If you watch this show keep reading. If not feel free to just skip this post!
So as any watcher of the show knows it can quickly become a highly addictive habit. Before you know it your DVR is filled with episodes and your Netflix chain has bumped out all this good movies you meant to watch in place of 19 episodes of season 2. But if you're really bad you find yourself aimlessly wandering through Chelsea drifting closer and closer to that magical block.
It wasn't our fault. The day started with high cultural aims. We subway-ed up to the Museum of Design to see the Venice glass exhibit. Despite the website insisting it was open on presidents day it was not. So we were spending the day wandering around, looking in stores and eating great pizza when we magically found ourselves out side of Kleinfelds. After looking in the windows for a few minutes we decide to try the doors. We both expected to run right into a desk/doorman/receptionist and be stopped there. What we didn't expect was to step immediately into a real life episode of Say Yes. There we are in the lobby the midst of chatting families and bored looking grooms to be on their cell phones. Manager Joan walks right by us! Across the way I spot the dark haired one with the lip liner! Then I see Dianne just a few feet away; shes the one with the straight blond hair,and I guess my face gave us away. She came right up to me and said, "you watch the show, right?". Totally star struck I blurt out, yes and you're one of my favorites. Now I'm sure its a mixture of weird and annoying to suddenly be 'famous' for doing the job you've probably been doing for years. But she couldn't have been nice. She gave me a huge hug and asked if Melissa was a bride. Not for a long time we assured her and she told us to be sure and come back to see her when we were ready.
We then lived out our fav show moments. We gawked at the Pnina Tornais. You know the ones with the see through corsets and lots of bling. They are even larger and more ostentatious in person! You can see right into the main room and we watched a perfectly choreographed and yet utterly real moment when the bride nodded yes, the sales women all started clapping and the bride burst into tears. It was awesome.
Finally after 20 minutes Melissa mentioned that we had probably stalked them enough and we should be on our way. We also agreed that when her boyfriend asked us at dinner what we did that day we would definitely leave it out!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Go Zelda! What a way to live (and die)
I just copied and pasted this article right from Time ( on line). Its so good it didn't need anything added.
Beloved Socialite Zelda Kaplan Dies in Front Row at Fashion Week
New York lost one of its truest originals on Wednesday, when 95-year-old socialite Zelda Kaplan died, collapsing in the front row of a runway show during Fashion Week.
Kaplan appeared to faint and slumped in the lap of Ruth Finley, publisher of the Fashion Calendar, just as the show was starting, the Associated Press reports. Security carried her out of the tent, and she was given CPR by paramedics on the scene before being rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Just minutes before her collapse, the arts-scene icon was posing for photographers at the Joanna Mastroianni fashion show at Lincoln Center, showing off her vibrant, red African print ensemble. Kaplan was known not only for being an inspiration in the fashion scene, but also for being a “club kid” at heart, often partying into the morning hours at some of New York’s most exclusive nightlife haunts.
Designer Richie Rich told the New York Post, “Passing away in the front row was how it was meant to be. Zelda loves fashion so she died for fashion. She would have wanted to go out in style. Zelda always said, “live, live, live and have fun’…I hope the angels are holding her right now.”
Kaplan has said many things about having fun and making the most of life (see below), and was revered for her young spirit. In addition to being a nightlife and fashion fixture, the twice-divorced Kaplan was known for her philanthropy, spending much of her 60s and 70s in Africa, championing women’s rights with local tribal government leaders. She was also a ballroom dancer and instructor, as well as a women’s golf pro in Miami in her twenties.
Some words of wisdom on life and aging young, from “New York’s oldest and most beloved night owl”:
“I think one of the things that keeps me healthy is that I’m not introspective at all. The secret is being interested in things outside of oneself.”—New York, 2003
“I’m a curious person […] I want to keep learning until it’s over. And when it’s over, it’s over.”—New York Times, 2003
“I wish more people would have [clothes] made for them. But so many Americans want to look like everybody else [...] I hate to wear what everybody else is wearing [...] I don’t think people should be happy to be a clone.” –New York Post, 2010
“Many people turn a certain age and “check out,” but that is not me. In my 90s, I am not able to travel as much, so I must read everything I can at home to remain aware of global change, which provides me great knowledge to empower people through daily conversations, and through my charitable efforts.”—New York, 2010
“I want to be an example for young people so they aren’t afraid of growing old and a lesson to old people that you can be productive. You don’t have to sit around and wait for death.”—New York Times, 2003
- Cindy
Beloved Socialite Zelda Kaplan Dies in Front Row at Fashion Week
New York lost one of its truest originals on Wednesday, when 95-year-old socialite Zelda Kaplan died, collapsing in the front row of a runway show during Fashion Week.
Kaplan appeared to faint and slumped in the lap of Ruth Finley, publisher of the Fashion Calendar, just as the show was starting, the Associated Press reports. Security carried her out of the tent, and she was given CPR by paramedics on the scene before being rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Just minutes before her collapse, the arts-scene icon was posing for photographers at the Joanna Mastroianni fashion show at Lincoln Center, showing off her vibrant, red African print ensemble. Kaplan was known not only for being an inspiration in the fashion scene, but also for being a “club kid” at heart, often partying into the morning hours at some of New York’s most exclusive nightlife haunts.
Designer Richie Rich told the New York Post, “Passing away in the front row was how it was meant to be. Zelda loves fashion so she died for fashion. She would have wanted to go out in style. Zelda always said, “live, live, live and have fun’…I hope the angels are holding her right now.”
Kaplan has said many things about having fun and making the most of life (see below), and was revered for her young spirit. In addition to being a nightlife and fashion fixture, the twice-divorced Kaplan was known for her philanthropy, spending much of her 60s and 70s in Africa, championing women’s rights with local tribal government leaders. She was also a ballroom dancer and instructor, as well as a women’s golf pro in Miami in her twenties.
Some words of wisdom on life and aging young, from “New York’s oldest and most beloved night owl”:
“I think one of the things that keeps me healthy is that I’m not introspective at all. The secret is being interested in things outside of oneself.”—New York, 2003
“I’m a curious person […] I want to keep learning until it’s over. And when it’s over, it’s over.”—New York Times, 2003
“I wish more people would have [clothes] made for them. But so many Americans want to look like everybody else [...] I hate to wear what everybody else is wearing [...] I don’t think people should be happy to be a clone.” –New York Post, 2010
“Many people turn a certain age and “check out,” but that is not me. In my 90s, I am not able to travel as much, so I must read everything I can at home to remain aware of global change, which provides me great knowledge to empower people through daily conversations, and through my charitable efforts.”—New York, 2010
“I want to be an example for young people so they aren’t afraid of growing old and a lesson to old people that you can be productive. You don’t have to sit around and wait for death.”—New York Times, 2003
- Cindy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Fashion Police & the State of the Union
Wouldn’t it be fun if after the State of the Union Joan Rivers did one of those nasty fashion critique shows? I know I would love to hear her comments on those strange color suits the women seem to wear. What’s up with the hot pink and acid green? Of course an important segment would focus on Michelle’s outfit. While I normally love everything she wears I’m not sure electric blue satin worked for this event.
Joan should use a split screen to compare today’s long hair and headband wearing Hillary with the first time we saw her rocking that look. Was it 1992? I though she looked great. Exhausted but great.
Best new look? Nancy Pelosi. Love that chic new hair cut and color.
Worst new look? John Kerry. Was he in a fight? Bruised from a recent eye lift?
Worst dressed? Supreme court. Sorry but baggy black robes just don't flatter anyone.
Best dressed? 100% the Chief of Staff. Sorry but you cannot top a guy in uniform.
I recently learned that Isabelle and Ferdinand created the Spanish Inquisition as a way to unify a county that didn’t have a common language, ethnicity or religion. Like many rulers they knew that nothing unites a people faster than having a common enemy.Since this is America we won’t be burning anyone at the stake but burning their fashion sense…hey I’m just putting country first!
Joan should use a split screen to compare today’s long hair and headband wearing Hillary with the first time we saw her rocking that look. Was it 1992? I though she looked great. Exhausted but great.
Best new look? Nancy Pelosi. Love that chic new hair cut and color.
Worst new look? John Kerry. Was he in a fight? Bruised from a recent eye lift?
Worst dressed? Supreme court. Sorry but baggy black robes just don't flatter anyone.
Best dressed? 100% the Chief of Staff. Sorry but you cannot top a guy in uniform.
I recently learned that Isabelle and Ferdinand created the Spanish Inquisition as a way to unify a county that didn’t have a common language, ethnicity or religion. Like many rulers they knew that nothing unites a people faster than having a common enemy.Since this is America we won’t be burning anyone at the stake but burning their fashion sense…hey I’m just putting country first!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Frienemies & why do I care about the Rapture
Frenemies; Defined by Wikipedia as a enemy disguised as a friend.
It never ceases to amaze me when Jews support Republican candidates because they believe their party is ‘Israel friendly’ without understanding the reasons behind that support. Of course, some of the support, like that of the Democratic Party’s, is based on the fact that Jews vote, often as a bloc and are concentrated in states with large electoral numbers. Hello, Florida. I don’t have a problem with that. That’s politics and as a numerical minority in this county it works for us.
However, in recent years the Republican Party has become increasingly dependent on and controlled by the evangelical movement due to the fact that they campaign, vote, and donate in huge numbers. Their support of Israel has nothing to do with their ‘love of Jews’ or a belief in the importance of Israel as a friend of the United States. Evangelicals support Israel because they believe the State of Israel is essential for the return of Jesus. At the time of the Second Coming, these Christians believe, Jesus will descend from heaven, subdue all of Israel's enemies and take believers to heaven in what is known as the Rapture--literally, they will ascend to the clouds to be in heaven. If you’re Jewish and reading this, guess what, you’re not invited.
But wait, there’s more. After the Rapture, God will execute judgments against unbelievers, during a period called the Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation all nations will attack Israel, and Jesus Christ will physically return, leading the armies of heaven. At the Battle of Armageddon they will destroy everyone who is not a believer. Jesus will set up the Millennial Kingdom, headquartered in Jerusalem, and rule over Earth for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand-year period, the non-believers who were "destroyed" will be cast into the Lake of Fire,i.e., Hell.
And all this cannot happen unless Israel exists in the Holy Land. This isn’t a fringe group belief but is shared by most major evangelical leaders. It is also the basis of the Left Behind series which includes 16 best selling novels, 2 movies and 3 PC games.
With friends like this, who needs enemies?
It never ceases to amaze me when Jews support Republican candidates because they believe their party is ‘Israel friendly’ without understanding the reasons behind that support. Of course, some of the support, like that of the Democratic Party’s, is based on the fact that Jews vote, often as a bloc and are concentrated in states with large electoral numbers. Hello, Florida. I don’t have a problem with that. That’s politics and as a numerical minority in this county it works for us.
However, in recent years the Republican Party has become increasingly dependent on and controlled by the evangelical movement due to the fact that they campaign, vote, and donate in huge numbers. Their support of Israel has nothing to do with their ‘love of Jews’ or a belief in the importance of Israel as a friend of the United States. Evangelicals support Israel because they believe the State of Israel is essential for the return of Jesus. At the time of the Second Coming, these Christians believe, Jesus will descend from heaven, subdue all of Israel's enemies and take believers to heaven in what is known as the Rapture--literally, they will ascend to the clouds to be in heaven. If you’re Jewish and reading this, guess what, you’re not invited.
But wait, there’s more. After the Rapture, God will execute judgments against unbelievers, during a period called the Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation all nations will attack Israel, and Jesus Christ will physically return, leading the armies of heaven. At the Battle of Armageddon they will destroy everyone who is not a believer. Jesus will set up the Millennial Kingdom, headquartered in Jerusalem, and rule over Earth for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand-year period, the non-believers who were "destroyed" will be cast into the Lake of Fire,i.e., Hell.
And all this cannot happen unless Israel exists in the Holy Land. This isn’t a fringe group belief but is shared by most major evangelical leaders. It is also the basis of the Left Behind series which includes 16 best selling novels, 2 movies and 3 PC games.
With friends like this, who needs enemies?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thanksgiving in Prague
After a 12 hour trip home including changing planes in Amsterdam and stopping in Bangor,Maine to refuel (how does a plane not know how much fuel it needs?) the very unpleasant customs office snarls at us "Prague, that's pretty far to go for just four days". Thanks, Sherlock, would never have known that.
To be honest I was not looking forward to the trip based on a combination of not being with my cousins on Thanksgiving,touring a city in the winter with 22 other people and going so far in such a short time. However, I was wrong. Yes, I know ,that's a shocking occurrence. The trip went incredibly smooth and everyone had a great time. Prague is a beautiful city. The twisting cobblestone streets,vendors selling mulled wine in the town square,and a fairytale castle,are so untouched by time that it looks fake. At any moment you expect to see them carting away the facades or Cinderella to pop out of the castle. We all loved it, though I do not recommend visiting in the winter. Its grey,cold and damp. Ken calls it Iron Curtain weather!
A few highlights, and low-lights.
Although I hate US airways and even tweeted something nasty about them before leaving they probably didn't deserve my getting sick for an hour all over the plane. Sorry USair
The Four Seasons in Prague has the kind of service that makes you want to move in, forever. When you leave your(free)newspaper laying around the maid neatly refolds it. Your loose change is gathered up and put into a lovely paper box. Sewing kits are delivered on a silver tray.
There is a ton of fascinating,though sad,Jewish history. We had an amazing Jewish tour guide for all 4 days-Sylvia of Whitman tours. She was incredibly knowledgeable, fascinating,opinionated and bossy.She drove some of the group mad but I thought her strong personality and very politically incorrect opinions were part of the experience. When you get to talk to European Jews you realize they have lived through the history the rest of us have only read about. Both her parents survived the camps only to be arrested and persecuted again under the Communists.
We decided to go to the main square Saturday evening for the lighting of the Christmas tree. It seemed like a tree lighting in Czechoslovakia would be a once in a lifetime experience.Fortunately, it will be.I get very claustrophobic in crowds so we decided to go to the outer edge of the square. We got about halfway across the square when the crowd of several thousand people merged together trapping us without even space to turn around or raise our hands. I'm short in America and in Prague, land of incredibly tall blond people, I am even shorter. After a few "I can handle this moments" I realized I could not. By some miracle I was able to weave my way out to the edges again in what seemed like the worlds longest 15 minutes. The tree was nice, thought!
So, its always good to be home but I do miss dashing to the square every afternoon for hot wine and the doughnuts cooked on stocks over hot coals!
To be honest I was not looking forward to the trip based on a combination of not being with my cousins on Thanksgiving,touring a city in the winter with 22 other people and going so far in such a short time. However, I was wrong. Yes, I know ,that's a shocking occurrence. The trip went incredibly smooth and everyone had a great time. Prague is a beautiful city. The twisting cobblestone streets,vendors selling mulled wine in the town square,and a fairytale castle,are so untouched by time that it looks fake. At any moment you expect to see them carting away the facades or Cinderella to pop out of the castle. We all loved it, though I do not recommend visiting in the winter. Its grey,cold and damp. Ken calls it Iron Curtain weather!
A few highlights, and low-lights.
Although I hate US airways and even tweeted something nasty about them before leaving they probably didn't deserve my getting sick for an hour all over the plane. Sorry USair
The Four Seasons in Prague has the kind of service that makes you want to move in, forever. When you leave your(free)newspaper laying around the maid neatly refolds it. Your loose change is gathered up and put into a lovely paper box. Sewing kits are delivered on a silver tray.
There is a ton of fascinating,though sad,Jewish history. We had an amazing Jewish tour guide for all 4 days-Sylvia of Whitman tours. She was incredibly knowledgeable, fascinating,opinionated and bossy.She drove some of the group mad but I thought her strong personality and very politically incorrect opinions were part of the experience. When you get to talk to European Jews you realize they have lived through the history the rest of us have only read about. Both her parents survived the camps only to be arrested and persecuted again under the Communists.
We decided to go to the main square Saturday evening for the lighting of the Christmas tree. It seemed like a tree lighting in Czechoslovakia would be a once in a lifetime experience.Fortunately, it will be.I get very claustrophobic in crowds so we decided to go to the outer edge of the square. We got about halfway across the square when the crowd of several thousand people merged together trapping us without even space to turn around or raise our hands. I'm short in America and in Prague, land of incredibly tall blond people, I am even shorter. After a few "I can handle this moments" I realized I could not. By some miracle I was able to weave my way out to the edges again in what seemed like the worlds longest 15 minutes. The tree was nice, thought!
So, its always good to be home but I do miss dashing to the square every afternoon for hot wine and the doughnuts cooked on stocks over hot coals!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
OWS: what's the worst that could happen?
A lot of people keep saying to me, what's the point of the Occupy Wall Street movement. What will it really accomplish? So I thought, what's the worst that could happen?
Lets say in a few weeks, or a few months, everyone gets bored or tired or simply cold and goes home. What will have been accomplished?
Well at the very least several thousand people, most of them young, will have had the life changing experience of getting involved. They will have had the experience of devoting their time and energy to something outside of their social life, their work life, their computers. They will have had the experience of volunteering to try and make a difference in the world. And no matter what happens with OWS their lives and their attitudes will have been changed. When they look back on this time what will stand out won't be the cold and the dirt and the bad food. What they will remember will be the thrill of working together with other people for something bigger than themselves.
In a year, or five, or ten, someone will come to them to ask them to 'help out'. And whether its to take on a pro bono case, or volunteer a few hours at a food bank or help out with an elementary school fundraiser, I bet they say yes.
Go here to donate food or money. http://www.nycga.net/how-to-help/
Or CALL at 202-544-9355 to make a telephone donation.
Lets say in a few weeks, or a few months, everyone gets bored or tired or simply cold and goes home. What will have been accomplished?
Well at the very least several thousand people, most of them young, will have had the life changing experience of getting involved. They will have had the experience of devoting their time and energy to something outside of their social life, their work life, their computers. They will have had the experience of volunteering to try and make a difference in the world. And no matter what happens with OWS their lives and their attitudes will have been changed. When they look back on this time what will stand out won't be the cold and the dirt and the bad food. What they will remember will be the thrill of working together with other people for something bigger than themselves.
In a year, or five, or ten, someone will come to them to ask them to 'help out'. And whether its to take on a pro bono case, or volunteer a few hours at a food bank or help out with an elementary school fundraiser, I bet they say yes.
Go here to donate food or money. http://www.nycga.net/how-to-help/
Or CALL at 202-544-9355 to make a telephone donation.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
the 99%
I’ve been fascinated and mildly thrilled by the Occupy Wall Street movement. It started pretty small with the variety of fringe elements and demands that reminded me of my old college Anarchist organization. If you think an Anarchist organization sounds like an oxymoron I can assure you that the ‘meetings’ were exactly as you imagined.
However, the Occupy Wall Street movement is now growing into a real force. There are thousands of people joining in including unions and clergy and the movement is spreading to cities all over the country. And the national media is now taking them seriously.
No matter what your politics every American should get a thrill of seeing a real, spontaneous, non-violent grass roots movement emerge in this country. It’s the truest reflection of what is best about America.
Can such a movement really wake Congress up to the fact that they are there to protect homeowners, teachers, firefighters, credit card users, not large corporations, banks, and billionaires? Well similar movements ended the Vietnam war, segregation, the British occupation of India… Hey a girl can dream.
Want to know what they stand for? Essentially, the 99% of Americans who make less than $593,000.
We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked out of our homes. We are forced to choose between groceries and rent. We are denied quality medical care. We are suffering from environmental pollution. We are working long hours for little pay and no rights, if we're working at all. We are getting nothing while the other 1 percent is getting everything.
Want to help? You can go here to donate. Just don’t bring it up at Thanksgiving with your hedge fund manager cousin!
http://nycga.cc/donate/
However, the Occupy Wall Street movement is now growing into a real force. There are thousands of people joining in including unions and clergy and the movement is spreading to cities all over the country. And the national media is now taking them seriously.
No matter what your politics every American should get a thrill of seeing a real, spontaneous, non-violent grass roots movement emerge in this country. It’s the truest reflection of what is best about America.
Can such a movement really wake Congress up to the fact that they are there to protect homeowners, teachers, firefighters, credit card users, not large corporations, banks, and billionaires? Well similar movements ended the Vietnam war, segregation, the British occupation of India… Hey a girl can dream.
Want to know what they stand for? Essentially, the 99% of Americans who make less than $593,000.
We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked out of our homes. We are forced to choose between groceries and rent. We are denied quality medical care. We are suffering from environmental pollution. We are working long hours for little pay and no rights, if we're working at all. We are getting nothing while the other 1 percent is getting everything.
Want to help? You can go here to donate. Just don’t bring it up at Thanksgiving with your hedge fund manager cousin!
http://nycga.cc/donate/
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