Norah Ephron

I am a writer. It doesn't matter that it is not my profession. It is what I have done since I have ten years old, inside my own head, before finding movies, it was my way to escape. It still is. It's harder. To write something original and meaningful and funny. It's hard to just write anything at all. But the satisfaction that comes when I do. The place that my writing, on it's good days takes me too, is the high I think most addicts fine.

I was probably only twelve when I saw When Harry Met Sally... and it still is one of my favorite movies. Not just romantic comedies (which are probably the hardest things to write... despite the little acclaim they receive). And Nora Ephron wrote that movie. She earned an Academy Award nomination for that movie (she earned three Academy Award nominations total). She wrote books and plays. She was a journalist. She was a director and a producer. I was sad to hear that she passed away last week, at the age of 71. I didn't know she was ill. Her last film, Julie & Julia, I loved. But I've loved many of her movies -- Silkwood, Heartburn, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail. And I miss her voice already. It was specific and smart and fast. I plan to rewatch them all again soon.

Fire Island

I went back to Fire Island. It had been a year. My friends and I we throw a party for Pride. It's always a good time (and luckily good weather). We drink and we eat too much calories (and I come home tan), but also rested. It's been four months since I've left the city and I needed to leave. As my friend Linda says, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Sometimes we need to leave the places we love in order to grow.

And yes, I met a man and I got a new crush. Just that feeling was enough. To feel. It's a powerful thing.

Rock of Ages



Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx


Rock of Ages
Starring: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige, Malin Ackerman, Bryan Cranston and Tom Cruise
June 17, 2012 / June 18, 2012

Rock hard or go home! Two words - - TOM CRUISE! Who would have thought that I would have regained my love for him? And after this movie?? But he was phenomenal, outrageous, simply outstanding! Yes folks, he was so good that I started my movie review off focusing on Mr. Cr-uise-azypants. But have to give credit where credit is due. His portrayal of the rocker Stacee Jaxx was pitch perfect, from the bandana, to the girls, to the diva-esque antics. And who knew Tom could sing?! (oh right him and Katie sing random duets here and there...) Well this was different, it was approprate and he was kick ass! My crush on him from Cocktail has resurfaced. ::swoon::

As for the rest of the cast...well they were all amazing as well. They each were so perfectly cast and they could all sing (I'm looking at you Mamma Mia / Pierce Brosnan!!!)! Catherine Zeta-Jones proved that she can always deliver vocally and theatrically and bring humor to any character, and if she can sport a line such as "for the first time she felt like a woman...a woman covered in whipped cream and (roast turkey)* yes, but still a woman" straight faced is downright perfection. Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand were both superb, individually and as a pair. Loved Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti and Malin Ackerman. Thought that Julianne Hough was a sweet and excellent Sherrie - and side note, if I looked like her in the outfit she wears at the end I would be very happy - and Diego Boneta was great as Drew / Wolfgang von Cult. I would like to marry him, he is such a cutie.

Now the movie...it was great. I loved it! So much fun, great music, they did well with adapting it from a broadway show to a film. Cut out a few things/songs, added some new stuff and songs. It definitely lived up to my expectations and after seeing it twice (even better the second time) I definitely plan on purchasing this on blu-ray.

* She said something about turkey just not sure exactly what it was

I give it 9 1/2 out of 10 stars.

What Remains

Carole Radziwill wrote wrote a book
about losing her best friend and her husband in the same three weeks
What Remains
she was on Oprah
emmy and Peabody award winning journalist
a Princess
and now a Real Housewife of New York
a guilty pleasure of mine
loving Bethenny's new talk show too
but never picked up the book until now
and it moved me in a way you want every good book to move you
and because I am so introspective
it probed me to ask questions about myself
about What Remains of my dreams
and I realized something
that I am happy
without a boyfriend
without the dream job
whatever any of that is suppose to mean
i found happiness
every day isn't a picnic
but i found a way to breathe
i am ok
despite not having what society tells you
not that i don't want that experience that society paints
but i am happy
i have a good life
and What Remains was a reminder of that for me
because it could all be gone tomorrow
and if it were
that would be ok
because today i am ok
and tomorrow i'll be ok

are you ok?

The EVIL QUEEN

Move over Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron.

This is the real EVIL QUEEN.

Amanda takes the city!

Melba's
300 W 114th Street


Amanda came to visit this weekend. I took her to Melba's for brunch. There is no reservation list. The place is very small. I had heard good things, but had never been. I didn't know what kind of wait to expect. It exceeded my expectation from the food to the decor. And there was no wait. Amanda got the egg nog waffles and I ordered the cinnamon raisin french toast. Delicious! Another great neighborhood find-- that is building up quite the celebrity reputation if you decide to google it.

What did we do next? We travelled through Soho. I contemplated buying sunglasses ( I am still thinking about it! ). But at a pop sale I ended up buying three shirts from a Brooklyn designer. I love them all. Amanda bought two dressess!

And then we stopped at Jonathan Adler and I found the chair I want to buy ( if only I can sell the one I have now!).  Amanda also found a chair she wanted to buy. And we ate pizza. My first slice in six months! Below is a snap shot of our weekend. How was your weekend?