Wizard of Oz

Cutie watched the Wizard of Oz tonight. I can't wait to tell her the meaning of the story. It was written because of modernization. The US was going off the gold standard (OZ) and to an economic system based on the wizard behind the curtain. Farmers were now at the mercy of the financial markets.

Ugly People and Those Who Don't Get It.

So I'm at dinner with one of Cutie's friend's mom. I just finished telling her how looking back at my education the thing I didn't appreciate enough while learning it was The Talmud. it looks like I have to choose between Talmud and Spanish at Cutie's school. This is not a choice I wish to make. I'll deal with that later.
Anyway.
Cutie's friend's mom told a story about how her husband put in a larger and more expensive window on a house than the contract called for. The owners did not want to pay. They wanted it fixed to what it said in the contract. (I don't know the details - but I'm guessing that the window overwhelmed the room and the builder got a deal on that window. A good builder would have checked with the client.)
Anyway, Her food arrived and she ate half her food and then wanted to send it back or not pay for it because the veg ables in her vegetable plate were made with butter and she doesn't like butter. (After she ate half). Her rational was that the menu should have said it was made with butter.
I told her that it was like the story with her husband who installed a bigger window without telling the clients. She couldn't see the parallel logic. She needs Talmud.
The scary part is that people like her cast a bad light on people like me. I fear for our future. We need to be better than everyone else in the world. We need to be an example. We are not like everyone else.

Two Flowers And A Chair

I just want to document Cutie's artistic flair. Both these pictures have stories. The bottom one is Chair. She had a dream on how to draw a chair.

MOMA - I Love All These Pictures

Last week Cutie and I went to MOMA. There was an installation artist that worked with color and light. Olafur Eliasson. It wasn't as good as the psycodelic 60's at the Whitney last summer or the mirror floor, but it may help me pick colors for the house. She also liked http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=7821. Cutie wouldn't leave until she saw the entire watermelon video by Israeli artist Sigalit Landau. She also seemed to like Jackson Pollack "White Light". She calls the painting "Falling Rainbow". http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4675&page_number=30&template_id=1&sort_order=1

Mermaids and Fairies

We also started reading Rainbow Magic book series (rainbow fairies). She really wants a mermaid book. Here's her vision of underwater life with mermaids. I think she was influenced by the work at MOMA (We went last week). She's using the entire surface area.

I Can't Register to Vote!!!

This is absurd. I can't get a document proving I live at my address. The Post office has a defect in the system and all my bills go to my neighbors house because we aren't in the system. I tell the utilities, banks and credit card companies - but the system automatically goes to our neighbors. We get our mail because the postal carrier knows our name and correct address - But guess what? It doesn't matter how much you pay in taxes, It's not possible for me to register to vote.

I have to find out who our MOC is. I hope they are on the postal committee.

Sex, Shoes and Finance

I finally saw the Sex and the City movie. I went alone one morning while Cutie was at school. It's $6 for a movie ticket before 12n. Who knew? There were only a few people in the theater as I drank my smuggled in a Starbucks. There are all these chick flicks coming up this summer and I may need a place to hide out for a few hours while Cutie is at camp. Can't wait.

I think that's why it worked because were are all a composite of the group. The only difference is that I would have left Big years ago. They never come around. That was the flaw with the series ending. Also, I bought stocks not fashion. That was my 90's obsession. I married a combination of Aiden and Harry. How does Miranda stay with Steve? Yuk! I would have gone crazy.

Anyway, in about 20 years there will be another Sex and the City. When they are seniors. It will be sort of a Golden Girls for Gen X and Baby Boomer overlap. Who will still be alive? What have they done? The best part is that there's an opportunity to do a few versions in the silver and golden years. I hope they are still into it.

BTW
Today I bought 3 pairs of shoes at Lord & Taylor. I always find shoes there. Why I try and find them at the discount places I don't know. It's always a home run at L&T.
I picked up Calvin dresses in at their sale in January. Now I have shoes to go with them. With a wedding, engagement party and other things to go to this month, I sort of needed a refresh. I can finally throw out those espadrilles that are falling apart.

What's So Funny?

Cutie was watching TV this morning and started laughing. What's so funny I asked? I'm watching TV and the cartoon is watching TV.

I think I was 11 before I thought taking a picture of someone taking a picture was kinda cool.

They do grow up fast.

Fun in the Sun

We had a great long weekend on Fire Island. Cutie has been arguing with this boy in class over the fact that she is a princess. He said she is not a princess and she's very upset. You tell her that only what she thinks is important. Even at 3-1/2 there is peer pressure. So I invited the boys family to the beach.

At school today they were best friends.

The Aura Of The City - So Over It.

Not looking forward to Thursday. First I drop Paulo off at work in NJ then head to Great Neck.


My sis in law is being honored in Great Neck. For what, I don't know. I think it's for being very nice and helping others. Also she has more friends than ants at a picnic. The more friends who go to the luncheon, the more money the charity collects. Can you tell, I'm not a fan of these things. But I'm happy for her.




Cutie doesn't have school on Thursdays so she's with me for the luncheon. Then it's off to the other sis in laws for some cousin play. She was bamboozled into going even though she has a full-time job in the city. So she's home with her daughter.


I then drop Cutie off with Paulo in NJ. He takes the car and I take public transport the rest of the day. First to nyc on the Spanish buses - love them -- get off at the GW terminal, pick up the subway to meet an old work friend who's visiting from Texas. She's an empty nester and just moved to downtown Houston. I remember the aura of the city. Ha. I'm so over it. Life is so much easier in the burbs. Going home is lovely. Metro North's Hudson line is movie like. You go up the Hudson with scenic views.



Almost all my city friends and their friends left. My gf finally agreed to give up her 4th floor tiny walkup apartment for 2K/month (and this was a good deal) and move back home for the birth of her baby. That she was even considering staying in the city without a high income and full-time nanny is beyond my comprehension now. Babies in the burbs are so much easier.

My other gf just got an unsolicited offer for her uws 1BR apartment - $780K no broker fee or lawyer fees to pay. She's taking it and not looking back. She was the last hold out of her friends.



The city is a big party will lots of friends and things to do. After 20 years it's time to leave the party. We overstay our welcome and get kicked out because of costs, crowds and craziness when we just want peace and quiet. It's important to make changes in your life when things are not fabulous. It keeps you young.



Many years ago someone told me I lived life like a movie. It wasn't given as a compliment. I remember smiling and thinking - Yeah, I'll be interesting. Yeah, I'm still interesting even though I now live in the burbs.



I still love "Sex And The City" and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I was disappointed at the TV series ending. It gave hope to every women pineing for their old bf when the right one was just around the corner.



My only ? Do I see it with my new gfs or see it alone in an empty theater. Maybe I'll do both.