musings

Mar 24, 2009

The Rite of Spring

In 1913 the Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, premiered The Rite of Spring (English translation). Saying it caused quite a stir, would be putting it mildly. It caused an all out riot. The rhythms were primitive and asymmetrical. There was discord and dissonance in the melodies. The dance was violent depicting wild pagan rituals. Fistfights broke out among the audience. The Paris police were summoned and the composer who fled the theater mid-scene was reported to be inconsolable. I feel Igor’s… [Read More]

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: musings, spring

Mar 18, 2009

The 180 Billion Dollar K Run

This is how I felt after listening to the AIG Congressional hearings today.I happened to turn them on before heading out. At first I could not tear myself away but there came a point I decided I could not make it to the finish line.I am frustrated.I am angry.I am exhausted.If I wasn’t feeling all these things I would actually be encouraged by the non-partisan collective of those on the committee. Recently a friend shared with me her mixed feelings… [Read More]

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: miscellany, musings, opinions

Mar 13, 2009

The Month of the Other Shoe

This may be the Year of the Ox but this is the Month of the Other Shoe and from now until the beginning of April, we and countless other high school families across the nation are waiting for it to drop. Thus begins March Madness when seniors for the first time in their lives suddenly show interest in the US Postal Service. College acceptance letters will be mailed out beginning this week and the pressure is on. It’s not like… [Read More]

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: college, musings

Mar 9, 2009

“Hallelujah and Pass The Perfume Sample…”

I went to a revival meeting this weekend that would make Elmer Gantry rise to his feet in exaltation. It was the 2009 Spring Cosmetic Trend Show at Nordstrom, Mission Viejo. Women 10 rows deep on 3 sides of the catwalk were hootin’ and hollerin’ over eye shadows, cellulite potions, bronzing oils and magic mascara wands that vibrate. The joke was you can even use it for the mascara. (ba dum bum). The congregation roared with laughter! As they were… [Read More]

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: fashion, musings, retail therapy, shopping

Feb 23, 2009

“I’ll have a cocktail umbrella, and make that a double.”

Everyone is drawn to something. I love cocktail umbrellas and festive toy embellishments added to drinks.I have little plastic mermaids that hang on the rim. Then there are the toys that hang by their tails: monkeys … cats, … elephants. But my favorite is the paper parasol… … and I do prefer pink. My first recollection of this delicate adornment was in my Shirley Temple when I was very young. We were vacationing in upstate NY and dining at a… [Read More]

Filed Under: Decorations Tagged With: childhood memories, cocktail accoutrements, cocktail umbrellas, Cocktails, musings, party decorations, vacations

Feb 5, 2009

Dancing With The ‘So-Not The Stars’

Tomorrow night my husband and I will attempt to trip the light fantastic at the first in a series of six dance classes. We are not the properly proportioned perfect dance couple at 6’1″ and 5’2″, respectively. The last time we took a structured dance class I made it a forced pre-wedding requirement but I had more to offer in ways of incentives back then. While I was driving to Michael’s today (another post) and thinking about backing out, I… [Read More]

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: dancing, mid-life crisis, musings

Jan 27, 2009