Metropolitan Museum of Art – Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50

Posted on September 26, 2021September 26, 2021 by LA · 12 Comments

What Inspired Me: September 26

Banksy exhibit was quite interesting. It’s unauthorized, so I didn’t expect anything to disappear before my eyes, yet I was still sort of hoping… Banksy was the author of the quote in Friday’s blog. It’s not his art per se that is important- it’s his reasoning behind what he chooses to do…
Flip Sigi is Philippino fast food- and it’s delicious. The burger has a Longanisa sausage patty on it. Don’t know what it is, but it’s delicious…two words: banana ketchup
It was fun to go back to San Gennaro. Our goal is always to find something new at one of the stands- this year a huge, meat filled rice ball. We were not there for the parade or cannoli eating contest.
The Relative Value: The Cost of Art in the Northern Renaissance exhibit at the Met is interesting because they explain how things were valued- namely by how many cows it would take to purchase something.
I’d never seen Breathless before. Should see for anyone who is interested in film…however….if this was an American classic we would be condemning it as opposed to genuflecting before it. If you are easily offended by sexist behavior, probably not for you to watch…
We have completed the Thrillist List of best Pizza- My clear winner is Zazzy’s Pizza. Clearly one of best slices of pizza in NYC- if you ever visit and want a traditional NYC slice- this place should be on your list
Dior exhibit amazing!!

Posted on September 19, 2021September 19, 2021 by LA · 10 Comments

What Inspired me: September 19

60 Rivington once housed two synagogues. The building is now owned by an artist who took out some of the bars that made up the Jewish Star, and changed it to look like a camera lens
Our walk was through the Lower East Side. It’s an odd neighborhood- you see lots of buildings that once house Synagogues, which now house other things. The neighborhood, once largely Jewish is now a mix of Chinese immigrants and hipsters (though I loathe to use that word…) We also meandered from neighborhoods where drug deals are done right in front of you, to high end galleries and families playing at parks. This neighborhood kind of gives you everything.
The Alpinist is a decent doc about an alpinist…
Though I did not attend the Met Gala, I did attend the corresponding exhibit. I was underwhelmed…hoping part 2 in May is better
The idea of Biophony was better than the execution- it seemed every time I passed on of the musical groups, they were on a break. While that was a good storyline for Friends, not so good when you are walking around trying to get snippets of music
Wife of a Spy was quite good…good filmmaking

Posted on September 5, 2021September 5, 2021 by LA · 39 Comments

What Inspired Me: September 5

The cows are back! This year the cows will be auctioned off with the money going to God’s Love we Deliver- a meal service for those who are homebound. I volunteer for this organization, so hoping they raise lots of funds
Reminder to be kind…what is kindness to you?
What do I love about French film? Everything…but really it’s the understatement…the only issue is I went to see them by myself, and really wanted to discuss the nuances with someone- especially Who You Think I Am- which I have a lot of thoughts and questions
Pre-Covid I had a list of restaurants/food that I wanted to try. Needless to say I threw out that list last year. However, I recently started a new list. The first thing I am tackling is a best pizza article- FYI- the slice at Zazzy’s (village location) was outstanding- at the top of my best pizza in NYC list for a NY slice

Posted on August 22, 2021August 21, 2021 by LA · 25 Comments

What Inspired Me: August 22

Let me start with this- my daughter went back to college….
Secondly- the best thing about driving home from DC is stopping in Baltimore for Chaps Pit beef. I have no idea what pit beef is, but I know it’s delicious
I love fried green tomatoes (whistlestop optional) – these were pretty good
We did a brief sightseeing jaunt in DC before we headed home-
Had a wonderful in person book club- helped that we all liked the book
Bryant Park has a wonderful “reading room”- outdoor tables and books and magazines. They also sponsor reading/writing events for free. I attended a memoir writing workshop given by Cullen Thomas. He is a wonderful speaker and hope to eventually take a class with him. He also is a cross between James Marsden and Rob Lowe, which in LA speak means he’s quite attractive.
My Tea Society celebrated Coco Chanel’s birthday at Bergdorf Goodman. We had a lovely tea followed by a little quality time at the Chanel counter. There just may be a new lipstick in my collection…every black dress needs a red lipstick every now and then
I saw Aretha. Jennifer Hudson is quite good- however the movie is quite average overall
On my way to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden I experienced subway delays/issues….It was only a track fire and not someone letting their girlfriend drive the train though (true story). As I stood trying to figure out how to get to the garden, all I could think was first subway issue in 18 months- we’re back baby…
Lost Leonardo very interesting if you are an art geek
Obviously- I took time to get in as much self care as possible!!!

Posted on August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 by LA · 27 Comments

What Inspired Me

I saw “Green Night” in theaters- I didn’t love it…so much so that I forgot to take a picture of the movie poster
I went to the Met with my daughter- it’s fun seeing exhibits with her because she makes me think about things in a different way. She doesn’t like staged photos- she prefers when they just happen. Made for an interesting discussion
Costume exhibit was awesome-What was interesting was that they focused a lot on the actual making of costumes. We had a 10am ticket, but if you are at the exhibit later, they have artisans working on things that will be used on Broadway when it reopens.I love looking at clothes. Wearing them is optional…
My daughter and I went to Angelina when we were in Paris- it was fun to experience it in NYC
Saw two oldie movies at Film Forum- I am trying to support Film Forum because they show old movies and do festivals, like the Bogart and Women Behind Hitchcock that I saw this past week.

Posted on August 5, 2021August 4, 2021 by LA · 65 Comments

Is It Acceptable

I’m going to talk about my relationship with The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.

First off…I love this book. If it were legal to marry books I would marry this one. This book is my soul mate.

What did I love about this book? I loved that it told me about the concept of Ichigo Ichie. I love any book that makes me think about enjoying the moment. I love any book that tells me how to explore things with all my senses. I love any book that reminds me that it’s OK to slow down and not multi task. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is true love…this it romance…this is sensuality…this is how I want to spend the rest of my life…me and this book…

I also have an affinity for things associated with the Japanese culture. I’m going to assume that this was the book I was talking about when I wrote Tuesday’s blog post- the timing fits. What’s also funny is that the exhibit that I wanted to see at the Met that day was focused on Japan.

Japanese Tea Ceremony room- recreated at the Met. Gorgeous, meditative Japanese art…THAT was an exhibit I could have sat in all day and just be in the moment…Walking through the galleries that day- just perfect. If there was a world where I could marry the book, it would be the same world that would let me live at the Met in the Japan section.

Do you know what else happens in April in NYC? Remember I’m reading the book, looking at the exhibit, and going to the Botanic Garden for Cherry Blossoms…Sakura Matsuri…This would be my yearly vacation- sleeping under the stars and the cherry blossoms for that very short window of cherry blossom opportunity..

Of course, we know tea would be my beverage of choice- including the whole ceremony thing. This is how the book and I would spend every anniversary…sitting on little stools drinking tea and savoring the flavors and the high notes and the low notes.

So here’s all these things converging- museum exhibits, cherry blossoms, tea, and a handbook about how to enjoy all these things to the fullest.

Awesome.

I have found my life path….

However…

Am I culturally appropriating all of this?

Do I have the right to covet all these things from a culture not my own?

Am I a fraud?

When I slip on my pink flowered kimono and sip from my cherry blossom inspired mug, and I engaging in an unpardonable sin?

Do I just not know enough about any of these things to enjoy them?

Are the PC police going to charge me with enjoying things that I have NO RIGHT to enjoy?

What is the boundary between appreciating something and wanting to make it part of your life, and taking it over?

Should I turn in my Japanese inspired items, flush my tea away, stop reading about this simple way of life?

Or should I just enjoy the things that spark joy…

Posted on July 4, 2021July 3, 2021 by LA · 27 Comments

What Inspired Me July 4

If I had to name this week it would be that some things can’t be described: I have neither the photo skills or writing ability to adequately talk about my week

In my search for best burger, I think I may have found a contender. Gramercy Tavern makes a mean (and pricey) cheeseburger. It was pretty close to perfection
Went to Fotografiska. The exhibits were not merely photographs- they were explorations of themes and tropes. The Miles Aldridge exhibit was mind blowing. I’d never heard of him before, but I was really impressed with the body of his work. But everything I saw at this museum was incredible.
Discovered rooms at the Met that I’ve never seen- love when I find things that are new and amazing
I went to the Botanic Garden when it was drizzling. It’s always interesting to see flowers and plants when it’s overcast- the oral history that accompanies some of the plants is really interesting
You notice that my picture of Yankee Stadium is through the window at the Subway station- that’s because we got off the subway to find out the game was cancelled because of incoming storms
I did see my beloved Mets fall to the Phillies- insert sad face
Went for Japanese food- they serve what is known as a “Set”- ridiculous amount of food- had Katsu Ju which is a fried pork cutlet served in an egg custard over dashi simmered rice. So. Good.
Rita Moreno doc was very average considering it was about the incredible Rita Moreno
Love is love

Posted on June 20, 2021 by LA · 36 Comments

What Inspired Me This Week – June 20

If I were to name this week it would be things I never knew:

I’d never heard of Sparks, or there 300 songs or five decade career. I have a lot of catching up to do. Glad I caught the documentary which is great, but their music is better
Walking along the East River we discovered a park with seal sculptures- never saw it before…
I’ve been a member of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for at least ten years. I had never seen there little Brooklyn Walk of fame
Lemon/lychee Thai iced tea- who knew how good Thai Iced Tea could be without condensed milk. This was SOOOOOO good
Immersive Van Gogh was just a new and interesting way to look at the works of Van Gogh- I love when we take technology and use it to bring culture to a wider audience…plus…Starry Night on four walls surrounding you

Can’t wait to see what inspires me this week!!

Posted on May 2, 2021 by LA · 72 Comments

What Inspired Me This Week: May 2

Lots of flowers!!!!!