To each their own RATS!

My friend just came back from Mexico where she had a fabulous time as she says of the resort in Cancun -- her family temporarily called home -- to be the closest thing to Paradise. Going through her Picasa Photo Album was lo and behold a drool fest as I was led photo after photo on a trail that indeed was heavenly. I came to notice on a couple of shots some strange creatures of the reptile persuasion and before I ask, Lara pointed out to me that Iguanas were "all over the place" there.

They could be seen everyday, everywhere just hanging out and living their Iguana lives among strange creatures (of the human persuasion) lazily lying and sunbathing in chaise lounge instead of large sun kissed smooth rocks. When I ventured the question of how many per day of those Iguanas could be seen slithering around, the best image my friend Lara had for me was: "as often as you can spot rats scurrying around NY". Now that's an easy one.

I remember going to Florida and thinking the same about the lizard population. I also remember thinking I'd take lizards over rats any day!

There's something about rats that really says PEST like no other! Except maybe wandering dogs like I've seen visiting Thailand's coastal island Koh Samui years ago. Yes, dogs! In numbers so high that I'm willing to bet their ratio against people on the island was higher. Nothing causes more anxiety than carrying a bag full of barbecued meat and being trailed by stray dogs on the beach.

What's your region's own rat? What crawling critter or larger animal is causing nuisance visual, material or sanitary in the place you live that you would call your own local rat?

SHOEwza! Adopting the wedge-y cool!

The main reason I dig my Anne Michelle (is the brand name even legit?) wedge deli-shoes pair has more to do with their high functionality than the not-so high fashion nom de guerre.
Brought back in the mid 90s to the masses, the wedge heeled shoe style has maintained a certain visibility with more or less virulence as a fashion statement, over the years.

Recently, we have seen a resurgence of what I like to call "the safer heels" amid the Louboutin-esque stilts  heels! --Oh come on, raise your hand if the perspective, alone, of walking more than a block with those 5 inch tall heels is somewhat mortifying...
Now the second reason why I can't get over my wedge is the tame golden hue this easy to walk with pair of eye candy, carries proudly.
Onto the special touch and extra pizzazz and you'll agree with me that these leather strands (and if it's not leather, they sure did fool me!) harmoniously and artfully braided in a wicker basket style, roundly shape up the toes.
What with the satisfying and affordable price tag, the endless styling possibilities with formal, flirty or playful attire? Take a look for yourself, don't they just make the perfect companion to enjoy the rest of the summer with? Wedge on!

City 55, you betcha!

Hard partying is allegedly for the young and restless. I'll be first to admit there's only so much clubbing one can do upon entering professional life and not deserve the dreaded title of thirty-something-pathetic-mess? Actually top the 9 to 5 (or later) lifestyle with a family life and be lucky if socializing in liquor licensed establishment is even in your realm of understanding. Sometimes terms like "bar hopping" are obliterated when you get caught up living like a responsible adult.  

So what's in for the hard working, still young and restless past the college years? Many options of which my favorite: the afterwork party. Lounge, music, drinks (not necessarily in that order) surrounded with people in non-freakish attire?

You betcha!

If you're ever going to have a philosophy behind crawling bars -- while trying your damnest to act all cool-- past the College years; afterwork events at City 55 (or many other cool spots in the city) are for you! At the tender age of 32, I might not be all that successful at repressing the party animal that has inhabited me for as far back as my teenage years, but partaking in a more polish, okay... stuck-up version of partying is a great trade off!

Think about it. Being able to go straight from work and be back home early enough to fully sober up for the next working day?

You betcha!

The tacit understanding that even though the licensed premises would be open to patrons 21 and up, no person in that age group in their right mind would be caught dead standing next to a corporate tool, let alone mingling with suits. Remember early twenties is little more than extended teenage probation and these guys are NOT trying to risk their edgy/rebellious stance, by hanging around people who work and pay bills, thus uncomfortably reminding them too much of their parents. 

The wariness of the younger adults towards afterwork crowd is all the more reason for celebration!
You betcha!

What do you think are the other big pluses in your experience of afterwork partying?

5 ways to enjoy French culture in NY!

So, apparently Dinner for Shmucks which is an American Studio remake of "Diner de Cons" -- a 1998 French film whose success immediately shot the comedy to instant classic status-- is set to hit theaters later this summer.

The film (the American version) stars Steve Carell in the classic role of Francois Pignon, "the schmuck" and Paul Rudd in the uncanny role of Pierre Brochant, the "diner host". The movie opens nationwide on July 30, 2010. 

The previews made me and other fellow French implants a bit skeptical as to wether Hollywood Studios "schmuck" product will ever deliver and be on par with the immensely popular French comedy. Since I don't have $11 to spare right at this time for a movie of uncertain appeal, i'll have to wait for the DVD to be available for rent or to be borrowed from my local library. 

Amid bemused debates and small talk, stemmed some parallels and comparisons between the two cultures (our adoption one and our birth one) that shape up our lives .
Discussing with my friends and work relations, also resulted in the idea to list places, things to do and see in NYC that can only make you feel so "francais".

Obviously, there are over five ways to enjoy the beautiful French culture in "la grosse pomme", but here we'll list some of those outings and activities we think are a great way to discover, get familiar with or reinforce your knowledge in this delectable culture!

5. French Food(ie) experience. Even short-lived, as in the time it takes to gobble dinner and ask the check, the utter joy provoked by a mental traveling to France and its epicure culture is one of the most gratifying experience, one could get. By simply sitting at a good French restaurant and paying attention to the surroundings. Bar tabac, Chez Oskar, Moutarde, Resto Leon, Gascogne, Le gamin, chez Lola are only a few examples of  places quaint or upscale that will transport you from Marseille, to Avignon from Orleans to Paris through the regional specialty and the thick colorful French accent most waiters display.

4. French film experience. Not just American remakes, actually toss the remakes out altogether as they won't bring anything French to the plate to start with. Many venues specialize in Foreign films and French features account for the most part. BAM's own "French rendez-vous" will get you some serious kick if you long for full immersion into French culture and quirks. BAM even treats viewers to a direct discussion and Q&A sessions with screen directors, producers or screenwriters. Union Square's own Quad Cinema is a great source for French films. L'Alliance Francaise (French Institute) on 60th and Madison cannot be ignored as their theaters offer French film experience in plethoric quantity.

3. French "soirees". Don't be fooled by this snotty sounding term as "soiree" is used for about any kind of party provided it's taking place after the sun sets. From the grimiest most electro/house dancefloors to the ever rising French Hip hop scene and its internationally renowned DJs to the most select, classy champagne filled festivities, you can find a variety of beats to let loose, sing, dance the night away. Think of any cover charge as a one-way ticket to Parisian nights. French Tuesday is a prime example of those parties where club-goers get knee-deep into French pop repertoire (also called variete francaise) from the 50s to date.

  

2. Voila, New York meet ups. This is an especially exhilarating experience for the highly francophile who will get a kick out of meeting cohorts of recent and not-so recent French people living or in the process of settling down in NYC. Enlist in one of those mailing lists and you'll get notified every other week of things happening in the French community.

1. French Embassy Tour. Not that there's anything like an official tour provided by some obscure tourist agency for that, but you could give yourself a taste of France, by dropping in the administrative Fort Knox that is Le consulat de France. The building located on 75th and Park Ave stands opposite Central Park and boasts an unbeatable degree of French-ness. Well it is after all the representative of the French government aboard and sure does live up to the role.

When a woman's fed up...

there is nothing you can do about it, says the R'n'B mantra.
Well actually, this is just where the analogy to this article ends. There are so many ways, we ladies sort through woes and turpitudes big and trifle, but here, today, we'll be discussing one specific way some women chose to deal with having it up to here with  problems.
The esoteric, divinatory, supernatural way!
I've witnessed it with different people who don't necessarily share the same background, values or do not even hold the same views on social, economic, parenting or any  issues really.
However, the crystal ball reader, the fortune teller or the horoscope section all would bring together this constellate group. They would praise the prediction practices and be thankful it contributes in making problems disappear.
I mean I like getting my giggles from a tarot reading as much as the next person, but to actually base my relationship or my child's education decisions on some good, but mere guesses? Some stretch it would be.
Yet, recently I've noticed more and more people around me include the aforementioned practices as a part of  their problem resolution strategy. Either in a "if all else fails" frame of mind, or in a "I'll try the rest but first I'll try the best" solution.
A mommy at a birthday party explained to me how her son's name spelled differently as a way to conform to his numerology chart. If you just muttered "huh?" reading this, it's okay, because so did I. That's how the poor child wound up with improbable repeat letters  (lots of double As and Rs)? So the sum of whatever numerical values attributed to the letters would set him on a great path? And to think that all we worried about when picking a name for our baby was a cute meaning, a nice little sounding and keeping school yard mockery at bay. It's easy to see how this kid won't escape the mockery, not just from grammar school peers!
There was this girl at work who walking down Park Slope's 7th avenue, everyday, would go see the heavily eye-lined gypsy-looking woman -- whom it safe to call sedentary given she has been around for years and doesn't seem to go anywhere all year round-- for her daily love advice. Ten minutes and five bucks later, my co-worker was comforted and lulled with a different cliffhanger that made her come back for more predictions from the sedentary gypsy. Before long, all women in her circle were being strongly encouraged and pressed to try for themselves and find out how great the Gypsy's divinatory powers were.
Another woman I know, keeps dropping stories after stories of how her favorite tarot reader/astrologist helps her see clearly through the challenges of life. She never hides from the fact that her life decisions are shaped up by whatever the Astrologist claims to see in her future. She also gets an interpretation for each and every dream she has, which affects tremendously how she'll deal with getting through the day.
I bumped into a dear friend today, one I have known for a few years now going back to the days she gave me support and helped make my pregnancy and baby's grandiose arrival that much more enjoyable.
As a fabulous, great-looking mom, she's always been such an inspiration! Now as the spearhead of her own blooming business, she commands admiration and respect even more from me. Our brief chat revolved around the common tribulations experienced in early stages of a brand new small business. The many references, my dear friend slipped into the conversation, about higher forces and stars alignment and obvious excerpts from The Secret, kind of threw me off.
However, I do understand that things and situations do not always spur out of  a black-or-white rationale. The spiritual and esoteric has its place in human living and thinking, no matter how removed from this, our society has become.
None of the above examples stressed on those whose cultural influence received from parents and folks born and raised in parts of the World were, marabout, voodoo, witchcraft and magic are just entrenched in the culture, it somehow trickles down to the next generation even when born and raised in a Western country. The list of examples would have never ended, if I did include those of my friends raised that way.

Spoiled and ungrateful in New York

Summertime in the city where one doesn't need to travel far to enjoy some recreative time and breathe a lungful of vacation air.
Truthfully, everything that makes going away so exhilarating and mind-blowing is offered on a silver platter to New York City dwellers. First off, the city is sitting on a large natural harbor. Bordered right and left (like I'm almost being literal here) by water. The Ocean on its Eastern side, the river crossing through and all the developments to accommodate leisure and fun times to the finicky tastes of millions and millions  populating the 5 boroughs and millions more visiting each year.
Already known as an inexhaustible well of bubbling Arts and Cultural events, the city that never sleeps become exponentially restless as Festivals and outdoors stages and myriad other cultural manifestations take place for free or for a ridiculously low donation.
Yesterday, I participated and volunteered for one such great event and holy cow did I realize how spoiled and somewhat ungrateful, we (New Yorkers) are. Just utterly spoiled rotten when it comes to social events, gathering opportunities and just plain ole fun during those long sunny, sweaty, sticky (in a good way) summer days.
This particular event I participated in hosting was just a great example of how jaded, spoiled, bratty and ungrateful most New yorkers tend to act (and that's just the adult crowd) when they should be humbled and gracious in counting the blessings. Let's expose some of the uncool behavior that I personally think  just translate in a lack of appreciation from the people who benefit from these events.
The scenery:
The East River State Park a bare, raw, grounding gem of a park has the most up-lifiting scenic panorama to boast.
This is one scene where all photos taken --especially when the sun is setting and with any type of cameras-- would come out looking great! Guaranteed!
Yet, jaded, elitist New Yorkers would lament and stress on what the state Park lacks (playground/structure) rather than praising the potential and appreciating what it's offering.

The convenience and comfort (as in comfort stations) factor. The event had 3 main food trucks cooking up all sort of healthy dish such as the insanely delicious veggie burgers (which says a lot from a meat-eater)! But I heard more people complain about the long walk before hitting the nearest deli or convenience store.
Bless the East River State Park's peeps for the line-up of a dozen portable restrooms. Wouldn't you know that's the portable part that had some of the public a little eerie?

Pre-movie games, show and gifts: So the main event was a featured animated movie created by renowned French author/director Michel Ocelot: Prince's Quest.
Prior to the movies, since the focus was on French and "francophone" (French-speaking World) culture, a slew of entertainment and valuable prize winning contest were held. Children had a large choice of fun things to do and keep busy (stupendous face-painting, hilarious French version of dodgeball, petanque). Crowds of all ages were able to enjoy the sublime jazz repertoire of French artist Marie. The woman is something of an enchantress.

The movie: A fair amount of people decided to forgo the movie altogether. I guess now that they had put their hands on free entertainment, books, toys, hundreds of dollars value in restaurant vouchers and gifts, with indifference, they had indulged enough for the day. Skipping the main part of an event?.. Way to show gratitude New Yorkers!

July 4 fireworks from a rooftop. Oh my!

Wishing a Happy Fourth to all our readers and a special thought for a symbol (and possible reader too!) ol' Uncle Sam as his spirit lives on and is feasted and praised in a culmination of fireworks and cheers.

America declared independence from the firm and restrictive British rule 234 years ago on July 4th, 1776. Tired of having to work hard only to pay more taxes to the colonists, the American people fought back and thought best to lead their own destiny according to their own laws and governance.
Thomas Jefferson's careful draft of a detailed document served to express to Great Britain the will for self-governance by Americans.

The document drafted by Thomas Jefferson and approved by a committee of five (including Benjamin Franklin) is known as the Declaration of Independence.

The following year, the historical date was celebrated with food, military parades and the whole Nation adorned in red white and blue chanted the patriotic anthem, "Star-spangled banner". 234 years later, you can count on Independence day (commonly referred to as July Fourth) to be more of the same as far as celebrating and exalting the patriotic holiday spirit. Families and friends gather around barbecues and picnics all over the country, indulge in eating, wearing, waving, star-spangled everything! Most big cities will hold a grand, flamboyant fireworks.

In New York city, naturally, we get treated to something  exuberantly awesome: the Macy's fireworks,  glaring and bursting in the air (as the star-spangled banner lyrics would have it) over the Hudson River, off the West side of Manhattan for the second consecutive year, temporarily relocating from East River.

In 2008 and then in 2009, my family was lucky enough to enjoy the fireworks from the Nation's Capital and ever since even fell so in love with Washington D.C we made there, several more trips every season and in all kinds of weather.

Now in 2010, with a budget cut-out differently, we decided to make the best of our (no-travel plans or) plans to stay in NYC for the festivities, knowing all too well that we could always and forever rely on our beloved city to deliver on any occasions, let alone the day American Independence was declared! Turned out we were right! Staying home proved to be rewarding as we were able to enjoy the amazing pyrotechnics comfortably sitting atop the city's roof, towering over the Hudson River.
An invitation from a friend who owns a stunning labyrinth-like condo by the river, caused some antsy anticipation as early as July 1st.

I've had the opportunity to hang out there many times by day, but on July 4, seeing the fabulous apartment by night was like discovering it for the first time. Soooo sexy! The mood was right and giggly, the (spangled) stars aligned, the elaborate bonfire show courtesy of Macy's, amazing.

The night, spent eating delicious red white and blue cookies and delectable sushis, washed down with champagne and sparkling water was an absolute delight!
How did you spend your Independence day? Where did you watch the July 4 fireworks? Let us know all about your celebrations and more thoughts in the box.