Hazel Backwards
Another day in the life of Lezah
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Summer (2009). So, not everything has gone as planned this summer. Ian and I had to break the "adventure jar" one too many times this summer.
First, was the car. The axle was no match against the I-287 in Westchester, New York's moon craters. Ian took our one and only car to the MB shop. We have affectionately named that the Oompa Loompa's (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Well, that's what the place looks like. A big iron gate and a guard protecting the fine-tuned German engieneering. That MB workshop is also a Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini workshop. Side note: You have to go over the river and through the hood to get there. Anyway, we won't mention how much it costs to repair the ol MB. It's just too painful for words. One look at the bill and, "Bye bye Disney World." In fact, its worse than that.
Ok, so we had a huge storm this summer which knocked out the power and killed the old dryer. No, Homeowners' will not flip the bill, so don't even go there. Anyhow, we got a new dryer. Kaching. Kachang. The next day it went on sale and was $50 cheaper. Would they refund the difference? No.
So the long and short of this whinny little blog, is here we are another summer without a vacation. Or are we? Let's look back...
1. I have taken the boys to the beach almost everyday.
2. We went out to eat more this summer.
3. Ian took a few days off and we got some sleep.
4. A fun trip to the New York City's Guggenheim Museum to see some fabulous art. And Cafe Figaro's in Greenwich Village for a tasty treat.
So...Ok, we didn't make it to Hawaii. Yes, that would have been nice. But we did get to sleep past 9:00am a few days. And I'm so grateful we didn't have to camp out in a children's hospital. :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I have a little ritual. Every summer (usually on the hottest summer evening) I crank the AC way up, grab my fake fur blankie and watch the movie "Rear Window." It is my favorite Hitchcock film, and in my opinion, the best film he ever made. It has all the Hitchcock elements: suspense, great story line, wonderful camera effects, beautiful blonde (in this case, Grace Kelly), etc. etc... Rear Window is not just a story about a photographer that suspects his neighbor of murder, but it's also a story about, "Miss Lonely Heart," the struggling composer, the newly weds, Miss Torso, the artist, the couple with the little dog and I'm probably forgetting someone.
Now for the personal reasons I watch this movie every summer.
I can relate to this film. No...I didn't suspect my neighbor of being a murderer, although... some neighbors have been a little questionable.
The "City" New York: I lived in a similar apartment in Manhattan.
The broken leg/legs: been there done that. Broke one leg being pushed in front of a cabbie by some psycho. The other leg after I slipped and fell.
The 21 Club: A New York landmark. My first date with my hubby was at the 21 Club in New York City. BTW... that was with my cast on. The 21 Club allowed me to hobble in with my altered jeans.
So, the place is a number one in my book. The classic place to dine in New York City, or anywhere for that matter.
Lisa: Ok... I inwardly gloat over the fact that Grace Kelly's character "Lisa" is pronounced "Lezah" throughout the movie, which gives me a chuckle. And it doesn't hurt that the name shows up in the form of a song at the end of the film. I don't believe there are any other songs in the world with my name in it. Oh, another song in the film, "Mona Lisa." ;) If you happen to know a "Lezah" song please hum a few bars.
And, of course, I adore Grace Kelly. Who doesn't? Such style, class and well... grace. The clothes in this movie are so timeless and beautiful. It makes me want to dust off my dress form and drape something.
I wish I had every article of her wardrobe in this film, and please throw in the jewels. The charm bracelet is my favorite.
Let's not forget, James Stewart
(also a favorite and who gets top billing). He is, in my opinion, a little old for her (Grace Kelly)) in this film, but let's face it, what man isn't too old for the girl in New York City. Anyway, he's believeable and just plain wonderful.
The ending of this film is so Lezah. Grace Kelly, "Lisa," starts off reading a book, "Beyond The High Himalayas."
But when she discovers James Stewart, "Jeff," is asleep, she breaks out the fashion magazine, "Bazaar."
Love that!
Please... If you have not seen this film. Warm some brandy, crank up the AC, switch on a fan, dim the lights, snuggle in with the fake fur (or your significant other)and watch Rear Window.
No... I have not seen the re-make, "Disturbia." Does it have a fabulous wardrobe and jewelry? If not..forget it.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Ok Sis, this is it. The soup Ian made for me the other night. So...when I say, "I had "chicken soup" I'm refering to this... As you can see, it's not your run of the mill "Chicken Noodle." He roasts the chicken the night before seasoned with salt and soy sauce. He doesn't use chicken stock. He just uses plain water, then he adds frozen supermarket corn, onions, tomatos cut in cubes and frozen broccoli. A bit of salt. Then he adds that ancient five thousand year old secret called soy sauce. Whatever else he finds the in fridge. Fish eyes. Eye of Newt. Whatever. About the last thing to go in is shredded chicken cubes. And then East meets French. He adds cheese. Cheddar, Mexican Monterrey Jack. If not available, Italian Provolone is fine too. Then he cracks two eggs onto a plate and poaches the eggs. When done, the chicken and vegetables go into a big soup plate, the eggs go on top, the broth goes on, and then... more cheese. The serving size can feed a village. Pottery Barn great white collection. He uses the dinner plate for soup, not the cereal bowl. Imagine a standard dinner plate. Now double the size. Its not a diet soup :) I think Ian should open his own soup shop on Ninth Avenue in NYC. Instead of Soup Nazi, he can be Mao Tse Tung Soup. Your secret is out Ian.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
"Mom, can I have a snack?"
What? Didn't you just eat? Ian, did Mitchell just ask those folks barbecuing for a snack? LOL!
Mitchell, our growing boy.
A friend asked, "What are you listening to?" Tony Bennett's MTV Unplugged. Timeless Tony Bennett. Standards, great music to relax to.
There are many things I like about living in Connecticut, but one of the things I like most is living by a beach. Is it Hawaii? No, not quite. The water is cold and yes, the sand isn't the soft white sand of Hawaii or Florida, but it's sand. I was recently on the beach, when I overheard two ladies complaining about the sand. I thought, "Hey, at least we have sand. Geesh..." And what a treat to watch the 4th of July fireworks on the beach.
So today, my husband (Ian) took the day off. A very rare occurence these days. He spent most of that day running errands. Taking the car in for emissions, etc.. He looked so ragged from all the running around. Our boys M&m go to summer school and don't get much of a break either.
So...at 5:00 pm, we headed to the beach for a little beach siesta. It is my favorite time to go to the beach. It's not crowded. The sun is not as strong. There's a nice breeze. And the sailing class is going on, so there's a view of all the little white sailboats. Just a lovely way to end the day.
You are allowed to barbecue on the beach. So around 5:00 pm. people will often have a barbeque or picnic on the beach. It smells so good, and usually gets our teenager's attention.
I have never barbequed on the beach, although I have fantasized about it. I just can't be bothered, but I do try to remember to bring some money for the snack bar (they won't take your debit card, folks). Yes, I have asked. :P The snack bar is a little pricey, but pretty good. The hotdogs are a big hit with my boys. But I just heard that the American Cancer Society just placed a warning that hotdogs cause cancer? Looks like I'll be packing a picnic from now on. Anyway, besides selling cancer inducing hotdogs, the snack bar also sells pails and shovels, lotion etc...
I recently asked Ian, "Maybe we should take a little get away to Maine or the Hamptons?" He scanned the beach and said, "Why? It's the same beach here. The beaches in the Hamptons are filthy and people are disgusting" Hum.. Ian's very jaded when it comes to beautiful beaches and pretentious people. He grew up in the Pacific, and he a cynical and isn't easily impressed. I put my headphones back on and dose back off into la la land. Ahhhhh.