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!