September 30, 2003
Le Cercle rouge
Saw Le Cercle rouge at the County theater last night. It starred my two favorite French actors: Alain Delon and Yves Montand. It was really interesting and I enjoyed it. The jewel heist seemed to be done in real time--- every step filmed. When Yves finally appeared on screen as the hallucinating drunk, I didn't recognize him! Alain Delon looked beautiful, especially with his 1970's 'stache. Did you know he is still alive? I thought he died. In fact, according to IMDB he made 2 movies with Charles Bronson!?! Yeah, I saved the titles to my ebay search favorites list. Delon also portrayed Zorro in a film made in 1974. Zorro is another favorite of mine. I absolutely loved the Zorro series broadcast back in the early ninties on the Family Channel with Duncan Regehr as Don Diego Vega. Juan Diego Botto portrayed his mute man-servant, Felipe. Apparently Botto is now a big star in Spanish language films.
My eyes feel like they are bleeding. It's from staring at my computer monitor all day long. Years and years ago, when Windows 95 made its debut, I remember the start up screen remiinded me of the sky with all the pretty little white clouds. Now the sky reminds me of the Windows start up screen.
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September 28, 2003
beards
Have I ever mentioned that I have a thing for men with facial hair?
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not easy being green
Tucked back in the far reaches of my memory banks is a surreal image of Rip Taylor painted green. Yes, you read right; Mr. Confetti dyed sea foam green. It hits me at strange times, when I'm trying to remember where I placed my keys or searching for the perfect synonym... Bam! Rip Taylor painted green. What the heck!? Am I recalling a childhood dream? Or is it an actual memory of some TV show or movie? Home on a Saturday night, I decided once and for all to get to the bottom of this unusual recollection. Turns out it is a memory of an old Sid and Marty Krofft kids' show called, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. In it, Rip Taylor portrayed Sheldon the Sea Genie. I wish I could find a picture of Rip painted green, just to see how it compares to my mind's picture. It is quite a relief knowing that it is a memory from a TV show and not some weird dream prompted by a repressed childhood fetish. (Of course that might explain the recurring dream I have of Charles Nelson Reilly...)
Isn't it crazy how some TV shows just infiltrate the mind and the memories get all jumbled? I swear to God, as a child, the next-door neighbors were two guitar-strumming, hippie chicks who would sing to me and show me their "chuckle patch,” a bed of flowers that smiled and laughed. That memory is actually of a tv show called the Magic Garden. You see, it isn't just the druggies from the 70's who experience flashbacks. The surreal and hallucinogenic TV programming for kids back then induces flashbacks too.
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September 27, 2003
sing sing sing
Lisa and I were sitting at a picnic table at the Italian-American Festival eating funnel cake (to hell with Atkins!). Lisa pointed out a little old man who was walking toward us. "Oh, Donna, look at that little old man-- all dressed to the nines-- a true Italian!"
"You are right , Lisa, that little old man is cute, all dolled up and -- wait-- THAT'S SAM BUTERA!"
He walked right over to the funnel cake stand and bought a coffee. Lisa pushed me to go over and ask to have my picture taken with him but I resisted. Later Lisa said, "It's too late now but he would have been so happy to have a girl ask for his picture AND you would have been able to add it to your collection of famous old-fart pictures" Why did I hesitate?
The show was great. Sam Butera and the Wildest played mostly Louis Prima songs and he mentioned some funny moments with Louie. He had a trumpet player that looked like Wayne Newton circa the late 70's when Wayne wore the little mustache. Wow! Why don't guys like that sign up for eHarmony? I guess they are too busy shagging Vegas showgirls.
I started a round of applause. During the introductions of the band members, Sam said, "We play old music-- none of that horrible new stuff..." Well, I couldn't help myself; I was just started clapping and hooting and the audience followed my lead--- they started waving around their canes and applauded! Yeah, it was a fabulous night!
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September 26, 2003
prima!
I'm gonna go and see SAM BUTERA perform tonight!!!!! He's playing at an Italian American Festival in Jersey. Tomorrow night Joey Dee & the Starliters are performing (Sitting in the la la waiting for my Ya Ya a huh ah!). Sadly Lisa is working on Saturday but I may venture out alone to see Joey.
Exciting stuff!!!
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September 25, 2003
perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
I watched the American version of Coupling this evening. It was pretty much a word for word remake. But if that is so, why do I remember laughing at the original and not once with the remake? One would think that if it is the same script at least one joke would work. It didn't. I give it 3 episodes before it dies.
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September 22, 2003
feed me seymor
I want to eat! Notice I did not say I was hungry. My brain is insatiably calling out for food. I hate when I feel this way. The reason may be because I don't sit down for meals. All I do is graze. Handful of macadamia nuts. Plum. Cup of tea. Apple. Slice of cheese. Another slice of cheese. Slice of salami. Glass of water. Handful of almonds. Wouldn't it be nice to eat whatever you wanted and never gain an ounce? I would eat nothing but York Peppermint Patties, Buffalo chicken wings, Yuengling beer, coffee with cream, gingersnap cookies (from Barb Polo), glühwein, pumpkin pie (like my Nanny made with shredded coconut), Yellow Peeps, Swee Touch Nee tea, Nutella on a warm, buttered-brötchen, Dönner Kebabs (fresh from a Berlin Imbiß), Greek Salads, Sushi with Sapporo\Kirin-Ichiban beer (with Frank), Starbucks Frappucinos, 7-11 Coca Cola Slurpies, Halupkies (like my mom makes), Lemon Poppyseed ANYTHING, midori cake, Rittersport chocolate (especially filled with yoghurt), Chink's Cheesesteak wit', Berliner Weiße mit Schuß, Botan Rice candy from Chinatown, DeLorenzo's sausage and mushroom pizza (Hi John!), Krispy Kreme donuts, Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, Coconut Gelato, Creme Brulee, Flanigan's Barbeque Ribs, Italian nougat candy, roasted nuts from a New York Street Vendor on a cold day, Doctor Brown's Cel-Ray, Chocolate Egg cream, Stewart's Black Cow, sweet potato french fries, chocolate bubble tea, Medium Burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions, and funnel cake from a fair.
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September 18, 2003
it feels so good to be home
My meetings went well. I really wish ATA would rotate their inflight entertainment program. I keep listening to the same songs and watching the same George Lopez show, over and over. Flying into Chicago, I sat by the window. The city looked so beautiful and peaceful. Clouds were floating in the sky and the city was twinkling with blue and orange lights. Playing on the ATA inflight radio was Dominique, by the Singing Nun, Sister Luc-Gabrielle. It was rather relaxing listening to a warbling nun as the plane descended into Midway. Dominic....anic, anic Il parcourt l'Europe a pied, Scandinavie au Provence Dans la sainte pauvrete.
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September 15, 2003
that toddling town
My bags are packed. The crossword puzzles are printed. I am ready for Chicago. AGAIN.
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September 14, 2003
here we go again
I have to go back to Chicago tomorrow. There is a meeting Tuesday morning I cannot skip. I just want to spend a week at home! Is that too much to ask?
I got some stuff accomplished today. Last week's expense report is finished and I made two giant bowls of jello. Have I mentioned how absolutely addicted I am to watching La Femme Nikita episodes? I've already finished the 3rd disk! Hopefully WB will put out the other seasons soon....must...get...my...fix!
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September 13, 2003
To all you Germanphiles and Johnny Cash lovers!
Here is my tribute to Johnny Cash.....
Johnny Cash singing I Walk the Line in German
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September 12, 2003
Back home again
Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Chicago is definitely one of my favorite cities. Lisa and I had a blast. Yesterday we went to Navy Pier and walked the Magnificent Mile. We ate at Carson's--- sooooooo good. Today we visited my cousin Sharon and got the tour of Naperville.
I was shocked to hear of the death of John Ritter. I think all of us expected Johnny Cash's death. After June died, I had been watching the obits for Johnny. Who would have ever thought that Charles Bronson, Johnny Cash and John Ritter would form the celebrity death triangle? Crazy.
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September 07, 2003
that toddling town
My bags are packed. The crossword puzzles are printed. I am ready for Chicago.
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September 06, 2003
Evening out
I had such a nice evening last night. Lisa and I went to Philly. We had dinner and then went to see a movie at the Ritz. It was First Friday and so the 2nd Street galleries were packed with artsy fartsy people. As we were walking through the crowd, Lisa lost her footing on the uneven sidewalk and came down a little too hard on her foot, snapping her shoe strap. This provided a good enough reason to escape the crowd. We walked up Market Street, found a Walgreens and bought 1.99 flip flops.
There were a few films playing at the Ritz but the only one that interested us was Le Divorce. I had a feeling it was going to be a train wreck, but sometimes debacles are the most fun to watch. We bought the tickets. It was a long movie with too many characters. I got a kick out of the portrayal of the French and there were certainly a few pleasant moments (like when Goldie Hawn Jr. removes her falsies and the scarf montage) ... but on a whole, it was unentertaining. Only catch it if you are a Francophile or an expatriate-wannabe.
Tomorrow I leave for a week in Chicago. I have 3 days of meetings and then Lisa is joining me for 2 days of mini-vacation. I'm excited to show her the city. Any suggestions of places to visit other than the well-known haunts?
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September 04, 2003
Take on me
An eHarmony match called me this evening. He droned on and on about glass manufacturing plants. Then he mentioned how he hates to read and that he doesn't subscribe to a single newspaper. He also said he hates foreign movies because he doesn't like reading the subtitles. If that wasn't enough, he said he doesn't travel and when he was younger his parents and sister went to Germany but he didn't because, "What the hell is there in Germany?" He had a very thick New Jersey accent and he reminded me of a colleague...who is an absolute freaking psychopath. The sad part is I really liked his picture. He looked like a cross between a Kurt Russell-inspired Elvis impersonator and the lead singer from A-Ha, Morten Harket. (What is it about greasy pompadours!?!) Gosh, I loved A-Ha's Take on Me video. Especially the end where Morten throws himself against the walls of a hallway, over and over, trying to get the crazy scribbles out of his body. The look on his face when he picks himself off the ground is beatific! (Experience it!)
BTW The look on my face once I got off the phone with Mr. eHarmony "Soul Mate" Match was also beatific. I got the A-Ha video here. There are a ton of great videos: Buggles, Devo, Green Day, Weezer and ZZ Top!
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September 03, 2003
My name is Zoom and I come from the moon...
Yes, it was a nice birthday. Almost made turning another year older not so terrible. We went to the Turkish Restaurant and I ordered coban kavurma (I just love the way that sounds!). For dessert, we came home and had Heath Bar Crunch ice cream cake. Lisa presented me with the first season DVD of La Femme Nikita and a peppermint patty. When my mother brought out the ice cream cake, she said: "The different candles have different values-- you see the 2 white candles equal 10. The blue candle equals 5 and the pink candles each stand for...." I told her I didn't want to hear any more.
After the cake, Lisa and I went to New Hope and sat at Havanna's outside bar, and drank Michelob Ultra (2.6 carbs!). The bartender gave me a shot of tequila. I slept so good last night I may make a shot of tequila a part of my nightly ritual.
*bonus points if you know where "My name is Zoom" comes from.
...and I came down to earth just to sing you this tune!
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September 02, 2003
You smell like a monkey...
I received birthday cards from The Gap, Bigfoot, and eHarmony! Gap even included a 20% off coupon-- (Upon receiving this lovely present, I drove to the nearest Gap and bought $100.00 worth of sweaters!). Thank you, Gap!
My dear friend Erin took me to lunch at Oishi Japanese Restaurant for sushi! It was lovely. We reminisced over old times and wondered how is it possible that only yesterday we were running around middle school stalking our old Art teacher and now we are so very, very old!
Tonight my parents are taking me to one of our favorite restaurants, aptly named, The Turkish Restaurant. I will most likely order coban kavurma, which is lamb or veal kebab (not sure which, might be both) with onion, green pepper, mushrooms, tomato, and rice. It is delish! I can't wait, even though I am still stuffed full of sushi.
I am another year older.
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September 01, 2003
Goodbye, Charles Bronson, bye bye!
Charles Bronson is dead. After I linked to an article that mentioned his loved ones were called to his deathbed to say their final goodbyes, my mother jokingly said..."Did they contact you?" It is true, I am a huge Charles Bronson fan. I just really, really liked his craggy face and the characters he played... especially the characters prior to the Death Wish series. One of my favorite movies back when I was a teenager was Lola. Charlie starred as a 38-year-old writer who falls in love with and marries a 15- year-old English girl portrayed by Susan George. (Get it... Lola!) Watching Lola at 15, it seemed so desirable... watching it now, I can't shake the feeling of pedophilia. The role I fell head over heels in love with him was not Lola but The Sandpiper. He wasn't the lead, that went to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Charlie portrayed a beatnik artist. My favorite scene was when Richard Burton, playing a priest, stumbles upon Elizabeth Taylor posing nude for Charlie as he carves her likeness in wood. I haven't seen the movie since the mid-eighties; I wonder if I would still like it? It is funny how one's taste changes through the years. Well, at least one thing stayed constant-- my liking of Charles Bronson. RIP
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