Pining for a Tropical Infusion

Whew! Just finished a whirlwind tour of the east end of KY Oaks Mall and properties within close proximity. I have never been so exhausted in my life. I had forgotten how many things one has to tote when a baby is involved. Purses, diaper bags, strollers. It's a workout just getting in and out of the car. We shopped at JC Penney for a little while then The Children's Place, and then on to Elder Beerman in desperate search of Michael Kors Hawaii. I just bought this alluring "new" cologne this spring, and already it's off the shelves...permanently from what I can gather. I am incredibly loyal to my colognes, so to bring a new one in to sit beside Lauren is rare. Now, when I realize how in love I am with Michael Kors, it's too late. Story of my life.

This weekend actually began on Thursday when I found out that my friend Brad had passed his CISA exam. (Hooray for Brad!!) Straight away that night we met at Max's with Justin and The Gang to celebrate. It was somewhat of a low key gathering replete with imports, brie and giggling in the garden. The fact that Justin is a VIP by the bartender's own admission meant that the rest of us were ad hoc VIPs that night, as well. It was a fun night while it lasted, but I had to run my tab early and get to bed. As you all know, good times past 9 p.m. can send my sensitive sleep patterns into disarray for weeks.

On Friday night I was treated to dinner by my friends Sue Ellen and Jeremy. Jeremy grilled the most delicious 2 1/2 inch thick pork chops. I marveled for some time afterward at how he'd gotten them adequately cooked without drying them out...always my downfall. It was nice to get to visit with them. Although I'd seen them a few times over the past several weeks, the opportunity to sit and talk just hadn't been there. You know how that goes.

Now it's almost 6 p.m. on Saturday, and I'm whining about where to go and what to do...always the same, tired routine. If only I had my Michael Kors Hawaii cologne. Then at least I'd feel tropically enhanced while doing the same old same old...nothing.

Namaste

Forgive me, dear readers, for I have sinned. I have not posted in weeks...primarily due to the fact that I've become obsessed with goodreads.com and, hence, can't stop reading even long enough to type these few short words.

I just this evening finished the Jennifer Belle book "Little Stalker." I got there, innocently enough, by way of "Going Down." I liked her style of writing, so when I noticed that "Little Stalker" was a thinly veiled story of the author's obssession with Woody Allen, I knew I had to run out and get it THIS MINUTE. I even went so far as to call Borders (with my timely 20% off e-coupon) and reserve the one copy in the store. Trouble is, I was just coming off the Friends of the Library Manna From Heaven Super Sale with a lingering case of yard-sale-itis and experienced severe sticker shock at the $21 total (this included my 20% off e-coupon!) price for Jennifer Belle's newest novel. Just this past weekend I'd hauled away upwards of 14 books for a total sale price of around $7. [SEVEN DOLLARS!] And two days later I'm shelling out $21 (inc. the coupon!) for a book whose cover was amateurish and a little spooky (but, I guess that was the point). I was much too embarrassed to ask for the book by name from the husky Borders bookman. I mean, think about it. I'd RESERVED it. Such a dope.

So the book itself was pretty good, and I couldn't help but feel a kinship with the main character. I myself have defended Woody Allen on many an occasion, regardless of his quasi-incestuous marriage and marginally good recent movies (except for Match Point, of course). "You just can't argue genius," I'd say. My personal life is a shambles most of the time, too. Who am I to judge?

Other than that, I read "The Secret Life of Bees" over the weekend. I'm pretty sure that I'm the last woman in the contiguous 50 to read that one. I couldn't really relate to any of the characters although they all seemed charming and wonderful from far away.

You see what happens to me? I get stuck in a groove and can't seem to scratch my way out. Don't get me wrong, there are worse things to be compulsive about than reading. It's just that while I'm in this psychological holding pattern, I kinda let a lot of other things like maybe laundry or vacuuming fall by the wayside.

A strange thing happened to me today while at a work function. A lady came up to me and said she'd seen me on Bizzyville. We had a really nice conversation about the Greatness of Bizzy, about her hilarious writing style and super cool personal style. It was an odd feeling though to be recognized and I wondered if that was how Kathy Griffin's personal assistant Jessica felt when people recognized her from the show. Of course, there's a big difference in being recognized in New York City and being recognized in Paducah, but maybe not that big a difference if you consider the statistics per capita. It's possible...don't you think? ...Possibly?

Namaste

Good Reads

I warn you that once you visit goodreads, you may be there for hours. Many thanks to my friend Audrey for turning me onto this addictive website.

Namaste!

Let me preface this post by saying that I'm exhausted...more exhausted than probably this guy here who has been acetoned and polymered and holding this pose for months. I had to go out of town for a couple of days on business, but it provided an opportunity for enlightenment that I would never have had otherwise. The Bodies Exhibition.

If you haven't heard about it...

"Bodies... The Exhibition examines the intricacies and complexities that lie beneath your skin through the use of a unique polymer preservation process applied to real human bodies."

It was absolutely amazing. When I returned home and attempted to relate this amazement to my daughter, I kept saying "They were real live dead people!". The simple word "cadavers" just couldn't quite impart the weight of the situation like that ridiculously improper statement could.

The exhibit begins with the skeletal system and builds (literally) with each turn of the corner, packing on more anatomical systems and more incredible body facts until it ends in a huge encased pile of skin at the end of the tour. This, incidentally, was the one thing that gave my digestive system a whirl. Strangely enough, although I was looking at cadavers and seeing "live dead" organs, I was so intrigued that it simply didn't register until...

Me to the tiny white coated bouncer-lady with the conspicuous lapel pin 'Ask Me About BODIES' : "Where did all of these cadavers come from, anyway?"

Bouncer/lady: "If you'll notice, all of these cadavers are Asian. [Chinese Dr.] gathered all of them in China. You see, China has the same law that we have. If remains are not claimed within two years of death, they become state property and are used for research. (dramatic pause) Believe it or not, [Chinese Dr.] began this project almost 30 years ago!"

First, I knew these models (may I call them that?) were small, but I simply didn't get the Asian thing. Obviously I should have.

Secondly...unclaimed remains?? UNCLAIMED REMAINS??!! I thought about unclaimed remains for hours after the tour and, frankly, I am still thinking about it. Could anything be more dismal, more disparaging than being the cadaver that time (and blood relations) forgot?

Yes, because not only were these cadavers unclaimed, but they all appeared to be unbelievably heavy smokers up to their timely (yes, all natural causes) deaths. Model after model sported perfect muscles, trim bodies, and black as coal lungs. With each turn of the corner, more dark gray lungs until it became almost comical. Were these models plucked from cancer wards? Was this an unfortunate anatomical coincidence? Did they somehow know that they would eventually be models? Or do ALL Chinese chainsmoke?

Lastly...the cardiovascular system. Walking into the room with the hearts made me sadder than anything I could ever have imagined. There they were...little hearts in their little glass encasements, shamelessly posed and paraded, the color of pre-packaged grocery store tripe. They were separated, each in its own singular side-by-side case. No other organs within three feet. I don't know how to explain the sadness of the hearts. All I can say is that you must see it yourself. There's more to discover at the BODIES exhibit than the simple truths of anatomy.

Namaste

Paris Je T'Aime

Last night my friends Brad, Justin and I took in Paris Je T'Aime at the MAC. The film was pretty cool and perfect for moviegoers with ADD since it was actually 18 movies in one. Being fluent in French, Brad kept me updated on the subtitle failures and provided a guided tour of the city through each of the vignettes. The last installment provided us with insight as to what quilters might feel in our own City of Murals. (So much to see, so little time.) It was hilarious, but Brad, Justin and I seemed to be the only people giggling. I think we were supposed to be feeling her loneliness, but I guess we're way too cynical for that sort of thing.

I need to take a moment here to tell you about my infatuation with Gerard Depardieu. He played a tiny part in one of the vignettes, but during the entire five minutes I just wanted more Gerard. What the...? Brad says it's just that I have a thing for big, round bellies, but it's more than that. It goes beyond his basketball-sized waist, enormous nose and unintelligible French accent. Something about his on-screen diffidence makes him incredibly endearing and quite sexy. I also can't get enough of Rufus Sewell (who also starred), despite his propensity to wall-eye on occasion. But that's much easier to see (no pun intended). Gerard seems to have a commanding presence that most actors do not have, something mysterious. Is this what is meant by je nais se qua?

Namaste

Tom Colicchio Rocks

Got it, in case you were wondering. Good stuff, in case you were wondering.

Tom covers roasting, braising blanching, stock-making and sauce-making, explaining the hows and whys of each technique in depth. From there he explains how to use these techniques as tools for creating your own culinary masterpieces. He also provides tips on how to choose ingredients, the best salt to use for cooking, use and storage of herbs, and how to "listen" to the food as it cooks.

Don't forget that the new season of Top Chef is now off and running. Catch Tom each Wednesday night at 9 p.m. CST on Bravo giving those punk chefs what for.

Namaste

Nickel Creek

Nickel Creek is coming to The Carson Center! My friend Brad just sent me this link that I think you will enjoy. I especially liked the clip of Nick Thile as a kid (even younger than now). Their music is hard to describe. (Is there such thing as bluegrass jazz?) A lot of their music is free form, with long musical diversions highlighting the talent each has with his or her preferred instrument (The Smoothie Song). But they also dance along the folk genre as in the songs Green and Gray and The Lighthouse's Tale.

Tickets are on sale now (and are cheap, cheap, cheap) for the event in Paducah on July 13. I believe that you will not be disappointed in what promises to be a phenomenal show.

See you there!

Namaste