Mothers and Daughters

So my dearest friend of 25 years returns to NYC and within a few days we receive this photo of our girls, Samantha and Liz, 23 and 25 y.o., respectively, from the Big Apple.   It's been a few years since they've seen each other but those happy smiles tell it all.  These young women spent hours together when they were little girls.  They produced plays, thwarted their big brothers' attempts to over power them, had a shared active fantasy life, slept over each others homes, comforted each other, giggled until you laughed right with them.  Pam and I schlepped them to plays, films, shopping, restaurants, museums, different cities and created a history that brings smiles to their Moms' hearts..  Such nice memories brought to the surface by this spontaneous image.  I'm sure they were fully aware how happy Pam and I would be to see them reunited.

What Would Never Happen in Brooklyn #3

So when we realized we had a water pressure problem I called our regular plumber from ABC.  He comes out and checks and tells us rather than replacing a pressure valve for big bucks why don't I call the city and ask them to come check the water meter and make sure it's not clogged.  While he's here he takes off two hose heads we were unable to remove with numerous people trying all week.  He charges us $0 and of course I send him off with home baked cookies. So first  I call the 311# and get a courteous and helpful response and connection to  the City Water Dispatcher and another pleasant woman tells me someone will be out TODAY and will leave a note on my door.
So here's how this plays out in Brooklyn:  I make five calls to get the correct number never speaking with a live human.  When I get a live person she/he will be short, rushed, annoyed, take all of my personal info, put me on hold and then I'll get cut off.  Start the same process over again and repeat all of my info to be told someone will be out after I fill out forms and return them to some NYC Bureau.  After the forms are sent and lost and sent again someone comes out (3 weeks later) and leaves no written outcome.  It takes another week to get their determination.  The city will charge me $600 (approximately) for their review and then I'll hire a plumber who will charge me about $1500 or more.  Meanwhile I'm showering at the gym everyday and Abe takes twenty minutes each shower to get wet!

Today Austin may be the 11th largest city but it's the #1 BEST in overall helpfulness!

HARVEY at ZACH Theater

Pam asked that we see this production and both she and Ira were thrilled with the new renovation of the ZACH.  Hats off and much admiration for Martin Burke who brought us a fine interpretation of the sweet alcoholic and his imaginary 6 foot friend (a rabbit). We all noted how different his character was from Jimmy Stewart who played this role back in the 50's on film. Marijane Vandivier was absolutely perfect as the visiting aunt who is aghast at her nephew's antics.  It's always a pleasure to see MJ on stage.  She is an acting teacher at ACC who tried unsuccessfully to get me to lose my NY accent.  While Lauren Lane and Michael Stuart offered fine performances as Elwood's sister and psychiatrist and received some good laughs I found the performance to not engage me as I would have hoped.  I couldn't tell if it was the story or the truthfulness of the performances.  Once you study with Laurel Vouvray you never again approach actors with the same mind set.  I don't mind that.  It keeps me acutely aware of the importance of being truthful in an imaginary moment. A fine experience shared with Brooklyn friends who really liked the performance.

FLOUR AND VINE

The new restaurant on S. Lamar that replaced Hugo's is wonderful.  We had tickets for Zach theater and noticed a deal for free appetizers with tickets so thought we'd give it a shot with our Brooklyn buddies, Pam and Ira.  Wow!   Fried green tomatoes, bibb lettuce leaves wrapped around an awesome sauteed chicken and mushroom concoction, battered shrimp and the best fried green tomatoes I've ever tasted were our appetizers.  We ate veggie lasagne, black drum wrapped in parchment, a lamb pasta dish and we were all thrilled.  This is a great restaurant that deserves a very loud shout out!  Brooklyn was in the house and we were delighted.  Prices are very very reasonable.  Dustin our waiter provided warm, humorous, elegant service.  I always love showing my Brooklyn friends just how good life in Austin is.

'Tokyo Story' at the Marchesa Hall/Austin Film Society

Last night's Essential Cinema selection was one of the best films I've seen in my lifetime.  This film made in Japan  in 1953 by Yasajiro Ozu is considered one of the 10 greatest films throughout the world.  (Of course Chale Nafus'  program notes brings us so much information you don't even have to "google.")  This director brings us a view of "family" that will immediately defy any assumptions you have made about Japanese filial loyalty.  An aging couple from the countryside decide to visit their children in Tokyo and from there we are invited to see what really happens in many families.  Children have little time, little interest, and are incredibly self- centered.  When asked by other's  "aren't you looking forward to grandparenthood?" I will refer them to this film.  The daughter-in-law whose husband died in WWII is the touch of grace in this film.  She is kind, devoted, loyal and I just wanted to sit next to her to be in her grace.  We learn from the notes Ozu was a prolific director making 54 films in 35 years and fortunate to use the same cast and crew.  It is his story telling I loved the best about this film.  It is not flooded with dialogue.  The words spoken are important so you listen intently.  The message comes through loud and clear and is uttered softly and silently.

AFS will be bringing a new art house cinema to Austin.  That is good.  Damn, I wish an F train went there!

South Austin Gallery

A shout out to this incredibly professional, creative, artistic, vintage framing shop on South 1st Street. Located  in the same shopping site with Soup Peddler on Mary Street.  Their prices cannot be beat.  So affordable! Abe and I collect posters, graphic art and bring the stuff right there.  Liz and other photographers we know have their work framed there as well.  Vintage frames are brought in weekly so there is always a good selection.  And they do a terrific job of matting. There is Austin memorabilia art, vintage clothing and the most helpful women there to assist.  I promised them a post and I am so happy to recommend this wonderful Austin gallery.

Oy Vey Old Sport:'GATSBY'

Baz Luhrmann has created an extravaganza of visual beauty and excess based on an empty story.  Who cares a hoot about these characters?  Daisy Buchanan has no life, is pathetically empty, and you would never know she was a mother.  She wished she had a girl so the girl could grow up to be  foolish.  And that is what she is!  To watch a two hour film based on men's desire for her is painful!!!!  Nick Carraway, the writer is talented and would have done much better to write about people who matter.  Sorry, the story is flawed and I have no idea why it's required reading in High School.  Sometimes alcoholic writers do not deserve the acclaim we give them.  Sometimes they write personal drivel and we should leave it at that!