All Things New Yawk

My next trip to New York City fast approaches (red-eye flight the evening of December 8, returning Sunday, the 11th), and with it, my traditional viewing of VHS/DVD/films about or set in the city. I'm just about finished with the 7-part documentary on the city produced by documentarian Ken Burns's equally talented brother, Ric. Along with Woody Allen's Manhattan, this is probably one of the best tributes to the city put on film. (I'm also partial to the delightful Barefoot in the Park with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and Pillow Talk, with Doris Day and Rock Hudson.)

#26

My new neighbor (Dave) is so cute!

Alas, I think he's straight. But he's got not one, but two cats. Sigh. So there's a chance he's gay, but there's also a chance he's just metrosexual. Heh.

Charlotte & Annie

Charlotte was rather a pleasure. The exhibition at the Mint was very good; the opportunity to stand in total awe before Caravaggio's "St. Francis in Ecstacy" was one I took advantage of, studying it for several minutes at the beginning and end of my visit.

And it's always good to see Dan, who met me for dinner on Sunday night. Thanks again, Dan!

The "Annie" of this post refers to Annie Lennox. I was just listening to an old Eurythmics song, "Right By Your Side," and, really, the woman is possessed of one gorgeous singing voice.

For Art's Sake

My dad turned sixty-two on Wednesday. Ay yi yi. I try not to think about that too much, given that when I was born, he was only twenty-two.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Charlotte. North Carolina. (I know!) Now, here's why: the Mint Museum is hosting a special exhibition of works from a noted museum in Connecticut which are currently on tour. One of gems in this particular collection is a painting by Caravaggio -- only one of my favorite painters of, like, all time, dude.

An additional perk of the trip is that my friend Dan will be swinging by on his way back to Charleston. We'll have dinner near my hotel before he has to high-tail it back to South Carolina.

Whaddup, Grandma?

Whoa! Long time, no post.

So I never did get around to posting about my trip in greater detail. I did love Rio de Janeiro and want to return again (relatively) soon. Perhaps for New Year's or Carnaval? We'll see.

In any event, I'm already planning a trip to Istanbul in March. I don't waste any time between vacations, y'know?

Yesterday was my Grandma Gypsy's eighty-eighth birthday. I was hesitant to call to wish her a Happy Birthday; I think I was dreading hearing her sound senile or something. Actually, when she answered and I told her who was calling, she recognized me right away and, in fact, sounded just like she's always sounded: bright and articulate. According to my mother, though, she's starting to lose much of her short-term memory. I'd probably have been more aware of that had we spoken longer.

I'm planning to visit them for lunch (with my sister) at some point soon.