Challenges build character or is that your press agent?

Ok, so I said that this was a week of change…it’s also been a week of challenge.
Let’s start with the change…can we talk about David Blaine? Don’t worry; I’ll make it quick and painless.

Living in NY you often see some strange things, and seeing David Blaine doesn’t normally rank among them, but he gets the most press. This week was no exception. I was actually going to see my friend Ethelyn (you remember her from Regis and Kelly’s High-Heel marathon - see July's blog for more details) only to find out that they changed the day of the ‘Relly Award’ presentation. She was nominated “Favorite Real Person: Female”, of course she is NO regular gal (and the best legs in NY). Sadly, she lost to Sister Paulene…guess you can’t fool around with one of the chosen ones – literally! So while in the area, I decided to see David in Central Park.

This week he decided that he was going to ‘hang out’ for 60 hours upside-down. Why…because he can. What they didn’t say is that it wouldn’t be for 60 consecutive hours (sign of a good publicist; I can respect that!). When I arrived, I stood around and waited a good 15 min for him to flip over again while he took a bathroom and tea break.

While no additional banks actually failed during his stunt, President Bush did think it would be ‘ok to address the nation on the current financial crisis.’ After all for the next 40 days he is still the president. David however, couldn’t complete his stunt as he wanted to because of this unplanned interruption. He blames the failure of his ‘dive of death’ on President Bush. Had the president not spoken to the nation – which I personally think is important, given I only have two nickels to rub together – there wouldn’t have been a delay in his show, the wind wouldn’t have picked up and he could have disappeared with the balloons in the night sky as he wanted to. Hey David, why not blame God for the wind? Better yet, why not blame yourself for not thinking of a plan B.

There is a hum of continued nervousness about the state of the economy. There were hundreds of both diplomats and protesters at the United Nations, as various heads of state were once again in town – blocking traffic and racing around the city with their motorcades like their hair was on fire. There were Sarah Palin impersonators (I guess the best form of flattery) and the lady herself, in the city meeting foreign dignitaries who proved that they are…just men after all. I didn’t get to see her while she was here, but did spot her husband at the park in Central park with their children. They seemed like every other normal family on the car Carousel…of course the big burly men with dark glasses, and earpieces stuck out sore thumbs. I appreciate the fact that the carousel in Central park is probably the only place that doesn’t close down when someone ‘important’ wants a ride. Pay your fair, and ride with the rest of us normal folks.

Shea Stadium will see it’s last regularly played Met’s game Sunday. Ok, so technically that happens next week, but Mets fans are just as sad as I was about Yankee stadium. What is my city coming to??

The weather is definitely taking a change. You can feel the beginnings of fall in the air. I love it. This is truly one of my favorite seasons, big sweaters, warm brandy and crisp breezes. Then again I also like spring for the same reasons. Of course this year, I will be experiencing it not in NY, but in a very, very, very different city. You’ll read about it soon. Maybe here; maybe on a different blog.

So where is the challenge you ask? I had two this week, but I don’t think I want to talk about it just yet. You know what I think I’ll approach this a different way. I think I’ll blog words or phrases to make my point. This way I can’t be accused of anything beyond, what I’m going to be accused for anyway. I know pretty lame, but you know what, I just don’t want to go down a road that makes me sad today. I have too much to do, and frankly would like to spend one day this week not feeling sad, so my challenge today, is to remember the words to the song ‘Don’t worry…be happy’.

What’s your challenge? Is it family, work, friends, children, or your partner? How do you address the issue without always being seen as ‘needy’ or ‘over the top’? Do people tell you to ‘get over it’ or ‘it’s not that bad’ or ‘it could be worse’? How does that make you feel and do you tell them? I’m open to any suggestions, stories and/or comments.

After all we are all just trying to make it in this world, one day at a time. Life, even with its challenges is still the best option, right? ☺

The Yankees Have Left The Building...

Change…sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s just change. This week, there will be a LOT of changing going on. Let me start with something that made me cry (yea we know I do that at the drop of a hat, because I’m a Pisces – not because I’m a girl thank you very much!) I went to Yankee Stadium yesterday for the final game.

OH MY GOD! The House That Ruth Built closed the doors for the final time last night. Over 54,000 fans watched our beloved Yankees beat the Orioles, 7-3. YEA!

Something that will never change about fans of the New York Yankees: pride, tradition and most of all, we are the greatest fans in the world.


The day started with fans having the ability to walk the grounds, which is unheard of. You actually had the opportunity to touch the walls, feel the dirt (just don’t take any), and look up into the stands and for a moment, imagine yourself as a player looking at all your fans. If you ever wanted to see a grown man cry, it was yesterday. The feeling of good-will was overwhelming.
The pre-game started with so many former players on hand, Bernie Williams (who received the loudest and longest ovation), Whitey Ford, Willie Randolph, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage just to name a few.

So many memories that are within these walls:
Babe Ruth’s 60th Homerun in 1927; Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in 1938, Lou Gehrig’s memorialized speech in 1933; Sandy Amoros’s winning catch, and Jackie Robinson’s stealing home base in 1955; Pele played with the Cosomos in 1977; Reggie Jackson’s three homers in the 1977 World Series; David Wells perfect game 1998; A-Rod’s 500th in 2007. It's the place where Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, John Philip Sousa and Pink Floyd, Knute Rockne and Vince Lombardi, Billy Graham, 3 Popes, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy and a ton of others have stood in this park and made their mark in history.

Yankee Stadium isn't just a ballpark; it’s MY ballpark. Of course I had to share the last game with the number one man in my life. My dad ROCKS!! I often say I was his son, until they had one. Along with teaching me to be strong and independent, he also taught me to change the oil in my car, hit a baseball, shoot a basketball, he tired to teach me to fish however, I draw the line with worms real or plastic YUCK!! We also share a passion for all sports (even though he is a Mets Fan). We call each other during commercials; during the play-offs, the Superbowl, Dancing with the Stars, and sometimes it’s so often, my mom just says “Hi”, and then passes the phone to him. Yup…a daddy’s girl!! Of course as I was at the ballpark, I called to share this with him. Yes your final game T-Shirt is in the mail. ☺

The new stadium is right across the street and it’s ‘pretty’, but it has no real character yet. I know New Yorkers…we are a pretty tough bunch. We tend to run the spectrum of emotions, yet we are loyal to the end. No matter how much we balk, we are die-heard fans. However, I would suspect that it will take something pretty amazing to have us fall in love immediately with this new ‘house’, say a championship in 2009 – hint, hint.


As I said, this week will be a week of changes and where one door closes, I hope and pray a new one, a good one opens. I will miss the old Yankee Stadium and regret not going to enough games. I do look forward to a new chapter in their book; I’m sure it will add to the new chapter in mine.

GO YANKEES!!!

What Shall I Read Next??

I can't believe how time flys. When I started this blog, it was the dead of winter and I thought that this would be a great exercise. It has been my dream and through the encouragement of my parents and my bff, four months ago, I've started writing a novel. It's had some great moments and some sad ones, but it's been fun.

I have a great editor Judith who is an accomplished author herself, and who is a constant source of support and advice. This amazing woman is giving me more, than the now 15 chapters I've given her. While this novel is a work in progress, some of you will be getting advance chapters to see what you think. While I'm not saying this will be the next big block-buster (then again stranger things have happened in my life), writing is helping me clear out all of the 'stuff' in my head and heart.

If you have been following this blog at all, you may notice that my goal is to read 44 book this year (that equals my age). I'm already at 37 with 38 close at hand. The problem is, I'm running out of things to read. I know that sounds impossible, but I'm looking for suggestions. So...if you have any suggestions on what I should be reading to reach my goal, please leave it in the comments area. Who knows, your suggestion might just be my next best read.

The British, and Parisian, and other Europeans are here.

I love a good bargain. I can shop with the best of them. Of course my taste runs pretty expensive…even if there is a sale. I say if I went to a 99 cent store, I would find the one item that’s $1.25. I don’t think it necessarily means I’m high maintenance, it just means I have expensive taste. I don’t nor have I ever asked anyone to buy me anything that I couldn’t afford myself. A gold-digger, not I. Occasionally I am an inexpensive date, other times I have received the little red box, with the white ribbon.

There were many years when I would flippantly say to friends “I’m heading to London (Paris, Amsterdam…you fill in the country) for the weekend. Need anything?” Well now what I need is a break. The dollar is SO LOW that I couldn’t buy an imaginary trip to my favorite European location even if I had a spare $1,000.

However when I want to have a 'European Fix', my new favorite hangout is the Trump Bar at Trump Plaza on 5th Avenue. It is just small enough to know the bartenders, chic enough to see Ivanka walk by every once in a while, friendly enough to meet lots of Europeans passing through hoping to see “The Donald”…and yet meeting me. While I don’t have Donald money, I do enjoy conversation and have 44 years of New York experience and can guide them to their next destination.

I’ve meet Dr. Darcy – from London, Morgan from Milan, Dan from Nottingham, and Tom from Amsterdam…all wonderful people, and the best part we keep in touch. It proves that it doesn’t cost anything to be friendly to people.

So what is the point of this blog entry? Well a few things.

1 – I haven’t written in a while and this entry has been on my mind for a while.
2 – I can’t write anymore about the political aspects of what’s going on in the US. I am however looking forward to the debates.
3 – I am happy that people from around the world are enjoying both the benefit of their higher currency, and choosing to spend it in New York.

Yes I am looking forward to the time when I can travel abroad again. I miss visiting Oxford, France and Amsterdam but I’m making new friends while hanging out at Donald’s place. Sometimes the best people are met chatting over a Mar-Logo Martini.

Thanks Donald!

Stand Up 2 Cancer

EVERYONE STAND UP 2 CANCER

This is an important issue that not only changes the life of the person who is dealing with it, but the families and friends of these people. This I know to be true.

So please, join me in putting pressure on the medical community via the leaders of EVERY NATION to finally find a cure.

If you are so moved...please donate.