artists.  We are so proud.  Her photos will exhibit at Pine Street Station (1101 East 5th Street).  The photos selected are from SUNDAYS portraying Indonesian and Filipino domestic workers living in Hong Kong.  These are photos taken with an empathetic heart.  Check them out for yourself.  And please support Austin artists.

Liz Moskowitz Photography

Austin Film Festival Final Day #8

Tonight we headed up to the Paramount to see Nancy Savoca's UNION SQUARE, a story of 2 estranged Bronx sisters.  A shout out to Mira Sorvino who played this unbalanced emotional and labile character with extraordinary honesty and great depth of feeling.  Tammy Blanchard as her sister was well cast as was her friend, Daphne Rubin-Vega. This reminder of my Bronx roots and Union Square with it's DSW, Feline's Basement and Farmer's Market made the film even more appealing to me.  It was great hearing people talk like me and call Manhattan "downtown." 

I met Abe at Roaring Fork prior to the film.  Once again my favorite Happy Hour haunt with the greatest chicken tortilla soup!  And so we close AFF for the year.  We'll be back!

UT OLLI/ Austin Film Festival Day #7

Fine day at UT today with Abe.  First 2 Seminars continue to keep us very interested.  We go from ethical issues to Sports and the teachers are both excellent.  The afternoon lecture was from a deep sea diver (woman) who was on the team that explored  a mine sweeper sunk at Pearl Harbor.  Not much of our interest here.
I stayed on campus and went over to the AT&T conference center while I waited to see A SWINGIN' TRIO, our neighbor Kelvin Phillips' film which made the list at AFF. The film was very well written and directed by Kelvin.  This evening it was well attended as well.   Hats off to you Kelvin.

Austin Film Festival Day #6

This afternoon I soloed it to SHORTS at the Hideout.  As always waiting on line with our favorite Welsh director and a lovely teacher we've met from Milwaukee adds to the great experience.  Shorts 4 were the best films I have seen in the festival.  (Along with GIN & DRY).  MWANSA THE GREAT was everyone's favorite.  An African film about children's fantasy play.  So creative and so well done.  Don't forget the name...catch it wherever and whenever.  A harrowing film WHAT TO BRING TO AMERICA about female circumcision in a modern Muslim setting had me cringing!!!! And yearning for a drink when it was over! PROTECT THE NATION about a child's hustling life in S.Africa had me cringing as well.  So well done by a NY young woman.  SHOOT THE MOON was about our modern economy and people losing their homes.  The relationship between the mother and teenage daughter was so well written and acted. The second set of shorts were too weird for my taste (think a  father's comically plotting to kill his young son----yech!)

A good day at AFF!  Tomorrow evening one more after UT OLLI.

John Malkovich in THE INFERNAL COMEDY

An absolutely unique, enjoyable theatrical event with Mr. Malkovich who tops the charts for me in unique, creative and natural performance.  His comfort with the stage and audience is so apparent tonight when he plays a Viennese serial killer on stage with 2 exquisite sopranos and a baroque orchestra.  Run don't walk to this UNUSUAL piece of theater.  We passed up AFF Day #5 for this.  We were not disappointed one bit.  I'll be back at AFF tomorrow to finally see some shorts now that everyone's gone back to their lives from wherever.

Austin Film Festival Day #4

Got up early as we were really psyched to see SAL at the Paramount.  A film about Sal Mineo (a fellow Bronxite) directed by James Franco who would be in attendance.  The lines were enormous around the block but we got in.  What a disappointment.  SLOW moving film of the last day of Mineo's life.  Think watching teeth getting brushed and working  out in the gym and kissing your neighbors dog (adorable) for a whole film.  The camera shots are close up and painfully slow and boring.  The music throughout was sung by a jazz singer who made me want to pull my hair out.  It seems James is studying film and this was a project for class.  You could tell. But his comments before and the Q&A were very good.
 This evening we saw a Texas made film that was Texas through and through: DEEP IN THE HEART.  A true story of a horrible alcoholic who abuses his family and after 16 years of his low life rises up to become a self made businessman and rancher.  A philanthropist who sends many rural Texan teens to college on scholarships.  Marco Parella, my acting teacher is in the opening scene as a hard nosed angry father who punishes his kid with a strap.  While Abe and I both enjoyed this Texas story neither of us thought it would distribute to a mainstream audience.
A highlight of this evening was spending more than an hour on line with the director and producers of GIN AND DRY, our favorite Welsh filmmakers.  Who once again gave us another DVD!  So while the movies weren't over the moon great today the entire experience was very enjoyable.  Discussing films with foreign filmmakers who love American films cannot be beat.

Austin Film Festival Day#3

What a way to start the day!  Of course the gym came first.    We left our car on our side of the bridge and walked over to the Austin Convention Ctr to see AGE OF CHAMPIONSHIP.  A beautiful documentary of the Senior Olympics.  The audience gave the filmmakers' subjects a standing ovation.  This is a beautiful documentary that should be shown in Middle Schools throughout the country to combat ageism.  Don't miss this film.  It is so inspiring.

 Then came AN ORDINARY FAMILY.  A beautiful film about family, faith and a brother's coming out of the closet.  Shot in Austin with an ensemble that will make you feel life as a film person in Austin is so good.

We headed over to the Stephen Austin for drinks outside and then up to the Texas Spirit Theater for BENEATH THE DARKNESS with Dennis Quaid, a world premier.    Blech, yuch.  You can miss this one.

Austin Film Festival Day #2

We began the day with Shorts 2 at the Hideout.  Only seats 90 but miraculously we got in (by the hairs on our ..)  Some were extremely well made.  Our favorite was GIN & DRY (UK) about seniors living in a facility which has had a shortage of alcohol for its residents who are generally treated like fools with no rights.  These residents are funny, charming and very much alive.  The central character is a professional actor who will touch you to the core.  Abe and I were fortunate enough to meet the director and producer to thank them for their skill and sensitivity.  They then gave us a DVD of the film which we will cherish.  We were unable to get into the next series of shorts and ran over to the Ritz where we saw WE CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN, a restored hippie dippie acid like restoration of Nicholas Ray's film made in the 70's with his Harpur students. (Ray is the director of REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE). His 4th wife has put this film together and his biographer Patrick Mc Gilligan was with us for a Q&A.  While the film drove us up the wall in its disconnected lava lamp like footage of stoned, high drama young men and women (all with Bronx and Queens accents) the Q&A that followed was the best I have ever been to.  The biographer gave us an empathetic view of the positive effect teaching at Harpur brought to Mr. Ray's life after a period of steep decline.  The comments from the audience (think film students from the 60's and 70's) were intelligent, informative and lacked any self promotion.  So once again by keeping  an open mind you might not like a film but you sure might like the discussion that follows.

We waited and waited and did not get into THE RUM DIARY.  I did catch a glimpse of  Johnny Depp and oh yes......he is adorable!!!!!!!  So instead we ate pizza.  More tomorrow.

Austin Film Festival

Tonight's opening films did not disappoint.  We start  at the Paramount with the  enjoyable waiting on line with interesting friendly smart folks who love films.  And now that we've lived here for 2+ years we see familiar faces from AFF, UT, and people from my acting classes.  The first film we saw was BUTTER.  Do not miss this hysterical satire of America and it's politics.  The story is incredibly well written by Jason Micallef.  Did you know that they have butter sculpture contests in Iowa?  And that this stuff is taken quite seriously?  So here's Jennifer Garner, a Sarah Palin personality who ends up competing with a 10 y.o. smart black foster child..a girl..but Obama all the way.  This movie got 5 stars from everyone we spoke to and is thoroughly enjoyable.
Moving on to darkness is a psychological thriller, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE.  A story of a young girl very troubled by her stay in a cult with a Charlie Manson type figure played exceptionally well by the scary John Hawkes.  Elizabeth Olsen delivers an exceptional performance as the traumatized girl who returns to an older sister totally messed up.  This movie is very well acted and directed but it's quick black out ending is disappointing.  The acting is incredible and for that alone I would recommend it.  More to come tomorrow.

UT/OLLI and Reed's Home

School was great today!  Two seminars continue to be engaging, interesting with fabulous teachers.  I am just loving SPORTS, SPORTS,SPORTS.  Can you imagine?  Good discussions in both classes.  This afternoon's lecture  was about the importance of music throughout history.  Taught by a fabulous music/opera Educator, Margaret Perry from the Austin Lyric Opera.  Ran home to cook to celebrate Reed's return from Missoula.

Nice dinner, good wine, good conversation, and Liz joined us.   Up early tomorrow to have a tooth pulled.  YUCK!!!!  But tomorrow night begins AFF.  Now that I'm looking forward to.  Makes up for the sucky morning.

Austin Film Society/THE MUSIC LOVERS

More of Ken Russell tonight with this fabulous look at Peter Tchaikovsky's turbulent life filled with torment and raging conflict.  Who ever could imagine Dr. Kildare, every pre- pubescent girls heart throb performing with such range and emotion?  This period piece is well staged, well shot, well acted.  Glenda Jackson is brilliant as Tchaikovsky's tormented wife.  Once again "a movie obsessed kid from a seaside town" has gone on to make his own award winning films.  And thank-you AFS and Bryan Poyser for bringing us this lesser acclaimed film with great program notes.

Abe commented  that this director has proved to be one of his all time favorites.  My guy is a lover of horror, gangster and murderous films.  The joy of being exposed to something you wouldn't self select is not to be taken lightly.

A Day in the Life/The Moskowitz Family and Austin

I start my day at Gold's Gym, drop Abe off at  Skyline Terrace where he is  a social work consultant.  Pick Abe up and we both drive Liz to a job interview at  the Boys and Girls club up in the North.  The job is for a coordinator for after school programs for adolescents.  While she's a photographer her heart also lies in making the world a better place and her parents' social work histories have made an impression I guess.

And then we came home and gardened.  Tore up a dead tree and salvaged it's base just in case it has a last leg.  Planted indigenous grasses, lily turfs, and firecracker plants.  We cleaned up leaves and then sat on our bench drinking wine and marveling our good fortune to be in such a beautiful home and place in the worst economy imaginable  Abe never quite feels what I feel about this.  But I must admit I feel a direct relationship between   36 years helping others who no one else cares about, earning little money and now  this beautiful life in Austin.  I admit I thank God and Abe of course.

Back to Gardening/Audition

Major gardening once again with trips to The Great Outdoors and Home Depot.  Succulents, succulents, and more and a mexican lime tree and lily turf.  Tried and true liveable and sustainable through our drought.

An audition for a Different Stages production of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour.  A group audition with women who have  broad theater acting skills and can speak with accents.   I am not trained in that form of acting and don't have the skills necessary.  I went in to the audition with low expectations and wanted the experience.  And that is what it was.  I'll be back to Marco's class for film acting in November. 

El Anatsui/SPRING AWAKENING

Today was filled with perfect weather, a wonderful art exhibit at the Blanton and a really good rock musical at Zach theater.  I recommend both events.

Pammy and my visit comes to an end now as she leaves in the early a.m.   God it was good!

Karaoke at Ego's

What a great day with Pam.  In the a.m.the gym, lunch under the oaks upstairs, dinner at SoCoCafe with Liz and then on to karaoke and dancin' at Ego's with Liz, Lindsey, Stav, Jeff and a host of her other friends from Pearl St. Co-op and Harris Ave CO-OP.  Pammy and I danced, sang off key and were delighted to be in such a funky place.  With such warm and energetic folks.  Austin you shine for me and my friend!  And I just love seeing my kid so happy with her friends.  Night y'all.

RESTLESS at the Violet Crown

Pammy's in town and in this glorious weather we spent the afternoon under the oaks on the 3rd floor terrace eating, drinking, talking.  We headed up to the Violet Crown to see this wonderful film starring Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper.  These are terrific actors beautifully telling a story of grief, loss, fear and love.  Even the dying Annabelle's mother, an alcoholic, is portrayed with enormous empathy.  The kamikaze ghost is a wonderful figure that helps guide this young man through a horrible loss.  Pam and I loved this film but both agreed it was a reach to have Annabelle looking so healthy and beautiful during her last 3 months.  I'm sure it was an artistic choice made by the director.
Following the film we headed over to the 4 Seasons where we ate outdoors, talked, laughed, and were reminded of how happy we are to be together once again.

WHO LIVES, WHO DIES, WHO DECIDES?

We're back at school each Wednesday at UT (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute).   Today was 2 for two on our seminar selections.  First was a brilliant liberal arts educator and humanist, Sheldon Ekland-Olson.  This Ivy educated human with warmth and enormous academic intelligence discusses life and death ethical issues in an open-minded style that encourages participation and different POVs.  We loved this class.  Then Sports, Sports, Sports.  What a hoot.  Music, videos, history and such fun taught by an extremely enthusiastic sports fan.  While I have never been a fan of competitive sports this teacher really brings it on!
The afternoon was a lecture by a social psychologist about the use of pronouns and what it says about the speaker.  A bit stiff and researchy for my taste, but a good speaker nevertheless.  The names of speakers and courses can be found on OLLI/Nova/UT.  I'm glad we're back at school.  A good choice.

TOMMY/Austin Film Society Goin' For Baroque

The first film in this Essential Cinema Series was one of my all time favorites from back in the day.  The music from The Who so easily comes back and you find yourself singing even when the sound goes off and Tina Turner is doing her fabulous Acid Queen number.  And all the old hippies in the audience laugh and were probably singing along as well.  And who can forget how absolutely gorgeous Roger Daltrey was?  Oliver Reed, Ann Margaret are so natural in their far out freaky roles and Elton John is adorable and slams it home with Pinball Wizard.   Jack Nicholson as the doc with his accented flair,  singing his lines and seducing Ann Margaret is cute!!!   But the best of all is the music, the lyrics, bringing me right back to 1975, a very different world for all of us.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Thank-you AFS for the great reminder.

IDES OF MARCH

This is such a well made film with extraordinary performances by Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman and everyone else.  Abe and I went to the Westgate after the gym and it was a great way to spend the afternoon.  I was so happy just to chill with him.  A finely made film about politics in this country.  It could make you pull your hair out.  And ask...when will these powerful men learn to not fuck 20 y.o.interns?  Don't miss this...it's a wonderful film.

50/50

I soloed this today at the Westgate as Abe watched football and Liz and Josh and friends headed up to bar-b-cue at Franklin's.  Some good down time for mama.  I have admired and loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt's skill and talent  since I saw him as a sexually abused kid in MYSTERIOUS SKIN.  And now I can add Seth Rogen to that category of actors.  This is a wonderful film about illness, family, friendship, an imperfect but human therapist and a very imperfect M.D.  Everyone should have a Seth Rogan in their lives when faced with a crisis of health.  He knows just what to do, what to say and how to behave.  I loved the way he treated his friend.  So real.  No bullshit.  And I loved Anjelica Huston as a Mama.  She is the real thing!

More football for the guys right now and then of course we all 4 head to Polvo's before Josh heads home.  He would not leave Austin without a stop to his favorite restaurant.

Yom Kippur 5772

The four of us went to CBI this morning for services and then Josh hit Freddies to watch football where Abe joined him.  I prepared the break fast meal and then headed up to UT Hillel for Yizkor (Memorial Services) where a prayer is said in honor of my parents. 
Tonight we broke the fast with Jeffrey Kroll, Liz's photography boss, our luscious Lindsey and the 4 Moskowitzes.  It was all worth it.  Cooking, baking, drinking the slivovitz bought by Jeffrey (STRONG) and sharing lots of stories and laughs.  And I move on to another year of making mistakes, not being perfect and loving life.  Now I prepare for Pammy's visit on Thursday.  Now this should be fun!!!!

Kol Nidre

Tonight marks the beginning of our Day of Atonement.  The Kol Nidre service, one of my favorites, addresses the vows we made the past year and erases the slate clean.  So that you can start afresh and do an inventory of your values, your treatment of people, your ethical foundation and make new vows.  The music is beautiful.   Tonight we will listen live stream from WQXR to the service from Temple Emmanuel on 5th Ave in Manhattan.  Josh is flying in from D.C. and we'll pick him up. I have cooked, shopped, baked and even planted some new succulents and cacti in pots.  Liz and I fast until tomorrow night.  The guys are less observant and do as they please.  We light memorial lights for our parents (Ben and Pearl Scherer and Jacob Moskowitz).  They burn for 24 hours.  Our meal tonight of course is chicken soup with matzoh balls, roasted potatoes, roasted chicken and chicken wings for Liz, peas and salads.  I've baked chocolate chunk cookies and jelly thumbprint cookies (Pammy and Liz's favorites).  To all of our friends I wish  L'Shana Tovah.

Austin Film Festival Line-Up

We've been attending this festival since we arrived here in 2009.  It was a great introduction to the film community here and with our film passes we waited on line with the friendliest Austinites who love films and are so knowledgeable.  We met directors, writers, people who just love Brooklyn and we eventually learned how to negotiate the festival.  We buy film passes for $42 and stay away from the smaller venues.  While we love the large mainstream films at the Paramount we also love the shorts.  And meeting the filmmakers at the Q and As.  I've seen many films here before they get to NY and so I send my posts back there for my friends who just love getting the feedback.

This morning I spent a couple of hours going over all of the films, making selections and finally finding the print-out which would require just a circle around the selections.   Tech savvy I am not.

And on that note an acknowledgment of Steve Job who died much too young and did indeed bring the geeky world of computers to the liberal art touchy feely artsy fartsy social work world I have inhabited for a lifetime.  May you rest in peace Mr. Job.

GROWING UP AMISH

That's what I'm reading now with THE CHILDREN's HOUR in preparation for an audition.  The gym,  cooking, preparing for Josh's visit and Yom Kippur break fast and LOVING this weather is how the day was spent.  Reed called from Missoula and our Midland native soon to return.  All is well and life is kind.  Now if we could do something about healthcare, the economy, the Tea Party and the Republicans life would be close to perfect.

PEKING OPERA BLUES/AFS

Tonight was the final film of the Hong Kong series.  This film made by Tsui Hark who studied filmmaking at UT is boldacious, energetic, BEAUTIFUL to look at, funny, rapid in movement, and it's  3 leading women are drop dead beautiful.  The two young men they hook up with in their escapades are quite adorable as well and one reminded me of Harry Potter with his round glasses and scarf.  Chale's program notes (5 pages tonight!) provide great historical perspective and I wonder how I've ever watched a foreign film without Chale's notes.  This film is an action film, a martial arts film, a shoot em up keystone cops film.  We saw it on Blue Ray and the quality of the film was beautiful to watch.  The audience thoroughly enjoyed the misspelled and incorrect subtitles which added to the light heartedness of the film.  Once again a terrific choice that both Abe and I loved.

The day started at KUT where I volunteered a 4 hour shift during John Aielli's Eklektikos. The phones did not stop ringing and we brought in $30K+ during this shift.  Can you imagine?  It is a pleasure sitting next to my acting buddy Rudi Lee while we answer the phones.  KUT was such a helpful transitional tool when I first arrived from Brooklyn.  I love this station, the music, the announcers and will be a loyal volunteer.  Night y'all.

Adele 21

I LOVE to dance when I cook.  And sing when I know the words (think Bob Dylan, Carly Simon, James Taylor).  I just bought Adele 21 and Sarah Jarosz's latest CDs.  And this is cookin' music!

Today we ventured to Goodwill on S. Lamar to make donations and donate $ to their youth program.  Goodwill is good at hiring youths that would otherwise not find work.  I love programs like this.  Of course while I was there I looked at stuff for me and Abe.  And what did I find?...a brand new Patagonia dress!  $79 when it first was advertised and then $50 at their first sale.  And I found it in teal blue for $8.99!  Oh the joys of retirement and time.  Nothing could take the shopper out of me.  And this is the town to do that shopping in!

DRIVE and John Philip Sousa

We walked over the 1st St Bridge in this glorious weather to a park on 9th and Guadalupe to hear SOUSA ON THE SQUARE by the Brass Ensemble from the Austin Symphony.  I love marching music...it makes you move your feet and is so up-beat.  We then walked over to the Alamo Ritz to see DRIVE which has gotten rave reviews.
 WOW!!!!!  So much violence and Jewish gangsters!!!!  Intense physical acting from Ryan Gosling with little dialogue.  Michelle Williams not doing much...looking cute.  She was much much better in Blue Valentine. The story line had gaping holes and I found myself asking questions throughout:  Where did he learn his ability to brutally kill, how does she have such a nice apt on a waitress's  salary, how come her kid doesn't go to school, how come he hasn't slept with her yet...on and on.  For me this never works.  Abe said 50/50 and believe me...he loves violence in films.  You decide.

Ballet Austin/ The Mozart Project

Tonight we headed to the Long Center to see this great program choreographed by Steve Miller. This was a collaborative effort with a program of 3 dances with music inspired by Mozart.  First a classical and whimsical dance with music performed by Dr. Michelle Schumann and the Austin Chamber Music Center.  Then an edgy more modern piece with music by the fabulous Austin composer Graham Reynolds.  Every time we hear music composed by this guy Abe and I are so impressed and happy.  And finally a really contemporary piece with music by Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky, based on Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.  We stayed following the performance for a Q&A given by the composers and Steve Miller.  The collaborative effort and process was discussed in terms that explained so well what we had just experienced.  The music and dance was put together in 5 weeks.  So hard to imagine.  Do not let anyone tell you that the ballet in Austin is nothing compared to NY.  This is so untrue.  The dancers were really good technicians and performers.  Abe always leaves  the ballet in Austin stating it tops everything else that we do.  Now that makes me happy.

MONEYBALL

Ooooohhhhh!  This is a terrific baseball film.  True story about the Oakland A's.  Great performances by Brad Pitt (who produced as well) and Jonah Hill. Abe and I loved it.  Heard from Josh today who phoned from NY where he's visiting with Abbey his back again girlfriend.  Called to wish us a Happy new Year.  A touch of grace and sweeeeeet!

CBI/The 4 Seasons

Today we attended services at the Smith Auditorium at Congregation Beth Israel.  A young woman rabbi who was warm and relevant.  Another  woman rabbi educator  gave a pertinent and  informative sermon and two shofar blowers who couldn't blow the shofar for a darn  were filled with good humor and gave it a good try.  The congregation enjoyed their attempts.  Abe, Liz and I  all missed Jules, a professional French horn player who blew a heavenly shofar and trained all of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids back in Park Slope in the chanting of their torah portions.

We went for lunch at the 4 Seasons, a really delicious meal.  The maitr d is a former NYC guy who reminds us so much of JERSEY BOYS.  The last time we saw him was last year at Rosh Hashanah.  We all remembered each other, wished each other l'shanah tovah and felt so happy to share the day with Liz.

L'Shana Tovah/Happy New Year

Tonight begins the start of our Jewish New Year, the High Holy Days, the Days of Awe.  For us non observant  Jews it still remains a time to stand back and reflect about your own ethical life, pay honor to your lost ones and to bring in the New Year with challah (braided bread) and honey.  Instead of matzoh ball soup and chicken, Abe and Liz will get chicken with herbs and roasted vegetables, and salmon in caribbean bar-b-cue sauce.

Not many Austinites know about our New Year.  It's 5772 on our calendar.  We wish you a happy and healthy new year with a lot of nachas (joy) from your children. 

I am fortunate to once again celebrate a new year in my new found homeland.

THE KILLER/Austin Film Society

Moving along in our Hong Kong Series we got to see this shoot-em-up action film that was my favorite thus far.  While Chale had warned us about the 60, 000 shots fired and some close women friends refusing to see it because of it's violence I found the themes of loyalty, love, honor, fixing a terrible mistake appealed to my very female interests.  The killing was not for killing sake and I loved the emotional relationships of the cop and killer and the killer and his girlfriend.  An intern (Programming Apprentice) provided 4 pages of program notes that were more than thorough.  My favorite piece of info is that John Woo got his love of films from his mother who took him regularly to the cinema as a child because he could get in for free. How many filmmakers have shared that history?  Going to the films every week-end because they were poor and having their worlds made so much larger. I was brought to films at a very early age in the Bronx by a poor mother. Many adult films that I remember vividly.  I continued that practice throughout my own life and  then my children's lives.  When people ask me how I get the energy to do as much as I do here in Austin the answer is quite simple for me.  I am not "doing" anything just keeping my mind and heart open to receive other people's experiences, interpretations, thoughts about life.  By being in the audience I have received so much.  It is the filmmaker that is doing all of the "doing."

KUT Fall Membership Drive

I volunteered to work the phones this morning up at Communications B where KUT broadcasts from.  Who greets me at the door but my good acting buddy Rudi Lee?  Boy was I lucky!  She taught me the ropes,  helped me with  an interrupted call,  sat next to me  sharing stories, laughs and making me feel so welcome.  The time flew by, and  my favorite announcers walked through, John Aielli, Jay Trachtenburg, thanking us.  Rudi introduced me to her adorable son, Michael, a producer and KUT cartoon designer, pointed out the director, and advised me that lunch would be amazing!  She did not lie.  I had an empanada that tasted like a potato knish with a salad.  Breakfast, snacks, coffee, drinks were all donated by local food vendors.  DELICIOUS!  I walked off the empanada when I left (I hope) walking down to 5th St and Congress where I caught the #5 bus.  It was hot and the rains came after I walked in the house.  We reached our goal of $13K this morning which made me real happy.  In this group of volunteers there were 3 other Brooklynites!!  This was so much fun and productive, I signed up for another session next Tuesday.

Tonight is AFS and of course Abe wouldn't miss this one.  THE KILLER,a  John Woo film.

Jared Comes For Dinner

Liz has a new beau, guy, male friend whatever.  He is lovely.  Insightful, UT grad, working as a sound engineer, good looking, easy to talk to, good to Liz, respectful, on and on.  She's always had good taste in guys.  They're usually kind, thin, smart, hard working, soft spoken and gentle.  Just like her Dad.  Who's on his way home as I write.  Night y'all. 

SOCO CAFE

Dinner with Ria recently returned from Belgium...nice!  SOCO is not crowded on Sunday evenings.  Have to remember that.  No word yet about audition.  I'm getting used to this.  And finally Abe's home late tomorrow.  YAY!!!

Audition at the Dougherty Arts Center

Shortly after arriving in Austin I saw a casting call for a Horton Foote production of A CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN and auditioned with the director, Norman Blumensaadt from Different Stages. 
WHAT WAS I THINKING?  This is Horton Foote!  Texas through and through.  Of course I didn't get the part but Mr. Blumensaadt told me to take acting lessons and I listened. And for a year and a half I've been studying acting weekly (almost weekly).  And subsequently I have been cast in quite a number of student UT films.
 And today I auditioned for Lisa Kron's WELL, a production Abe and I had seen in NY at the Public Theater.  A production that made me so uncomfortable because the characters were so close to my own life.  And today, with acting classes under my belt, and NY and Jewish in my veins I auditioned and have been called back tomorrow.  And when Mr. Blumensaadt asked me if I would be willing to to be in the ensemble if I didn't get a larger part I danced for joy and wanted to give him a kiss, a hug, a hoot and a holler.  But I didn't.  He's not that kind of guy.   So instead I called Abe,Josh, Liz, Pam and Lenny and exploded.    Even if I don't get a part it is good enough.  I have studied, learned how to analyze a character, remember lines, be generous to my partners and LISTEN!  I am so appreciative.
And now a shout out to my Dad, Ben Scherer.  We're approaching Yom Kippur where we remember our loved ones whom we've lost.   When I was 4 and sat in front of our mirrored credenza crying he always told me to become an actress.  When I played the guitar as a 16y.o. he told me to become a performer.  He ALWAYS told me I had an ability to perform.  And now Papa, after all these years I have listened to you.  And I love to perform and I love you because it is you that comes out in every performance.  I got my personality from you!.  And now to my New York friends you can dry your eyes.

Les Petits Chanteurs of the Holy Trinity Music School

The earthquake in Haiti destroyed the Holy Trinity Music School of Port Au Prince, part of a complex that educates 1,000 students.  The Boys choir has been traveling and performing since the earthquake in order to rebuild the music school and replace the instruments.  This is their second visit to Austin and while the concert is free donations are suggested and collected. The program includes both sacred and Haitian music. They perform classical compositions in their own country.  My experience of Boys choirs is Brooklyn Boys and St. Thomas NYC.  One must forget those fine tuned polished choirs when listening to Les Petits Chanteurs.  It is best to put the singers and the musicians from the chamber ensemble in their proper context.  Haiti is the poorest country in our hemisphere with a history of continued civil conflict and a recent earthquake that was massive in its destruction. 300,000 Haitians are believed to have died and thousands are homeless, sick and unemployed. It is in this context that one receives the warmth and melody of the singers and musicians and their conductors.  I assure you this is a special and delightful way to receive music.  They are inspirational.  I heard them at All Saints Episcopal up on campus and they'll be continuing to perform in Austin for 3 more evenings.

Abe's still in NY with pouring rain.  And I miss him.  Night y'all.

Abe's in NY

His turn to travel back East to visit Mom, see friends, play handball.  I miss him!

GRANITO:HOW TO NAIL A DICTATOR/AFS

Pamela Yates has done the world a huge service by documenting the genocide of  the Mayan indigenous population in Guatemala in the 1980's.  Her film made in 1982 WHEN THE MOUNTAINS TREMBLE has provided the footage necessary to bring the top military and senior police officials to justice.  Just now people are being arrested for the genocide.  Her documentation of the indigenous people, their lives, their villages, their grief and pain at the loss of loved ones provides an  invaluable entry into a world so far from our own.  While I thought there were some editing difficulties the power of the people in this film is sufficient to make this a very good documentary.  I went with Liz who enjoyed it equally and we both came away feeling Pamela Yates is  an extraordinary woman.    I'm still stuck on Chale's intro where he states she left Appalachia at 16 and came to NYC.  Talk about a journey requiring courage!

Speaking of Chale.  It's his birthday.  And how did he spend it?  Bringing wonderful films to "good people."  His words.  Happy BD Chale!

SONG OF THE EXILE/Austin Film Society

I loved, loved, loved this film directed by a woman, Ann Hui,of mixed Asian lineage, Japanese and Chinese.  While Chale's notes as always gave great background info I understood this storyline even before getting home and reading them!  This film spoke to my favorite subject of familial relationships and the cultural differences in family dynamics. We observe two generations of estrangement from a mother and reconciliations, class consciousness and distinction, and the unique way the young woman in this film makes her own journey and choices to resolve her own inner turmoil.  The main character played by the BEAUTIFUL Maggie Cheung is so appealing.  She is intelligent, brave, expresses her emotions so naturally and fearlessly.  The cinematography is beautiful and the stories and photos we have heard and seen from Liz about Hong Kong and China made this film so attractive and personally enticing.  Abe loved this film as well.  Thank-you AFS and Chale for bringing us films from parts of the world I may never ever get to.  This broadens my own journey and as always will help me in my ongoing struggle to "keep an open mind."

Friendliness at Gold's Gym

Wendy, the beautiful PT from Body Pump gives me considerate suggestions to nurse my sore shoulder and acts like she really cares.  While setting up a guy R.N. tells me about a hysterical date he had in NYC trying to impress his date and figuring out the subway system on Friday before she gets there.  Needless to say the NYC transit system ALWAYS changes on the week-end for repairs.  They missed their stop and the relationship didn't last.  And Chester whom I haven't seen in months shows up lookin' mighty good after major medical remediation and gives me a hug and is warm to everyone.  Happy to be back.  Just a plain ol day in Austin with cooking, washing, reading and the good life with a  glass or two of wine.

AN AMERICAN MISSION

Have you ever approached a project or an invitation with enormous ambivalence? Not anticipating a comfortable time?  This is how I approached my all day shoot today at Mission Espada in San Antonio.  I was delighted when James Pinedo invited me to audition for his thesis project AN AMERICAN MISSION.  He wrote the screenplay about an event in a family that is close knit.  Like James'  real life family who joined us on the set, fed us, offered children to act and help direct and a father who helps with props.  James' Mom and aunt offered me great conversation, women talk and support when I wasn't on set.  Every character  is warm and nice and loving in this film.  Except for me, the Mrs. Milan character.  She is a bigot, who treats Abel, the father with absolute disrespect, disregard and disdain.  All of this in front of his children!!  So here I am.  A Jewish Brooklyn accented woman  loudly berating Abel  played by Mario Ramirez at a beautiful mission where tourists are visiting and brothers are tending to their tasks. And all that I received today, all day long,  was everyone's positive feedback, favorable comments, warmth, respect and affection.  James shot the scene (3 minutes long)12 times!!!!  You heard me right..12 times!!!!  And always thanked me for my energy and performance.  Even when I walked into a hanging flower pot and bunked my head!  (Think America's funniest blooper).

The best coda to a really fine day  was being driven home by TaNeil, one of the most unusual and beautiful young women I have ever met.  Ta neil drove me home for an hour through the scariest electrical thunder and lightening storm I have ever experienced.  For one hour!  I was so happy she is a super Christian religious person because I was praying to every god imaginable to get me home to Abe safely.  I have never been so afraid.  TaNeil assured me she is from Colorado and is accustomed to extreme weather.  This extraordinary young woman lives in a RV in a trailer park, drives to school each day, makes films, practices her faith and wears it publicly and well.  She asks to see photos of my kids, comes into my home, looks at photos of my kids, Liz's photo blog and SOW photos.  Sits on my terrace, tells me about her missions to Africa, travels, her life experiences and leaves me feeling like I had one of the best days in my life.  Thank-you James.  Thank-you TaNeil.

It Rained in Austin Today/Marco Parella's Acting Class

It rained today.  Real rain.  ACL is in town with all of the crowds and great music.  We listen on KUT.  One ACL experience  in the pouring rain at Zilker Park was enough.  I love the energy, the increased revenue.  But preferred taking Marco's class.  It's been a few weeks since I was there.  And boy, have I learned so much.  He's a tough task master and so well worth it!
But something sad happened.  One of the young men in the class (adorable I must say) played a scene from Schindler's List.  He did not know who fought in WWII.  Did not know who the allies were or who we fought.  No wonder this country is in trouble.  Otherwise, the garden is happy, so am I.

HIGHER GROUND

Today we saw this beautiful film directed by Vera Farmiga who had the starring role as well.  The setting is the 60's and a rare look into the born again Christian culture which existed  parallel to free love, drugs, antiwar protests.  How uninformed was I about the young people who joined this community. The screenplay is written by Carolyn Briggs and is based on her memoir.  It is beautifully acted and filmed with the main character being played by three actors over the years.  Taissa Farmiga, Vera's younger sister is fabulous as the teenage character. There are wonderful moments of great warmth between Vera and her close friend in the community and an open minded portrayal of this super religious group of people. I particularly liked the way people who have come and gone in each other's lives are allowed to still have strong feelings for one another.  I like that the man whom you feel will deliver her from this world turns out to be an Irish mailman.  I loved the way this independent woman declares her uniquness and does it all by herself.  Don't miss this film.

Speaking of closeness with women.  Today I had lunch with Judith at Madeline's and  gallivanted and shopped and talked and laughed.  When I walked in Abe commented "you had fun."  How right he was.

Pam Gets Tenure

YIPPEE!!!!!!  City College of New York has just latched on permanently to one of their finest English instructors.  Now they should only be nice to her!  And the English Department should grow up and learn how to stop  behaving like children!

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM at UT/AN AMERICAN MISSION

Tonight Jamaal got to present his directed scene in Andrew Shea's directing class at UT.  This is an emotionally driven scene and I am so appreciative that Jamaal cast me as Sarah.  I thoroughly enjoyed his direction and working with him in rehearsals.  And tonight when the professor asked him to give us another direction to make the relationship more intimate , instead of listening to what was suggested he turned to me and Alex and asked what could we improvise.  What felt real for us.  Prof Shea thanked us for our work.  I thank the students for giving me an opportunity to act.

After this class I headed off to James Pinedo's house where we rehearsed  AN AMERICAN MISSION.  His thesis project.  I play Mrs. Milan.  A bigot.  She's got the spice in the screenplay.  James allows me to make her even spicier.  I like that.