Capital Bikeshare

Can't say enough about this program.  11,000 people have signed up for it in D.C.  When will Austin get on board?  So smart for transportation and a reduced need for oil!  Who could ask for more?  Check out this link.  The guy with the beard is Brooklyn Born/ D.C. Grown and someone close to us...our guy Josh!


http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Gas_Prices_Boost_Bike_Share_Popularity_Washington_DC-121001854.html

THE FUNERAL BY Canyon Darcy

Today I was picked up at 8:30a.m. for a shoot of an original screenplay by Canyon Darcy.  I had a hard time with this script as there were no rehearsals and the lines were similar but dissimilar enough to make a difference!  And so I struggled.  But not in vain.  We got to the set at a private residence in Oak Hill and everything was arranged.  A coffin and chairs.  The best was the cast!  17yo identical twins who drove 3 1/2 hours to the set and Alex, a UT student.  All actor by appearance.

The sound people were pros, Taylor and Canyon had good equipment, and they conducted themselves with professionalism throughout the shoot.  It is a pleasure being with young filmmakers who work so collaboratively.  And they take suggestions so well.  Yes, by the afternoon it was as hot as hell could be imagined.  Yet this was all worth it. And I'd do it again and again.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Today we went to Pedernales, hiked, looked at birds through a binoculars, stuck our feet in the river (which is low because of the drought).  Reed drove us and we ate a great lunch at Creek Road Cafe in Dripping Springs.
Good fun company with Reed who is a master teaser and upbeat.  He provides great historical info about Texas.  This was our second hike since moving here.  Town Lake is more my speed.  What can I say?  We're city folk.

Mazel Tov to William and Kate.  They should live and be well and be happy and do good deeds!

Itzhak Perlman/Austin Symphony Celebrates 100 Years

After AFS one of my favorite sources of entertainment is the Austin Symphony led by Peter Bay.  Tonight the program was diverse, historical (they played the same two pieces by Mozart and Luigini they played 100 years ago on Opening Night) and creatively selected.  I heard a piece by Respighi PINES OF ROME that was just beautiful!  The audience approved.  Mr. Perlman played a violin concerto by Bruch and received numerous standing ovations.  There was a light show, cupcakes and champagne.  Joe Long who with his wife Teresa brought us the gift of Itzhak made a down home Texas speech with a broken microphone!  HEB sponsored the concert...what a town!..I soloed this event so was able to have a great seat.

Back to studying lines. 

Violet Crown Cinema/AFS

Finally!!!  Our own Film Forum, IFC, Angelika.    Right here on 2nd Street.  With free parking, a great looking cafe and in the heart of cool restaurants, yogurt and salad bars.  Could we ask for more?  A theater that shows indies, art films and foreign films.  No more stressing that Abe doesn't feel the drive to Arbor is worth it.  We're so used to hopping on the subway!

Tonight we saw THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK.  A great documentary about a wonderful and creative  man, politician, in a time of change in an era with so much potential. And Mayor Moscone.... a tragic loss for us all. The trial and outcome left us shocked and depleted. It was painful to be reminded.  The theater is beautiful, comfortable, four different screens and there was Agnes Varnum, AFS Marketing Director to greet us!  Who could ask for more?  AFS previewed the theater with a great selection of Criterion films.

Today was UT classes and as typical these days memorizing lines for a week-end student shoot.                   Night y'all.  I'm catching on.

Austin Film Society/XALA

We're still seeing post colonial African films by the filmmaker Ousmane Sembene and Abe and I are enjoying them.  They are straight-forward, very real and unpolished.  XALA (a curse) is a  film that satires the bourgeoisie that come into power after the French.  They are puppets of the French, accept bribes and never become independent.  The curse falls upon a businessman who thinks he has it all and decides to take on a 3rd wife.  She is young and virginal.  He is unable to consummate the marriage.  There are some hysterical scenes here.  The movie is not pure comedy as it harshly depicts what happens when you perpetuate the corruption of the previous regime.  The vengeance carried out by the "undesirables" is not pretty and very humiliating. 

On another note I wanted to comment on Austin buses.  I'm an MTA, NYCTA New Yorker.  And when Abe has the car and I have to bus it it's always an adventure.  And today getting to and from the gym by bus was quick, on time, and nobody on the bus was hallucinating.  There was a smelly drunk though.  It only cost $1.

What They Wore to Malina and Tony's

Oops...I goofed!  Malina wore a beautiful dress, Tony was handsome in a fitted shirt and slacks.  Diego, handsome as ever wore what he always wears but the shirt had buttons, and the other women wore dresses or beautiful shorts.  So it wasn't recycled t-shirts a la Austin...sorry. 

And the food!  Tony and Malina cooked for 3 days!  There was tabouleh, cucumber and tomato salad, stuffed cabbage, flounder, sausage, pickled onions and peppers, zatar bread, cheese pie, cheese and grits.  And the desserts...OMG.  Trifle, lemon bars, brownies, ice cream and ices, home made baklava.  Just gorgeous!

And the conversation and people:  interesting, interested, funny, intelligent, warm and real!  What a lovely dinner!

WHAT I WORE......AND HEELS OF COURSE (NYT April 24)

I have made a promise to not write anything negative about the arts or culture in this blog and here is my first broken promise.  Abe and I get the NYT on Sunday delivered.  A luxury we never had in NYC.  I always like reading the SUNDAY STYLES section as it keeps me abreast of social stuff (out of my league) and fun photos of NYC street fashion by Bill Cunningham...an 80+yo photographer.  I also love MODERN LOVE, a column that speaks to it's title.

More recently there has been a fashion column highlighting someone from the cultural scene's daily wardrobe.  The someone is more famous than you and I and they usually don't raise my ire.   Except today.  A Park Slope mother of 2 kids, 8 and 6y.o., the editor of GLAMOUR, writes with explicit detail everything she has worn and the designer's label in the last week...to meetings, to bed, to pick up her kids, on vacation, blah, blah, blah.  I cannot imagine that  in this economy the NYT would think it important or stoop so low to bring us an adolescent's dream wardrobe on a working woman. 

On a happier note ....Have a good day and if Easter is your holiday have a happy holiday.  We're going to Malina's and Tony's for Serbian food.  And I'm sure the fashion label will be Austin recycled t-shirts!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

Exciting story, very good performances, a lovable elephant.  A good mainstream film!  Boy do I prefer my indies!  Nevertheless, this is good entertainment.

Spent the afternoon in Acting Class with Marco Parella.  He tells me I'm getting better.  Why argue?

Film Shoot with the Marvelous Malina and Diego

So Malina picks me up at 11:30 a.m..and here I come with a nightgown, heels, a black formal beaded dress (ME?) and a bejeweled headband to shoot CELEBRITY, an experimental film for their Film Class.  And I spend the day cold in a nightgown and then tottering on high heels and so happy to be surrounded by creative, intelligent, respectful young film students.  What can I say?  Malina, Diego, Alex and Jamal (born in Brooklyn!) treat each other with such creative respect, are collaborative in their work and  welcome my input about actor motivation and intent.  And best of all, unlike my acting teachers they think I'm great!  And don't yell at me  to  "keep it real!"

After Malina drops me off she moves on to their next shoot....a film about Serbian men.

I worked hard today, was so appreciated and hugged lots of times.  Who could ask for more?

Center for Mexican Cultural Arts/Cine Las Americas International Festival

CLAIF is in town with lots of showings at Alamo S. Lamar.  There are just so many events I can shlep Abe to so I opted out on this.  Nevertheless while he worked I went to the Center for Mexican Cultural Arts downtown to see the EMERGENCIA YOUTH FILM COMPETITION.  I bussed it and when I got off the #10 I thought I had taken the F train by the time I got to this absolutely beautiful 2y.o. center for Mexican Cultural Arts.  It's gorgeous!!!!!  Bravo to Austin for honoring Mexican Americans in this beautiful venue.  I saw and rated 13 shorts made by young people from Austin, Seattle, NYC, San Antonio and Minnesota. Beautiful shorts...they made me laugh and cry sometimes.  One was not so good (it will go un-named).
We're home tonight.  As always Abe is so happy to have a wife who cooks and lets him stay home one night.

Capital Bikeshare

Check out this Washington D.C. program.  Wouldn't it be perfect for Austin????  I think so!


Capital Bikeshare 

The fact that our guy Josh manages the program in D.C. has EVERYTHING to do with this shout out!

UT Classes/ FREE LEE OTIS

School today where we learned one of the funniest pieces of Texas History,  brought to us by Ann Serrano, librarian at the Briscoe Center.  It seems that back in the 60's Lee Otis, a black activist student  at Texas Southern University and a member of SNCC was on the police's radar.  He passed a joint to an undercover cop and was sentenced to 30 years!  FREE LEE OTIS became a mantra at many rallies and on many campuses.  When the Governor at the time (Preston Smith) made a speech at Univ of Houston and the students drowned him out chanting  FREE LEE OTIS the bewildered governor thought they were saying FRIJOLES FRIJOLES and couldn't imagine why they were shouting "refried beans!" This followed him to his obit.  Lee Otis was released on appeal after 4 years. Can you imagine? Abe thought it important to mention we held the oldest book in  Texas  (1555) and viewed and learned the history of some beautiful old quilts.

Tonight Malina and Diego (UT Film students) came to discuss their experimental project CELEBRITY which we will shoot on Friday in an abandoned squash athletic room Diego found on campus.  Sounds creative.  I'll be the center attraction who goes from isolation to manufactured stardom.  I'm game because they're talented and intelligent and the project is their vision.  Also, I like them very much and am happy to help!

Austin Film Society/EMITAI

Tonight we saw a powerful film in the continued Essential Cinema Series featuring the films of Ousmane Sembene, the father of post-colonial African films.  This is the story of the conscription of Senegalese young men into the French army in the 1940's during WWII.  The film vividly portrays  the power of the women in this tribal area. They are fiercely protective of their way of life, their rice harvests and their children and rituals.  They are the true  heroes in this film, hiding the rice from the French  military who need it to  feed the troops in Dakar. We see them moving through the terrain in their multi-colored wraps and skirts in complete silent unity.  When a child is killed they defy their captors and proceed to grieve and perform their necessary rituals. Once again AFS brought me  a period of history and a culture that was absolutely unbeknown to me.  In Austin!

A good day today with yoga, Bouldin Creek Cafe, and Lovely my favorite vintage shop with my gym buddy Judith.  And as usual  I never leave Lovely without a new dress.

Riding the MTR/Passover

Our girl just touched down in Hanoi.  That city was the focus of so much turbulence in my 20's and now my kid is visiting. Life is worth living long enough. She just posted this photo I suspect from Hong Kong:

Liz Moskowitz Photography

Tonight is the first night of Passover commemorating the freeing of the Jews from slavery and bondage.  Their journey out of Egypt.   My wish is for all of those experiencing persecution and bondage to one day soon celebrate their own freedom ritual.  Happy Passover.

Saorise Ronan in HANNA

This action packed thriller is GOOD!  And why is every talented young actor these days home schooled?  It used to give me the willies...now another prejudice of mine I'll have to explore.  She is so talented.  Her acting so believable.  Both Abe and I liked this film a lot.  There's a young British teenager as well (maybe Australian) who is hysterical!  A good film!

It's gorgeous outside.  We're getting used to sitting on the terrace.  Enjoying it before the HEAT of summer.
I continue to love you dear Austin!

Marco Parella Acting Coach

I just came from a 4 hour class at Alleywood Studios right behind Magnolia Cafe.  It was intense.  The class reenacted Auditions.  We were filmed and each of us played the auditioner and the reader.  There were 14 of us.  It was obvious to me that many of the people were in the industry.  There were more men than women and the youngest was 14y.o.  I am learning and this is not an easy walk in the park.

We're in tonight with home cooking and a DVD.  Of course Abe is happy.

4 Season's Happy Hour

While the 4 Season's always makes me think of the excessively wealthy the Austin lobby greets you with warmth, friendliness, beautiful Southwestern sculptures, art, furniture and most importantly a relaxed atmosphere.

We went to the Happy Hour at TRIO which is good, affordable but alas nothing green on the menu.  You can always get a salad which we did to supplement the carbs.

The weather is gorgeous so the day was filled with gardening, sitting on the terrace or on our river rock lawn.  Abe went to a party at a residence from Foundation Communities and came home happy.

Just checked out the latest post on HKDI.  These kids are fabulous and creative.  Look...
HKDI Fashion Photo Blog

Lunch at Vida's/UT Film Directing Class

I've been studying yoga with Vida for a year now.  She's a peaceful, tiny, Iranian born unique woman.  She exudes a sense of contentment and acceptance.  She and her husband gave up their careers, he was a lawyer and she was an engineer, to travel around the world.   When they ran out of money they began to import things to the States so that they could continue to travel.  They continue to do that with  a focus on The Renaissance Festival.  Her true love is health and nutrition.  I had an extremely enjoyable lunch at Vida's lovely home filled with beautiful crafts and art from all over the world.

This evening I went to Kory Hill's UT Film class and performed the role of Dawn in THE FIRST  FIREWORKS, a 10 minute play.  My acting partner was Carly, talented and adorable, and a dream to work with. The students gave thoughtful comments, positive feedback and received the piece  enthusiastically.  The teacher's insights were very helpful for the final shoot.

I am delighted to work with these young students and am always happy to walk into the studios in Communications A and B.

UT Classes/OLLI

Today we resumed classes at UT for the spring 6 week cycle.  This was the best by far for both of us.This morning my seminar was ETHICAL DILEMMAS. The teacher, a UT Law professor who teaches ethics discussed Wikileaks.  He was informative, inspirational in his views of the government's zealous attempt to keep secrets and the courts' complicity in that vein. Abe took DEBTS, DEFICITS, DOLLARS and DILEMMAS.  The title speaks for itself and the instructor is a Dr. of Finance at UT with an enormous CV.
We then walked over to the Briscoe Center for American History for the second seminar.  The Director was a fabulous speaker with an enormous amount of history to share.  Each week we will have a different speaker discussing archives, the collection.  A major source of photojournalism and news media.
The afternoon lecture was BIRDS,BIRDS,BIRDS taught by Dr. Peter English.  What a hoot of a lecture with great slides.  This young man has lived all over North and South America and has the greatest stories about his subject matter.

Abe's playing tennis, I'm rehearsing lines to prepare for a UT student filmmaker rehearsal tonight. 

The days begin at 45 degrees and end up in the 80's.  What can I say?  Life is good and I am so appreciative.

Crosby and Nash

Tonight Abe and I entered Bass Concert Hall with hundreds of Boomers, pony-tailed old time hippies, stoners and not a Republican in sight to listen to the awesome music, acoustics, and instrumentals of Crosby and Nash.  What a duo!  What a journey back to a time of social conscience, protest, dreams of a better world and my college years.  I'd seen these guys in various NY venues in my 20's and tonight  they played this Austin crowd with equally great attitude.  The audience loved them and while the concert was loud Abe enjoyed it as well!  WHEW!

Today a friend of Liz's came to our home to take new head shots for me.  He's Matt Dayton, a fellow photographer who Liz met when she lived in Pearl Street Co-Op.  What a mensch!  He did my shots, shared interesting conversation, ate a bagel and lox and was sent home with more food.  Once again being with Liz's friends and feeding them brings her into my life when she's so far away.

Tomorrow it's back to classes at UT for Abe and me.  More to follow.

Mc Cormick and Shmicks and Ria

Months ago Abe and I went to the Blanton B Scene on a Friday night and were surrounded by a mass of people gobbling food and talking and listening to music.  It was a members only function and as usual I stood against the wall watching people eating while I drank a glass of wine.  I found myself standing next to a pretty woman with beautiful curly hair and commented on her hair.  When she told me she had to tell her mother I was absolutely confused...then I saw her...Ria's adorable mother Amandine..here from Belgium..also standing against the wall.  After Abe commiserated with Ria about the vultures at the tables we have since become friends.  And so tonight after too long (Ria was in Belgium for a month) she and I did Happy Hour at Mc Cormick and Shmicks and talked and laughed and talked some more.  One feels a sense of well being when you make a friend like that.  A shout out to Ria! Another reason why I love Austin.

I auditioned on Friday night for the role of mother in THE FIRST FIREWORKS.  A beautiful British play to be filmed by a UT student.  And I have been cast.  Ooooh, this is nice.  And tomorrow Liz's friend Matt will come here to do some new head shots.  How could I not love Austin!

Austin Jewish Film Festival/JumpCut Festival

Today we went up to the Arbor and saw BUDRUS, an Israeli documentary.  A film about non-violent opposition to the security fence being built by Israel in a village which has depended on it's olive trees for generations to survive.  The leader of the movement is a very intelligent, visionary and charismatic figure. He is a natural leader.  His daughter  engages the women to protest and we meet the the beautiful and happy school children who seem so loved and well cared for in this community.  We also meet the young Israeli military who are following orders to remove olive trees.  The bravery of the women who put their bodies in holes and in front of bulldozers is astonishing.  The outcome after escalated confrontations is good for Budrus villagers.  The fence goes up on the green line away from the school and they get to keep 95% of their olive trees.  Peaceful opposition spreads to other villages in the West Bank.  The Q&A with filmmaker Nadav Greenberg was thoughtful and intelligent. Thank-you Cindy Pinto for having us as guests.

This evening Abe and I went to the 2011 JumpCut Festival at the Alamo S. Lamar and saw some wonderfully creative short films made by students and presented by the University Film Alliance.  It was good to see student filmmakers and a fellow actor I have worked with as well.

Marco Parella/Alleywood Studios

I went to a new acting class at Alleywood Studios taught by Marco Parella.  A studio right behind Bird's Barber shop and Magnolia Cafe in my hood 78704.  A class of 10: men, women, young teens, a Marine who was off the wall but looked great on camera I must say.  This acting coach sent me home with a DVD of the scenes I learned and performed and gave directions that  spoke to me.  I just loved this class and signed up for 3 more!

I looked at the DVD and while I don't like the wrinkles I liked what I've learned.

Tapestry Dance Company ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Tonight Abe and I were thrilled to watch this dance company perform amazing tap dance.  The choreography was edgy, contemporary, up-beat and the dancing was just spectacular.  Whenever people complain about Austin's lack of art, culture I remind myself of the creative  talent that Abe and I encounter every week! 

Prior to  this performance at the Long Center I had an audition at UT for another student film.  A lovely British script  "The First Fireworks."

Just received word from Skylar Moran that her film was cut from Jump Cut on the second round due to time.  Pooey.   Will go nevertheless on Sunday to see other student's films.

Trying a new Acting School and teacher tomorrow.  Alleywood Studios on S. Congress. 

Found a long tailed gecko hanging out on a huge agave plant on the terrace today.  Now we have an indoor and outdoor gecko.  My kind of pet!

Small Things in Life

Yoga, bicycling at Gold's, chatting with Judith and spending the afternoon on our terrace under the oak trees studying lines.  Life is good and I am so appreciative.

Oak Pollen

What's with this stuff?  It's all over everything!  I'm not complaining...no jackets, no socks, weather in the 80's, no subway delays, no chills and gray damp atmosphere.

After Golds, and HEB, and crickets for Maynard (he's our fat tailed gecko) I tried to rid our front yard and terrace of oak pollen...what a hoot!  It comes right back.

Abe had a party at Serrano's from his social work supervision crowd.  He soloed that.

A nice  part of coming back to Austin was catching up with some friends I've made since moving here.  That makes me happy because in truth I've left my old time buddies back in the Big Apple and was worried about that. 

Life's not perfect and I live far away from my kids and friends.  Yet, I'm in this great new city that I love so much  and thank-you to my new friends for making me laugh and not feel lonely!  And thank-you to the young guy at Gold's Gym who held the door twice and twice told me to have a great day.  You reminded me of why I love this town!

Ruth and Lucie

We took the F train to Jackson Heights to say good bye to Abe's Mom.  She deserves a place here.  Ruth Moskowitz is a 94y.o. holocaust survivor who came to America when Abe and his twin sister were 3y.o.  Her husband was imprisoned in Siberia when her twins were 10 weeks old.  They were married for 2 years and she never saw him again.  She raised her children by cleaning houses and baby-sitting.  She is a strong and determined and proud woman.  She alas is very very old and while alert is diminished at this time. Ruth came to live at Regal Heights five years ago when it became apparent it wasn't safe for her to live in her beloved apt.  A shrine covered with silk flowers and porcelain vases and old photos of her mother, twin sister and Abe and his sister.  Our childrens' photos lined the walls as well.  We are fortunate to have Lucie Bernil, a wonderful aide, to give personal care to Ruth while she is in the facility.  It is apparent that these two women care deeply for each other and Lucie has kept Ruth free of hospitalizations.  Each time we say good-bye to them both we never know what the future holds.  I have learned a great deal about the depth of love watching Abe with his Mom.

We are home!  In Austin!!!   When we lived in Brooklyn it was a loft with brick walls, half below ground with two windows in the entire space.   We opened them with chains  as they were 24' above our heads.  And tonight we came home to a house with 23 windows, a river rock entrance, flowers on the footpath, and in 78704!  So close to downtown and everything we love.

It's so good to be home!   In Austin!

Live From New York/Friends

The day, gray and cloudy began with running into Joe Zarba, the Park Slope photographer working out at the gym at the 9th St Y.  What a warm guy! Ran into others who were all ears about Austin.

Had lunch with  Revathy Sundaram, a pediatric hematologist whom I have known for 30 years.  She was a pediatric resident at LICH when I was a social worker on Peds.  She has become a friend whom I just love to see when I come back to Brooklyn.  She's warm, funny, and a true humanitarian.  Always gave me free epogen for my babies whose families had no health insurance.  Like Pammy, she's a soul sister.

This evening I went out to Long Island City to Gloria's new apt and had dinner with Gloria and Mary.  Two audiologists I met 30+ years ago when I was the social worker in the Audiology Dept. at LICH.  Always good to see them!  Delicious Italian dinner and good conversation as well.

One more visit to Abe's Mom tomorrow.....  Austin, I'm heading home!

Live From New York/The Wedding

We came to New York to attend a wedding at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.  Drs. Matthew Tomey and Janice Chyou, cardiologists were married today.  Matt is the son of my oldest friend Lenny who I met 45 years ago in college.  That's Queens College/CUNY.  Lenny is blonde, tall, gorgeous and Swedish.  I'm Blonde, curly haired  and not so tall.

This was a lovely wedding.   I danced, danced, danced.  I enjoyed meeting the machetunum,and hanging out with  Lenny's sisters, her Mom.  What a pleasure to talk and dance with Samantha, Lenny's daughter and her adorable boyfriend Evan.

While I'm not a lover of formulaic weddings this wedding was in good taste and just lovely.   And the sun shined on this lovely day!!!!!

Live From New York/BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO

Day began with ZUMBA at the 9th Street Y.  Great class with adorable teacher.

 The sun is shining and Abe and I walked around our old street, had coffee and bagels at Naidre's, ran into old neighbors and then headed out to see his Mom in Jackson Heights Queens.  Jackson Heights is the heart of the Indian commerce community and the streets are filled with unusual smells of spices, tons of colorful silk saris and all kinds of electronic equipment for sale.  You couldn't find a bagel shop here if your life depended on it!

We all four (Pam and Ira) headed out to Times Square where we ate incredibly good Family Style Italian food at Di Napoli and then saw Robin Williams in BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO.  Ira really liked it, Pam liked it and Abe and I did not.  That's theater for you.  We had a great night nevertheless.  Times Square was lit up to the heavens and there were thousands of people on the steets.

Live From NY #2/QUEEN TO PLAY

Day started at the YMCA on 9th Street gym.  Saw lots of old faces and went to our favorite coffee shop Naidre's for hugs and kisses to Jesse and Sheena(and delicious coffee).

It was wet and snowy and so Pam gave me a long hooded down coat so that we could gallivant around SoHo.  We ate at Dos Caminos (delicious Mexican food) and then went to the Angelika for a beautiful French film QUEEN TO PLAY.  A film with Kevin Kline speaking French!  Who knew?  The film is about a married house cleaner who learns to play chess and then goes on to enter and win a tournament.  Her husband and adolescent daughter are obstacles along the way but then join her journey.  Kevin Kline enables her by encouraging her passion.  A gorgeous French film!

Abe went to NY to see friends, his sister, take care of union junk, and then to Queens to see his 94y.o. mom.  A real tough woman.

What's a visit to NY without shopping?  So I picked up yet another pair of Dansko clogs at Reno's in the Village.  My favorite clog store.

More to come.  The sun is supposed to shine manana.