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enough

The voice on tv droned on and on with “the news” of Paris Hilton. After a while no one seemed to hear the annoying words. I thought, here we are in the USA and the topic our news stations focus on, over and over, is the condition of Paris Hilton as she once again prepares for jail. The media made her a celebrity. And now what? What is the purpose of focusing on Paris Hilton, without let up, as if there’s nothing more important in the world than this topic

Words uttered by the robotic geezers, and others, who by now should be wiser and well on their way to helping secure a better world for humanity, are embarrassing. Watching and listening to them pretending they’re getting “the news across to the masses” is more than embarrassing. They need to take a good look at what they’re calling news, and get on to more important matters. Imagine if the focus was about that instead of the Paris Hiltons of the world.

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at the marriott marquis times square and some nearby places

Two special people came to town this past week and reserved a suite at the Marriott Marquis at 1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets marriottmarquistimessquare.com . I stayed with them for four nights. For a huge place it was quite nice. The operation of the elevators had most first-time guests baffled. You’ll see when you stay there. We ordered room service three nights in a row as one of the guests was not feeling well. Room service turned out palatable food and the service was very good. Well, they messed up a bit the first night, but it’s to their credit that they went above and beyond thereafter. In the morning, Starbucks coffee situated on the 8th floor was okay-not bitter and acidic as in most of the cafes around Manhattan. People have been complaining of the taste for a long time. When Starbucks first started its operations in Manhattan they put out a fine cup of coffee. Things have changed. Back to the Marriott. The employees are pleasant and helpful. Bringing your car? No Problem. Parking at the Marriott is orderly and easy. Saturday nights are chaotic in the lobby and other public areas. But, heck, crowds is what Times Square is about. That neighborhood is people to people, more so on a weekend, with theatres, restaurants, cinemas, and stores galore, and, of course, there’s the staggering number of neon signs.

For a somewhat quieter experience, head north then east to 57 East 57th Street. The Four Seasons Hotel is there fourseasons.com/newyorkfs/ . Feet tired? Reserve a place with Irina for a wonderful pedicure. Or, have yourself a drink of something delicious, special, refreshing, and a bite to eat at the lovely,quiet dining area-a few steps up to the left of the lobby as you enter.

Perhaps you’ll want to eat at Rock Center Cafe, Rockefeller Center, 20 West 50th Street, Ph: 212-332-7620 rockcentercafeny.com/ . Summer is coming, sit outside under a colorful umbrella. It’s charming. Join the rest of the tourists from many parts of the world enjoying being in a famous setting, eating a big, juicy hamburger, or penne with red sauce, salmon, or a chicken wrap. As you look at the menu trying to decide on what you want, you’ll notice all those mouth-watering desserts passing by. That means during your meal you’ll be thinking, should I or shouldn’t I?

In the mood for some excellent seafood or a big juicy steak? Two places located at Sixth Avenue could be calling to you. McCormick&Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, phone: 212.459.1222, mccormickandschmicks.com , and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, ph: 212.575.5129, delfriscos.com/newyork/, could be the pefect way to end the day. If you don’t want to stay for a full meal, hope that there’s seating in the bar area where you can have a light meal and go on your way.

Whatever you do, enjoy it all!

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i can’t wait . . . .

Last week without asking for anything I was handed some interesting items. For one thing, Emi gave me a DVD of The Secret. Although I have an inkling of what it’s about, there’s nothing like seeing the real thing. I want to know what’s causing all the hoopla, why so much publicity over this book, since for years there have been many books about this topic on the market. So, for a few reasons, I’m eager to watch this DVD. Thank you, Emi. I can’t wait to watch it. www.thesecret.tv

Then Alicia sent me a book from Raleigh. One she highly recommends called Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Interesting title for what looks like a very interesting book. This on the back cover, “If a more likable writer than Gilbert is currently in print, I haven’t found him or her. . . . Gilbert’s prose is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit, and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible.” The New York Times Book Review. Thank you, Alicia. I can’t wait to read it. www.elizabethgilbert.com

And lastly, Sumi gave me her book, Sunfood Cuisine by Frederic Patenaude. Someone gave it to her a few years ago, and it’s not for her at the moment. That someone was, you guessed it, me. The last time I was at Sumi’s apartment I couldn’t help noticing that the book looked untouched. Now I’m the proud owner of it, and perhaps I’ll whip up some delicious meals and perhaps I’ll bring them over for Sumi to sample. Thank you, Sumi. I can’t wait to use it.

Nice!

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that’s the least of it

So, Emi, I’m surprised and delighted that you’re writing about food-the good and bad of it. It’s not what I thought you’d write about, but, then again, I sense lately that you’re more and more in tune with what food does to your body, mind and spirit. I thought music, movies, travel, clubs and school for your writings. I was wrong. Great going, Emi.

David Wolfe, www.sunfood.com who is BIG in the raw food movement, was allergic to a lot of the foods he ate before deciding on a raw food way of life. And, there are a good amount of people healed from cancer by understanding their food needs. Carol Alt has a cookbook, or shall we say an uncookbook, telling us about the benefits of raw foods. And years ago when Louise Hay was diagnosed with cancer, she changed her lifestyle big time. And when we begin changes in one area of our life, other changes naturally follow.

Many of us are allergic to certain foods, but haven’t yet realized it. I think many of us have trouble with sugar and those other artificial sweeteners. Some dairy and soy products, along with flours such as white and wheat make us feel listless. And that’s the least of it. Some brands of pastas actually put people in a very drowsy mood-just as if they had taken a mild sleeping pill. It’s important for all of us to be aware, totally aware, of what’s going into our bodies. Otherwise, we’ll go through the day feeling off-balanced. And that’s the least of it.

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what’s happening at east west. . . .

There’s an East West Special Event this weekend-the 15, 16, 17 June 2007-called Calm Birth: Teacher Certification.

It’s presented by Robert Newman, and it says, “Robert Bruce Newman is the developer of calm birth a new childbirth method based on his more than 20 years of apprenticeship with Tibetan meditation teachers and doctors, western doctors, childbirth educators, midwives, nurses, and doulas.”
www.calmbirth.org

After the births of Sebastian and Sophie I started thinking a lot about the importance of coming into the world in a gentle and loving way. It seems that our western society is now striving to make that happen. It’s taken a long time, maybe our crawl in that direction is picking up some speed. Having a gentle, more loving and caring birth is a great way to enter the world.

Note: What happened? – After years of servicing the Greenwich Village area, and all the recent renovations, East West closed. Happily, right around the corner is Namaste Bookshop at 2 West 14th Street, NYC.

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sophie

Sumi and Toshi have a beautiful daughter. Her name is Sophie. A wonderful name. Yes? She was born on 22 May 2007 in NYC. Sophie’s my granddaughter. And we’ve been getting acquainted these past few weeks. She entertains with all of her many expressions. I wondered what she was thinking about as I held her last week. Where did she come from? What will she want her life to be?

Have you noticed the attention babies get when they’re in a public place? Not many people can resist their charming ways. Even when they’re simply sleeping, people enjoy watching them. They’re easy-usually. When they’re crying, it doesn’t take much to restore order. Sometimes it’s a guessing game, but you get good at it after awhile. Their innocence makes us want to hold them and look at them. A baby trusts 100 percent that all needs will be met, and is happy with what we would call the bare necessities-milk, sleep, diaper change, a smiling face-that seems to be it. And lots of love. Love, everyone’s birthright it would seem, and Sophie gets it in abundance.

A new life. Imagine that!

Here’s to you, Sophie.

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another reliable restaurant with a backyard in new york city

Paradou on Little West 12th Street is a relatively quiet nook in the madness of little west 12th. Gone are the days when Pastis is the only bistro in the area, now the streets are saturated with eateries. One place that never disappoints is Paradou. With a charming little backyard that is a calm alternative to many surrounding restaurants. It’s a perfect place to meet with friends for a bubbly beverage on a Sunday afternoon. (The food to follow the bubbly beverage is tasty as well).

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secret restaurants with backyards are so hot right now

It’s summer and everyone wants to be outside while they can get it. I have just discovered a great little outdoors-eating oasis that is not yet eaten up by the cheesy trendiods who have recently been stabbing the Meatpacking district to death. The new find in Manhattan is The WheelTapper Restaurant, which is attached to the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel. First of all this hotel is run by those with Irish accents and so you get the vacation feeling the minute you step inside the restaurant (which is next door to the hotel but run by the same staff). It is located at 141 East 41st street. To get to the back you have to walk all the way through the restaurant. Once in the hidden outdoor eating area, there are unobstructed skies, nice tables with large wooden chairs, music drifting through the surrounding speakers and a flat screen television on one end where most casual seating is- perfect for a larger gathering.
Strongly recommended, good food and fast waiters, but note that food service stops at 11pm (drinking continues for hours).

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The best low fat yogurt

I have been through most of the lowfat yogurts, some being: Horizon, Stoneyfield Farm, Silk (the soy variety which is low in fat, but more and more people are having trouble digesting soy products). It appears that Fage Total 0% is the best low fat yogurt on the market. Fage is the Greek yogurt that sometimes comes in the neat little packets with a section of honey or berry mix to swirl in yourself. The Total 0% is unbelievably creamy for a low fat yogurt and still very satisfying. In just one cup there is 20 grams of protein, can’t beat it!

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People who do not love dogs can still love Amy Hempel

I am allergic to dogs. But, I can understand some people’s affection for tiny paws resting on their laps. I don’t however, have the association with canines that so many do when thinking of Amy Hempel’s work.

Amy Hempel is an amazingly reliable storyteller. The magnetic attraction of her writing is increased by the fact that she does not underestimate the intelligence of her readers. Her narratives are pre-destined rides, and though the ride weaves and goes places the reader might not choose, there is safety as the narrator’s voice is so concrete, so appealing to ride with. Hilarious lines like “My cat Frank (not his real name)…” run with a glaze of sadness over each piece. Just impossible to put down. Impossible… must go read more.