Live From New York/INTOUCHABLES

First a visit to Abe's Mom, a 95 year old holocaust survivor at Regal Heights where  she resides in  Jackson Heights.  Our unannounced visit to this woman with sparkling white hair who was SO DELIGHTED to see us is a feel good moment for all involved.  Donuts for the staff, flowers for Ruth,  a wheel outdoors, and everyone benefits.  Then a ride to the Village for lunch at GRUB with Pam and off to the ANGELIKA where we saw a superb French film based on a true story.  INTOUCHABLES is a film about an extremely wealthy quadraplegic and his Senegalese caretaker, two lives and cultures intersecting to benefit all involved.  Omar Sy is a charismatic, sexy, vibrant actor who brings so much compassion to his role as a true caretaker to a rich paralyzed man in need of a life infusion.  This film is so real and unaffected.  I so hope it comes to Austin.  The Violet Crown would be a perfect venue.

Back in Brooklyn

Back to Park Slope where we ate outdoors in the backyard garden of Pam and Ira's lovely old brownstone (Steve Buscemi's block) and then Abe  and I walked the old hood.  Went back to the Ansonia Warehouse on 12th Street where we had lived in a loft for 25 years.  A new dweller let us in and there we were on our roof with the most magnificent view of the NYC harbor and skyline.  Met up with good old neighbors Kristen and Bill and just shmoozed for an hour being up-dated on all the changes.  Then we walked to our favorite Bar/Grill JOHNNY MACK'S on 12th Street where we'll meet up with our guy Josh and his girlfriend on Saturday (it's been 8 months).  A visit to family friend Judy Cosme whose late  mother Maria  was Josh and Liz's After School teacher at P.S.107.  Oh yes, back to Brooklyn.  So far from Austin.  Both places have made their mark.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane But First The Paramount

My bags are packed, we're ready to go.  Back to the old hood for visits with friends, Abe's Mama and sister.  But tonight it's a stop at the Paramount for BEST IN SHOW and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN.  Much needed respite from drainage/flood/ landscaping  issues  when we return.  Don't tell Abe, I just love this home owner stuff!  Looking forward to the challenge.

Rick Perry and Healthcare

I have had the misfortune of hearing this man repeatedly on KUT today.  Apparently he gave an interview this a.m. on FOX news where he stated Medicaid is a failed program.  I have stamped my feet, shook my fist, pulled at my hair in response to his stupidity.  Should Texas refuse to accept the Healthcare Law found constitutional by our conservative Supreme Court  this is what will happen:  every uninsured visit to the Emergency Department which happens at enormous rates and costs taxpayers in Texas billions, yes, billions of dollars will be paid by Texans in property taxes.  All preventive medicine which lowers costs of overall healthcare for EVERYONE will not be provided because people don't pay for prevention, they request healthcare when they're sick or have had an accident.  I was a medical social worker for 33 years in NYC and saw first hand the amount of services cut because of uninsured and unpaid emergency room visits.  I just LOVE my new hometown.  I am so sorry Rick Perry comes along with the deal.

TO ROME WITH LOVE

While Kimberley Jones gave this a tepid review in THE CHRONICLE Abe reports THE NEW YORKER gave it a high five.  Maybe it has something to do with geographic POV.  But for me, a native New Yorker who traveled to Rome 7 years ago with a 17y.o.Liz, and has years of psychotherapy under her belt, this film was wonderful to see at the Violet Crown.  As always no one captures the beauty of a large bustling city like Mr. Allen.  He knows how to love a city.  We open with his portrayal  of a neurotic passenger on an airplane, and we are primed to laugh at this introduction to his kvetching (complaining) character.  Abe wanted the humor to follow throughout, but alas Woody gets into the relationships of the four couples with commentary and so story line usurps humor.  His casting Alec Baldwin (who just married a 28y.o., the yoga queen of Greenwich Village) as Jesse Eisenberg's alter ego is a hoot and Mr. Allen knows it. And so does Mr. Baldwin! Penelope Cruz is to die for in every way as a prostitute with a bold identity, and Roberto Benigni is one of the best physical actors imaginable.  Alas, Janet Page, whom I've loved in JUNO and   WHIP IT has joined the gaunt, needs to eat, skinny actors whose appearance left me befuddled.  Abe says she's a good actor and all I could think was "she's too skinny."  I'll bet she's moved to Brooklyn as well.  (snarky Addie)  I loved this film, go see it, it's beautiful to behold.

MANHATTAN STORIES

Tonight we went to the Hideout for the opening night of an Improvisational theater performance of Woody Allen's films.  The ten improv actors were just wonderful.   The stories they told of dysfunctional couples, hilarious psychotherapists, renewed relationships and the angst of finding love had the audience laughing and loving it all.  The house was full, the actors greeted us when we left and the talent was evident throughout.  Don't miss this...such fun!

Salmon Teriyaki and Liz

Spent the afternoon cooking and listening to The Avert Brothers (Brooklyn, Brooklyn my favorite) preparing for dinner with Liz.  While we live in the same city we love, she's a photographer who travels  when she can and so it's been a while. I cook and she brings us stories from places and people we'd never get to:  islands off of Louisiana, nature conservancies in California and Texas.  And from her travels we learn the cultural  norms that are so foreign to us as New Yorkers.  I am reminded over and over again  that America is a huge place, different styles, different assumptions, different expectations.  It's all settling in and reminds me of our good fortune:good health, intelligent kids, great life experiences.  An opportunity to learn more about people.

Recipe for Salmon Teriyaki:  Marinate for an hour (at least) salmon in teriyake sauce with cut up fresh green onions (scallions). Place salmon skin side down in 400 degree oven until your desired degree of doneness.  We do not like our salmon rare and so I baked for 30 minutes.