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!