You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January, 2008.
It’s going to be hosted here at WordPress.
It’s going to be all about New York.
It’s going to be available for public consumption on February 2oth.
That’s the date of the Full Moon, because you know that’s how I like to do these things.
It’s so cute; I went with the orange one.
The case is grey, and the mini-tripod has multi-colored caps to decorate the leg tips.
I got it all on Amazon.
It should be making it’s first run this Sunday.
It’s always been a popular question and writing prompt.
Yesterday it was Ten On Tuesday’s topic: ‘10 Things You’d Buy If You Had a Million
Dollars’
My husband and I were actually talking about what we’d do with a million dollars just the other night. The lottery numbers were being posted on the news, and then they annouced that the Mega Million jackpot was 12 million.
We both want to buy our daughter and her husband a two-family house. This way they could rent out one of the floors, and always have a source of income.
The rest would go into the bank. We could have the interest to live on for the rest of our lives, and then leave it to our daughter.
We wouldn’t move, because the location of our shoebox sized apartment is perfect for us.
But we’d definitely take some trips to warmer places when the cold New York winter winds blow.
What can I tell you - I’m no mink coat and diamonds girl.
Though things could get crazy at the electronics/computer stores!
What’s on your million dollar shopping list?
Don’t think Irving ever thought that a Japanese restaurant would one day be in his former home.
It takes intelligence to build an atomic bomb, but knowing when to use it requires wisdom.
For the birds that cannot soar, God has provided low branches.
Turkish Proverb
Tried this place Thursday for a late breakfast of Boogie Woogie Brown Sugared Pancakes.
Here’s the official website
Rented:
Crazy Love - Documentary
Boy see girl and falls flat on his face in love. Girl begins dating boy. Boy swears he’s divorced. Surprise Suprise Boy isn’t really divorced. Girl leaves boy. Boy has girl blinded with acid. Boy goes to jail. Girl marries him 16 years later.
Whaaaaaaaa…?
In Theater:
Persepolis - animated feature length film in French with subtitles
This past Sunday afternoon I was strolling through SoHo. The weather was freezing, and I decided to seek shelter at The Angelika Theater. The poster for Persepolis caught my eye, and I thought “why not an animated film?” It was in black & white which made it all the more interesting.
I didn’t even read the description. Soon after the movie began I found out it was about an outspoken young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution.
As I watched the film I flashed back to the Iranian Hostage situation of 1980. It was my first year of college, and we had an Iranian girl in our class. The instructor went around the room and had us all tell something about ourselves. When she said she was from Iran the room went very quiet. She was sitting next to me, so I smiled at her and just said; ”Hi.”
I remember the look of pain in an Iranian busienss acquaintance’s eyes when he came to the office right after 9-11. Bombing and violence had been an all too familar part of his childhood.
The movie has received a well-deserved Oscar nomination.
NaBloPoMo gave me 30 days of posting and visiting great blogs, and two prizes in the random drawing. One for this blog, and one for my mobile blog.
I got this bag and necklace with my Darlybird gift certificate.
The Granny Smith bag is so soft I love it. Now I have to put together outfit to wear it with. And of course, the necklace will be part of it all.
This lovely card was included in the package with one of these bobby pins attached.
Even though I’m known as justexpressingmyself because this blog I will always be the coffeebarchick.
The first computer came into the house when my daughter was sixteen. I had been online for a year at work, and used my own name as my handle on everything.
The new Gateway came with a year of AOL, and my daughter quickly thought up a screen name for herself.
I thought I might like to try something different, but couldn’t come up with anything.
“So what should my name be?”
“Mommy you’re always in some coffee bar somewhere writing, so you’ll be coffeebar…hmmmm….coffeebar… coffeebarchick! That’s it.”
And so I was and so I am.
My daughter made this for me last Christmas. She burned the design into wood and painted it.
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Abraham Lincoln
Well maybe not ravishing, but definitely not bad.
It all started Saturday night when I dumped half a packet of Indian Henna into a small plastic bowl. Finally a use for all those containers and chopsticks my husband saves from the take-out bags. Enough water was added to make a dark shiny thick green paste. The smell of the botanicals was pleasing; the box said coffee was added for even better results. I left the bowl on the bathroom window sill overnight as advised by a friend.
Sunday morning I donned latex gloves and spread the paste evenly through my hair.
It needed to stay in for at least an hour and a half. While waiting I watched an amazing movie called Arranged. It’s about two young women who meet during their first year of teaching in a New York public school. There’s nothing like an Independent film. I’m not one for spoilers, so I’ll just say this - see it!
After the film I went to rinse out the now dry paste. My hair was all amazing auburn highlights. The best part was no horrible smell or chemicals involved in the process.
Talk about economical. I used half a packet which was far too much for my thin, fine locks. A third a pack more than enough for my entire head. There’s two packs to a $4 box of this stuff.
It seemed like a good day for experimenting, so next I tried my new Glacial Marine Mud. I always use facial treatments on my hands. Hands give away your age faster than your face ever will.
Once the mask was rinsed away, I smoothed a little Dermalogica on my eye area, and called it a wrap.
**Sigh…What happened to the days when I just splashed some water on my face and kept going?
False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.
Richard Burton
Just woke a friend up with a bright cheery phone call.
Hey, it was important - I want them to bring some Indian food for lunch.
And they were supposed to be up and at it quite a while ago anyway so…
Used a pic of my Dad for this week’s Photohunt. The theme is IMPORTANT.
While browsing through Amazon for Flips I noticed they carry clothing - in my size.
This could be dangerous.
Here’s another version of my latest Photostroll photo.
Hopefully we’ll have clear weather tomorrow, so I can get some new shots.
Everyone enjoy your Saturday.
“Sorry we sold the last one yesterday.”
It was obvious he had been saying this all day long.
And of course, the display model was up with a sales sign on it.
“You can buy the display model - it’ll be an open box of course.”
Sure I’m dying to pay you a 150 bucks for something hundreds of people have been pounding and pressing on for a week. Could you empty the waste paper basket into the bag as a little bonus too?
Other answers from salespeople all around town included:
“We haven’t received any yet.”
“Yo Eddie you know a Flip is? This lady here is lookin’ for one”
“A what?”
If I can’t find one by Monday I’ll have to order online. I prefer to buy electronics in physical locations; it makes returning things easier. You can also purchase extended warranties at the major stores which is also pretty cool.
So as I said the quest continues…
Poor piggy bank is still reeling from the shaking he got.
After a manicure and lunch I’m going shopping.
The top item on my list is a Flip.
This does not mean my still cameras are retiring.
Future photostrolls will have a new added dimension.
I created a profile page over at YouTube, so I can upload videos.
They will also be appearing here, and on my other sites.
I’m feeling very Cecil B. DeMille-like already.
Are you ready for your close-ups?
Spent the afternoon bloghopping and wondering what I’ll do tomorrow.
I find that I am checking in at Ning every day.
Inked-In is one of my favorite networks there; it’s for writers, artists and musicians.
This multi-talented woman’s video blog has inspired me to do some vlogging myself.
It may be a little while before I actually face the camera, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing New York in motion.
Waving at you all wildly from the Empire State,
Frances
These were originally posted in 2005.
The most important moment in your life is the present time. This is the time to look within and experience God. There is no other. You cannot wait for a better place, another better time, another better person to be with to experience God. This is the very moment.
–Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Loneliness is sometimes the souls way of saying to you, “Can we talk?”
~R. Weaver
Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while
discouragement often nips it in the bud. Any of us will put out more and
better ideas if our efforts are appreciated.
Alexander Osborn (1888 - 1966)
There is an African proverb that says, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”
He who angers you - conquers you.
Here’s a Thursday Thirteen from August 2006:
Thirteen Things Regarding An All-You-Can-Eat Before, During & After
Just Expressing Myself
1. Last night I had no one idea what to have for dinner, so I decided to a walk along Amsterdam Avenue and think about it.
2. I put in a call to Heart, so we could catch up with each other.
3. Suddenly I remembered Brother Jimmy’s All-You-Can-Eat White Trash Wednesdays! My feet went into autopilot mode, and before you know it I was there.
4. I ate more tuna casserole, fried chicken and corn dogs than any one person should in one sitting.
5. Still talking to Heart through the entire meal, and the walk home.
6. Foolishly thought twelve block home walk was enough to digest the meal. I would have needed to walked to Philadelphia.
7. A tsunami of sleepiness hits me upon entering apartment, and I fall face first on my futon. Fortunately I remember to put cell phones on chargers before I pass out.
8. It’s nearly 4 am when I come to feeling like a beached whale.
9. I stagger to fridge for tall glass of cold water, take phones off chargers, and decide to watch some TV.
10. I sit through some show possibly called Blind Date. The two couples featured are probably four of the most obnoxious people on earth.
11. At 4:30 something called ElimiDate(?) comes on, and I quickly turn off TV.
12. I lay down on futon swearing never to go to do this again. I drink more water, and that means more bathroom trips, and that means more swearing.
13. I finally drift off to sleep again, and when I wake up I ache as if I slept on top of a trailer all night long. They don’t call it White Trash Wednesday for nothing.
And here’s a Book Tag I did on September 3rd 2006
One book that changed your life:
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
One book that you’ve read more than once:
Lolita by Vladimi Nabokov
One book that you’d want on a desert island:
Wifey by Judy Blume
One book that made you laugh:
Bring on the Empty Horses by David Niven
One book that made you cry:
I think one of the books I am currently reading will be doing that soon:
The Woman I Left Behind by Kim Jensen
One book that you wish had been written:
Are You There God It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume
One book you couldn’t put down:
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
I read it until it fell apart.
One book you are currently reading:
Tell Me How You Love The Picture by Edward S. Feldman
One book you’ve been meaning to read(want to read):
Be Here Now by Ram Dass
Just joined Brickfish - looks like it might be fun.
Considering a Flip. One of my blog buddy’s posted the link. They are on sale at the Blockbuster on my street. Just what Frances needs - a new addiction - right?
Saw The Bucket List. Nicholson and Freeman are a dynamic duo. You will laugh, cry and recommend it to everyone you know.
I’ve been using the same templates on this blog and The Meme Section for about a year now. It might be nice to change them. Maybe I’ll open up Photo Shop later and work on a new header.
Ciao for now.
The names of all my grade school teachers:
1st Sister Dorothy - She gave me a beautiful doll dressed as a bride. It came with a clear plastic carrying case shaped like a bell.
2nd Miss Roundtree - I did not like her.
3rd Sister Regina - Very tiny. I can still see the wrinkles in her cheeks that fascinated me.
4th Mrs. Redmond - The best one of all. She encouraged me to write and draw all the time.
5th Mirs. Souffrount - A very delicate and unmemorable woman.
6th Miss Gulnick - A tragic figure. Her fiance was killed by a drunk driver; she never married.
7th Mr. Thomas - He was from India, and he made me his class assistant.
8th Mr. Flynn - The school fashion plate.
I did.
Well, actually that’s creative guns not the kind with bullets.
Hopefully I’ll leave behind a book, and a play and a song that I’ve written myself.
And about a bazillion blog posts and photos.
Not planning on exiting any time soon.
Just wanted to share how I feel with you.
Much Bloglove,
Frances
Since my maiden name was DeMartino, I just had to stop and take a few pics of this shop on 9th Avenue.
I went in and introduced myself to the manager. He in turn introduced me to several generations of the family via wonderful old photographs on the walls.
Last night while sticking to my no ordering take out resolution, images began to flash on my mind’s screen.
Not crunchy salmon rolls, sesame beef or curry noodle soup, but all my favorite comfort foods.
Those bits of American fare best eaten while watching classic movies & TV Land late at night.
A list began to form:
-
English Muffin Pizzas
-
Hot Dogs Baked In Crescent Roll Dough
-
Cream Cheese & Jelly Baked In Crescent Roll Dough
-
Beef-a-Roni
-
Captain Crunch
-
Rice Krispies w/ lots of bananas cut in
-
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese w/ a can of tuna & a small can of peas thrown in
-
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese w/ ground turkey sauteed in barbeque sauce thrown in
-
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese w/ nothing thrown in
-
Hamburger Helper made with ground turkey
-
Grilled Cheese w/ tomato
-
Cocktail Franks & Beans
-
Fried Spam sliced thin on Pepperidge Farm Big Slice White Bread
Of course, all of the cooked items must eaten eaten directly from the container they were cooked in.
Suggested beverage - A couple of big spoons of Nesquick or Bosco poured directly into a half full container of milk, shaken vigorously, glass optional.
Happy Posting.
Watching an episode of Murder She Wrote. Adrienne Barbeau & Eve Plumb are playing inmates in a women’s prison. Yvonne DeCarlo is a the prison cook, and she’s skimming more than the soup.
Posted my Wordless Wednesday
Occupied myself with laundry and catching up with best gal pal on the phone to keep my mind off food.
Mobile blog posts are here
Heading over to Ning to see what everyone is up to.
Much bloglove to you all,
I’m liking the critters more and more these days.
First it was Ratatouille - the movie not the dish.
And now this morning I read this:
It’s the Year of the Rat, meaning good health and prosperity for the Sagittarius.
This 12/12 girl is more than delighted.
Luscious apples at the Farmers Market Union Square
Totally cool sign at a dessert place in near Little Italy.
Old trees like this have many stories to tell.
When I was a child I thought trees talked to each other when people were not around.
This She Who Blogs highly recommends the following:
This week has been something else.
But you know what?
Everything worked out, and I have planned myself a great weekend.
Saturday I’m going to an event.
Sunday is for photostrolling, posting to my blogs, and breaking in my new journal.
And the weatherman says it will be a warm - going as high as 57 degrees.
Just writing about it makes me feel better.
Here’s my Friday Feast
Went through some of my photos and found this rose I shot one summer afternoon.
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
Samuel Johnson, (attributed; also attributed to Ann Landers)
English author, critic, & lexicographer (1709 - 1784)
Just added a new Thursday Thirteen to my meme blog.
This morning I posted to my mobile blog about last night’s total blogger block.
And how are all of you?
There’s a story here I just know it.
Remnants from a New Years blast.
Bits of Christmas were still about.
Puddles can be absolutely magical.
Made a wish - how about you?
Got back to the city early tonight.
Bought myself a sweet little purse that can hold so much.
And a new journal that I hope will do the same.
Even got my nails done, so they would look purty as they worked the keyboard.
Made myself some Indian food.
And bloghopped my way into the New Year.
In between telephone calls and texting happy wishes to dear friends.
Looking forward to a great 2008.
Waving at you all wildly from New York.
