Tom is a new friend. I joke that he has just become a doctor of movies but the official title goes a little something like this...
"I have a doctorate in Cultural Studies. My emphasis of study is Film
and Television with a sub-specialization in new media technology and
subculture."
I stole that from his Facebook page.
....anyway, he had a party to celebrate and we were invited. We headed up to the Hudson Valley for a lovely afternoon at Diana's restaurant. It was a room full of people honoring the hard work that he had done. While studying he also wrote a book. Overachievers are so annoying sometimes. (I joke, Tom...I swear. Sarcasm is a service I provide at no extra cost!) As I sit here trying to remember if that exclamation point goes before or after the parenthesis I will continue in my story. So there we were....a group of "intellectuals"...comparing and contrasting films. I say "intellectuals" because though we were a clever and witty group discussing everything from education to Portlandia I don't have a fancy title such as "Doctor". I was excited to pick some brains on some movies I had recently viewed and found much relief when opinions coincided with my own. I'll take validation while devouring an antipasto tray if life presents such a moment. We had several courses of a delicious meal and gabbed. It was especially nice to feel so at home with a group of people. We had lots in common and an overall feeling of having known each other for way longer than a minute. (Paul and Mark...don't be sensitive...you know we go waaaaaay back.) I was also most impressed while listening to Tom's wife, Katie, talk with such pride about the hard work they did together. She helped out with editing on a daily basis. How refreshing to hear a couple supporting each other to that extent. I was very happy to meet some lovely new people and look forward to hanging out again soon! (Kara, this means you!)
Oh...and Doctor Tom of Cinema...accept my most sincere congrats on the most amazing accomplishment. Give your hard-working wife a hug for me!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Spellman's 40th Birthday Bash
We had such a wonderful time at the reunion a few years back that we didn't see why we had to wait another decade to get together. A couple awesome people (Frank, Alicia, Sharon, Bryan) really took the ball and ran with it and threw together one hell of a fun night to celebrate a milestone birthday. We were all slowly but surely turning 40. Impossible, right?!? I mean...come on...it was just yesterday we were dancing to Rock Lobster in the gym.
We gathered at a swanky little place called 900 Park in the Bronx. We ate. We had some cocktails. WE DANCED. I don't see a dance floor and leave it empty for long and I don't mind having to pull a few people along with me. This turned into a night of singing, laughing, catching up and photo bombing. Yep, I was the obnoxious one stealing a chance to pop into a photo or two...or fifty. There was also a moment of pure magic when we gathered in a big circle with arms around one another and sang our old song. "Don't You Forget About Me" still sounds pretty darn good all of these years later. Back in our teens we had no idea how rough life might get. We didn't know about the journey ahead...we were dumb kids. Now, we are bonding over those tougher times. We are sharing experiences. We are applauding the successes and supporting the failures. And we can still rip up a dance floor! Also, in a twist of irony, I made some new friends. I would like to thank them for meeting up with me now and yell at them for taking so long.
A little side note from the blogger:
This event happened a while back now but I was behind on posts and then lost power when Sandy hit. I like to try to write as soon as my new thing happens so that feelings and experiences are fresh. I try to convey what I am getting out of the moments not just report the facts. I try to be vulnerable and it is hard to do when weeks have gone by. For this particular post I would like to say that I am sort of happy I waited. This past week we survived a storm. I say survive because many lost their lives. Neighbors, friends and families have suffered...are STILL suffering. People have lost everything and others are still struggling with the challenges of taking care of a family with not just the conveniences but the basics like water, food, heat and light. We bonded this past week. We grew up a little bit more yet again. Many of you reached out to me and I'm sure to countless others with words of inspiration and encouragement. Some of you have even started to help others by donating time or money.
It is also Election Day. I have watched a diplomatic and respectful group of classmates state the importance of the vote without ever compromising my opinion or the voice of others. We respect that we have our own viewpoints and honor the ones of our peers as well. We have been a classy little group from the dirty little Boogie Down and I would like to say thank you. Somewhere in the halls of a high school full of kids we learned that compassion and service is a top priority. We learned that people all have a right to believe in a system and the option to make that choice. We learned that for all of our differences we are really all very alike...and no storm....no political candidate...nothing...can take away the pure feeling of love for life that we were encouraged to develop.
Thank you fellow classmates for making me believe more now than ever!
We gathered at a swanky little place called 900 Park in the Bronx. We ate. We had some cocktails. WE DANCED. I don't see a dance floor and leave it empty for long and I don't mind having to pull a few people along with me. This turned into a night of singing, laughing, catching up and photo bombing. Yep, I was the obnoxious one stealing a chance to pop into a photo or two...or fifty. There was also a moment of pure magic when we gathered in a big circle with arms around one another and sang our old song. "Don't You Forget About Me" still sounds pretty darn good all of these years later. Back in our teens we had no idea how rough life might get. We didn't know about the journey ahead...we were dumb kids. Now, we are bonding over those tougher times. We are sharing experiences. We are applauding the successes and supporting the failures. And we can still rip up a dance floor! Also, in a twist of irony, I made some new friends. I would like to thank them for meeting up with me now and yell at them for taking so long.
A little side note from the blogger:
This event happened a while back now but I was behind on posts and then lost power when Sandy hit. I like to try to write as soon as my new thing happens so that feelings and experiences are fresh. I try to convey what I am getting out of the moments not just report the facts. I try to be vulnerable and it is hard to do when weeks have gone by. For this particular post I would like to say that I am sort of happy I waited. This past week we survived a storm. I say survive because many lost their lives. Neighbors, friends and families have suffered...are STILL suffering. People have lost everything and others are still struggling with the challenges of taking care of a family with not just the conveniences but the basics like water, food, heat and light. We bonded this past week. We grew up a little bit more yet again. Many of you reached out to me and I'm sure to countless others with words of inspiration and encouragement. Some of you have even started to help others by donating time or money.
It is also Election Day. I have watched a diplomatic and respectful group of classmates state the importance of the vote without ever compromising my opinion or the voice of others. We respect that we have our own viewpoints and honor the ones of our peers as well. We have been a classy little group from the dirty little Boogie Down and I would like to say thank you. Somewhere in the halls of a high school full of kids we learned that compassion and service is a top priority. We learned that people all have a right to believe in a system and the option to make that choice. We learned that for all of our differences we are really all very alike...and no storm....no political candidate...nothing...can take away the pure feeling of love for life that we were encouraged to develop.
Thank you fellow classmates for making me believe more now than ever!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Takos Tacos
Friday work lunch rotation is awesome! It was John's turn and he did not let us down. He made a delicious purple cabbage wrap with seasoned grilled chicken and a mix of heavenly veggies. I talk about the food truck we will have all of the time. I work with the Stratakos siblings and have already come up with the concept..."Takos Tacos". There will be many types of "tacos" to choose from with inspirations from all over the world. We will all have our signature dishes and there will be daily specials as well. John will drive the truck and flirt with the ladies. Leigh Ann will keep us organized and arrange our trips. I will be the girl in the window. All of us will cook like maniacs.
...and one of our regular items will be the purple cabbage taco. Vegan option available.
...and one of our regular items will be the purple cabbage taco. Vegan option available.
Duct Taped Fingers
My excited (pain in the ass) pooch got a little overzealous while being walked. She tugged and I grasped and somehow my middle finger was injured. I never realized how much I used my middle finger...but with every chore, task and burst of anger (wink, wink) I felt it. I grabbed some duct tape and taped the middle guy to its buddy. I had seen this tape concept on injured sports guys and had finally figured out why they did that. The light bulb moments happen everywhere, ya know. The tape stayed on for days. Sometimes it was bright green or purple. I even tried out some blue painter's tape. Masking tape got a try as well. I was reminded by the universe to be gentle with my body and to be very, very careful with my middle finger.
Hearing Tests
I volunteered to help the nurses at school with the annual hearing exams. I spent the morning adjusting headphones and watching with apprehension as some little ones neglected to raise their arms. Others not only heard the beeps but grasped the concept of a simple raising of the hand. I had to giggle a few times at the techniques used by the K-5th graders. I do this stuff because somewhere in the three plus hours of squatting a thousand times...I get to say hello to my two sweeties. Even if they don't get assigned to my set of chairs. Even if it's just to grab a quick hug and a smile. :)
A Shift is Coming
My friend, Carrie, posted an article on Facebook that caught my attention. It was about how women should stop trying to be perfect. If you missed it...please look back on my wall for the share. The article was brilliant. I went on one of my little rants after reading it. I then spent countless texts bouncing ideas back and forth to Leigh Ann. "This is what I have been talking about for years!!".
If you know me at all then you have heard me talking about the shift that needs to happen. Women went from having a simple role to a complex role and somewhere in there we forgot to modify or find some sort of balance. This all coincided with a homework assignment that my daughter came home with in which she was to interview me about the roles of women and how they have changed since the early 1900's. She got an earful...in the most positive way I could. I do not feel the need to bash another in order to prove my point. These ideas all meshed into one big moment of clarity. SHIFT. The shift is taking what we fought for as women and combining it with some new modifications. I haven't fully developed this process but let's just say the ball is rolling.
Are you a woman frustrated with the current state? Feel like we are trying to do so many things so perfectly that we are failing at all of them? Find yourself battling what is "right" or "wrong" with motherhood, partnership and sisterhood? Are you crumbling behind bathroom doors in utter exhaustion from trying to DO IT ALL?!?
We created this mess. Now, like all other messes....let's clean it up!!!
If you know me at all then you have heard me talking about the shift that needs to happen. Women went from having a simple role to a complex role and somewhere in there we forgot to modify or find some sort of balance. This all coincided with a homework assignment that my daughter came home with in which she was to interview me about the roles of women and how they have changed since the early 1900's. She got an earful...in the most positive way I could. I do not feel the need to bash another in order to prove my point. These ideas all meshed into one big moment of clarity. SHIFT. The shift is taking what we fought for as women and combining it with some new modifications. I haven't fully developed this process but let's just say the ball is rolling.
Are you a woman frustrated with the current state? Feel like we are trying to do so many things so perfectly that we are failing at all of them? Find yourself battling what is "right" or "wrong" with motherhood, partnership and sisterhood? Are you crumbling behind bathroom doors in utter exhaustion from trying to DO IT ALL?!?
We created this mess. Now, like all other messes....let's clean it up!!!
Mrs. Carr's Apple Cake
Monday mornings mean meetings at MudWorks.
(Oh, the alliteration on that one...sheesh!)
We used to eat donuts. But they are bad...and some of us (from time to time) try to do better. It was a welcome treat when we were greeted by an apple cake left from a visit by Todd. If Martha Stewart was a man she would be Todd. But I'm beginning to connect the dots and I have a feeling the apple didn't fall far from the tree. If it did... it bounced right into this delicious apple cake. She'll never know about this post so if you see Mama Carr let her know she is one mighty baker. And her son...is pretty amazing, too!
(Oh, the alliteration on that one...sheesh!)
We used to eat donuts. But they are bad...and some of us (from time to time) try to do better. It was a welcome treat when we were greeted by an apple cake left from a visit by Todd. If Martha Stewart was a man she would be Todd. But I'm beginning to connect the dots and I have a feeling the apple didn't fall far from the tree. If it did... it bounced right into this delicious apple cake. She'll never know about this post so if you see Mama Carr let her know she is one mighty baker. And her son...is pretty amazing, too!
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