ATTACK THE BLOCK/Capital Bikeshare

What fun!!!  Aliens come to a housing project in London and the local young adolescent thugs are the heroes who annihilate  these ugly creatures with neon colored teeth and fangs.  Think Goonies grown up, British accents and violent behavior.  Dialogue is quick, smart, music is hip. While the budget is obviously low we loved the household goods that were used as weapons.  Refreshing, smart, well made, funny, don't miss this!

Guess whose kid just secured $4 million to secure 60 new bike stations in D.C.?  You got it.  Josh Moskowitz, our kid who doesn't drive a car is making the capital a better city.  Now if only the politicians there could do the same for the country.  Abe and I are real proud of this kid!

Sharp's Locksmith on W Mary Street

This morning before 8 a.m. I phoned the local locksmith as a door handle fell off and we could not replace it.  (Stop laughing..we tried.) Phil came promptly this afternoon, told me he'd done all of the locks originally on the house (of course he noticed we'd replaced them all...hey, we're New Yorkers). He repaired the door handle, checked another, and charged us $49.50 less 10% for being 62 and over.  Now, back in Park Slope a locksmith walks in the door for $175.  You ask why I love Austin?  Night y'all.

AMOA/ROARING FORK/PAPER MOON at the Paramount

In this heat downtown Austin has always been a great spot. Everything is close and air conditioned.  First I saw the MONA LISA exhibit and the Design exhibit at AMOA which will close in Sept.  I liked them both and really really loved the furniture designs.  Particularly  Gilbert Rohde, a  guy who began life in the Bronx, went on to make furniture for the Miller Furniture Co. in Zeeland Michigan and learned his first vocational skills from Stuyvesant H.S. The furniture designs and philosophy of this furniture company is exemplary, consumer friendly and so supportive of worker's creativity.  

I then met Ria and Amandine for Happy Hour at Roaring Fork: tortilla soup, wine and desserts all around.  Delicious!!

Then I soloed to PAPER MOON, a fantastic black and white film by Peter Bogdanovich.  I had forgotten how much fun this film is.  The audience really appreciated the young Tatum O'Neal.  She and her Dad were so refreshingly real and honest in their roles.   I loved Madeline Kahn whose portrayal of a loose gal and her young assistant are hysterical.  Dialogue is quick and timeless in its humor.

To be honest,  I just loved watching a smart, hip, slick kid called "Addie."

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

This film is cute, sexy, New York at it's finest with great choreographed flash mobs.  Justin Timberlake and Mile Kunis are adorable together.  I allowed myself to suspend belief and actually enjoy beautiful young people running around NY in 4" heels, living in huge apts, having 6 figure jobs and flawless skin.  Abe and Liz saw HARRY POTTER and were thoroughly pleased. Pure entertainment this evening.  We  enjoyed a light night at the theater.

The Four Seasons and 50 cent drinks

Austin Four Seasons is 25 years old this year.  And on the 25th of each month they offer a spectacular way to celebrate.  So at 5PM today in the Lobby Lounge  they offered specialty drinks for 25 minutes at  50 cents.  And our food was delicious as well!!!!  The Lobby Lounge is beautiful overlooking Town Lake  and was filled with business  people in town for a convention.  It was good people watching and a great deal.  Happy Birthday Four Seasons...another reason to love Austin!

SWING TIME at the Paramount

Did you ever realize how elegant and gorgeous Ginger Rogers was?  Did you know that Fred Astaire's tap dancing was only paralleled by Gene Kelly and Savion Glover?  They are a sight to behold, elegant, timely , natural and during the 1930's Depression a relief from hardship.  I am embarrassed that I never appreciated their talent before.  I have learned to watch films with such a keener eye thanks to Austin Film Society Essential Cinemas and Chale Nafus' reviews.

Reed joined us today.  He's back from Midland after spending his Mom's last days with her and tending to her funeral.  He loves 1930's music, film and the era.  He is our conduit to Texas.  He has become our good dear friend.  We come from different worlds, childhoods and histories.  We speak the same language however.  Real words that come unfiltered and from the heart.  It is a gift to have made such a friend.  And he teases the hell out of Abe!  Who could ask for more?

Acting with Marco and Rudi

Back to acting class today after a 2 week hiatus.  Marco gave me 2 scenes, I was able to memorize and deliver with more confidence.  His directions to me were helpful, doable and progress was noted by him.  It is always my pleasure to do a scene with Rudi, a Texas born natural who is real, smart and fun to be with.  Marco sometimes thinks we have too much fun.  I so appreciate this Austin environment that allows this  Bronx born boomer to act alongside a native Texan my age, learning a new craft, laughing along the way, and not feeling an ounce of competition.  A good day in Austin.