tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43609573948731738992024-03-05T02:50:49.587-05:00two friends and a dietOur blog is for anyone who is on a diet, has ever been on a diet, or is thinking of going on a diet. We are two good friends who live in different cities: Weston, MA (right outside Boston) and NYC. Together, we have decided to go on a diet for one year. But more than food, dieting raises issues about self-image, family, control, etc. It is our hope that writing about it will make us do it, and in the process of getting thinner, maybe learn a thing or two about ourselves and each other.lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.comBlogger1536125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-40238219974467872302012-08-10T12:32:00.002-04:002012-08-10T12:32:35.908-04:00we've moved.....visit us at our new address<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far, it's only one person, one city...but am told that will change soon.....catch up with us at:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>http://twofriendstwocities.blogspot.com/</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you'll join us as we continue to navigate life.</span>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-51020419779331178962012-05-20T11:22:00.000-04:002012-05-23T19:52:50.830-04:00time to say good-bye (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm talking to M the other day and she rightly points out that (a) the blog is no longer about two friends, and (b) the one friend it is about (me) is no longer on a diet. It's become difficult to stay on topic, and I find myself gravitating to topics that are unrelated to the theme of this blog. As hard as I try, it is difficult to find any relationship to eating well and having a problem with Verizon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Reluctantly I've decided that it's time to sign off. I may start another blog themed something like, The New York Diarist, and that way I am not limited in the topics I write about. If you are
interested, please write to me at lynj@me.com and I will let you know when and if I start writing again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's been a cathartic experience, and with your support, I achieved my goal of losing 40 pounds. I will miss the discipline of writing almost every day, but I think I need to direct my discipline into other areas, at least for a while. I don't want to be a chronicler of life, I want to live it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Alexander came home from school yesterday and his stuff is now all over my apartment. While I could do without the empty water bottles in the living room, and the dishes in the sink, I love having him back. I already have a list of things I want to do with him, and hope that he'll agree to at least a few of them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I intend to stay small in my frame, and hope to become bigger in my experiences. Thank you for being with me through an exciting ride. It's time to move on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-89068518101207532792012-05-13T21:35:00.001-04:002012-05-13T21:38:22.696-04:00mother's day (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Alexander
won’t be home until next weekend, so I won’t be with him this Mother’s
Day. And I won’t be with my mom until
Tuesday. But I am getting to spend the
day with Valerie and her family. We meet
at her club in Long Island for Mother’s Day.
There are 10 of us. The dress
code is “elegant casual” which I translate to mean “no jeans.” </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">After
lots of consideration, I wear a black Jil Sander pantsuit (that I had always
thought was navy, until I look at in in the sun today and realize it is black). This is one of the suits I recently had
altered; it was bought in 2006 at Bergdorf’s, when I was working and had money
to spend on Jil Sanders. Today is the
first time it’s being worn. It’s not
exciting, but it’ll pass the dress code.
I could also wear it to my next Board meeting, if I only had a Board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">We all
meet at the club around four. The food
is exquisite. First, we spend in hour
having appetizers. There are four
stations: one with all fresh sushi and
sashimi being served by a sushi chef; one with all sorts of hot appetizers; one
with cold cuts and salads; and another one with fresh fish, including smoked
salmon and shrimp. I eat too much of
everything, and secretly admire the restraint of just about everyone else in
our party. Before entering the beautiful
main dining hall, everyone reluctantly agrees to be in one picture. “But please hurry up; this is so
embarrassing,”--- a sentiment voiced by more than one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8n3XT5xCNsRldcOwcgSVLw6Sa7g-hYxI-pWnghJxBMbbjEUbA874-hZ95c651bTjTgZLKRVFrc9sr5kTtANUlzfEsn9v2JsDI04JPfSIHReyvBLrgfTuj62-I90wKolaP0cNscOz2V0I/s1600/P1010131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8n3XT5xCNsRldcOwcgSVLw6Sa7g-hYxI-pWnghJxBMbbjEUbA874-hZ95c651bTjTgZLKRVFrc9sr5kTtANUlzfEsn9v2JsDI04JPfSIHReyvBLrgfTuj62-I90wKolaP0cNscOz2V0I/s400/P1010131.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Dinner
is a served goat cheese salad followed by a buffet of filet, lamb shops,
and fresh turkey; three kinds of potatoes; and three vegetable choices. The dessert table would fill the perimeter of
my apartment. I have two lamb chops, a
few slices of steak, a dollop of creamed spinach, a bit of mashed potatoes, and
tastes of several desserts. I am so full
by the time we leave it’s hard to imagine ever being hungry again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-25838879084951626382012-05-12T15:37:00.003-04:002012-05-12T15:47:47.933-04:00something every clothes-owner should have (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">A few years ago I was in line at the Container Store. While there, I saw something called a fabric
shaver by Evercare. It promised to
remove “unsightly pilling” and “restore clothes to a like-new
appearance.” It was $6.99. I had to have
it.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I came home, put it away, and forgot about it. The other day when I was cleaning closets
again I came across it, still unopened. I thought I’d finally try it out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Amazing. In a few seconds
it removed all the pilling from a purple cashmere sweater I bought this
fall. Today I try it on one of my
favorite wool Wolford skirts. The skirt looks new again. Really. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I wasn’t sure if this item were still being sold,
as I bought it so long ago. I check on Amazon and find that it is:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evercare-88618-Fabric-Shaver-1ea/dp/B0009ET7F6">http://www.amazon.com/Evercare-88618-Fabric-Shaver-1ea/dp/B0009ET7F6</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Many reviewers say it created holes in their clothes. Maybe they are doing something wrong? I don’t know, but I think it’s a great little
gadget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Imagine if there were something like this for removing just a
few inches here or there. Just put it on
your skin (in my case it would go on my little love handles) and
zzzzzzzzzzz---------- gone. Now that would be a gadget worth having.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-41764263188252826802012-05-11T16:06:00.003-04:002012-05-11T16:12:09.659-04:00another customer service story (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Dealing with Verizon could cause a girl to go on an eating
binge.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Fortunately, my healthy obsession
(at least I hope it’s healthy) prevents me.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The Problem<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">For the past few months, my
answering machine (in the phone) picks up immediately when someone calls,
despite my having set the phone to pick up after two rings. I assume I need a new phone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I spend time researching the best phones. I have lots of
criteria. I find one I like and put it on my Amazon wish list. Other things have had priority, so I haven’t
yet gotten around to buying one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Yesterday, out of the blue, I try to resolve the problem of
my phone picking up seconds after the first ring. I call Uniden. Surprise. Surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">They tell me it’s a Verizon problem.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday,
around 10am<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I call Verizon. I’m on
hold for 18 minutes. Finally, I get
Dan. He’s very helpful and tells me,
after some research involving my hanging up and his testing the line, “It
appears the wires in your area are wet.
That would cause both static (which I also have) and the immediate pick-up of
calls.” This is great news. I won’t need to buy a new phone. I wish I hadn’t waited months to call. After additional research Dan says, “We can
send a technician out to your area tomorrow.
You don’t need to be home because the technician will be fixing the
wires outside your home.” Even better. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday, 2:08
pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I receive a voicemail from Verizon asking if I’d rather schedule
my appointment between 8 and 12 or 1 and 5.
Huh? I call and relay my conversation with Dan. This time I’m told, “Dan was incorrect. On further investigation it appears that the
wires outside your home are not wet. They
are fine. We’ll need to check the wires within your home.” Frustrated, I schedule an appointment between
8 and 12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Thursday, 7:07pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I receive an email. “This
is a friendly reminder regarding your scheduled repair appointment on Friday
May 11, 2012. The technician will be
arriving before 7pm.” What? <i>No need to be home</i> morphed into <i>need to be home between 8 and 12 </i>and is now <i>stay home all day until 7pm.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I call Verizon. I get an unctuous
and argumentative Jeff from Albany.
Finally, after listening to his ridiculous defense of the three
conflicting Verizon messages, Jeff tells me that I am the second person
scheduled so someone <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will definitely</i> be at my
house by noon tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Friday<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It’s a perfect weather day.
Sunny and 70. I’m inside waiting
for Verizon to show up. By 12:30, no one
has arrived. I call and ask to speak to
a supervisor. I’m on hold for an
agonizing 17 minutes, listening to awful music, without anyone coming on to say
they are sorry but someone will be with me shortly. Finally I get Lori from Brooklyn. “Yes, ma’am.
Are you calling about today’s repair?
Someone is schedule to be there this afternoon, by 7.” I feel like I’m in a <i>Twilight Zone
</i>episode. This is my fifth contact with
Verizon, and every single time I get a brand new time frame! I explain the problem and Lori says she’ll
call me right back. She does, 90 minutes later. She tells me I’m that last
one on today's route. That means they might not get to me at all. I almost
start crying. Lori is empathetic---either
that, or she just doesn’t want to hear a grown woman cry. She
puts me on hold, calls the dispatcher and probably says something like,
“Listen. I think this person is a nutcase. If you don’t get to her house soon, she could
have a nervous breakdown. Can’t you PLEASE
move her up on your list?” Because when
Lori comes back on the line she says, “The technician will be there soon.” I hang up and within five minutes, the
doorman calls up, “Verizon’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So this very nice, and competent man arrives. He checks my wires. He checks the building’s wires. He tests my phone. His conclusion: it’s the phone! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I'm right back where I started. But at least now I know not to get FIOS.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-86687815324668691882012-05-10T21:41:00.000-04:002012-05-11T16:15:59.265-04:00a few of the week's highlights (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I have a meeting with the company I’m working with, and one of
the technical people accuses me of “going way beyond my responsibilities” when
I suggest new copy that can better describe how to use the product we're about to launch.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I am proud of myself for not
responding angrily, which is what I feel, but I calmly sip my latte and let him
rant.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">In the end, the copy does not get
changed and users remain confused. I leave the meeting frustrated and upset, but happy for my restraint.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">My mom had wanted to come up for Mother’s Day, but does not feel
comfortable leaving my dad. Instead, I
make plans with Valerie to go up to the Cape and visit my parents next
week. Jean will also come up and join us. My mom is thrilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Bloomingdales gives me too few Loyallist points. To apologize, they are sending me a $25 gift
card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I do another closet reduction and find more clothes I thought I
couldn’t live without. But since I’ll
probably never again wear the pink Akris jacket or the light blue Piazza
Sempione jacket that used to go with a matching skirt or the silver quilted
Tory Burch flats (that never were comfortable), I will give them all away. Designer Resale insults me again by rejecting
everything I bring them but assures me it’s not personal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Robyn and I see a screening of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Shadows.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">It’s another well done, imaginative film by Tim Burton that I don’t love; perhaps it’s the vampire
theme that doesn’t thrill me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I adore my Myabi Kaizen 8-inch chef’s knife, and find
myself using it to cut up everything from tomatoes to chicken. I’m looking forward to Alexander’s return as
an excuse to start cooking more. There
are a few hundred other reasons I’m excited about having my son home for
three months. This is only one of them.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141c7e;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-53747355646001854052012-05-08T16:41:00.000-04:002012-05-09T11:48:11.982-04:00why I shouldn't leave my house (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">I need to
buy some groceries at Fairway. I need to
have rubber soles put on three pair of shoes.
I need to get a free replacement for my iPhone’s iVisor screen
protector, that I had no idea shouldn’t be cleaned with a dry cloth but rather
run under water and air-dried. And I need to buy a couple of cards. So off I go with these four errands on my
list of things to do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I eat a
quick, simple lunch of Fage yogurt with berries and honey. I’m about two blocks from my apartment when I
pass Pachute, my favorite little boutique.
Not only are their clothes hip and gorgeous, the one salesperson, Lisa,
is totally wonderful. Tiny. Effortlessly chic. Nice. Not
pushy. Interesting. And knows my tastes (and my wallet) perfectly. I stop in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The
first thing I see is a gorgeous white linen top. Lisa takes it out of my hands and tells me
it’s too expensive. She’s right. The lines in it are beautiful, and you can
just tell that the detailing is exquisite.
But at $500, I’m not even tempted.
I look at a few things, talk to Lisa for a while, and then head
out. As I’m saying goodbye, I see a
scarf hanging toward the back. I walk
over and feel it. It’s soft and
lightweight. Grisal, a company I’ve
never heard of, makes it. The fabric is
something called Ramie, a natural fiber found in Japan, where the scarf is
made. It feels nicer than modal, which
isn’t a natural fiber. I try it on and
fall in love. It drapes
beautifully. Looks fabulous with my
favorite black nylon coat. Goes with a
million other things. I buy it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod_NePxXvYP9FX7-24Li0qy8IlydefsezOHV3_u7YErhqOGiuPtiCcv7AzY8OAQ0ZcpcKPNxtJb_lhgq_NjRvWd8V70crE3YGsdr4QTu2TSVjqJkMcL3bht1Vp0eH355Hvj7ZTCCIe23b/s1600/front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod_NePxXvYP9FX7-24Li0qy8IlydefsezOHV3_u7YErhqOGiuPtiCcv7AzY8OAQ0ZcpcKPNxtJb_lhgq_NjRvWd8V70crE3YGsdr4QTu2TSVjqJkMcL3bht1Vp0eH355Hvj7ZTCCIe23b/s400/front.JPG" width="356" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA8L7IjtI3llBb_sT6DZTVc1NTyG30KmyrxdBqD_cFi448LPrF6Jrw-8TMezZaYSTnpI6kAm8cq8JnF3LaHMFB_VTU99ZQzXU80kwUWFrifWxtruJjRRMhyphenhyphenQQoTisQu9CoQbhvYLDc9Ju/s1600/P1010125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA8L7IjtI3llBb_sT6DZTVc1NTyG30KmyrxdBqD_cFi448LPrF6Jrw-8TMezZaYSTnpI6kAm8cq8JnF3LaHMFB_VTU99ZQzXU80kwUWFrifWxtruJjRRMhyphenhyphenQQoTisQu9CoQbhvYLDc9Ju/s400/P1010125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">As I’m
paying, I see the perfect clutch (by Clare Vivier, whom I've never heard of) sitting on a bench. I’ve been wanting a black clutch but not
wanting to spend $600 or more to get one.
I pick it up. The leather is
soft. It’s the perfect size. I feel grown up with it. I buy that too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">http://seevivier.com/foldover.htm</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">Finally, I
make it to my other errands. I spend
only $34 at Fairway and have enough food for the next five days. That’s a good reason to leave the house. As for the stop at Pachute? Not so much.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-16550182896309975512012-05-06T20:49:00.000-04:002012-05-07T14:56:46.968-04:00act two (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">On Friday night I see half a play. it's a bloody, gory mess called </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;"><i>Massacre:
Sing to Your Children</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">. I hadn’t
planned on going back, but when I read the reviews after seeing the play, the second act sounded more
compelling than the first, so I decide to go back for Act Two. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The
play is at one of my favorite little theaters called Rattlestick. It’s a small venue, sort of dumpy, with one
uni-sex bathroom that can only be accessed by crossing the stage. But I like the downtown, youthful feel, and
the people that run the theater are very accommodating.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I show
up at the theater a few minutes before the play is starting. I start to ask the
ticket-taker if I can just watch the second act, but before I get far in my
explanation of why (which was going to be that I had to leave unexpectedly on
Friday), she stops me. “Oh, you’re a
member, “ she says. “I remember you from
the other night (probably because my new haircut looks so bad). Of course you can just stay for Act
Two.” In fact, she seems delighted I have returned. “Come back in an hour
and a quarter. You can grab a seat
anywhere that’s not taken.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">While
waiting for Act Two to begin, I go over to a nearby Starbucks and splurge on a
skinny cappuccino and not-skinny gigantic chocolate-chip cookie. With me I have a cheesy Mary Higgins Clark
book to read (too bad I hadn’t thought to put it on my Kindle) and 20 active games of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Words With Friends </i>to play. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Act Two turns out to be as much of a mess as Act One.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-81404174439994052702012-05-06T12:56:00.002-04:002012-05-06T13:01:47.697-04:00a minor injury (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Saturday</span></span></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I’m
meeting Gail for brunch and a new play, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lonely,
I’m Not </i>with Topher Grace. On my way
to Marseille, where we are meeting, I step into a pothole and fall into the
middle of the cross section of Seventh Avenue and 42<sup>nd</sup> Street. I break my fall with my hands, and twist my
ankle. A man helps me up, and I am more
embarrassed than hurt. Putting pressure
on my left foot is difficult at first, but within a few blocks I’m fine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I get
to the restaurant a few minutes before Gail.
Heads turn when she walks in. She
is definitely beginning to show signs of weight loss. Her blond mane, peaches and cream complexion,
and 6-foot frame cause heads to turn. I
regret not wearing higher shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I
almost never go out for brunch, so it’s a treat to have an excuse to order eggs
benedict. I opt for the smoked salmon
instead of the Canadian bacon, but regret my choice once it arrives. The cold salmon detracts from the otherwise
hot meal. If I’m going to eat a zillion
points I want to enjoy every morsel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I get
home and realize I’ve left my credit card at the restaurant. And, the only thing we drank was coffee!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">This Morning<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I get an
email from Gail asking about my ankle.
She is such a concerned friend that even though I’ve forgotten all about
it, she hasn’t. She writes,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> <i>“Did your ankle swell-up overnight
(this can happen)?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I start to
write back that it hadn’t, but then decide to actually look at my ankle. What I see are very dry feet and what looks like a golf ball where my left ankle should be:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIUKGp_J-xFGXU-iDYY7fUwnAZMRLlZDHKnMa05M8ufpiM2mrRdBQ0I9BDZV7W5WJeBa-XW4tAxCXkAsED1vrcxjXSQ0XENfdnK_Cy_hV0WwhALpEIAwalEbfxzbdVkxBcsN7vTNXDHrP/s1600/P1010122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIUKGp_J-xFGXU-iDYY7fUwnAZMRLlZDHKnMa05M8ufpiM2mrRdBQ0I9BDZV7W5WJeBa-XW4tAxCXkAsED1vrcxjXSQ0XENfdnK_Cy_hV0WwhALpEIAwalEbfxzbdVkxBcsN7vTNXDHrP/s400/P1010122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I think it’s
kind of funny. Within a few minutes I
get a call from Gail, offering (more like insisting) on picking up my credit
card (I decline this incredibly generous offer), coming over with
special ice packs and ice (I have ones I can use), and instructions from her
doctor husband.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">-- Take 2 Advil every 6
hours EVEN THOUGH IT DOES NOT HURT. The Advil is an ANTI-INFLAMMATORY.
You need to decrease that swelling in order to help healing/make sure the
neighboring tissues are okay . . .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">--Ice it EVERY 2 HOURS for
10 MINUTES...If you do not have your own ice bag, let me know, since I have A TON
OF THESE CUTE LITTLE GAL PAL ICE BAGS</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">--keep your ankle ELEVATED
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">--stay off your ankle!!!
no long walks!! No, no, no, no!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So now I have a good
excuse not to walk (as if I need another one) AND a cute little ice bag is on
its way from Amazon for my next injury. </span><span style="color: #141c7e;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia5PZtNLNfHBK2r7P4cgAl30Yufue6lScIs0uCzeW-tttQR-tCIVmQvW7h8MA6lpXcxhkbPSVQa3e5Od8aiknhgJ-6j0mD5BpQttxN2TEWQ3LKU2SijXOdsXTPAbwV0fvBVxhWeSxBTlf/s1600/41dAKWUfPHL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia5PZtNLNfHBK2r7P4cgAl30Yufue6lScIs0uCzeW-tttQR-tCIVmQvW7h8MA6lpXcxhkbPSVQa3e5Od8aiknhgJ-6j0mD5BpQttxN2TEWQ3LKU2SijXOdsXTPAbwV0fvBVxhWeSxBTlf/s400/41dAKWUfPHL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-54453333371935125592012-05-03T23:47:00.000-04:002012-05-04T09:17:11.455-04:00a belated birthday celebration (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Last month a few of my friends were taking me out for my
birthday. But at the last minute, two
had to cancel and one could only come for dessert so we decided to reschedule
for tonight. Seven of us plan to have
dinner at T-Bar, one of my favorite restaurants, at 7:45.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Corinne was going to be out of town, so unfortunately she
couldn’t come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Then today, around 6:30, Janice (who’s an ob-gyn) emails
that one of her patients has gone into labor, so she can’t come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Fifteen minutes later Pam writes that though she’d been
hoping to feel better, she’s been sick with a bad cold since yesterday and
doesn’t want to spread her germs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So in the end, it’s a small group of four: Zelia, Shari,
Brooke and I. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Before the night starts, I ask the waiter to grab a
picture, not giving the group much of a chance to argue. Everyone has pretty much accepted by now that
my camera travels with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhVHTSNjYrr4RRE2SCCUHfbaTL2qPck4-9-L5BHqPsVuCKDAj1x2KzTSuhqL3KSLD7RULu263eG59_VT2GXYiS5PprNLXSdGL3_ZYdubNs3moYybxVXLAZfkczr7gNQi5eXCapSW1Skai/s1600/P1010120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhVHTSNjYrr4RRE2SCCUHfbaTL2qPck4-9-L5BHqPsVuCKDAj1x2KzTSuhqL3KSLD7RULu263eG59_VT2GXYiS5PprNLXSdGL3_ZYdubNs3moYybxVXLAZfkczr7gNQi5eXCapSW1Skai/s400/P1010120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">The food, as usual, doesn’t disappoint. We start with drinks, and I get my usual
cosmopolitan. While the others get
salads, I choose the tuna tartare. I get
the strip steak, which is as good as any steakhouse. It’s excellent, and I end up taking home
half. Shari (I’m guessing) has arranged
the dessert, and a big bowl arrives, with a brownie coated in chocolate syrup,
whipped cream, and a lit candle. We all
eat every bit of it. I love that my
friends, all fit, enjoy food when they go out, and never seem to fret over
calories.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The conversation is all over the place. We toast one friend who was just elected to a
senior volunteer position at Horace Mann.
Another friend is attending an important (foreign) government event and
we discuss if maybe a top (foreign) designer would want to dress her. I’m
reprimanded for asking “an appallingly stupid question” by one, while the other
two laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
We talk about dating (or the lack of it), our freshman sons coming home
soon, world events, work (both paid and unpaid), and more. Three
hours pass quickly. It’s a great
celebration.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-46387809005277531442012-05-03T16:17:00.002-04:002012-05-03T16:30:16.447-04:00jil sander vs. michael kors (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">The other day I went shopping in my closet and found a few
unworn items: A Jil Sander suit (pants,
jacket and skirt) and a Michael Kors dress (navy blue, jersey material). The tags were still on everything.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I decide to take these items to their respective stores to
have them looked at. My question is a
simple one: Would you alter this item,
and if so, how? All these clothes
were purchased many pounds ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I expect the experience at both Madison Avenue stores to
be similar. They are not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I first go to Michael Kors. I overhear the salesman talking to the
security clerk. “He’s a she now,” he
tells him in reference to I don’t know what.
But clearly I’m interrupting a conversation he’d rather be having than
helping me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I explain my situation and the salesman's first response, with an
audible sigh is, “We won’t alter previous seasons' clothes.” His tone suggests I shouldn’t even be wearing
them. “That’s okay,” I tell him. “I just want your opinion on fit.” I try the dress on; he looks at it and tells
me it fits perfectly but needs a belt.
He then tries to sell me one but I defer, though he does take the time
to explain that belts this season are being worn differently than in seasons
past. “They are higher now, and don’t
lie on your waist.” He takes one off
another dress and says, “Here, let me show you,” then adds, “this belt might be
a little small for you.” Really. Who likes hearing that, even if it is true
(which in this case it isn’t). I can tell
he is anxious for me to leave since (a) I ‘m not buying anything, and (b) I’m
sure he wants to get back to the she-who-was-a-he story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I then go over to Jil Sander. I think maybe Jil Sander herself calls in
advance and speaks to the two salespeople, Jose and Lavdie, about my impending arrival. And this is what I’m sure she says to them. “Look, this women is coming by to have some
clothes altered. I want you both to help her.
Don’t overcharge her for any alterations. If our tailor is too expensive suggest she
use her own. Give her honest
advice. Spend time with her. Offer her water. Even if she brings a dress from Michael Kors
with her, give her your opinion on that too.
In fact, if she wants the belt loops taken off that dress, just do it
and don’t charge her. Treat her like
she’s our best customer ever and you’d do anything to make her happy.” Because that’s exactly what Jose and Lavdie
do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-60960868295291480112012-05-02T18:14:00.002-04:002012-05-02T18:30:36.726-04:00top 10 lists (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">What do you write about when you have nothing to say?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">My son has that problem when it comes to writing term
papers, which in his case, is not okay.
But in my case, it is. I don’t
have to write. And if I write about
things that are too uninteresting or un-relatable, no one is going to read them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Someone in Georgia is not going to care if it’s wet and
cold in Manhattan today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Someone trying to lose 50 pounds is not much interested in
my desire to lose three.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">And just describing my euphoria at finding the perfect Jil
Sander dress, marked down from $1,150 to $172.50,
will mean little to anyone now, since that sample sale ended on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So today I’m going to write about a few things I like and
don’t like (not listed in any particluar order).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">10 everyday
things I don’t like</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Having to wonder if I’m too old for certain styles of
clothing</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Being unable to eat meat five nights a week because I know
it’s not good for me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Accepting that I’ll probably never own an apartment or
house</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Having to get my hair colored every three weeks for it to
look---if not good--- at least not bad</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Worrying about money all the time, everyday</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Being long past the prime age for advertisers, 18 to 49</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">No longer having ample cushioning on the balls of my feet,
making walking in high heels unbearably uncomfortable</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Not being able to eat French Fries on a regular basis
because they’ll make me fat</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Not having a boyfriend, wanting one, but having no desire
to go through the effort of finding one</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Believing that if I could only have a personal trainer I would exercise!</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">10 everyday
things I do like</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Pulling out a pair of size 27 jeans and having them fit</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Knowing I have, at a minimum, seven really close
girlfriends</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Waking up everyday in the best city in the world</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Having no major health concerns</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Living within a short walk of both Agata and Fairway</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Being a mother to a fabulous son</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Getting in bed at night and having multiple shows to watch
that I’ve DVR’ed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Getting lost in a great book</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Having both my parents alive; having brother-in-laws whom
I adore; having two close sisters; and having two incredible nephews who live a
few blocks away</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">My new, 100%-cotton-made-in-Italy-purple-and-white-cotton-checked scarf that didn't, to use a favorite phrase of my mom's, "cost a fawtune."</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGCbtg6KuT9jJ_vkkJJHbB97LKcfKPp1IYKDaHkVt6xLahAKivPI44UyEMALLjVvsL3e6Q8b_nVW0OXv33C1KAahr8vgtSCqFTOmAWMVXkR4MfCyIuM-orsAYshyW21_Mh7WzAL4-C1lK/s1600/DSC_0001+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGCbtg6KuT9jJ_vkkJJHbB97LKcfKPp1IYKDaHkVt6xLahAKivPI44UyEMALLjVvsL3e6Q8b_nVW0OXv33C1KAahr8vgtSCqFTOmAWMVXkR4MfCyIuM-orsAYshyW21_Mh7WzAL4-C1lK/s320/DSC_0001+2.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-57153885544789118932012-04-30T21:20:00.000-04:002012-05-01T14:26:13.299-04:00day plan goes awry by night (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">I try
all day to eat light. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I get
to the courthouse at 10 to report for the case I was selected to serve on last
week. I have half a fat-free scone for breakfast,
while sitting and waiting for the lawyers to arrive. At 10:15, a clerk of the
court comes in. “Your case has been
suspended. One of the lawyers had a
personal situation and can't be here today.
You are all dismissed.” That's it. I’m done
with jury duty for another four years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I walk
over to the office where I’m consulting.
I have a two-hour meeting with the head of marketing and leave hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">By the
time I get home it’s three. I need to
leave by 4:30 to meet Robyn for a 6pm screening; I’ll eat only one meal
today. Around 4, I make a big salad from
leftovers. I’m feeling skinnier already.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I meet
Robyn to see <i>The Five-Year Engagement</i>,
a sweet Judd Apatow movie. I get home
around 8:30 with a strong need to eat. I go to
Sedutto’s and get a chocolate chip ice cream cone, and feel guilty for the rest
of the night.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-4579969098995021032012-04-29T12:13:00.002-04:002012-04-29T12:13:44.368-04:00weigh-in (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">As a
lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I need to officially weigh-in a minimum of
once per calendar month. The other
requirement is that I must maintain a weight within two pounds of my goal
weight, which is 124.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A year
ago exactly I weighed 121.6. Today I’m 125.8. Okay, I still fit in all my clothes; I’m not
tracking; and I look thin. But I’m
afraid if I don’t watch it, my weight will steadily increase. I'm still aspiring to be 121-122; I like the way
that sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I grew
up thin, and only weighed myself when I went for annual check ups and the
doctor required it. I never thought much
about food. I ate according to preference, giving no consideration to calories
or health. It was a nice ride for over
50 years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-39057991752516111992012-04-28T21:25:00.000-04:002013-08-10T18:29:25.877-04:00a long story for a short pair of jeans (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Not too
long ago I hated buying jeans, but now that I’m thin again I don’t mind. The other day I was getting a manicure and a
woman about my age was wearing a pair of slouchy jeans with holes in them. They looked great on her. She told me she had gotten them at J Crew, so
I order a pair of size 28, thinking that’s my size. It turns out I’m a size 27,
so I return them.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Now, of
course, I absolutely need a pair of cropped jeans. I can wear them three-seasons a year, and I
like the look. The next day I go to
Bloomingdales and find a great pair of boyfriend-style jeans. As an added bonus, all the jeans are 20%
off. I first put on a pair of slouchy
jeans that fit well, but may be a bit too slouchy. After my old-lady shoe error
last Saturday, I’m trying to be more fashion-conscious. Next I try on a pair of AG (Adriano
Goldschmied) jeans that fit beautifully but are more than a little distressed.
I ask everyone I can find what they think and the consensus is, “Buy them. You look great in them and they flatter your
body.” Here’s a photo (I wish that were
me in them).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">But
then I worry that maybe these jeans look too much like I’m trying to appear young. So I send M and Robyn a photo and ask them if
I should keep them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">M
writes back; here’s the entirety of her email:
“No.” Later, when probed, M writes,
“These look </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">ridiculous for a 60 year old
woman. Unless of course, you live in Appalachia or on a street corner.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Robyn
calls with advice. “They are too casual
for a date (I don’t remind her that I don’t date) and too informal to dress
up. For the money, I wouldn’t get
them. You can’t even really wear them to
a BAFTA screening.” So, I decide to
return them and start again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Since I
now know that the size 27, AG jeans fit me perfectly, I order three different
styles from Zappos, hoping I fall in love with one of them. When they arrive, I
discard two immediately. One I consider,
the Tomboy Crop, 15 Years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I go
back to Bloomingdales to exchange the jeans I thought I loved. I find another pair that I like, and buy them
(the Piper Crop-15 Years). The pair that
look the best (at least on the hanger) are missing my size. They are the same
cut as the original jeans I like but without the holes. These are called Stilt Roll-Up-19 Years (the
number of years is for the wash on the jean, NOT the age you need to be to wear
them).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I come
home and call an AG store on the Westside.
They have the jeans I think I like the best, so I go over to try them
on. It turns out, I don’t like them the
best.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">So now
I have two pair that I like, and I make Robyn the final arbiter of which to
keep. I model them both for her and she
concludes, they both look great. “Pick
the one that costs less.” I get the
Piper Cropped Jeans from Bloomingdales and save $18.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The
end.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-87627969781983840592012-04-26T22:18:00.000-04:002012-04-27T09:31:56.494-04:00I'm always picked (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Two
days of bad eating. A muffin and coffee
for breakfast and a Fiber One bar for lunch.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Two
days of running over to the Jil Sander 85% off sample sale. I end up paying little for a black pencil
skirt and a black “hammock-style” dress.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Two
days of sitting around catching up on reading.
I finish three old copies of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PEOPLE,
</i>two<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>issues of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NY Magazine</i>, and almost half of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Darlings</i> by Cristina Alger (it’s great).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Two
days of meeting new people from all different professions and backgrounds: among them, an utterly obnoxious radiologist, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">a recently-graduated college student with a Masters in the psychology of jury selection, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">a sweet practicing nurse from Ireland, a non-stop talker, and a retired detective.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">This is, I think, my
fourth time reporting for jury duty. Last time was ten years ago
when I served on a grand jury for a month.
I listen to my friends tell their stories. Two days or less and they are dismissed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I
arrive on Wednesday, and watch a twenty-minute movie about the process. Harry
Reasoner narrates. I guess the process
hasn’t changed much in the past 21-years; Mr. Reasoner died in 1991. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The big waiting room is filled with maybe 200
prospective jurors. 19 names are
randomly selected; mine is the 18<sup>th</sup> name called. We are directed to a
smaller room where two lawyers greet us.
It is their job to select a 6-person jury for a trial. Here are the basics of the case: a man has been found negligent of a 2005 motor
vehicle accident where a woman claims to be injured. The jury will need to decide if the back injuries
the women now suffers from were caused by the car accident, and if yes, do they
meet the state’s definition of serious injury.
If the jury finds they do, then the jury will decide the monetary award,
if any.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">They lawyer
questions us in order. I am number 18
(of 19 in the room). I am sure I won’t
be called, as clearly there must be six qualified people among the 17 before
me. I expect the vetting process to be
tedious and boring; it usually is. But
this group is vocal and contentious, and, the two lawyers appear to hate each other. Listening to the interviews becomes almost entertaining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The group is asked to raise their right hands and swear to tell the truth. One woman says, “I don’t swear to G-d; ” she refuses to be sworn in. Soon after, another
woman says she doesn’t feel it is her place to judge people. Someone else is combative in her
declarations. “I think it is wrong
to ask for pain and suffering. People
today sue for anything and everything.
Look, bad things happen to people.
And just because they do shouldn’t mean you can sue.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">In the
end, I’m one of the six chosen. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-53186494950512511262012-04-25T22:19:00.000-04:002012-04-26T19:29:52.443-04:00dinner at Marea (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Too bad
Gail weren’t a guy. I’d be in love. She is the perfect date. Thoughtful.
Generous. Interesting. Funny.
And full of surprises. Tonight,
in celebration of my birthday last month, Gail takes me to Marea for dinner.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I
arrive for our 6 o’clock reservation (Gail made the reservation a month ago; anything after six and before ten was already taken). Even for the early hour, the
restaurant is starting to fill up. It is
sleek and modern, but the wait staff is surprisingly friendly and accommodating. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Gail
looks beautiful in a black dress that she unflatteringly describes as “a diaper
dress,” named for the complicated way the dress is designed. But it looks elegant and is not, in any way, suggestive of its name. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">As soon as I sit
down, Gail explains the prix fixe meal we'll be getting. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">Everything
on the menu sounds exotic with ingredients I don’t know and therefore can’t
imagine. The waiter provides guidance,
and has strong opinions about what to order.
His suggestions prove to be perfect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">For
starters, I get some kind of shrimp sushi.
I have never tasted anything like it; it is divine. And that's not
because I drink two Cosmopolitans and my senses are heightened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The
waiter, without hesitation, recommends the spaghetti for the "hand-made" pasta course. While spaghetti sounds like something I could
even make, I certainly couldn’t make it with “crab, santa barbara sea urchin,
and basil.” It's unlike any pasta I've ever tasted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbJ9nLk_WmHdsCkie_uqP0mPb6UkjdmjngoVGhan16ABMLGZ5zKSfbg_iArDN4Vd76Z3N6dU3Bx379yxZeLPFYnVbcf-j-dbqP6T-0ruQM8cJVCEG7uQl-4PX-YkRbYFjnoGAGJ5SuOAg/s1600/spaghetti.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbJ9nLk_WmHdsCkie_uqP0mPb6UkjdmjngoVGhan16ABMLGZ5zKSfbg_iArDN4Vd76Z3N6dU3Bx379yxZeLPFYnVbcf-j-dbqP6T-0ruQM8cJVCEG7uQl-4PX-YkRbYFjnoGAGJ5SuOAg/s320/spaghetti.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For the
main course, Gail and I both get b</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">ranzino, served with "beluga lentils, cipollini onion, trumpet royale mushrooms, and red wine jus.” It is hard to decipher most of the ingredients in the dish,
but it really doesn’t matter; it all tastes great.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I order
a skim cappuccino for dessert, along with a glorious lemon tarte, described as “</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">sorrento lemon curd tart, ricotta gelato, brown
butter crumble, candied rose.” It neither tastes, nor looks, anything like
the ones I’ve made. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">But the
best part of the meal is not what I eat.
It’s not the nice touch of the beautifully wrapped breakfast muffin we
are given as we leave. And it’s not the
intrigue of wondering who the secret service men at the door are there to
protect. No, the best part of the dinner
is unquestionably spending time with Gail.
And that is saying a lot, considering how exquisite the dinner is.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-83385396200032321742012-04-24T17:14:00.000-04:002012-04-26T17:25:22.211-04:00couldn't resist (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proof that Amercan diets are not the healthiest, I get this today:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David is being returned to Italy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2o2CfRdAhIqtG1NReQg6Sso6A7zjNocUly4At8dlsgyU71xO5I0cuJ0_UP7tMPpgroBDXbhBc8KUue0PFOcD6ucsPana8thxNG5ow4rcwA_TVpmZ050EzTW4-Ce6AE_acTOwgrG2tbkj/s1600/ATT000011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2o2CfRdAhIqtG1NReQg6Sso6A7zjNocUly4At8dlsgyU71xO5I0cuJ0_UP7tMPpgroBDXbhBc8KUue0PFOcD6ucsPana8thxNG5ow4rcwA_TVpmZ050EzTW4-Ce6AE_acTOwgrG2tbkj/s400/ATT000011.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">After a two year loan to the United States, Michelangelo's David is being returned to Florence.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #38761d; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsznV7wKqNrdxDa-spkueFchyphenhyphenN_3IUuDhNnGi53TwqTM-za-My-4Tp2YIuCqDMQnJWlYkpY89RXo0PzuH9ywpi3mzSd-kBuwwl_42Xe9vXUASGnEGkBU8rUKLG4Fh4O5sF01UY1Knain1/s1600/ATT000022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsznV7wKqNrdxDa-spkueFchyphenhyphenN_3IUuDhNnGi53TwqTM-za-My-4Tp2YIuCqDMQnJWlYkpY89RXo0PzuH9ywpi3mzSd-kBuwwl_42Xe9vXUASGnEGkBU8rUKLG4Fh4O5sF01UY1Knain1/s400/ATT000022.jpg" width="377" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">But then, you have to wonder if eating healthy is a guarantee for looking good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">Here's a photo of 52-year old Gillian McKeith, a TV health guru. She advocates a holistic approach to nutrition and health, promoting exercise, a vegetarian diet, colonic irrigations, and supplements.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09-Gad9uJNbD0xtbplrU3blDutOFBGKuuqrYBVS1y8UFn1qaH7-_O1umxbg_5DYl3wlHA-2z7p2bBjpZRPIU_BSOpKI7VV_MMu8i1zLqsYEtqxVCGpCsBXwp05z8GSGTWFCnagXMAMtNR/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09-Gad9uJNbD0xtbplrU3blDutOFBGKuuqrYBVS1y8UFn1qaH7-_O1umxbg_5DYl3wlHA-2z7p2bBjpZRPIU_BSOpKI7VV_MMu8i1zLqsYEtqxVCGpCsBXwp05z8GSGTWFCnagXMAMtNR/s400/image001.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">This is Nigella Lawson, also 52. She is a TV cook who eats meat, chocolate, butter, and desserts.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj8HeW3OS4KmOwvwJmKc_uF4Umlpy8UiGrXnMpMP7i9kAUWAGCxWdTcgq3UC_VbKjXU8u4gRUzZD-RWD2-tcofvekS2Q_H7-DPT569HAXNfeRE37mb4D3IsvA6ihyphenhyphenUQzD7hgY0ChDz7ru/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj8HeW3OS4KmOwvwJmKc_uF4Umlpy8UiGrXnMpMP7i9kAUWAGCxWdTcgq3UC_VbKjXU8u4gRUzZD-RWD2-tcofvekS2Q_H7-DPT569HAXNfeRE37mb4D3IsvA6ihyphenhyphenUQzD7hgY0ChDz7ru/s400/image002.jpg" width="276" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-40941762427547643782012-04-23T20:27:00.000-04:002012-04-24T15:39:46.089-04:00wrong number (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It’s
cloudy and blah-looking out. I do some
work. I finish <i>So Pretty It Hurts</i> by Kate White (a quick read). I organize some more. I find and get the perfect earring jewelry
box on Zappos (<a href="http://www.zappos.com/product/7987040/color/3">http://www.zappos.com/product/7987040/color/3</a>)
with 35 compartments. Finally, I can see
the earrings I have, instead of trying to recall them from memory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6unmE6lCCeHtK7lfsaiRGUrq7a6FPqs8GNGAir7ou0T6J0TV58nY5HFCJYsYQIIF5wrnRSzd2aPRiMXsbL2up7UvSsj7pmt07sPW_vtFsCj4VO4xflFASGMt_Z3vUqfcKRELebWCmupy0/s1600/outside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6unmE6lCCeHtK7lfsaiRGUrq7a6FPqs8GNGAir7ou0T6J0TV58nY5HFCJYsYQIIF5wrnRSzd2aPRiMXsbL2up7UvSsj7pmt07sPW_vtFsCj4VO4xflFASGMt_Z3vUqfcKRELebWCmupy0/s400/outside.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYSiugvv5Z5H8C0ZWjmErg6hqZbyD6kuUs9rLZ2xN9VXHp9ULhElEsr7rUH-FDpis1nOLdyOAjez4ZA3ND09zlPvTqV-BouRsyyA69JzEcw7GYFiXXafqWpNuIRWWLp0ialSVaO4-hx1/s1600/inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYSiugvv5Z5H8C0ZWjmErg6hqZbyD6kuUs9rLZ2xN9VXHp9ULhElEsr7rUH-FDpis1nOLdyOAjez4ZA3ND09zlPvTqV-BouRsyyA69JzEcw7GYFiXXafqWpNuIRWWLp0ialSVaO4-hx1/s400/inside.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;"><br />
I bring
some shoes in to be resoled. I feed my
addiction for Words With Friends (zero ww points). I’m currently in 22 games with 12 different
“friends,” some I haven’t seen or spoken to in 15 years. I must now know all the two-letter words in
the English language, but have no clue what most of them mean. Ka?
Ki? Aa? Qi?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">And
finally, I go shopping at Fairway. I end up at the deli counter, and take a
number. They are calling number 85 and my number
says 09; it doesn’t even look that crowded.
I figure people take numbers and then leave the area to shop for other
things, but I’ve done all my shopping, so I wait. Some have one or two requests while others seem to be buying for the Duggars. I have lots of time to observe. It seems like some
people have arrived after me, never leave the area, and are now being helped, but I
can’t be sure. Maybe they are lying about their numbers since
the people behind the counter don’t check them. But who would do that? This is a nice Upper East Side
neighborhood. Finally I hear, “91.” I say, “Right here,” at the same time another
shopper says the same thing. We take out
our numbers to compare and yes, hers clearly says 09. She looks at my number and without smiling
says, “Yours says 091.” The 1 is very
light and I didn’t notice it. I feel
idiotic, and her look confirms it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">But
still, the orzo with spinach and pine nuts makes it worth the wait. I have that and grilled shrimp for dinner.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16pt;">
<br /></div>
</span>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-83919211501591978382012-04-22T16:44:00.001-04:002012-04-22T16:47:17.853-04:00knives and other things (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">It’s
raining today; a perfect day to clean and organize. I tackle my bedroom. I throw away books I’ve barely read (like
David Pogue’s manual on Tiger OS---I’m three operating systems past Tiger, old
photos that I now have on my computer, linen paper with my name and address on
it from the days when you mailed letters and resumes, and even two old analog
cameras. I even get out a stepstool and clean the top of my armoire.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">As I’m
finishing, I hear a bell ringing outside on the street; it sounds like an
old-fashioned ice-cream truck, but it’s
not. It’s a man who sharpens
knives. I’ve heard him before and this time
I decide to use his service. I grab my
6-inch knife that was dull the last time I tried it, and run out in the rain to
his truck. There I meet a smiling, impish older man named Dominick. His truck is fully equipped with all sorts of
knife sharpening machines. I ask him if
he really gets much business just driving around and ringing a bell. He says it’s like fishing. “See, here’s my bait (and he rings his
bell). I cast my rod and sit and
hope.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJamqXawNMPV9nTmz-91DgBE17D9uMNzMZAPy7_rU59RzIHQTPL8qY1p9axkx2pR16BRPN_juESz8vEe6Ao1frKimOA1bZ8aG7gYzIqhPFASWnQ2tYL6jrt0se4Xt3ya9lvtAi8UOhrSVA/s1600/P1010115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJamqXawNMPV9nTmz-91DgBE17D9uMNzMZAPy7_rU59RzIHQTPL8qY1p9axkx2pR16BRPN_juESz8vEe6Ao1frKimOA1bZ8aG7gYzIqhPFASWnQ2tYL6jrt0se4Xt3ya9lvtAi8UOhrSVA/s400/P1010115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-66594083636342607772012-04-21T19:59:00.000-04:002012-04-22T13:06:46.363-04:00a memorial service, food and shoes (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Today
is the memorial service for Zelia’s ex-husband, and the father of her two
children. Chico Anysio was a beloved
entertainer in Brazil. He created over
200 memorable characters, appeared in films, and was a composer. When
he died in March, his death was widely covered in Brazil. Even soccer teams honored him by wearing
shirts with his name. Instead of
standing for a minute of silence, an entire soccer stadium stood for a minute
of clapping.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Zelia
has chosen the Actor’s Chapel, in the heart of Broadway, for the service. It’s
almost 100 years old and beautiful. The
service is flawless, the chapel is full, and Victoria, Zelia’s daughter, delivers
a heartfelt eulogy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">After
the service, a small group is invited to Sarafina’s, a nearby restaurant. It is more festive than somber, and I think
Zelia and her children finally have a sense of closure. The food is excellent and plentiful, and I
abandon any attempt to eat carefully. I
have a small piece of bruschetta, a few calamari, a bit of greens, and a slice
of thin crusted pizza. And those are just
the appetizers. My entrée is sage with
butter ravioli, and dessert is more-than-a taste of three different
desserts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Following
the lunch, Brooke, Janice and I walk about a mile. I am impressed with their ability to walk so
far in four-inch heels. I have changed
out of my nice shoes into a lower-heeled shoe that two people comment on. “They look dowdy; like something an old lady would wear.” I decide they are
right and will now toss them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I
remember writing about these shoes when I bought them only two years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://twofriendsandadiet.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-shoes-lyn.html">http://twofriendsandadiet.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-shoes-lyn.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The
people at Harry’s Shoes convinced me then that since my body looked so good, no
one would be looking at my feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Now I
realize how little truth was in their observations. I weigh about the same as I did then, and
trust me, people do look at my feet and notice when they are clothed in granny shoes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-30034248169558908042012-04-20T21:30:00.000-04:002012-04-20T21:35:12.571-04:00eating cheaply (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Lots of
things cost lots of money in Manhattan. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Because
there’s not much space on this small island, real estate is exorbitant. Finding a studio apartment in a decent
building for under $2,000 month is difficult. And if you want to buy a two-bedroom
apartment, well, the median price for that is $1.65 million.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Movies
are $13.50. Restaurants are expensive.
The subway is $2.25 and going up.
It’s hard to live here and not spend money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">But now
that Fairway has moved into my neighborhood, I can have a great home-cooked
meal for under $5.00, as I did tonight:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYe0LO2ywS5huAM1I6xzkt3Nsk_gCIswKHUsr_1mECPuCQlsJWNtSHiBsbaAvFwTQwuehXmV0kJSohP_M_iJkTQ9jbfkImxSbjXPTO8gLxfqqd2fIc8SxtFlYFifooUWKf2xGZRU0dQo1/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYe0LO2ywS5huAM1I6xzkt3Nsk_gCIswKHUsr_1mECPuCQlsJWNtSHiBsbaAvFwTQwuehXmV0kJSohP_M_iJkTQ9jbfkImxSbjXPTO8gLxfqqd2fIc8SxtFlYFifooUWKf2xGZRU0dQo1/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">grilled chicken breast: $2.59</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">¼ lb. orzo with spinach and pine nuts: $1.25<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">¼ lb. fresh corn salad:
$1.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Total Cost: $4.84</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">And, it
was delicious. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">It makes
me feel a little less bad about the new fan I got for my room. But I'm hoping that cost will be offset by using my air conditioner less.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCnkOsR6UdDGlupMlWILy-fJglU4ce7ZF8RgXVPOM-uqruLBSD17cHW4aMSibWSNErKlqosgKTEOgqDM8ltgcGhUoA5x7eSCTNUthVs7VNCAs5SIQW76ofH2hqEuXIGoRZdZp6MDJ9GNR/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCnkOsR6UdDGlupMlWILy-fJglU4ce7ZF8RgXVPOM-uqruLBSD17cHW4aMSibWSNErKlqosgKTEOgqDM8ltgcGhUoA5x7eSCTNUthVs7VNCAs5SIQW76ofH2hqEuXIGoRZdZp6MDJ9GNR/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I'm still working on a justification for my new Ugg (Kayla) flipflops.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-77753489559547795882012-04-19T18:41:00.000-04:002012-04-19T18:45:09.312-04:00sofa saga: the conclusion (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">So
here’s a brief history.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>July
2007</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">After
years of looking, I find the perfect sofa.
If it takes me weeks to find the perfect little case for my iPhone, you
can just imagine the time that went into finding the perfect sofa. But I did.
It was made by Ralph Lauren, was very expensive, but it fit all my
criteria. And so I bought it, along with
some $350 insurance. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I have no idea now why I bought the insurance. I mean, it wasn't like the sofa was going to stop working. Imagine calling Customer Service. "Hi, I was wondering if you could help me? My sofa keeps ejecting people. It's not supposed to do that. What should I do?" But I did buy the insurance, and now, as it turns out, that was a wise decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>October
2011</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I call Bloomingdales as I don't like the way the cushions are sagging and spouting feathers. I'm probably the first person in their history who has ever complained about stuffing, four years after a purchase. But miraculously, Bloomingdales sends someone to my home, and they agree to re-stuff all five seat cushions and the six large back pillows at no charge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">January
2012</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Bloomingdales Customer Service tells me, three months after waiting, that the vendor no longer has the
“parts.” The parts being the stuffing on
a sofa Ralph Lauren still makes. Not
happy with their response, I talk to my favorite salesperson, Gerard, and he
finds a way to get the order through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>April
12, 2012</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Nine
gigantic packages are delivered via Fed Ex.
Everything is tightly wrapped and bubbled. I’m shocked.
I never expected this to really happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>April
17, 2012</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Randy from Bloomingdales comes to my apartment and unpacks all the pillows, takes
the old stuffing out of the cases and replaces them with the new
stuffing. Now it looks like I have a brand
new sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Today</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I avoid
sitting on my sofa all day. I want to
preserve its newness for as long as possible.
It’s like getting the perfect parking space and never wanting to move
your car.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14aAEuNWio8a0bwYjzSbsNesEsMddNAeYYQOQ-ERhZiP0HYVCdstFkeN2293sXV1HX6_4vuhz1F1T2oz5B8wWSzHploqiTqiJr30LuIEmiPMrUt2TqApSuvw7drsilyYzin25YX_RUGd7/s1600/P1010112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14aAEuNWio8a0bwYjzSbsNesEsMddNAeYYQOQ-ERhZiP0HYVCdstFkeN2293sXV1HX6_4vuhz1F1T2oz5B8wWSzHploqiTqiJr30LuIEmiPMrUt2TqApSuvw7drsilyYzin25YX_RUGd7/s400/P1010112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-9021027683605671962012-04-18T23:44:00.000-04:002012-04-19T10:55:17.260-04:00bad eating day (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">My day
is planned around a 7 pm movie screening.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I want
to walk today and decide early that I’ll walk to the theater, about 3.4 miles. I’m
more motivated to walk when I have a destination. So, to make a 7pm screening, I should be
there at 6:30, which means leaving at 5:30.
I don’t want to have dinner at five, so instead I eat a late
lunch---salad followed by a handful of chocolate covered pomegranates. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I walk
to the theater to meet Robyn, zigzagging through the city. Before leaving, I grab a couple of things I
purchased for the first time at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday: dried apple slices and something called
Bonola Bites. These are small pieces of
granola-like things, which, according to the packaging, are “Crafted Only With Your Good Health In Mind,” and are made “with
absolutely NO artificial anything!” Despite the odd name, they are amazingly good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I pack
a light dinner for me and Robyn…a bag of fat-free popcorn mixed with a ¼ cup
of chocolate covered pomegranates. The
movie, starring Kevin Kline and Diane Keaton, is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Darling Companion. </i>It’s dreadful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I get
home close to ten, starving. The
popcorn-candy has failed as a dinner, though it worked for tiny Robyn. She’s done eating for the day, and I’m
famished. I heat up a bowl of miso soup,
followed by a now favorite go-to food, a pre-packaged tub of 10-calorie-0-point-orange
jello with a squirt of whipped cream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I
finish dinner around eleven. Before crawling in bed I go online and cancel my reservation for tomorrow's screening, thus avoiding another 5 pm
dinner dilemma. And besides, tomorrow’s
film is supposed to be as bad as tonight's.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360957394873173899.post-35256202684226374072012-04-18T10:57:00.002-04:002012-04-18T11:20:07.631-04:00rosle (lyn)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">My
kitchen is tiny, cheap and ugly. The
appliances work so my building won’t replace them, despite there being
well-past middle age. My cabinet doors
are not evenly balanced but they do close, so those can’t be replaced either.
This, anyway, is my justification for making sure that what goes in the
drawers and cabinets, or on the stove, looks good. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A
couple of years ago I discovered the brand Rosle. It’s a German company that
manufactures beautiful kitchen utensils.
Over time, I’ve bought:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A spaghetti
spoon for the pasta I never make</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A
perforated spatula that I don’t think I have ever used</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A
slotted spoon that I frequently forget I have and therefor infrequently use</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A ladle
that I love</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A
bottle opener for the few bottles I need to open</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A vegetable peeler </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">An
award-winning can opener that is mind-bogglingly difficult to use</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">An
apple/pear slicer that makes the sliced fruit taste better, really</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">Last
week I needed to open a can and the impossible-to-use-award-winning-safety-can-opener
didn't work at all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">I was about to
toss it when I decided to check Rosle’s website.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">There I learn that all their products are guaranteed for life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px;">I love when this happens.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial;">I call
and am connected to Karen. I explain that my can opener no longer works. “No problem.
Just send it back and we’ll replace it.”
The problem is that I don’t want a replacement; I want another model
(the more traditional plier-shaped opener) that costs $8 more. Reluctantly Karen okays the exchange and tells me
she will call for my credit card information when she receives the peeler I am
returning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I never
hear from her again, but today I receive my new opener with no upcharge. Tomorrow I’ll buy a can of tuna and see if it
works. It takes so little to make me happy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tYfXem28fPdCLDZPL_r35vL1B0IEfeRtRor2B9Ud3rqQbjfQzQBPLuQPpfcaiLxixq_VsZEEzeqLH5nsCf-D8eQdjuwbgp3eGCyMkZvHx3JKdxE5CpXvOClHUVfez9PhvCfIIFbcTwiG/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tYfXem28fPdCLDZPL_r35vL1B0IEfeRtRor2B9Ud3rqQbjfQzQBPLuQPpfcaiLxixq_VsZEEzeqLH5nsCf-D8eQdjuwbgp3eGCyMkZvHx3JKdxE5CpXvOClHUVfez9PhvCfIIFbcTwiG/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>lynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15623690814796227364noreply@blogger.com0