PERLA'S with Reed

Last night was a visit to this deeeeeelicious restaurant on S.Congress.  It's $$$$$  for our taste but generous Reed made this work.  We each pitch in what's comfortable and then he's our dinner guest  regularly and I send him home with leftovers.  You ask why I love Austin?  Reed is definitely another reason.

Sir Elton John at the Long Center/ASO

What a great night.  Jeans and Classics lead singer, Jean Mieuller, and the ASO performed Sir Elton's music with perfection.  The audience was clearly thrilled with the performance.  After the concert there was good dancing and singing with The SAUCE and an open bar on the terrace.  Many of us came dressed in purple to celebrate the Long Center's 4th Birthday.  Good time fun and even Abe did some dancin'.  As usual, I did more.  Thank-you ladies.

LAS MALAS INTENCIONES/Cine Las Americas

Thank goodness I was able to get to a second film in this festival because it is a beauty.  As is the short MAR BLINDADO that preceded it.  LAS MALAS INTENCIONES is a beautifully shot film telling the journey of a lonely asthmatic girl with an extraordinary imagination.  Written and directed by Rosario Garcia-Montero whose film education comes from Peru/New York/ and Cuba (how could you go wrong?)  The young actor 9y.o. Fatima Buntinx is extraordinary as an unhappy  girl who uses her imagination to cope with her life (divorced and absentee parents, new baby on the way, strict parochial school teachers, and the civil war conflict of 1982 Peru). A pleasure to watch a girl find her heroes in Peru's past war heroes rather than her Barbie dolls.  This girl is an independent thinker and the filmmaker allows her to use her imagination without making it a horror film (credit to Abe for that thought). Beautiful cinematography (almost B/W, but not quite). This film is visually artistic as is the short MAR BLINDADO, out of Venezuela.  A futuristic fantasy that is compelling and had me at the edge of my seat.  Thank-you to Chale Nafus (AFS Program Director) for these recommendations.

An Evening with Dominick Dunne

Back in NY I always looked forward to Dominick Dunne's reports from the trials of upper class high profile  perps. While I knew it was not high end investigative reporting I could always count on his literary and judgmental view of the proceedings.  He always knew who was guilty of some horrific crime (i.e. Menendez brothers) before the jury did.  And if you were found not guilty (like Phil Spector) he'd have a fit.  Last night's documentary (a full house at the Blanton) made by an Australian filmmaker was quite good.  It showed the man with his demons (alcoholism and perpetual social climbing) and an admission that the person he loved the most (his ex-wife Lenny) left because of his character.  During the Q&A his son said when his father returned from L.A. to live a humble life in NYC he was a changed man.  Every alcoholic character in NY knew him from the "rooms", the AA meetings.  Dominick was a great story teller.  His sister-in-law Joan Didion admired him and speaks warmly about his abilities as a writer.  Dominick Dunne left this world working at something he loved: mingling, story telling, and writing.

Cine Las Americas/BONSAI

There's another film festival in town (Latin American and and indigenous) and last night AFS co-sponsored this film with CLA.   Chale Nafus did a Q&A by Skype after the film with the writer/director Cristian Jimenez.  The film is made in his small town in Chile about a first love.  Going back and forth between an 8 year time period.  There's lots of sensuality, wonderful casting, and while it has a slacker feel to it when you meet the filmmaker you would swear he comes from Austin.  It's a beautiful film made by a very sensitive, thoughtful filmmaker who is multi-lingual, well educated and very connected to the human experience.  He's a tough task master as well.  He had the lead actor audition 10 times because he was looking for an actor who had two ages in his eyes...the child as well as the older adult.  He cast perfectly.  And before the film we had the good fortune of having Darla Berry from AFS come drink wine under our beautiful old oaks.  I left her with Abe so I could run off to see the film.  Tonight we're at the Blanton seeing the Dominick Dunne documentary.  I am so grateful for  this good life.

An Old Oak Table

Today I parted with an  object that's been with me for 43 years. In  four different apartments in NYC: an attic, a loft, a brownstone parlor, a Park Slope garden floor through and finally to our new home in Austin.  It was one of the few pieces of old oak furniture we took with us from Brooklyn.  And today the time had come.  I sold it to a  lovely teacher and her musician husband. I like them a lot and was so happy they inherited this piece of my history. She's a lover of old antique furniture and  loved this table's history.  In 1969 about to graduate college and move into my first apartment in Little Neck, Queens I found this table for sale through the VILLAGE VOICE.  The seller  was a kooky   woman claiming to be a Kentucky debutante fleeing the country.  Her two year old son was unraveling a sweater from the 24th floor of their apartment during the sale.  I paid $70 for this beautiful old oak table with lions heads and claws.  And today when we packed it onto the back of their pick-up truck I took photos, got tearful and remembered all of the nights my kids did homework at that table, glued projects for school, painted pictures, played games, had birthday parties, celebrated Thanksgiving, New Year's, Jewish holidays.  Abe asked me why I wanted to part with it. "Time to move on," I said.  And besides I want  that beautiful big mango table I saw at FOUR HANDS.

THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD/AFS

I vividly remember watching the footage of the tyrant Nicolae Ceausescus and his wife being executed in 1989 (on Christmas Day no less) and thinking "man, those Romanians must be so happy and relieved,  wishing that their relatives who had passed on could have lived to see this."  I also made note that the televising of this event on their national TV was a clue to me that this was a very different culture that I knew little about.  Once again AFS brings this era to an audience (pretty full down at the Alamo S. Lamar) by way of a beautiful film, directed by Catelin Mitulesco.  The year is 1989 and the story is told by a young boy (7-8) and his 17y.o. beautiful and intelligent sister.  If casting and set design can make a movie then this is award worthy. Daily life, the warmth and closeness  between generations and the comfort level of families living under close conditions and tyrannical rule makes this film so appealing.  While the world is so dark the people are so colorful and it left me feeling like I wanted to meet them.  And when their dictator is brought down you can't help but feel their joy, their relief and you want to hug them.  We just loved this film about adolescence with its universal coming of age issues, usual family conflict, and a little boy who makes you laugh, cry, and be happy that you're given the chance to see Romania through his loving eyes.  Not only did Chale hand out great historical notes, we also got a map!

Acting with CK Mc Farland

Who ever said acting was easy?  JEEEEEEEES!

MARLEY

It was good to hear the music, be reminded  how powerful, influential and creative this Jamaican artist was.  I loved being back in the day with his music, his message, his energy.  Lots and lots of interviews, great footage, but I could have listened to way more music and seen lots more concerts.  His message about women (they need to wear dresses and no make-up) will offend some.  But nothing interferes with my love of "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Wanna Love You" and oh so many others.  Marley, I miss you.

SLAM GIBBONS @ Ruta Maya

Tonight we went to hear Liz's boyfriend and the band he plays with SLAM GIBBONS up at Ruta Maya.  Good country music.  These 4 young men are good friends and play happy foot thumpin', hand clapping music together.  What fun!  They're quite good.

And today I saw the Jump Cut films at the 13th Jump Cut Festival...student shorts.  Some were very clever: well written, shot and acted.  All levels of skill and talent were evident.  I love supporting these UT filmmakers.

34th Street Cafe

Tonight Abe, Liz and I cashed in a groupon coupon at this restaurant which was quite good.  Atmosphere, food and service all really nice.  Beautiful art on the walls too.  Not only was this a really great deal the manager gave us a 20% discount gift card for the next time we go.  You can google their menu so I don't have to repeat and besides Abe and I are not great experimental foodies.  We'll be back again.

THE TRAP/Austin Film Society

Tonight's Essential Cinema film in this SouthEast Europe series was an excellent film from Serbia, directed and co-written by Srdan Golubovic in 2007.  The wars are over and a new middle class is emerging facing many of the economic dilemmas many young families face without healthcare, support services and a bank account.  And so a young couple, educated and hard working are unable to pay for cardiac surgery needed by their young son who won't survive without the procedure.  And so this decent loving  father agrees to commit murder in order to pay for the surgery.  The film is described as neo noir (I looked that up) and that's a fine description.  Aside from the story line it was the acting that I found so compelling. The father played by Nebojsa Glogovac demonstrates his internal conflicts skillfully and believably.  His relationship to his wife takes turns up and down and both are perfect as desperate parents willing to do anything to help their son.  Abe and I loved this film.  Chale says the Americans are going to produce a remake.  Why?  We all agreed this one is plenty good enough.

BEES/ What would NEVER Happen in Brooklyn Part II

When we first moved here in 2009 and bought our very first home we knew we had bees on our terrace in a small space between terrace and roof.  I call it a crawlspace.  So this wonderful bee guy came from ABC and removed 5 hives.  Abe took photos on his phone and we NEVER use our phone for pictures.  But this was special.  We're from Brooklyn  and don't forget we don't know from hives...only cockroaches.  (We call them "cockeroaches").  Today when I came up to this 3rd floor terrace room I heard the pitter patter of something in that crawl space.  So first I called Abe, then I stood on a chair, prayed I wouldn't be swarmed, and then sprayed RAID.   When bees came out I called ABC.  And tomorrow the Bee Inspector comes out and free of charge checks out if the scouts are just scouting or the Queen is about to find a new home.  This is a free service.  I repeat a FREE service.  This would NEVER happen in Brooklyn.  I just love my new hometown.  But you can keep your beehives.

Acting Classes and Social Work Grad School

Last night when I left  an almost 4 hour acting class I realized how much of what we learn and hear in class reminds me of my Social Work MSW experience.  The actor is taught to recognize her own internal issues and conflicts.  In acting they're put to use.  In social work we're asked to recognize but separate them from our client's presenting problems, issues.  Equally as difficult I believe for students.  While I have way more wrinkles than my acting classmates I've had lots and lots of practice locating my inner demons/woes/conflicts /whatever.  Just a thought for the day.  Have a good one.

ALL THAT REMAINS

I had the good fortune of being an extra on this independent film that was shot in Croatia and Austin.  Especially fortunate to share a sofa with the lead female actor, Chris Humphrey, who played the bereaved widow.  And so while she was in character we got to talk and learn so much about each other.  Everyone on crew and the writer/director Marko Slavnic, and producer Melissa Porter were so pleasant to work with.  It was a pleasure to talk about FUSE, a recent Bosnian film I had seen through AFS Essential Cinema SEEFEST.  There is always something to be learned when you're on a set.

 Came home to watch another episode of MADMEN while Abe helped Reed paint.  Life is good.

THE KID WITH A BIKE

This is a Belgian film and extremely well acted.  The story of a boy, abandoned, found, picked up by a predator,commits a criminal act, is forgiven,  finds comfort and a loving guardian and then life intervenes.  A story told over and over again in my years  as a social worker.  Happy I saw it.  My only criticism is the writing, the screenplay.  Could have made better choices in this crazy world children encounter.  Nevertheless I'm glad I saw this.  And I just love the Violet Crown.

Georgia Bramhall @ Honeycomb

Back to Georgia today for curly cut and degraying.  Georgia Bramhall is a curly hair guru.  It's hard to believe she doesn't have curly hair herself.  Her loft salon in 501 Studio is so pleasant to the eye, both design and decor created by her.  You spend a couple of hours there with her and her intelligent conversation and you walk out feeling good.  I'm not much of a girly girl when it comes to fuss so Georgia is right on the page for me. She's smart, creative, hard working.  What an Austin gem.  If you don't have curly hair send your friends who do.  I promise they won't be disappointed.

Georgia also has a skin specialist on staff:  Zemi.  Georgia adores her and highly recommends her.

Women in Cinema

Attended a panel discussion up at UT last evening.  The audience was filled with UT students and more who came to hear women in the film industry in Austin speak.  Agnes Varnum (AFS), Maya Perez(AFF), and representatives from Austin Film Meet, Texas Commission on Film, Girls Film Camp, all addressed this audience interested in all aspects of film.  What impressed me the most is the quintessential Austin manner of sharing information in a warm, relaxed and helpful manner.  No pretensions here.  No Gucci clad mamas intimidating the new kids on the block.  When a young Brazilian student introduced herself as a "wannabe filmmaker" everyone on the panel said "you're a filmmaker" and included her.  And when asked about NY and LA the best advice was given.."follow your heart, take your own journey."  But truth be told this kind of helpful, warm, creative and non-intimidating atmosphere is pure Austin.  And that's why this very very native New Yorker just loves it here.

MAD MEN

After so many people we know, like, admire, love plugged this series we finally began to watch the series.  Thank-you Vulcan.  We just finished the 10th episode.  It was a slow start.....we're hooked.  Matthew Weiner is beginning to push the card and make daring choices.  It's working.

FUSE/Austin Film Society

We began a new series of Essential Cinema films last night with  films coming out of SouthEast Europe.  During the Bosnia, Serb, former Yugoslavia conflict of the 90's I had such a hard time figuring out who was fighting who but remembered the horrific crimes against women in particular.  It was the first time the world paid attention to   mass rape being used as a weapon to humiliate, subjugate and leave a poisonous mark on a population.  Last night's film, made by a Bosnian filmmaker, Pjer Zalica is both a comedy and human film that brings us to a small Bosnian village two years after the war.  A town is selected to welcome Bill Clinton and demonstrate the democratic unification of the village.  While there is none of that in actuality, and there continues to be festering and deep grudges, the mayor with the assistance of a NATO overseer (hysterical role), prepares to clean up his town to welcome Bill.  The creativity used by these people to put up a front is where the humor lies.  But underneath the humor is a human story of previous neighbors who subsequently killed each other returning to talk about what happened.  And the use of a ghost as a killed son to demonstrate one father's grief is extremely touching and realistic.

Abe and I loved this film.  Not only did Chale provide us with four pages of notes but a map!!!!  To better explain the geographical divides.  As we walked out of the theater Abe exclaimed "I just love these foreign films, so much better than American films."  I hope he doesn't get placed on some "list" out there but I agree.

KNUCKLEBALLER/WHEREVER I WIND UP

Let me begin by saying I know nothing about baseball except that I raised a fierce NY Mets fan who played baseball on leagues from the time he was 6.  And still plays in D.C. his hometown.  And he will be surprised that I know anything about R.A.Dickey, the only knuckleball pitcher  in the Major Leagues who happens to be a 37y.o. pitcher on his beloved team, The NY Mets.

So how did I find out about this knuckleballer?  Tuesday afternoons finds me baking cookies for the AFS interns and staff before Essential Cinemas.  I always listen to NPR Fresh Air as they interview and/or highlight different people each week.  And today I had the very good fortune to hear R.A. Dickey talk about his life, his career, his choices, his history and current family.  I am always interested in kids who had a challenging youth and how they dealt with the hand they were given after years spent as a NYC social worker.    So here you have an only child being raised by an alcoholic Mom who has a history of sexual abuse.  And finds his best coping skills through athletics.  But not only athletics. He goes on to admit years later when his marriage was failing he received counseling and then finally shared his secret with his wife and counselor.  Mr. Dickey discusses all of this articulately (you could tell he was an English major in college) and without fanfare or magnified victimization. When he was lonely and living with his Dad he would go to the library and check out  the classifieds to see which houses were for sale so that he could sleep alone in a home. "To be alone at your own choosing is a different feeling."

And to hear him discuss his mediocre career and why he developed the knuckleballer in order to stand out and make it to the Majors is a real hoot.  You can't help but like this guy.  He's smart, modest, connected to what's important in life. So this one's for you Josh.  Your mama is gonna read a book about a knuckleballer and of course see the documentary which is about to come out shortly.

THE RAID:REDEMPTION

A violent, Indonesian martial arts movie seen with Abe this afternoon.  Sometimes you just have to let your husband pick what film you see!  For those of you who like intense martial art good guy/bad guy/ shoot 'em up and kick their guts out films then you'll like this.  Abe did.

This evening was class with CK Mc Farland, a fine acting coach.  Once again I found myself surrounded by so many talented  Austin actors. Yikes!

Easter Sunday in Georgetown

We had the good fortune of being invited to Georgetown with Reed and his friends.  Friends from "back in the day" who lived together in a self-described hippie house in Austin when they were all much younger.  How fortunate were we to meet this fine group of people, all grown up, some with new relationships from that former hippie house and everyone warm, welcoming.  Great food, kids with parents who were charming to be around, and oh this big ol' house and garden.  Beautifully rehabbed.  And so we saw another slice of life in Austin.  Once again we feel fortunate for days like this.  Thank-you Reed for inviting us.

THE SALT OF LIFE

To recuperate from the SERIOUS cooking for Passover we headed down to the Violet Crown to see this delightful Italian comedy.  Director and leading man is Gianni Di Gregorio.  The story is of a middle aged man who finds himself retired and trying to make sense of this life stage he finds himself in.  He desperately tries to invigorate his libidinal side by trying different opportunities with various young and beautiful women offering great amusement to his audience.  His mother's demands on him offer high comedy as well. This is a light, human film that brought  happiness to me and Abe, a couple of happy retirees. 

Tsimmes Is On/Passover

The tsimmes (sweet potato, carrot and prune casserole) was prepared before 8 and is in the oven spreading delicious aromas.  The rest of the day is spent cooking zucchini kugel, matzoh ball soup, farfel kugel, rock cornish hens, chicken breasts in honey and lemon.  Pickles and string beans are green (a typical Jewish addition).  Tonight we celebrate the first night of Passover where we'll be reading from Jonathan Safran Foer's AN AMERICAN HAGGADAH, our book of "living memory."  "We are not telling a story here.  We are being called to a radical act of empathy."  "The seder is a protest against despair."  And so we will do the best we can with Liz and friends to recall the ancient journey of Jews from slavery and bondage out of Egypt to freedom, to a much safer and freer world.  And that is my wish all year as well.

To my friends celebrating Easter I am always so happy our holidays coincide.  It reminds me how close we humans are.  Happy Pesach/Happy Easter.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH SIMONE WEIL/AFS Doc Night

A filmmaker attempts to understand better her father's suicide, her brother's significant depression and anxiety disorder by exploring further the life of a French philosoper, Simone Weil.  Ms. Weil, who was a suicide herself in her 30's, is a complex figure who wrote prolifically.   This is a profoundly sad movie and very well made.  Through interview and her writing we learn of the profound sensitivity of Simone Weil and her reaction to the world's suffering.  She experiences first hand worker's lives, war, poverty by engaging herself with those areas of strife.  A remarkably brave woman who wrote "attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity."  During the film making process the director's brother also kills himself.  The filmmaker, Julia Haslett continues making the film and looking for a better understanding.

Following the film was an intelligent Q&A with Julia Haslett.  Best part of the evening was talking with my AFS favorites: Darla Berry, Agnes Varnum and of course, Chale Nafus.

Ray Wylie Hubbard/THE GRIFTER'S HYMNAL

I heard Ray Wylie two years ago sing MOTHER BLUES at the Armadillo Christmas Crafts Fair.  And I fell in love with him and his talkin' blues.  And I promised myself I'd get that CD the moment it came out.  This is an autobiographical song with a great beat, a great story, and brings this Brooklyn Jewish mama so much pleasure when she cooks and cleans.  He writes/ sings "when my gratitude is greater than my expectations those are my good days"  and there he so defines my mantra  and the way I have tried to live this life I was given.  Thank-you Ray Wylie.

MASCARADES/Austin Film Society

An utterly delightful comedy from Algeria was the last film in the Children of Abraham/Ibrahim series this evening.  Written/directed/and leading man is the terrifically talented Lyes Salem.  His use of dialogue, local villagers and trained actors, and talented physical actors to tell a story of a  man who is yearning to be important, special, respected works so well.  The principal character  makes up a story about an arranged marriage between his narcoleptic sister and a wealthy man in the city.  All goes wrong when his sister spins a bigger tale to his surprise as she really wants to marry her local sweetheart.  The characters in this family (wife, son, sister) are all provided with great freedom of speech and rip at each other hysterically.  The yentas in the town provide the energy underneath the story and the three old wise men observing the whole event are adorable.  Mr. Salem was trained in France, had great opportunity to act in Paris but felt a calling to work and make films in his homeland.  Algeria and the world is fortunate for that.  Chale's program notes provided great historical perspective about the civil wars of the 90's, the terrorist attacks on cinema theaters and the sad fact that Algerians don't go out in the evenings because of bomb threats.  Mr. Salem and other Algerian filmmakers are hopeful about changing  that.

MEAN OLD MAN/Cookin' with Jerry Lee Lewis

I heard this song on the internet. This 75y.o. got married yet again.  This time to his cousin's ex-wife.  Who cares?  The CD just came in the mail from Amazon (sorry Waterloo) and what can I say?  He sings with Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crowe, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, as well as Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr!  The cook sang, jigged and was in heaven.  Luck Addie.  Lucky Abe.

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN @ALAMO Slaughter Lane

This film is sweet and romantic, the acting is wonderful.  Abe LIKED it, I liked it.  Of course for me it raised all kinds of political questions regarding a country experiencing intense upheaval from the masses and a rich sheik (albeit visionary) wanting to invest in a dream.  What can I say?  I'm a social worker and always question, question, question.

More to the point is the new Alamo theater.  Yeah, it's nice and spacious, but Damn it's so suburban.  In a sprawling parking lot.  I'm a city girl and give me my Alamo S. Lamar and Ritz and the Violet Crown anyday.  I would never take my Brooklyn friends to this cineplex, it's like Sheepshead Bay!

APRIL FOOLS presented by Tapestry Dance Co.

We just LOVE this tap dance company co-founded by Acia Gray who never fails to disappoint with her energy, sense of humor and dancers who are a joy to behold.  Everyone at the Dell theater at the Long Center  was smiling throughout the performances (I looked).  And when the performance was initially held up by major parking issues (there were 4 major events going on around Auditorium Shores) a beautiful young juggler comes out and performs, dances, juggles for those of us waiting.  And after the performance begins, Acia dressed as a ringmaster interrupts her act to welcome latecomers because of parking and applauds them for coming.  Last night's show had the live music of "Datri Bean and the The Butter Bean Band" a cross between vintage southern jazz and klezmer music (if you ask me).  The set of a side show at a carnival, the costumes of circus clowns/performers and the choreography taken from the tap masters of the 20's through the 60's was perfect.  Damn, we love this company, their performances, the dancers are joyous and filled with delightful energy.  This is a must see for kids, families and anyone who loves dance.