Happy Halloween

Boo!

Enjoy this day. Re-live the fun Halloween times that you had when you were a child through the lovely children who come to your office or your home.

The Newark Museum, A City Treasure

     Last week I attended a lecture on Jackson Pollock, the artist, at the Newark Museum. The speaker was excellent and so enthusiastic about Pollock. While there, I also looked at the wonderful Power Dressing Men's Fashing and Prestige of Africa exhibit--it is very powerful. I also browsed in the gift shop. I was really tempted to buy an African print jacket I saw, but then wondered where and when I would wear this lovely piece of art? Thank goodness common sense pervailed.

It is well worth it to take some time to get to the Newark Museum to see the awesome Power Dressing exhibit and everything else there. So many Newarker's just don't know what we have here. Our museum is world famous. It's site is impressive, but the museum is more so. www.newarkmuseum.org  There is a lot of good stuff going on there :-)  Bus groups travel from New York come to see our collections. Years ago, the museum loaned pieces from its permanent collection of Tibetan art for an exhibit in New York. A friend and I went--we could not believe that there were about 500 hundred people viewing the (our) works the day we were there.

There are other great places in New Jersey, field trips are not just children you know :-) http://www.fieldtrip.com/nj/index_nj.htm  If you feel that you must have a child with you, take one, both of you will have a good time.    

And, don't forget the Governor of New Jersey is looking for a new slogan, if you think you have one send itin. http://www.state.nj.us/slogan/  I do love the one we have now, but everything changes, doesn't it?

Reminder to Turn Clocks Back One Hour!

     My friend sent me an e-mail and included in a reminder that daylight saving time ends at midnight.  Passing her reminder on to you all.  Isn't it nice to be taken care of in those small ways  that mean so much?    :-)  

  "Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight at 12 midnite.  (...spring forward, fall back) "    S'  

Remember what happened to Cinderella when she forgot to do what she was advised to do? Of course nothing that drastic will happen to you if you do forget to turn your clocks back at midnight, but you will be an hour early for any appointment you have on Sunday. You may even show up at WORK an hour early. Ooohh!

Need Some Get Away Time? Try a Virtual Vacation

  In the year 2059 world of J. D. Robb, author Nora Roberts' alter ego, there are such things as virtual travel where you can actually feel the wind in your face and the sand between your toes. NYC top cop Eve Dallas and her not quite respectable husband Roarke (one name only--that makes Eve Mrs. Roarke--but I digress) often take these virtual journeys for a little quick R&R after particularly busy days. The travel section of today's NY Times has a story by Mark Wallace that could be an extension of the Robb science fiction novels. Wallace reports "More than 10 million people around the world travel to such imaginary destinations regularly. They get there via software that lets them guide their onscreen representatives, known as "avatars," through places built entirely of pixels where they can interact with one another. Their destinations include virtual dance parties and nightclubs, auto races and yachting events, "Star Wars"-style cantinas, whimsical underwater jazz clubs and much more.  In a world called Second Life, especially (where the virtual Hawaii described above can be found), so many people visit that profitable businesses have sprung up that earn their proprietors real money, not just virtual currency - in fact, a handful of people earn six-figure incomes there. There are discos, casinos and other sites that can be rented for private parties or even for the virtual weddings many people hold."

My goodness, is that wild or what?? It seems that one woman in South Dakota married a man she met on "Second Life".  MMmmm, I wonder how the divorce rate is in that glorious virtual land? Although I am not a video game player I find that I am very curious about "Second Life" so I went to the site for information http://secondlife.com/whatis/. It is very odd and seems like a lot of hard work.  Traveling with Eve Dallas and Rourke may be the best way to take a vacation from it all. Be sure to start with the first novel in the J.D. Robb "In Death" series Naked in Death,  Amazon.com  has it.

Where Are You Alan Greenspan?

   I have been watching a particular stock for a while now and checking out its forum now and then.  I never post, I just lurk hoping to learn somethng. This morning I saw this post, "It is amazing how it can go from almost nothing to something so big, from being a drag to being an object of desire."..."Yay, look at the stock soar!! Oh wait. Nevermind."

LOL, I just love humorous posters.

By the way, the Feds have found someone to replace  Greenspan as the new chair of the Fed Reserve Board of Governors. His successor is Dr. Ben S. Bernanke. I wonder if he will remain as long as Alan Greenspan did 1987 to 2005. WOW! If the new man is approved by congress he comes on board Feb 1, 2006.  I will miss Greenspan's graveled voice :-(  

Revisiting the Past

   Last week I looked in my mail box and found one of those advertisements they send to "Resident". It was an ad for laundromat(sp??) services. I usually just toss that kind of thing in the trash but for some reason it held my attention. I finally realized that it was the same company my ex-husband used to own. A few days after that I had lunch in a cute burger restaurant called Johnny Rockets or something like that. Anyway, the wait staff wore uniforms like those you see in old Coca-Cola ads. There are small juke boxes at every table and you can hear an oldie for just a nickel. As I was waiting for my sandwich I saw many "American Bandstand" goodies, including my ex's group--there it was The Monotones "Book of Love". Very weird coincidence don't you think? Did I play it? No. I just smiled and hummed a few notes. ;-)

I think I will watch Three Men and a Little Lady tonight while I enjoy my Slim-Fast :-(  There is a gorgeous old juke box in this movie.

After the Cancer Walk

     My walking buddy had the right idea. She said that she was heading home to rest after the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. I stayed out a little longer because--well, because I was already out.  Anyway, I got home around 2p or so, had a bite to eat and immediately fell asleep. When I awoke it was 8:30 and I thought "wow", this is great I slept through the whole night. Wrong. It was 8:30p.!! Apparently I was so tired that I feel into one of those really deep sleeps that happen once in a while. My back had been hurting for days before the walk so when I sat up after sleeping, I had all sorts of "owies". Today it is almost as good as new.  I am sure that it was the exercise that did it, or maybe it's my blessing for doing the right thing.

It was awesome and touching to see so many men and young males walking for the fight against breast cancer.   

Stretch--I am Doing the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk with Morning

     I will be at the Newark Museum this morning at 9:15a to walk with my friend and hundreds of  'Making Strides' people in the downtown Newark area. I went to sleep late last night and it was not particularly restful, I even dreamed that my longtime safe haven friend had come to visit me. Not sure if that is good bad, he has been ill a long time, but it did awaken me from a troubled sleep. Fortunately this does not happen often. Walking this morning with will do me a world of good.

As one who loves rain, I must admit that I am thrilled to be sitting here typing in the glare of sun. I think this is a lovely day for a walk. I hope there is a good turn out for such a good cause. Right now, I am watching Eyewitness news and some people in New York have already started walking. Egads!

I know that I have given this American Cancer Society URL before--here it is again.  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/GI/gi_2.asp 

What I have Learned

      Someone said something that triggered me to think of what I have learned through the years (and this week)

This week I had to re-learn that if you don't treat your back kindly, it won't be kind to you. I have a problem with my back for many years, usually I take care not lift anything heavy. I even travel light. Not sure why decided to change my office space (a corner of my living room)  by moving desks, etc. Maybe it was boredom because of the rain. Although it did not keep me inside, I was in more than usual.

This morning I learned that when the 'instant oatmeal' folks advise you to empty one envelope into a bowl, emptying two is never a good idea. You would not believe how much oatmeal that makes.

I have learned that having power, no matter how much, is not as good as having authority.

I have learned that you don't need a lot of friends, just a few special ones. I have also learned that you need friends of both sexes.

I have learned that some people will begrudge what they believe to be your success however small it is and some people will champion your successes as much or more than you. .  

Many years ago I learned that the old adage "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt", is not necessarily true. I also learned that the right words at the right time can change your life.  

The Positives of Networking

  A definate 'thumbs up'. Some people may think of  'networking' as going into a "business card battlefield" but I enjoy it.  A few months back, I met and talked to a lovely young woman named Kismet at a Give 'N Take networking event in Newark, NJ at the beautiful Savoy Grill.  Kismet is a singer, I found out just how good she is this morning . The e-mail below was in my in box  yesterday.  Many thanks to singer Morley Kamen, who was kind enough to pass this on. I have put Morley's information at the bottom of this entry.  ____________________________

Hey friends,
If you're up early or want to tape it, please tune into:

"Weekend Today "
On NBC this Saturday morning @ 9:30 AM

I'll be doing 2 songs with my dear friend Kismet Lyles whose family is from New Orleans, hoping to raise some more support for her family and others...
We'll sing 2 songs,"Sever the Ties" and "Softly".

Love and peace, Morley Kamen

Melodiously,
--
Kismet Lyle
kismetmusic@onebox.com - email
1(866) 232-4841 - toll-free voicemail/fax

____________________________

Did I  have my television on ch. 4 this morning? You betcha.  Way to go ladies!  Here is Morley Kamen's site, there are lyrics to several of her songs and event notices  http://www.morleymusic.org/press.html Morley was one of the artists who sang at the Lillith Fair.  http://www.lilithfair.com/artists/morley/.

Here is something from the press; "her voice and music are a distinctive hybrid of a range of artists from Roberta Flack to Sade to Annie Lenox to Joni Mitchell, with a sound that is all her own. Sensuality, soul, intellect, and relevance are qualities she shares with these artists, and Morley carries on their legacy of writing and performing music from the heart (and mind) for the heart and mind in a sound that is all her own."

BTW the event was given by the group Give 'N Take you can get more information at http://www.giventakenetwork.org/   The Savoy Grill is beautiful and serves great food (and drinks ;-) It is located in Newark at 60 Park Place.

Mid Week Musings

     So far, this has a been a month of talking to friends about change. Not sure if this is a coincidence or simply proves my theory about this time of year and our personal "winter of discontent" as the time changes back to gray mornings and early nights.  

A friend has started a journal/blog "about how movies can trigger sense memories."  Take a look http://journals.aol.com/woodhead393/MovieSenses/  and share your thoughts. The past weekend I talked to a friend who loves old movies as I do. After hanging up I took out a couple of light movies to watch as I cleaned. The first movie I watched was Sabrina starting Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. Between the movies and the rain I was in heaven.

I wonder if I am the only person who gets lost in Ikea? I continue to be intimitated when shopping in large stores or going to movie houses with 20 or more theaters. I went to the Woodbridge Mall by myself one time only, decided it was not a comfortable fit and never returned. But there is something about Ikea in Elizabeth that pulls me back to get lost again. Those arrows on the floor do not help. I should know that any store that has three and four free shuttle buses to bring people in from New York to shop is large and going to be crowded. Still every couple of years I feel the pull. Even the food line is scary, if there had been a hot dog stand nearby I would have had one for lunch and that's something I never do. So did I buy anything? Yes. I bought a new saute pan and a jar of ligonberries. It's not called jam or anything, but it is delicious.  It is always such a treat for me. At Ikea, it is the condiment of choice. It is served like cranberry sauce but I like it spread on bread ;-)  One of the reasons I like it is because it only has three ingredients; ligonberries, sugar and fruit pectin just like homemade jams and jellies. In the old days that's how Hero jams were :-(   

I just noticed that my blurb concerning ageism on the morning news received a "It's true, it's true." response. Take a look http://journals.aol.com/vryanes/vw/entries/665 I am sure that one of the reasons so many of the news folk (men and women) often seem to appear younger after a week or two of vacation. It's a Botox holiday and sometimes more. Last week on TV there was talk about a female news person looking much younger these days. I must admit that I had noticed it too.

Angels On Our Shoulders?

    As I type this I am looking at two angels, one I have had for years, one I just received from a work friend after her cherished auntie died. I feel so honored that she would take time to send this precious sentiment to me. I know that it won't come as a surprise to most of my friends that I do believe that there angels, spirits or forces that watch over us. Sometimes they come in the form of real people ;-)  My senior client from the Friend Advocate Program who has become very dear to me was surely put in my path by my mom to show me continued mommy love and of course keep me on the right track. This week I changed my plans because I received back-to-back calls from my senior. The first simply said "Van--call me when you have a chance." So I figured I would call her after I had rested a bit before going to dinner. The next call and the next were less than ten minutes apart and I learned her real reason for calling. While she had remembered that I would be away, she forgot when I said that I would see her, her message was that she thought that I was sick, hurt or 'something' and no one would know to tell her, I should just her know that I was alright. Needless to say I called and assured her that I was fine and would see her shortly and that we would do her bills and talk. When I arrived she hugged me and kissed me, then immediately told me that I had gained weight and said to turn around so she could she my behind. :-(   Wow! Shades of mommy. Although, it is true, I have gained weight.

Today is my friends birthday. I will buy her a card and a quart of Hagen Daas(sp?) ice cream for her freezer???    Her niece stopped by yesterday and brought a lovely birthday. Cake and HD ice cream is a favorite of hers.

Happy 95th my dear friend   

Is Ageism Showing in Morning News Shows

  Good Morning America is my favorite morning news show, but I do watch other shows as well. I just noticed last week that Jim Ryan, former anchorman for Channel 5's morning news is now a part of the Ch. 2 news team. I do remember when Ch. 5 had what I thought was a retirement party for him. I never really liked Ryan but I did like how well Lynn worked with Ryan and the others when they seemed to forget that they were there to present the news not their opinions. I was disappointed to find that she (Lynn) is now on the early evening news. So what do I care? The thing is now that I see Jim Ryan on another channel, I am wondering if he and Lynn were moved because Ch. 5 wanted younger and prettier faces for their A.M. show?  Jim Ryan is still not one of my favorite news folk, but I am hopeful that he left Ch. 5 because he wanted to, not because someone had a problem with his age.     

Dirty Dancing and Vacations in the Peekskills

     When I was in AC I saw the movie Dirty Dancing with Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze and Jerry Orbach. It was about the trial, tribulations and fun of  vacationing in the Poconos. Orbach was Grey's monied doctor dad and Swayze was Johnny Castle, the poor kid working and dancing dirty in the Poconos. This movie brought back such memories. This was my friend Joannie's favorite movie. But why wouldn't it be, every weekend she used to go to Roseland in New York to dance. I loved Joannie, she taught me to appreciate country music and line dancing before I ever saw the electric slide. The vacation spot in the movie was like a half-dozen real resorts in the Poconos, PA. I don't recall ever going to one there, but my husband and I did go to a resort in the Peekskills, NY. Gosh, we were so young , so poor, so undisciplined, (is that a word?, is it spelled correctly?) I am sure that we used to spend one fourth of our meager vacation pay before we got home. Then we would try to find fun vacation things to do. One year I saw a small ad in Ebony Magazine, it was about one inch but it caught my eye because it said "Come Vacation at King's Lodge, Peekskill, NY" I did not know what Peekskill was but the price was right for us if we were real careful. I talked to Warren (husband) and he thought it was a good idea. It turned out to be one of the smartest things we ever did. We went there yearly for vacation for many years. I have probably talked about this before, but that does happen when you are writing your thoughts. I think I will check out the vacation section in the Star Ledger for Fall vacations in the Poconos and Peekskills and see what's there. My guess is there are probably a lot of singles stuff in those places now because it is self-contained fun. Eat at family style tables,  fun, hokey entertainment and a dance band. In the old days only couples or families went, I don't think I ever saw anyone without a mate. I do have a friend to travel with, but I suspect that I will have a hard time persuading him to stay in one of these places. But this is just the time to see the changing leaves and, there are several winerys that have tours and wine tasting. Mmmm--this could work.

Autum in Atlantic City

     I returned from AC mid afternoon Friday. I came in early because I had planned to attend a dress rehearsal at NJPAC--I love doing that. However, after seeing the tents, etc. that were being put up on the PAC grounds, I changed my mind because it looked like there would be a lot more going on than I was ready for.

As always, I enjoyed the water. I talked to one man to who me that he had been fishing since 9a that morning, it was getting dark when I we spoke. He showed me his catch and remarked that it was be enough for two meals.  He was from Philly and said that AC is one of his favorite fishing spots and that he had been going there long before the casinos were in place. This man talked about the water, the feeling he got from fishing, etc. I was tempted to ask his birthday to find out if he was a water sign. The two beautiful houses I watched being built are now inhabited. One has a large American flag flying and a really big BBQ thingie on the top porch.

When I arrived Monday the weather was lovely but windy. There were still some people in bathing suits on the beach though. A lot of boats were out, more sail boats than I have seen in a while. Watching activity on the water is such a joy for me. I keep promising myself that I will buy a good pair of binoculars but they are so costly. I can't take my dad's because they weigh ton and I he told that they are from the war. I looked at Korean Memorial space again. This time a took a picture of it, but I think the camera I used was not working properly.

AC just gets better and better for non-gambling folk like me. I enjoy the calmness of sitting on the boardwalk and reading or strolling down to Gardner's Basin for seafood. This time I also saw a play.  Cole Porter's musical Anything Goes is at Trump Plaza so I went to a matinee. The show was excellent and I had good seat.  I love this kind of theater--it made my trip this time. I was feeling a little let down because I just missed the Cape May tour. Now if I could find a hotel with big name singers in nice sized room instead of the really biiiigggg rooms (many with long family style tables) Shudder!