Photo Per Day #10: Lucky

Last night, the lovely Heather G. and I met after work at black and blue for dirty martinis (mine had Tabasco and an oyster! yum.) and ribeye (rare!) with Gorgonzola sauce. Absolutely delicious. Who else was there you may ask? A client of mine who was having dinner with none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Fame in our midst! While that would have made for a fabulous Photo Per Day entry, I decided not to be that intrusive. I'm much too composed for that . . .

Afterward, we walked over to see a free, test screening of the movie Lucky which is playing for two nights only. Our friend Chris, the Executive Producer, and Avie Luthra, Director, were on hand to field questions after the film and gather input regarding what worked/what didn't work. For me, the pace of the movie was a bit slow at times and, because the soundtrack hasn't yet been laid, the depth of emotions typically evoked by music were missing. With that said, however, I think it is one of those films that may haunt me for a while. It is based on a short subject film that won 43 international film festival awards in 2007. It follows a ten year old orphan as he makes his way in South Africa and deals with race-related strife, poverty, dishonesty and other issues. Pretty intense subject matter but the approach was not too heavy handed. I honestly cannot wait to see it again after the final edits have been made and the soundtrack has been added. And I hope it does well. It was receiving great feedback last night.

In un-lucky news, one thing this Photo Per Day exercise is highlighting is my complete inability to take a good picture as evidenced by the photo below. With a dose of mild irony, the subject of this dark image, smiling and proudly displaying her buttered popcorn, works at the George Eastman House -- home of one of the greatest collections of photographs in the world. Somehow methinks this photo will never be in that esteemed collection. But note Lucky on the marquee behind her! How much fun would it be to see your name in lights?

I feel lucky, oh oh oh, I feel lucky, yeah
Hey Dwight, hey Lyle, boys, you don't have to fight
Hot dog, I'm feeling lucky tonight

Photo Per Day #9: Work

Eight, eight, I forget what eight is for. Yes, this is the second time I've quoted the Violent Femmes in as many months. And yes, I missed a day already.

I blame this place. With that bleak sky, it looks almost institutional.

 

Photo Per Day #7: Kitty Condo

Last night we hosted a bunch of nine year old boys for a sleepover. I think they had heaps o' fun. They played football and baseball outside in the freezing cold. Came in and played video games. Ate pizza and chocolate fondue (big hit). Received gift bags with Lego mini-figures and Brickarms weapons (because what Lego surfer dude is complete without an assault rifle?) Played more video games. Football in the basement. And they tried to stay up all night. 

Yep, the only night of the year when you don't want an extra hour . . .

Today's pic is post-mayhem: the kittens relaxing in their new Japanese style housing complex and looking at each other a la the Brady Bunch.

Time to go to sleep.

Photo Per Day #6: Acupuncture

I went to see one of my favorite women on the planet at 8:00 a.m. this morning: my acupuncturist, Deeanne Bevin. Today we talked about the usual stuff: health, work, stress, politics, faith, family and pooping.

Grannie gave me a highly desired gift certificate to an acupuncture session in a professional practice in an office building a few years ago. I was sooooooo excited! There was a menu of choices on the wall from which I could select (weight loss, smoking cessation, balance, etc.) I was told to take my clothes off and lie down on a cold hospital cot. The doctor then rapidly proceeded to stick tens of needles up and down my body with what looked and felt like a staple gun. He left my voodoo doll body to lie there freezing to death.

When I told Robert, my hair stylist, about this well intentioned but god-awful experience, he referred me to Deeanne. I now understand firsthand the difference in treatment styles. Night and day. Deeanne's practice is in a cozy little home. It's well lit and surrounded by trees and birds. It's also warm inside and the beds are heated. Most importantly, she knows eastern medicine inside and out. Unlike my first experience, it's both professional and personal. Chatting, examining my tongue, taking my pulse. And gently (for the most part!) hand placing needles in a few select areas of my body. I then relax (covered!), in a warm bed, while listening to beautiful music.

It's a great, great feeling to start the day back in bed . . . 

And stretch!

Photo Per Day #5: Stone

Tonight, I went to see our resident filmmaker's recent release Stone starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Frances Conroy and the beautiful seductress Milla Jovovitch. While it's gotten some mixed reviews, I absolutely loved it. And I hate everything. (That means you, Forrest Gump.) It was shocking how much it reminded me of a Bob Rafelson film. (That's my nod to you, Jack Garner. You know who you are.) More in the Five Easy Pieces vein than his (hey, hey we're the) Monkeys pièce de résistance. But seriously, the performances were truly outstanding and the plot line extremely compelling if you like twisted faith-based/spiritual/religious/new age-y path-oriented topics (as I do).

So today's pic (albeit not an Annie Leibovitz caliber photo), clocking in before midnight (oh snap), is of our esteemed local director and his hot wife at the post-screening reception. Happy birthday Kris and John!

Photo Per Day #4: Funny Boy

Every once in a while, I test the kids' ability to stay out of trouble by peppering them with questions such as, "You're playing in the yard when some dude drives up and tells you that he cannot find his puppy. Do you help?" (Answer: no, freak.)

Last night, I asked the age-old don't let anyone know your parents are not home question, "I am out for a little while and the phone rings. Where do you tell them I am?"

Son #2: "I just tell them you can't come to the phone 'cause you're dropping some friends off at the lake."

Great. That'll work.

Tonight's picture is him greeting me at the door as I came home at 8:15 p.m. Crazy boy.

Photo Per Day #3: Election Night

Yesterday I had the honor of voting for one of my best friends from childhood who ran for NYS Senate. My eyes welled up with tears at the voting booth. I was picturing us playing kickball as kids. Camping on weekends in high school. Taking *sightseeing* trips to Mexico and Canada. Visiting colleges. Drinking blue whales at T's after her wedding still in our formal gowns. And on and on.

While she didn't win, she came close gaining an impressive 47% of the votes in our district.

This photo of two childhood girlfriends (and one hubby) was taken at the Hyatt downtown last night from the Democratic campaign headquarters. Tons of TV crews were stationed in the ballroom. We were in a river view suite on the 21st floor watching the results roll in. It felt like such an historic event and, while the outcome sadly wasn't in her favor, it was a privilege to be there.