Joie de vivre. This is a French phrase that means a cheerful, hearty or carefree enjoyment of life. Don’t ask me to pronounce it – I can’t seem to manipulate my tongue properly to spew forth such elegance (I’m Polish, remember?) – but I can embrace the philosophy. And I do. Over the past year, I … Continue reading
A few days ago, I discovered a surprising – and heretofore unknown – truth about my heritage. It turns out I’m part Polish. How, exactly, did I arrive at this conclusion? It was right around the time my mom said, “Guess what? You’re part Polish!” To say this pronouncement caught me off guard is an … Continue reading
Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. And just like in years past, I failed miserably in the Card Giving department. Normally, I’m a really good card picker-outer. I’m great with goodbyes, awesome at anniversaries, kick ass at Christmas, bedazzle with baby deliveries and bar mitzvahs, scintillate sentimentally with sympathies. But for some reason, I have this … Continue reading
You wouldn’t think a city could be beautiful. Not in the conventional sense, anyway. Trees and mountains and lakes. Sunsets. The ocean. The smile on a baby’s face. The glint in the eyes of lovers. Those things are beautiful. Concrete and steel? Different words come to mind. Manmade. Sterile. Linear. And yet, a city is like … Continue reading
Did you hear about the guy in Ohio who bought a Picasso print from a thrift store for $14, then discovered it wasn’t a reproduction after all but a genuine, original poster signed by the artist himself and turned around and resold it for $7000? This pisses me off. Because if anybody appreciates a good … Continue reading
Last night I found myself in a dimly lit music lounge sipping a gin and tonic while listening to a rock ‘n roll band playing loudly and energetically. I turned to Tara and said, over the wailing guitars and pounding drums, “I’m living the life I always wanted.” Call it a three-chord revelation. Many years … Continue reading
There is nothing more therapeutic than flying a kite. This surprises me. You wouldn’t think such a simple pursuit would bring much joy. All you’re doing is standing there, holding onto a string. The wind does all the work for you. Sure, you have to tug on it occasionally and make an adjustment or two … Continue reading
Today I broke not one, but two cardinal rules of mine. First, I walked across the parking lot of my condominium complex carrying an umbrella. An open umbrella. Over my head!! And if that wasn’t bad enough, it was a leopard print umbrella. Granted, it was pouring rain. Using an umbrella prevented me from getting drenched. But I’ve … Continue reading
It’s a well-documented fact that I like items of a retro nature. Lava lamps. Dogs-playing-poker tapestries. Avocado green appliances. The Bee Gees. So, when my birthday rolled around on Friday and Tara presented me with this, I was absolutely thrilled. She had been teasing me with hints all week. “It’s something you’ve always wanted,” she said. She … Continue reading
Even though I didn’t go looking for another addiction in my life, I’ve officially found one. It’s a smart phone app called Draw Something, and holy cow am I hooked! It all started when I saw friends on Facebook talking about the app and looking for people to play with. It sounded kinda lame, to … Continue reading
