Polish Diva

These boots were made for walkin'.

2008-03-13T21:54:00.004-04:00

No one should walk in Jimmy Choos. No one.

Tonight, I remembered that I am not invincible as I walked from the Organization of American States to the Board of Trade in my cutest JCs. And while my Choos are darling indeed, my feet swelled and I got awfully cranky by the time I got to the Old Executive Building and had five more blocks to go.

By the time I got to the Mini, my toes looked like mini kielbasas and all I wanted were my Bandalinos. Thankfully, they were resting in the boot (of the Mini). So when I donned them on the mini kielbasas, I felt like I had just put on the most luxurious slippers.

Lesson learned? Always take cab money when you walk in Jimmy Choos, even if you're training for the Army 10-miler. Always.

Elizabeth is a famous rugby player on TV!

2008-03-11T20:16:00.003-04:00

My colleague Elizabeth is the PR chair for the Northern Virginia Women's Rugby Team. Thanks to her good efforts, her team was featured in a segment this morning on Fox 5 News. Check it out: http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=5969953&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=5.2.1

The new seven mortal sins.

2008-03-10T20:19:00.002-04:00

I was a little surprised to learn that the Vatican has issued a new list of seven deadly sins, particularly since the apparent reason for revisiting the list was because people aren't taking advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation enough. But just looking at today's headlines alone suggests that the old sins were the problem (i.e., lust at the Mayflower, envy of more popular presidential candidates). No, the sins aren't the problem: the problem is that people either don't believe that they sin or that they don't believe that telling someone else their sins will make them better people.

But for giggles, let's review the list:

THE OLD MORTAL SINS
- Pride
- Envy
- Lust
- Gluttony
- Anger
- Greed
- Sloth

THE NEW MORTAL SINS
- Environmental pollution
- Genetic manipulation
- Accumulating excessive wealth
- Inflicting poverty
- Drug trafficking and consumption
- Morally debatable experiments
- Violation of fundamental rights of human nature

Now, father forgive me, I have no idea what some of these mean, nor do I believe that I have the resources to commit these sins. Genetic manipulation? I'm not running any cloning labs in my basement. And violation of fundamental rights of human nature? What the heck does that mean? Requiring Catholics to take a philosophy course before they make amends with G-d just doesn't sound like an enticing way to get them back in the confessional.

Why blog?

2008-03-09T22:25:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to interesting folks at www.unfogged.com and their roommates at the Flophouse for making the front page of The New York Times Style section. There's a part of me that's jealous (when I last checked, their blog had 484 comments on said article alone). But there's another part of me that's just a wee bit annoyed at The New York Times for painting a picture of bloggers as these cool bohemian people who invite you into their cybersalons, where you feel a little dumb for not knowing what poetics is or if you should ditch US Weekly for Naomi Novik.

So, the article got me thinking: bloggers probably fall into four categories:

1. LOOK AT ME, I'M SMARTER AND HIPPER THAN YOU.
These guys read Kafka for sport and get all the news they need from the BBC.

2. IT'S CHEAPER THAN SCRAPBOOKING.
These blogs were created by Aunt Matilda after she took that really neat class at the community college. Aunt Matilda probably could have saved some bandwidth (and pride) by keeping your family's history in photo albums on her coffee table.

3. 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE.
These guys think that Washington Life comes out too infrequently and they NEED to see their beautiful selves in the most excellent locations that no one has yet discovered.

4. SYLVIA PLATH.
These guys think the Internet is like open mic night for poets. Yeah, some of it may be good, but all too often these blogs reek of pre-pubescent awakenings.

And then there's me. My reasons for blogging change, depending on the topic on which I'm blogging. I hope I'm not so self-righteous as to project an attitude that my reasons are more noble than anyone else's, because they're usually not -- I like to see my hit numbers increase just like anyone else, I love doing Google searches on my name and seeing my blog come up, blah, blah, blah. So if anyone finds a noble blogger, please pass the site along to me so that I can burn incense on their altar.

I want Meghan McCain in the White House.

2008-03-07T17:49:00.003-05:00

Meghan McCain -- she's got spunk and an AWESOME bog: http://www.mccainblogette.com/. She's a role model for any young person who aspires to make something sexy out of politics. She's my kinda girl.

It's not yet branded, but...

2008-03-06T23:27:00.003-05:00

There's a new blog in town: www.capitalgiving.blogspot.com. While it's not quite brand-compliant yet, this blog is a forum in which United Way donors, volunteers, and staff can share their experiences. Check it out and post your thoughts!

'Bama Mamas.

2008-03-05T13:23:00.004-05:00

My friend Aiko just forwarded a link to an article that appeared in Sunday's The Washington Post: "We scream. We sween. How dumb can we get?" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022902992.html And all I can ask is: what is Charlotte Allen's point?

- Is Charlotte a stealth feminist who is trying to get us so pissed off that we launch the fifth wave of feminism?

- Is Charlotte such a vitriolic opponent of Obama that she sees no reasons for women to support him, other than his golden tongue and good looks?

- Has she been co-opted by masculinists?

Please help me understand.

Sci fi, poli sci, and foodies.

2007-09-29T18:56:00.000-04:00

I volunteered at the National Book Festival this afternoon and had such a fantastic time. Not only did I feel good about contributing to such a significant event, I enjoyed watching all of the different kinds of people who came to the fair.

First, there was Caroline who has a show on Pacifica Radio. Her program, Coyote Network News (she loves having the same acronym as CNN), is "dedicated to the wild blooming of the Compassionate Trickster Heart stirring within all of us everywhere and always and the cultivation of unique, empathetic imaginative ingenuity which encourages this blooming." For more on Caroline, visit www.coyotenetworknews.com.

I met Caroline as she waited in line for Terry Pratchett to sign one of her books. We estimated that there were between 700 and 800 people waiting in the same line as Caroline. I thought I was completely out of touch with popular culture because I had never heard of Terry. But I didn't feel so bad after I had asked five Junior Leaguers about Terry and they had never heard of him, either. When I got home, I Googled Terry and found his website which advertised that "...within these pages you will meet witches, wizards, watchmen, dragons, trolls, the feegles and of course death." No wonder I had never heard of Terry.

What really surprised me was that there were hardly any people in Martha Raddatz's or Dr. Sanjay Gupta's lines. Now, I would have thought that there would have been as many people in those lines as there were in Terry Pratchett's line. After all, they did the news and this is Washington, after all. But no gives. Maybe news people just aren't novelties in Washington but watchmen and feegles are.

What was no surprise was the substantial line that greeted Cat Cora. There were so many foodies waiting for her, including a precocious ten year-old chef who told me that he loved making tilapia.

Oh, and lest I forget...I think an 80-year old woman tried to proposition me at the Festival today. She came up from behind me and told me that I "make the seat of my trousers look very nice."

The National Book Festival: a place you don't need to crack open a book to find plenty of characters.

Equal footing.

2007-09-28T22:37:00.000-04:00

Tonight I had the privilege of attending the Boys & Girls Clubs/Equal Footing Foundation Awards Dinner. Now, I'm usually not keen on attending work events on a weekend, but this one was special. It was a reminder of why charitable work matters.

The dinner started with a girls' choral group that just blew the audience away. Interspersed in the speeches and awards were more feats of talent, including homage to one of my favorite musicals of all time, Grease.

While the event was a special time to honor corporations and adults who had so generously given of their time, talent, and treasure. the real magic was in witnessing young people on the cusp of their greatness. Introductions and invocations just seemed more meaningful when they were delivered by children who stumbled over their words or by children with accents from faraway places.

So while I had originally intended to attend this event in a networking capacity, I ended up being re-energized about my life's work in philanthropy. I was so energized that I ended up making an additional financial contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, I encourage you to visit http://www.bgcgw.org/. Just watch your wallet when you do.

DNC Yoga.

2007-09-12T18:42:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine who works at the Democratic National Committee asked me if I would be interested in teaching yoga there. I am so excited about this prospect! For starters, it would be a great way for me to garner experience during my teacher training. Secondly, it would help me fulfill the personal mission I discovered during my teacher training, namely, to help people in positions of power find inner peace so that they could become even more effective leaders. And finally, it would be so exciting to be teaching there as we head into the Presidential Campaign. Please keep your fingers crossed that everything will happen the way it was meant to be. Namaste.

Welcome to the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq (or not).

2007-09-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

Poor Samir Sumaida'ie.

Mr. Sumaida'ie is the Ambassador of Iraq to the United States. And his embassy is just so sad.

If you live in Washington, you probably have passed the Iraqi Embassy a million times without even knowing it. It's at 18th and P and looks like a run-down but once stately house. The Iraqi flag greets visitors to a lawn that is overgrown by weeds and wires that dangle out of darkened windows. The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq could have been the set for The Addams Family.

You would have thought that with all of the attention the United States has given Iraq, the least the United States could do is help the Iraqis spruce up their embassy. A positive image could go a long way during these difficult days.

Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.

2007-09-07T17:53:00.000-04:00

I fell down today. Hard.

I was en route to the office this morning when I tripped over my own feet, something that I am prone to doing. And I fell down. Hard.

All I could think of as I was falling was the movies and sometimes how they show an accident waiting to happen in slow motion. I felt myself falling. I tried to stop myself from falling. But I fell down. Hard.

My mind was aflutter with what I should do. I banged up my knee as I was crossing a busy street in DC and all I could think about was if anyone saw me fall down. Hard.

That was actually a silly thought; after all, it was the morning rush hour and I was crossing a busy street. Of course people saw me fall. But the good news is that not one, but two people saw me fall down. Hard. A guy in a car stopped, leapt out of his car, and raced to help me. And one of my fellow pedestrians helped me scrambled to pick up the contents of my purse which littered the street.

I could have been really upset at falling down today: the embarrassment, the pain in the knee, etc. But the good news is that by falling down, I was able to see the kindness of people who were willing to help me on their way to work.

Happiness is...a new laptop.

2007-09-06T22:07:00.000-04:00

I am in pure heaven right now.

On Tuesday, I started my new job with United Way of the National Capital Area. It's looking like this move was a good one for me, in that I'm learning so much and am having the opportunity to build a program that can do a lot of good for the metropolitan Washington area. But the truth be told, the best part of my week so far has been getting to make friends with...my new laptop.

There's nothing more exciting that getting a new laptop. In my mind, getting a new laptop far exceeds the pleasure one derives from buying a new car. After all, I spend more time on my computer than I do in my car. And I think that my laptop can take me more places than my car.

So thanks to Derrick and Dion at UWNCA--you guys really hooked me up.

Hail to the buff and blue.

2007-08-29T20:59:00.000-04:00

Last week's City Paper featured a story by Julie Westfall that purported to know "How George Washington University Became the Most Expensive School in the Country." She expounded on how expensive our Colonial Inauguration is (laser light show and all). But quite candidly, she missed so many other features on which an GW grad could expound.

Here's my top 10 list of why GW is costs $50,630 per year:

1. The university owns our fraternity and sorority houses. Can you imagine the liability insurance it has to carry as a result?

2. Have you priced real estate in Foggy Bottom lately? Considering that GW is the largest landholder in DC outside of the federal government, I imagine they spent a pretty penny for the fine swampland on which dorms and academic buildings stand.

3. Because it is in such a landgrab, it aggressively seeks to buy property from people who are often unwilling to sell (at first). Can you imagine how much GW's legal fees are?

4. GW is perhaps the only school with bathrooms in every individual dorm. Can you imagine the plumbing fees?

5. GW is also perhaps the only school where a maid cleans student dorm rooms at least once per week. Human capital is also expensive.

6. GW has always had a complex in relation to its more highly-rated competitor, Georgetown University. As a result, it has been willing to spend lavishly to buy the best faculty it can.

7. Also because GW has always had a complex in relation to its more highly-rated competitor, it has invested beaucoup d'argent in glossy marketing collateral.

8. Our graduations has typically been held on the Ellipse. Can you imagine the fees associated with securing such space?

9. Have you been to the Marvin Center lately? Its food court pales that of the glitziest mall I have ever seen.

10. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg's salary would have made many a corporate titan comfortable.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my GW experience. But I also love my parents more, particularly since they paid for such a lavish education. I hope that this year's crop of students appreciates their parents as much as I do mine.

A good day for a little frog.

2007-08-23T16:51:00.000-04:00

This afternoon, United Way of America hosted our annual company cookout. While it was a a little dreary outside, spirits ran high. We had clowns. We had good food. And yes, we had face painting. And yes, I was one of the people sharing my face painting skills with the human frogs, monkeys, tigers, and butterflies who came my way. What a joy to be able to transform children into a world of fantasy!

My childhood dream, come to life.

2007-08-23T16:44:00.000-04:00

When I was a little girl, I used to listen to my mother's albums from Poland. Four of my favorite ones were Mazowsze productions. I can still hear the highland cries from the dancers and how my imagination would flutter to the Polish countryside, envisioning women with long blonde braids, long red dresses, and flowers, dancing in fields.

My childhood visions will become reality on November 29 when Masowzse comes to the Strathmore as part of their American tour. I have already booked box seats so that I can watch the swirling dancers from on high.

If you would like to join in the festivities, please visit http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=3261. You'll be glad you did.

Voulez-vous couchez avec...une vegansexuelle?

2007-08-22T17:44:00.000-04:00

As I was driving home the other night, I was listening to a BBC Worldnews feature on vegansexuals. What is a vegansexual, you ask? Well, according to the New Zealand Centre for Human and Animal Studies, vegansexuals are vegans who will only have intercourse with other vegans because they are turned off by meat eaters.

I Googled "vegansexuals" because I wanted to check out what my fellow bloggers though about this. And quite surprisingly, I'm finding a lack of tolerance for this lifestyle choice. Check out Ashetoresth Valecourth's piece at http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/08/17/080751.php.

Come on now, in a world where everyone is entitled to their own sexual preferences, why is it such a big deal that a vegan would want to sleep with another vegan? Pul-eeze. I have very specific criteria about the person with whom I'd want to be, and my criteria are far more shallow than the moral imperative that someone live a cruelty-free life (i.e., if you wanna be with me, you got be sex-y).

So, to every blogscoffer out there, I say...may you eat tofu-cake!

Hot list.

2007-08-07T20:50:00.000-04:00

I am so behind the times.

A few weeks ago, I subscribed to Daily Candy (check out www.dailycandy.com), an insider's source to all stuff DC. And I just subscribed to Modern Luxury's Hot List.

What? You're not familiar with Modern Luxury or the Hot List? Well, Modern Luxury is the publisher of great city-based magazines. In our area, they publish DC.

And the Hot List? Well, it's just like Daily Candy, but a little more exclusive. Wanna learn more? Check out http://www.modernluxury.com/signup/. You'll be glad you did.

Joan Crawford: tainted forever?

2007-08-04T13:49:00.000-04:00

I spent last night overdosing on Turner Classic Movies, one of my favorite things to do when I am not feeling well. And what a treat I had last night: it was Joan Crawford night.

Joan Crawford will forever be known as Mommie Dearest, not for the incredible actress she was. And whether or not M.D. is a deserved moniker, it is difficult to see beyond her faults as a mother.

And what were some of Joan's strengths?

- Joan was a hard-working actress who grew up in a laundry to become one of the nation's most talented actresses (even though she never went to acting school).

- Joan earned an Academy Award for her stellar performance in Mildred Pierce.

- Joan played evil and sweet characters equally well. One of my favorite performances is her interpretation of Harriet Craig in which she maintains a tightly-run household.

No doubt, Joan Crawford was plagued by the demons of perfectionism, chased the spotlight, and drank too much. But she gave the world some of the finest cinematic performances anyone has ever dared to conceive.

Go, Janet, go!

2007-08-02T20:14:00.000-04:00

At United Way's recent Inclusion Roundtable in Philadelphia, Janet Jackson, the President and CEO of the United Way of Central Ohio in Columbus, Ohio, presented her United Way's work to reach out to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) communities. She presented to a full house, many of whom were United Way staff who represented these communities.

In a way, I was so excited that Janet spoke about her GLBT census and participation in Columbus's PRIDE parade (that's her with the red boa above). But in another sense, I was so sad that it has taken United Way so long to embrace our people who fall into these categories. There are still United Ways who do not include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination clauses and United Ways that do not offer domestic partner benefits.

So many segments of American society are progressive in their acceptance and embrace of diversity. Why is it that the movement I love, the United Way, is taking so long to do the same? And we are just starting to recognize people from other communities...Arabs...newcomers...differently abled. Why is it taking so long? Do we reflect the societies we serve?

Philadelphia, here we come!

2007-07-31T19:32:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow marks the start of the 2007 United Way Inclusion Roundtable, a conference that United Way of America hosts every year to punctuate the importance of diversity and inclusion in our movement.

While travel can sometimes be a little tiring, I LOVE conferences because they provide a forum for friends and colleagues to get together to share promising practices. My friend Juanita took the photo above at our Staff Leaders' Conference in May in which Jacinda, Marissa, Tai, and I led a session on engaging Generations X and Y.

So what am I doing in Philadelphia? I'm managing two sessions:

- Market Segments: Understanding Each Other One Culture at a Time

- Que pasa con los donantes latinos?

It should be a great time!

Traffic etiquette.

2007-07-30T21:25:00.000-04:00

What a disappointing afternoon! I was scheduled to meet my girlfriend Alison at yoga tonight but got caught in traffic heading into DC. Man, I needed a yoga class so badly!

What a disappointing city! As I tried to make my way to 15th and U from Old Town, I tried to maintain my patience and virtue as I observed some really nutty drivers on the road. These observations lead me to post some friendly tips about how to be polite when traffic gets rough:

1. If you are running late to an appointment, please call the other party to inform them.

2. Maintain proper space between cars so that you can let your fellow driver enter your lane if she so pleases.

3. Be aware of others around you. Your super-sized SUV is not a tank from which you can protect yourself from the rest of the world. Be cognizant of your fellow drivers and their potential needs.

4. If the rare, kind person allows you to enter his lane, wave and look very appreciative.

5. Every one's destination is as important as yours. There is no need to cut ahead of others unless you are en route to your baby's delivery or your dying mother's bedside.

6. Do not speed up if someone is trying to enter your lane.

7. Do not pass on the right and pretend that some one's car is not there.

8. Fingers are never appropriate, either pointed toward another driver in anger or up your nose.

What am I missing?

Voice of America...breath across the globe...

2007-07-29T22:18:00.000-04:00

This afternoon, Voice of America taped several of my yoga teacher training colleagues and me for an upcoming program focused on Studio Serenity (www.studioserenity.com). This opportunity was made possible by Natalia, one of my yoga teacher training colleagues at the studio and a producer for Voice of America (www.voanews.com).

The questions asked during the interview session made me realize that yoga has been such an integral part of my life. For starters, yoga is not a way for me to exercise. Rather, it is a means to happiness. While my body always feels more supple after a class, what feels even better is the connectedness and centeredness I embrace after shivasana.

I also relish the sense of community I feel at Studio Serenity. I have enjoyed getting to know my fellow yogis and yoginis, as well as the people I will befriend through teacher training.

But this afternoon, the most valuable part of the session was being able to send my intentions across the globe to people who need my thoughts the most. May those I love most feel the love I'm sending their way.

Hip talk.

2007-05-22T22:04:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year, I discovered a new passion: belly dance. It was actually quite a natural extension for me, as I studied dance when I was younger and have been quite the yogini for countless years. I became a student of Rachel Kay Brookmire, the founder and director of Sahara Dance in Washington, DC (check out http://www.saharadance.com/): that's Rachel in the photograph above.

What I enjoy best about belly dance is not the incredible workout I have or how sexy I feel as I master new techniques. No, I love the female companionship in the classes. Belly dance at Sahara is not like studying ballet, where anorexia and bulimia are contagious because women compete with one another for the slenderest bodies. No, belly dance is a celebration of the female form, in whatever form the good g-ddes has given us.

So if you're a woman in search of her inner feminine side, I would encourage you to try belly dance. You'll be glad you did.

I'm baaack....

2007-05-17T23:50:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I've been gone for almost six months. Cut me some slack...I've done a lot of living during the past six months. I've probably been home a total of about three (non-consecutive) weeks since January. Most of it has been for work, but some of it has been for pleasure. That's me on a jet-ski in Costa Rica. What a blast.

I'll try to bring you up to speed on some of the cool things I'm doing. But for right now, what has me occupied is the 2007 United Way Staff Leaders Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Check out our blog at http://blog.unitedway.org/slc/SLCblog.cfm. I've been blogging a little on that site as well--check out the great photo of my colleagues and me on the United Way bus earlier this week.

Are we there yet?

2007-01-03T20:43:00.000-05:00

For New Year's, my girlfriend Tabitha, her husband, and I drove up to New York for a magnificent New Year's Day celebration. We stayed at the Hotel Lombardy on East 56th and have a delectable meal at The Monkey Bar.

That all being said, perhaps the best part was spending eight hours in the car with my friends. We laughed. We cried. We nearly slammed into a car that suddenly stopped at the entrance to the New Jersey Turnpike. We sang along with Simon Le Bon.

So here we are, driving to New York. I'm looking at 2006 in the rear view mirror as a year that provided me with many lessons as well as the magnificent opportunity to do great things in 2007. I'm just so grateful to have friends along for the ride.

Fashion emergencies.

2006-12-28T23:48:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, I had the good fortune of having lunch with Juanita, a new friend of mine from work. As she lives only heartbeats from the office, she invited me to her home where her husband Nelson prepared a lovely lunch and we played with their daughter.

Originally hailing from Colombia, Juanita and Nelson just moved to DC from Miami. Now, Juanita works for the international arm of United Way and Nelson is searching for a venue to share his art. The photo above is a good representation of Nelson's work. As he states on his website, http://www.nelsongutierrez.com/, "[t]hese works transform an object that usually provides personal security, especially in high risk situations, into a functional and stylish piece of attire that can be worn on a daily basis. Like any traditional prêt a porter clothing line, these garments also call for glamorous and theatrical photo shots to promote their use and, that in their own right, are works of art."

I am just so grateful that Juanita opened her heart and home to a new friend.

Tabitha and I hit the big time!

2006-12-27T14:11:00.000-05:00

Today, my girlfriend Tabitha shared with me that Anne Barge, the woman who designed her wedding gown, posted a photo of us on her website. Check us out at http://www.annebarge.com/main.html. From the main site, click on the "real brides" button at the bottom of the site and click on "Tabitha S. Byrd."

Merry parainfluenza virus.

2006-12-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

I am closing out Christmas 2006 with a mild form of human parainfluenza virus. I owe this diagnosis to my brother in-law who has graciously extended his professional care of children to me.

According to Wikipedia, human parainfluenza viruses "are a group of four distinct serotypes of single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the paramyxovirus family. They are the second most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in younger children. Repeated infection throughout the life of the host is not uncommon. Symptoms of later breakouts include upper respiratory tract illness as in a cold and sore throat. The incubation period of all four serotypes is 1 to 7 days. Parainfluenza viruses can be detected via cell culture, immunofluorescent microscopy, and PCR. Though no vaccines currently exist, research into vaccines for HPIV-1, -2, and -3 is underway. Parainfluenza viruses last only a few hours in the environment and are inactivated by soap and water."

After cocktail of ibuprofen, sudafed, and Nyquil knocked me out for a few hours, I find myself wide awake. I just hope that tomorrow may be a more perfect driving day.

The Polish Star Christmas Story.

2006-12-24T21:12:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows that in the beginning the only stars in the sky were the ones G-d created for Himself and His angels to see. They were very high in the sky, and no one living on the Earth could see them. But then G-d, because He was very kind, made stars for people to see, as well. He made special stars for each country, so the French had stars of their own, and the Russians, and the Germans.

G-d had given the people of Poland so much sky - more than any other nation- that He decided that they need only one star, because they could see all the stars of all the other nations in their big sky.

It was very lonely for the Polish star, especially when the stars of other countries began to act superior because they were so many more of them. It was so lonely that sometimes she cried, but very quietly so that G-d would not hear. But after a while, it was so sad for the Polish star that she could not shine anymore. Of course G-d noticed this right away, so he walked over to the Polish star, and they had a talk. The lonely Polish star told G-d everything that was troubling her. About being so lonely, and having no other star to play with, and no one to talk with. What she said made G-d so sad that He cried too. G-d said to the lonely Polish star, "You must be patient, little one, and one day you will be given a tack to carry out for me that will make up for all your tears."

So now the Polish star stopped her tears, and she waited patiently as G-d told her she must. She was still a sad little star, but she knew that G-d would remember her, so she wept no more. And finally there came a special day when G-d summoned before Him all the stars of all sizes and nationalities. There was a Great Mission to be assigned. None of them knew what the mission was to be, but all wanted to be chosen. So all the stars crowded about the throne of G-d, each one trying to outshine the others so as to be noticed by G-d. G-d stepped down from his throne, and walked up and down the line, looking at each od the stars. They were all very quiet and very good, hoping and hoping that G-d would chose them. Except that down near the end of the line, there was a commotion.

G-d saw that it was his own special Polish star, so small that she had to jump about and peek around the other stars to get a look at Him.

G-d went back to His throne, and He took His seat. And then He said, "You, tiniest little star, little Polish star, you come here to My throne". And G-d spoke especially to her, but all the other stars heard, too. He said, "Because you have been so patient, and so good, and have never doubted the promise I made to you, your time has come. The Great Mission shall be entrusted to you. You, among all the stars in My heaven will be the one remembered by all the peoples for all time." "It is you", G-d sad to her, "who is chosen to lead to lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem, where My Son shall be born. You will shine more brilliantly than any other star in the skies, and you will be known for all the ages as The Star of Bethlehem". This is why the Christmas Eve is so special for all Polish people - because it is the time of their special star that leads them to the Baby Jesus.

These count as shoes, no?

2006-12-23T22:32:00.000-05:00

Thirty-one years ago today, my mother gave me the best Christmas present a girl can ever get: she brought home my baby sister. So today, we spent my sister's special day at Adam Broderick Day Spa: http://www.adambroderick.com/home.html.

We made lots of friends today as we chatted with staff about TomKat and the holidays. Our prime manicurist, Orlando, recommended that we have a late lunch at a cute restaurant named Maggie McFly's, which reminded me of a 1920s bistro.

After we had given Adam Broderick a couple of Franklins for our services, we were loathe to put on our boots and ruin the best pedicures we had ever received. Alas, we wore our disposable spa shoes to the restaurant. Linda was concerned that we were violating the "No shoes, no service" law, but I was willing to put the law to the test for the good of saving our pedicures. My sister had taken the photo above from her mobile phone to prove that paper shoes count as footwear. While they weren't pretty, they certainly what we needed in order to get served.

No. Sleep. 'Till Milford.

2006-12-22T21:56:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a drive. I left my office at about 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, expecting to hit some holiday traffic as I was headed north to Connecticut. Little did I realize that what would ordinarily be a five-hour drive would take 7.5.

Despite feeling a little under the weather and sad at all the auto accidents, there were a few things that kept my spirits bright as I traversed the New Jersey Turnpike. They included:

- XM Radio. I don't know how anyone could drive the Northeast corridor fueled by commercial radio. I must have heard "Say it Right" and "Fergalicious" about 100 times on Top20.

- Faithful friends who are dear to me. Special thanks to my fan club for keeping me amused as I sat in traffic on the George Washington Bridge.

- E-Z pass. My friend Steve loaned me his E-Z pass so that I wouldn't have to wait in those horrendous lines at toll booths. I think I saved 1.5 hours with this neat contraption.

So yeah, traffic stinks over the holidays. But it could have been a lot less bearable without these elements.

Visions of a (tiny) Sugar Plum Fairy.

2006-12-19T02:28:00.000-05:00

In typical Grzyb girl tradition, my niece will begin dance lessons after the holidays. Hence, in good aunt fashion, I have ordered Natalie her entire dance wardrobe for Christmas. I have no doubt that she will be the best-dressed ballerina at her dance school.

From what my family has already witnessed, Natalie is well on her way to a successful career as a Sugar Plum Fairy. She loves to spin and attempt pas de deux with anyone willing to partner with her, even her pet cat and one-year old brother.

For some strange reason, I suspect that the next time I see a production of "The Nutcracker," there wil be a little pigtailed blonde weaving across the stage with visions of Sugar Plum Fairies dancing in her head. And I also suspect that there will be a proud aunt working the video camera.

Why Not?

2006-12-16T16:34:00.000-05:00

Once a woman reaches her thirties, there is one thing she should to sercure her financial future: she should buy stock in a toy store. With everything that I'm buying for my niece and nephew and all of the babies my girlfriends are having, I realize I made a fatal error in not heeding this advice.

If I were smart, I would have asked the owners of Why Not? in Old Town if I could invest in their enterprise. Since I started shopping there about a month ago, I must have already spent about $1,000 on Thomas the Train items, dolls, piggy banks, books, clothes, etc.

What a fool was to to not have put my money where my heart is.

Rudy v. Hills, part deux.

2006-12-11T01:02:00.000-05:00

In Sunday's New York Post, Maggie Haberman wrote the clearest article I have read to date to outline the potential subway series in 2008, including a super-simple table to describe the differences between Rudy and Hills. Here are the highlights:

Rudolph Giuliani
Age: 62
Previous job: NYC mayor
Current job: Mega-consultant
Cash on hand: About $2 million
Brain trust: Chris Henick (deputy political director to Bush), Dennison Young (chief counsel to Rudy when he was mayor), Anthony Carbonetti (Rudy's chief of staff when he was mayor)
Best known accessory: rumpled suits
Sticky situation: His second cousin and first ex-wife, his second wife Donna Hanover and their public break-up
Latest match up poll: 49%

Hillary Clinton
Age: 60
Previous job: First lady
Current job: U.S. Senator
Cash on hand: $14 million
Brain trust: Bill Clinton, Patti Solis Doyle (executive director of HILLPAC), Ann Lewis (communications director in the Clinton White House)
Best known accessory: sweater with a pantsuit
Sticky situation: Her husband, their private life, impeachment
Latest match up poll: 43%

Okay, let's digest all that: despite having been virtually crowned Bill's heir apparent and having seven times the amount of cash in the bank, Hills trails Rudy. Hmm.

On social issues, these kids ain't that different. As Haberman writes: "Neither has supported gay marriage, but they have been pro-gay rights, both are pro-choice, and both have supported the assault-weapons ban."

Yesterday, my cousin Lue asserted that the Republicans will be voting for a McCain-Giuliani ticket in 2008. I think he's almost right: just flip the ticket.

G-d, I love New York.

Why Rudy Giuliani will be elected President in 2008.

2006-12-08T05:19:00.000-05:00

I have no problems admitting when I'm wrong. And I was so wrong when I believed that I was going to work on Hillary's campaign. No, I'm placing my bets right now on another New Yorker: St. Rudy Giuliani.

So, why the change in heart?

1. I wanted Hillary to win for the wrong reason: I wanted her to break the glass ceiling in the Oval Office. And that's just downright sexist.

2. Hillary is not a charismatic leader. She spoke at a United Way function a few years back and I was a little saddened by her standoffishness.

3. Rudy is a charismatic leader with a positive global reputation post 9/11 and can leverage that reputation to restore America's positive image abroad.

4. Rudy does not offend the Democrats like Hillary offends the far right.

5. Rudy is electable in the general election, as he has the respect of Republicans and Democrats alike.

6. Rudy's success in New York's rebirth after Mayor Dinkins is legion (i.e., cleaning up vagrancy, stimulating development and growth).

I'm not alone in believing that this hero can win. According to The Washington Stock Exchange (http://thewsx.com/Main.php?do=stock_detail&stock=P3RUGI08), Rudy shares the same probability of getting elected to The White House as John "Always a Candidate, Never a President" McCain. And those are pretty good odds.

When work gets mixed with wine and friendship.

2006-12-06T06:55:00.000-05:00

I love my job. Seriously. I oversee the fastest growing fundraising campaigns in the United Way movement. I create innovate programs to get people involved in philanthropy. I also build extraordinary relationships with donors and staff. Last night was one of those special nights in which all three elements of my job collided.

I've become particularly close friends with Matt, Mike, and James over the course of the past year. They are truly the best friends a girl can have. Their fealty is punctuated by such feats as diving into the Pacific Ocean in tuxedos after I dropped my evening bag in the water last year at a black-tie event in Dana Point.

Last night, we caught up over supper at Cafe Milano, the restaurant that never sleeps in this sleepy government town. On a Tuesday night, it was more crowded than I have seen some lounges in South Dupont on a Friday night. And all the beautiful people were there, including me in my yoga top and Ann Taylor suit.

The evening started civilly enough, with James fighting jet-lag after a long weekend in Paris and Matt and Mike hitting hard on the cabernet. As we went through a bottle of champagne (Matt's idea), they determined that they were going to meet the Scotland gang and me in New York for New Year's and kidnap me to Monte Carlo.

With friends like these...

Is Ian Curtis alive and well as a Starbucks DJ?

2006-12-02T10:29:00.000-05:00

All I wanted to do this morning was enjoy my regular tall drip and read The New York Times. But instead, I was assaulted by the most depressing holiday music at Starbucks.

Have you been paying attention to what this coffee institution has been playing since mid-November? Now, maybe I'm a little more sensitive to emotions transmitted through songs because I've had the most wicked week, but my G-d! Manic depressives should stay clear of Starbucks or else they run the risk of being subject to traditional holiday songs set to funeral dirges. I swear I heard a Billy Joel-like singer croon about shooting someone over some real melancholy Christmas guitar.

When questioned about this musical selection, the barista responded that there was nothing staff could do to dam the audio flow since it was piped in and sent from Seattle. So regrettably, poor java addicts in Tucson were subject to the same sadness as those of us in Lorton.

So Merry Christmas, dammit! And may your grandmother not get run over by a reindeer as she attempts to escape from a deep, dark Christmas.

Sin in a gym.

2006-11-30T12:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, so this morning I was TOTALLY craving chocolate cake. I don't know why...I have a slight sweet tooth, but I'm ordinarily a very health-conscious eater (i.e., I fill my candy bowl at work with fruit instead of of Hershey's Kisses). I just had to find something sweet and soft to placate my craving.

By the time I had discerned my craving, it was 10:30 and our cafeteria had already closed. Thankfully, I had a bevy of coffee shops to help me satisfy this mad craving. The first one I had visited had run out of muffins and only had bagels. The second one I visited had poppy seed and corn, not exactly a satisfactory way to assuage a sweet tooth. The third shop I visited had already moved on to prepare lunch.

And then I remembered seeing muffins at my gym. Sure enough, there was a gorgeous basket of yogurt muffins. I felt so relieved that I could satisfy my craving without adding miles to my waistline. Thank goodness for Old Town Sport and Health.

Ballet, belly dancing, or fencing?

2006-11-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

I need a new kick. Literally.

I've been doing yoga for about ten years now and have been training to run a race with my sister in Connecticut this spring. As I'm getting into my groove, I'm beginning to wonder...does my workout need a little excitement?

Ballet would not be a new adventure for me as I studied it when I was younger. There certainly would be something soothing in the plies and arabesques. Belly dancing has always intrigued me as a sensual extension of my ballet and yoga training. And fencing? Well, there are some days when I want to do nothing more than taunt adversaries with a deftly-aimed foil.

So I'll spend the next few weeks pondering my new kick and aim to start classes in the new year. Any counsel you have would be most welcome.

Tuesday night is Veronica Mars night.

2006-11-28T22:07:00.000-05:00

I admit it--I have a huge girl-crush on Veronica Mars.

I started watching the show's first season on DVD last year and found the show charming. Part modern-day Nancy Drew, part Buffy, its plot revolved around Veronica's insatiable quest to discover who murdered her best friend. Despite its somber storyline, the show itself was high-school sweet and featured problems with which any teenage outcast could relate.

This year, however, CW turned up the volume, gave Veronica a new hairdo, and increased the sex factor. Granted, tonight's episode was reminiscent of an eight-year old Fat Boy Slim video, but the heartstring factor was raised when Logan showed up at the Neptune Jail, presumably to whack the daylights out of Veronica's two would-be rapists.

Yeah, I'm a little outside the target demographic of this show, but Veronica Mars is the perfect salve for a long day (or week). Besides, Kristen Bell is almost as hot in Veronica Mars as Kirsten Dunst was in The Virgin Suicides.

Field goals kill the spirit of football.

2006-11-26T17:36:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, the Redskins clinched a much-needed victory over the Carolina Panthers, 17-13. But man, what a lame game!

By half-time, the score was 6-3 in favor of the Panthers, the only action being field goals. Redskins season ticket holders, ravenous for any scrap of hope, whooped every time the team earned a coveted first down (a rare feat during the first half), or even better yet, a field goal.

In my mind, going for field goals on fourth and short is like not applying to Harvard when you score 1550 on the SATs and a 3.97 GPA, fearful that some other smart kid is going to steal your seat. It's like driving a Honda instead of the sports car of your dreams because you're afraid of getting a speeding ticket. Going for field goals on fourth and short is not playing with heart.

Part of the thrill of going to a Redskins game is screaming "Hail to the Redskins" every time a touchdown is scored. Anything less is, well, mundane.

Disclaimer: Polish Diva DC is a Giants fan with an indefatigable crush on Eli Manning, who is playing the Tennessee Titans with a whole lotta heart tonight. She goes to the occasional Redskins game for the exquisite experience of football on gorgeous autumn days.

A humble prayer of gratitude.

2006-11-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

At this morning's Thanksgiving Day mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Monseigneur Jameson read the following prayer penned by Elizabeth, Countess of Craven (1750-1828):

I thank you, God, that I have lived
In this great world and known its many joys:
The song of birds, the strong, sweet scent of hay
And cooling breezes breezes in the secret dusk.
The flaming sunsets at the close of day,
Hills and the lonely heather-covered moors.
Music at night and moonlight on the sea,
The beat of waves upon the rocky shore,
And wild, white spray flung high in ecstasy.
The faithful eyes of dogs and treasured books,
The love of kin, fellowship of friends,
And all that makes life dear and beautiful.

I thank you, too, that there has come to me
A little sorrow and sometimes defeat.
A little heartache and the loneliness
That comes with parting and the word “goodbye.”
Dawn breaking after dreary hours of pain
When I discovered that night's gloom must yield
And morning light break through to me again.
Because of these and other blessings poured
Unmasked upon my wondering head,
Because I know that there is yet to come
An even richer and more glorious life,
I thank you God that I have lived.

I thank you, God, that you led me to St. Matthew's to hear such a poignant prayer of Thanksgiving.

Quid pro quo for Presidential pardons.

2006-11-22T19:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving--and give thanks that you don't have to pardon turkeys!

Tribute to Weil Gotschal's newest partner.

2006-11-21T22:40:00.000-05:00

Just want to give a shout out to Michael Nicklin, Esq. Today, Michael learned that he was elected Weil Gotshal's newest partner out of the London office.

Michael, so now that you've made partner, you can come see Moni and me star in Mamma Mia, right?

Escarole v. romaine.

2006-11-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight I was at the grocery store, shopping for ingredients for my "famous" Polish Diva's Italian Wedding Soup. Interestingly, I met a woman at the store who was shopping for the same thing but had difficulty discerning between escarole, spinach, and romaine. Escarole is very similar to romaine in appearance but has a more distinct scent.

Now, I have made subsitutions for escarole whenever the store does not carry it. And the one thing that I have learned via trial and error is that romaine makes a fine substitute for escarole. But NEVER EVER EVER EVER replace spinach for escarole in Italian Wedding Soup (Polish style or otherwise). The spinach will only make the soup bitter.

Now, here's the quick version of Polish Diva's Italian Wedding Soup:
- One small yellow onion, chopped
- Four cloves garlic, crushed
- Olive oil
- Butter
- White wine
- One pound uncooked meatballs (I'll dispense with that recipe for ease)
- 6 cans chicken broth
- Oregano
- Parsley
- One head escarole, chopped
- Grated Parmesan

Coat bottom of pot with olive oil. Put onion and garlic into pot and turn burner to high. Add two pats of butter and a smidge of wine into the pot. Cook only until the onion gets soft--do not let it get brown.

Put uncooked meatballs into pot and cook until they are browned. Once they are browned, pour all six cans of chicken broth into the pot. Add oregano and parsley to flavor. Once the broth has boiled, add chopped escarole to mix. Cook for 20 minutes or until the escarole condenses. Serve with grated Parmesan.

Chef's notes:
- So sorry there are no approximate measures. I rarely pay attention to specific measures and go with what I feel like at that moment of culinary inspiration.

- Do not substitute low-fat or low-sodium ingredients (i.e. broth, butter, cheese). I'm usually a very health-conscious cook, but you will sacrifice taste for calories if you decide to go the way of the enlightened. Besides, this is meal isn't fattening at all, unless you decide to eat the whole pot at one sitting.

Buon appetito!

Sedatives 101.

2006-11-20T20:41:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever, I found myself awake for five hours last night. I was quite stunned as I usually have no problems sleeping. I have slept on rickety buses traversing the European countryside. I used to sleep through my roommates' romantic trysts in college. I've even been known to fall asleep at the cinema. But last night, there was no way that I could claim sleep for my own.

In an effort to avoid another sleepless night, I have assembled some potential remedies:

1. Camomile tea
2. Warm milk
3. Praying the rosary in bed
4. A glass of wine
5. Reading The Basics of Structural Equation Modeling
6. Creating lists to get junk out of my head
7. Watching the Giants beat Jacksonville on Monday Night Football
8. Eating turkey
9. Running outside in the cold and gradually getting warm under the covers
10. Burning incense and meditating in my yoga room
11. Reading A Guide to Econometrics
12. Counting backwards in Polish
13. Journaling (again, to get junk out of my head)

So, what's your remedy?

The messages in my Outlook Inbox, 2004-2006.

2006-11-17T19:02:00.000-05:00

Over 100 e-mail messages in my Outlook e-mailbox, some of which were two years old, were deleted this afternoon. The cause of deletion is still unknown.

One of the most important ways I track commitments and tasks, my inbox is a significant part of my work life. Proposals from potential partners, requests from members of the National Women's Leadership Council, proposals to potential funders...all gone.

"Well, it looks like they're still in your deleted folders, thankfully," reported United Way of America's techno-physician. "But I can't quite figure out a simple way for you to separate them from the over 1,000 deleted items in that folder. You just might have to go through your deleted items, piece by piece."

I recommend an Irish wake to take the sting off the task that befalls me this weekend.

Florida 1961...Kabul 1996...detached indignance?

2006-11-15T21:16:00.000-05:00

In doing some research on Roberto Clemente for an upcoming book, I came across an article by Al Smith of the Chicago White Sox. Smith described the inhumane conditions under which black players in the American League lived during spring training. He wrote:

You cannot live with your teammates.

You cannot eat the type of food that your athletic body requires.

You cannot get a cab in the mornings to take you to the ball park, unless it happens to be Negro-driven.

You cannot enter the hotel in which your manager lives without first receiving special permission.

You cannot go to a move or night club in the heart of town, nor enjoy any of the other normal recreational facilities your white teammates enjoy so matter of factly.

You cannot bring your wife and children to the town where you are training because accommodations are not available where you are imprisoned.

You cannot, even if there are facilities, take them to the town's sprawling beaches or parks, unless, of course, they are designated at "Negro."

You cannot do anything that you would normally do in any of the major league cities where you make your living during the summer.

You are headquartered in a neighborhood that ordinarily you would be ashamed to be seen in.

You are horribly embarrassed each day when the bus returning the players from the ball park stops on "this side of the railroad tracks" and deposits you in "Colored Town," and then proceeds on to the plush hotel where your white teammates live in splendor and luxury.

You suffered a bruised leg sliding into second base, but you cannot receive immediate treatment from the club trainer because her is living in the "white" hotel. If he can get away during the middle of the night and come to your segregated quarters, he will, of course; but for obvious reasons, he prefers to wait until daylight.

Your wife cannot call you in case of emergency from your home because the place where you are incarcerated does not have phone facilities available at all times.

That is what it is like to be a Negro big leaguer in Florida during spring training...And the story has been only half told.

I was quite disturbed after I read Smith's story, realizing that these injustices occurred a mere 45 years ago. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that these injustices parallel those of women who lived in Kabul in 1996 (and elsewhere today). Will people who read the accounts of these women 45 years from now respond with the same sort of detached indignance as I did to the plight of Al Smith, Roberto Clemente, and other black ball players?

Guy-friendly yoga.

2006-11-14T19:29:00.000-05:00

I was in the minority in Suzanne's yoga class tonight at Old Town Athletic Club: women comprised only 30% of the class tonight.

I tried to figure out why. While the instructor was a woman, she reminded me more of a ballet instructor I had years ago (and less of the hot yoga instructor at Studio Serenity in Adams Morgan). It wasn't a power yoga class like the one Daniel Hickman offers at Pure Prana in Old Town. So why is it that there were more men than women at yoga tonight?

Perhaps clues to this mystery can be found in articles like the one published by Newsweek back about three years ago (check out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3068974/). In it, John Capouya asserts that men are looking for another physical challenge and are finding that yoga provides strength and agility training. Others turn to yoga to cure their aching backs.

Regardless, I find it to be a good trend. The more people who try yoga in general, the less stressed our world can become. Namaste.

High on Sylvia Plath?

2006-11-13T20:58:00.000-05:00

When I was in high school, I was quite the drama queen. Literally. I was president of our drama club. I clung onto Sylvia Plath's every word in the same way the captain of the cheer leading squad hung onto every word drooling from the lips of the starting quarterback. I also wrote some very interesting poetry, poetry I don't quite understand today. Here's a sample:

Aphrodisiac dreams
studied in the middle of the night
slip through my brain cells
while my sheets cocoon me.

Where is hunger, thirst, anger, lust?
They may be gone but they left me scarred.
They drank my marrow, my blood
and poured in powerful poison instead.

I have no tranquility
so I run.
I have no control
so I scream.

Running screaming jumping digging:
This is the madwoman I have become.
Those aphrodisiac dreams still holler
but I'll use other tools instead.

I have about a dozen books filled with this adolescent ranting but really don't know what half of it means. I must have been applying to college when I wrote this one. What do you think?

The emancipation of mystical thoughts.

2006-11-12T14:22:00.000-05:00

"The liberation of my revolution into words...read closely between the lines. The words, and the letters, dissolve in my words...doesn't matter if it is fiction or from reality. Read closely and mingle..."

So beckons "Mystique," a fearless blogger from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I read about her this morning in The Washington Post and immediately realized that it is her type of writing for which the art of blogging has emerged. This young woman's blog combines erotica with free-form feminism, both taboo subjects in Saudi Arabia. Hence, we may never discover the true identity of a woman who asks, "Can our souls ebb and flow just like how ink enjoys that on our papers?"

Please visit http://www.mystiquesa.blogspot.com/ and send her your encouragement. For while there is a growing movement of Arab bloggers (including Fouad al-Fahran and Ahmed al-Omran) who are pushing for greater freedoms in the blogosphere, writers like "Mystique" are left without support because many of her fellow countrymen believe that her mystical thoughts should remain unspoken.

A good haircut is not just a good haircut.

2006-11-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Right before I left for Scotland in September, I discovered that the love of my life (my stylist) had skipped town without telling me. I was depressed, as a good stylist becomes a most intimate partner. S/he can make you feel like a sexy goddess. Without a good stylist, a girl can feel quite ordinary.

Today, I found a new love in the form of Cindy. She works at the newly-opened Salon Red that is a mere five-minute walk from my house. I wasn't expecting much from a suburban hair salon except convenience. I was pleasantly surprised.

Cindy is about 42 years old and she is H-O-T...her hair the perfect shade of honey...her body the perfect effect of Gold's Gym. Instantly, I knew I was in good hands.

Cindy and I talked all throughout the color treatment and haircut...she recently moved to Lorton from Fort Lauderdale...recently married a Lebanese guy...loves to work out. I bonded with Cindy and suspect that she learned a lot of things about me. I recounted my aversion to take risks with my hair but my desire not to look like a perfectly-maned woman circa 1992.

As I witnessed six-inch locks of my hair fall to floor, I hardly winced. And there was no need for me to wince, since the end-result was well worth the $200 I invested.

Alas, I found a new partner and a new look. I feel like I just got elected prom queen.

Getting to know Nancy Pelosi.

2006-11-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

It is very likely that when the U.S. House of Representatives convenes for the 110th Congress, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8) will be elected Speaker of the House. She will be the first woman to hold the post and third in line for the Presidency.

No doubt, many people have already formed an opinion about Ms. Pelosi in her current role as Minority Leader. Like her or not, she is a passionate advocate for issues ranging from women's health to labor rights to withdrawing from Iraq (she is pictured above with anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan). Here are some other facts about the most prominent Speaker of the House candidate:

- Both her father and brother served as mayors of Baltimore, Maryland.

- Nancy is a graduate of Trinity College in Washington, DC.

- She has five children.

- If you Google Nancy, you will receive 2.33 million hits. While substantial, this figure falls short of the number of hits you would receive if you Googled Leonardo DiCaprio or Britney Spears.

- The net worth of the Pelosi family is estimated to be $25 million, mainly from Nancy's husbands investments in Microsoft, AT&T, and amazon.com.

- While Nancy was a raised a Catholic, many pro-life activists have called on priests to deny her communion because she is pro-choice.

- She is addicted to chocolate.

Despite looking in earnest, I was hard-pressed to find anything scandalous about Ms. Pelosi, except that many people who don't agree with her politics find her to be a bit boorish. I just hope that her activities will continue to pass the sunshine test of public relations.

Where's Tariq Aziz?

2006-11-05T06:08:00.000-05:00

As this morning's news was announced that Saddam Hussein and several of his colleagues were found guilty of crimes against humanity, I wondered about what had become of Saddam's close advisor and Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz.

Most people likely remember that Aziz surrendered to American forces in April, 2003. However, he still awaits trail as part of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal.

It appears as though the reason why Aziz was not included in the recent proceedings against Saddam is because Aziz did not play a role in the 1982 killings in Dujail. But his time will come when a trial to assess guilt in chemical attacks against the Kurds and the taking of hostages during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s.

Mr. Rogers' onsite costume change.

2006-11-04T19:50:00.000-05:00

This evening, my sister and I had the occasion to watch Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood with my niece, Natalie. I hadn't seen the show in years and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Rogers' calm voice and imaginative scenes. But the one thing that really perplexed both my sister and me was his entrance: why did Mr. Rogers feel compelled to enter the set with a sports coat and dress shoes, only to change into his cardigan and Keds? What was the significance of his change? Why didn't he just show up dressed for the show?

Martha's latest tome.

2006-11-02T18:19:00.000-05:00

I love Martha Stewart. She is the perfectionist I strive to be (and know I could be, if only I had more time). If you adore her as much as I do, visit Amazon and purchase her latest publication. It's a 752-page bible for anyone who strives for domestic bliss, helping them maintain appliances, vacuum, and polish. And if you visit Amazon today, you can purchase this book for $27, a 40% discount off the retail price.

Dumb laws.

2006-11-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

While I was flying home from Boston last night, I read about this really intriguing website that collects all the dumb laws in one place. Here are a few gems I found:

- In my beloved home state of Connecticut, there's a law that says in order for a pickle to be considered a pickle, it must bounce.

- It is illegal to tickle women in Virginia.

- Horses may not be kept in bathtubs in South Carolina.

- Women may not drive in house coats in California.

- A person in New York may not walk around with an ice cream cone in his or her pocket on Sundays.

- In Kansas City, Missouri, it is illegal to install bathtubs with four legs resembling animal paws.

- In Nebraska, if a child burps during a church service, her parents may be arrested.

Check them out: www.dumblaws.com.

The booty on Grandwind Drive.

2006-10-31T20:02:00.000-05:00

This year, I decided to do my neighbors a favor and not distribute candy. No, I'm not hiding in my basement with all the lights turned off. No, this year I decided to give little goodie bags filled with toys from the Oriental Trading Company (http://www.orientaltrading.com/).

What?!?!? You never heard of the Oriental Trading Company?!?!? Gosh, this store is every hostesses' delight! They offer party goods and crafts galore, all at rock bottom prices. I've ordered supplies to make wine charms, used them to create an impromptu barn at United Way of America, and yes, tonight I used them to frighten the little kiddies. Here's what was in the loot bag:

- Spiders (two of which are pictured above)
- Witches' warts (hmmm...doesn't that sound sexy)
- Goo-filled snakes
- A paratrooper skeleton (I kid you not)

It's about 8:30 right now and I think I'm going to shut off the porch light, even though I have about a dozen or so of the loot bags left. There's a direct correlation between the lateness of the hour and the age of the kids, and to be brutally honest, I'm just not that into seeing adolescents who don't even try to dress up for Halloween.

16 (+20) Candles.

2006-10-30T07:16:00.000-05:00

It all started with a piece of bubble gum.

On Friday, my colleague Nicole offered me a piece of bubble gum during a sexual harassment training session. As the gum meandered to the left side of my mouth, I felt a weird crack, but really didn't think twice about it...until I brushed my tongue over a molar and felt a weird sensation. I checked out my tooth in the mirror and didn't see anything out of place, so I really didn't think twice about it...until I woke up Sunday morning and noticed that my bottom teeth had turned gray. Since the gray went away when I brushed my teeth, I didn't think twice about it...until I noticed that the suspect molar had turned black.

I scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed away, but the black on my molar didn't go away. So I started to freak out, particularly since the left side of my mouth started to hurt and I was starting to get a headache.

So in about an hour, I will call my dentist who I hope will be able to prevent the same sort of day that Molly Ringwald had in Sixteen Candles. I won't think twice about having a weird birthday...unless my dentist tells me a need a root canal.

Personal history.

2006-10-28T10:57:00.000-04:00

For my 36th birthday, my mother presented me with the most precious gift that a mother can give a daughter: a compilation of family photos. What she presented me was no ordinary family album. No, what she gave me was a collection of photos that dated from the turn of the 20th century and from war-torn Poland.

To me, it is a miracle that these photos survived. The photo above is of my paternal grandfather, an American citizen who returned to Poland as a young man but got detained there during World War I, never to return to Connecticut. Other images in the collection include family portraits, my father’s boyhood home (which was taken over by the Nazis, an action that drove my father’s family to live in the woods one winter), and the men in my dad’s family in their military finery. As I review snapshots of my mother as a young woman, I can’t help but see pieces of me reflecting back at me through her pensive eyes.

Birthdays come and go, just like the cake and candles that mark their passing. But what remains behind sometimes leaves an imprint that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.

Dzienkuje, matka kochana.

Throwing Catholicism back into the Middle Ages.

2006-10-27T19:58:00.000-04:00

This afternoon, I came across a website that describes the proper dress and behavior for Catholic women: http://www.catholicplanet.com/women/index.htm. While the feminist in me was reviled, I could appreciate the teachings contained on this website. The owner of this website is clearly beckoning society to return to morality and for that, I truly commend him.

But what was laughable was his commentary on women running for President. He writes:

"In general, God does not want a woman to be president. Men and women are intended by God to have different roles in society, the family, and the Church. Men are intended to be leaders over groups of men, women, and children. But God sometimes makes an exception, as the All Knowing and All Mighty may do, because allowing one imperfect situation may have greater advantages than disadvantages. Hillary Clinton will be elected U.S. President, under God's Providence, but for the sake of the unborn, not because God wants women to lead men. She will be elected President in 2008, and in 2009 she will change her mind about abortion and become pro-life. Her election as president is part of God's plan to lead those who most strongly support abortion to conversion. She can speak to them more effectively than an older male conservative could."

Wow, this is the most creative rationale as to why Hils will become President. And all from a religious Conservative. Egads.

America, a miracle?

2006-10-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday as I was trotting on the treadmill of my gym, Robert Smith of The Cure bellowed the lyrics for "Wrong Number" on my iPod. I guess I never really paid attention to the lyrics before last night, but the chorus really intrigued me. He sings:

"...I had the best laid plans this side of ____."

Well, I had always thought that the blank was filled by the world "a miracle," a word that made completely good sense to me. After all, you would establish the most amazing plans in a dire situation. But then, I realized that what Robert Smith was really singing was that he had the best laid plans this side of America...

This epiphany got me thinking about the similar sounds of the words "America" and "a miracle," particularly when they are enunciated with a British accent. And for some, America must have been such a miracle, being their land of the free.

Maybe I just think too much when I run.

No FX at PX.

2006-10-22T14:43:00.000-04:00

I enjoy being on the unfavorable side of pretention. Seriously.

Last night Sasha and I tried to get in to PX, a new speakeasy that opened up a few weeks ago in Old Town Alexandria. He was so fired up about going to this club, as it epitomized everything he looks for in a club (dress code, ringing a bell, secret passage, exclusivity).

When we arrived in front of the club, an aspiring patron indicated that there was an hour wait. Sasha might as well have been told that Santa doesn't exist. Dejected, he wanted to bypass our informant and ring the bell himself in hopes that the door monitor would let us in.

Embarrassed about Sasha's tantrum and having no tolerance for games that the uber-hip play, I immediately offered suggestions of other places we could go...Vermillion...100 King.

I relished every sip of the Bacardi and Diet Coke I drank at Vermillion last night, grateful for being part of the pedestrian crowd.

What does the 54 in Bangkok 54 mean?

2006-10-21T11:27:00.000-04:00

Last night Sasha and I went to Bangkok 54, a hip Thai restaurant on Columbia Pike in Arlington. The name of the restaurant got me thinking: what do the numbers in the restaurants mean (i.e., Pho 79, Bangkok 54)?

According to Katherine Nguyen (http://nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=1546), it's an indication of the year the restaurant opened. However, I doubt this rationale applies to Bangkok 54, as the restaurant opened fairly recently.

Any other thoughts on what the 54 in Bangkok 54 might mean?

Everybody's working on the weekend...

2006-10-20T19:14:00.000-04:00

In certain circles, working on the weekend is considered a badge of honor. If you're an attorney, an accountant during tax season, an aspiring chief executive, or a Washingtonian, you're nobody until someone catches you working on the weekend.

Here are a couple of indicators that you may belong to this secret fraternity of over-achievers or workaholics:

1. Your BlackBerry blinks over Friday night cocktails and you're compelled to respond because you know that someone's on deadline at the office.

2. You send an e-mail message out to colleagues on a Saturday morning and before you've returned home from Starbucks you have the response you were seeking.

3. You forgot your after-hours access key but know that someone will show up in a few minutes to let you into the garage.

4. You regularly schedule conference calls on the weekend without feeling guilty.

5. You send yourself an e-mail message with 20 attachments before leaving the office on Friday night.

6. You take a shower before going into the office on Saturday because there is a good chance that you will run into someone who you don't want seeing you in your favorite college sweatshirt.

7. You reserve weekends for writing significant works such as business strategies, white papers, and funding proposals.

8. You feel ill on Sunday night if you haven't checked your BlackBerry at least three times over course of the weekend.

If you can relate to at least five of the statements above, your certificate of admission to the fraternity is in the mail. We'll show you the secret handshake when we see you at the office on Saturday morning.

Vote for Aimee and JoJo!

2006-10-18T15:38:00.000-04:00

My friend Jenn and her partner Nicole were recently married and have yet to go on a honeymoon, for numerous reasons. This is where you, Aimee and JoJo come in.

Aimee and JoJo are their cats and they love them, maybe a bit too much. WJLA (Channel 7 here in the DC area) is holding a contest and the prize is a trip to Seattle – which includes airfare and 3 days stay at the Hotel Monaco. It would make a perfect weekend getaway and mini-honeymoon!

All you need to do is vote for Aimee and/or JoJo here: http://www.wjla.com/postapet/vote.cfm?animal=cats It should take all of 3 seconds to do and most of all, they’d so appreciate it.

Why, Bill, why?

2006-10-17T19:42:00.000-04:00

I am crushed. The man of my dreams has turned on me.

Yep, I'm talking about Bill Hemmer, the former anchor of CNN's American Morning. He left the station without much fanfare and for months I lurked the Internet to see where he would turn up. I thought that perhaps he would become a freelancer or a sportscaster. After not being able to locate him for a while, I gave up...until today.

For giggles, I googled Bill tonight and discovered that he is now the weekday anchor for Fox News Live. I'm absolutely stunned, as if someone punched me in the gut. Of all the news channels Bill could have worked for, he had to pick the one that is the biggest pulpit for right-wingers.

Next thing I know, someone's gonna tell me that Derek Jeter's being traded to the Red Sox...

The President's Challenge: No chin-ups required.

2006-10-16T19:30:00.000-04:00

What began as a national youth fitness test has grown up in a big way. The President’s Challenge can help you stay (or get) physically active.

The President's Challenge is an online tool in which people can track their physical activities and earn points towards awards. At the most basic level, President's Challenge participants must work out at least 30 minutes per day for five days per week. If they do so for six out of eight weeks, they earn a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a pin, and a patch. More experiences athletes can reach other goals that are more appropriate for their activity level.

For more information on the challenge, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

Cold(er) War: Version 2.0

2006-10-15T14:48:00.000-04:00

As North Korea joined the nuclear club last week and Iran rushing for membership in this prestigious and expanding fraternity, it has become evident that the Cold War has resumed. This renewed Cold War is far more dangerous than the Cold War of old, as it runs concurrnetly with the West's War on Terrorism.

During the height of the Cold War, the main adversaries were the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, there are more directions in which the missiles could fly:

1. Iran could complete their uranium enrichment program, bomb Israel, and then the United States would bomb Iran.

2. North Korea could bomb Japan and then the United States, the United Kingdom, and France would bomb North Korea. Russia and China may or may not jump into the brawl, depending how their allegiances ran the day of the bombing.

3. India and Pakistan could bomb each other.

Despite democracy's left turn in Russia, I believe it would be highly unlikely that the nuclear adversaries of old would ever return their patterns of the past. Nor do I believe that China would ever taunt the United States or its allies into a nuclear romp, as it is too reliant upon these nations for their economic strength.

In my mind, the only scenario in which the parties of the West would draw their weapons first is if the War on Terror drained them of their conventional resources and forced them to resort to nukes as a last resort.

Is blogging killing the art of writing?

2006-10-13T19:07:00.000-04:00

I'm still in the process of reading Jane Eyre and have been quite taken by the beauty of Charlotte Bronte's writing. Here's an example:

"True, reader, and I knew and felt this; and though I am a defective being, with many faults and a few redeeming points, yet I never tired of Helen Burns, nor ever ceased to cherish for her a sentiment of attachment, as strong, tender, and respectful as any that ever animated my heart."

What a gorgeous sentence! But according to blogologists, this sentence would fail the test for being an appropriate posting for a blog. Blog postings are supposed to be clear, concise, and quick. And while Bronte's writing is clear, it is hardly concise, nor is it quick, as it can take a reader several moments to read this text.

While the art of writing took a serious departure from the classical style of literature decades ago, blogging is accelerating its complete extinction. I can't remember the last letter I received that flowed with the relish of the Bronte sisters or George Eliot.

Have we really become such a busy society that requires our writers to cut our thoughts into small digestible pieces for us? What about those of us who want to savor poetic writing?

I'm afraid that blogging is killing the art of writing and I am one of its prolific accomplices.

Date yourself.

2006-10-12T22:05:00.001-04:00

When was the last time you dated yourself? The last time you scheduled time for yourself? The last time you looked forward to doing something by yourself that wasn't an errand?

Tonight was my own personal date night. For the past two weeks, I have looked toward tonight, a night on which I went go to yoga and enjoyed awaze tibbs at my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in DC. It was absolutely divine, from the massages in yoga class to the way that the chardonnay tasted when it mingled with spices.

Date yourself. Schedule one night a month when you get out of the house and do something by yourself. Sometimes, there is nothing more divine than your own company.

The first should always aspire to be last in everything they do.

2006-10-11T17:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, United Way of America hosted its annual Hometown Huddle, a team-building event in which staff volunteer at an all-day activity. This year we cleaned up Marvin Gaye Park, an expanse of green in DC's Seventh Ward.

I was really looking forward to the event as it contained many variables that lead to my own personal happiness. It was a sunny day...I secured a spot on the crew that painted a learning trail for children...I had a chance to hang out with my co-workers. Really, everything leading my personal happiness yesterday was centered on my needs.

Around lunchtime, residents who lived around the park showed up for the barbecue. The great news is that the event planners had considered this variable as they were preparing for the day and ordered 100 extra lunches. The disappointing news is that we, as staff, weren't quite prepared for handling it in a consistent manner.

Staff were encouraged to cut to the head of the line as they were working hard and needed the nourishment. The neighborhood residents were encouraged to wait until the staff were fed. I was uncomfortable with the arrangement and decided to hang back with the residents.

While I thought I was being gracious in my actions, I soon discovered that there is a lot more I need to learn about what it means to be charitable. Even though I was at the end of the line, I was still offered preferential treatment. This preferential treatment created a wall between the residents and me, a wall I did not know how to scale.

I learned an important lesson yesterday: one can still be philanthropic without being charitable. To be charitable requires a keen focus on respecting other people's dignity, a focus that can always be refined.

Desperately seeking Kinky.

2006-10-08T16:22:00.000-04:00

Kinky Friedman makes politics fun.

In the 1970s, Kinky's band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, served up such luscious hits as "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Any More" and "%&*hole from El Paso." Thirty years later, he's serving up such assertions as "Texas politics stinks" and "If you're born poor, don't get sick in Texas" as he campaigns for governor.

On Kinky's website, you can buy a Kinky doll for $29.95 and listen to him disparage corrupt pols. You can also watch a cartoon that hypothesizes about what would have happened at The Alamo had Texans played politics as usual.

While Governor Perry will likely win re-election, please visit www.kinkyfriedman.com and give Kinky a few bucks. His irreverence for political protocol is attracting a wide berth of people to politics, and that's a good thing.

Gay isn't code for immoral.

2006-10-06T17:40:00.000-04:00

With all of the Mark Foley news that literally seized the Capitol this week, I found myself reflecting on scandals...the Mark Foley scandal...the Jim McGreevey scandal...the Father Fay scandal.

What has troubled me about these scandals (and others like them) is that at some point the public discovers that the perpetrators are gay. Either they will hold press conferences like Jim McGreevey did when he admitted to an adulterous affair or they will have their attorneys cover for them, like Mark Foley's did this week. The manner in which this fact is revealed seems to be a mitigating factor, just like alcohol is a variable in a DUI case.

People like Mark Foley and Jim McGreevey are inflicting serious harm upon gays by coming out at the same time that they get in trouble. While I doubt that it is intentional, many people who read of Foley's forays with minor pages and McGreevey's extra-curricular activities will think that the fact that they were gay made them act out in such fashion.

I just hope that one day someone gets caught doing something good, holds a press conference, and shares that she's gay.

People are just jealous.

2006-10-03T21:02:00.000-04:00

I don't understand and maybe it's because I'm a Yankees fan.

Why does everyone seem to have it out for the Yankees? It just doesn't make sense. Hoping that the Yankees to lose the playoffs and ultimately the World Series is like:

- Wanting the class valedictorian to fail a quiz.
- Hoping that Donald Trump loses his fortune.
- Wishing that the Americans would have lost to the Russians in the 1980 Olympics.

Why do people take such pleasure in other people failing?

What's Jim McGreevey up to?

2006-10-02T20:13:00.000-04:00

Last week he appeared on Larry King Live. This month he's featured in GQ Magazine. So what is former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey up to?

No politician who falls from grace re-enters the public scene unless he's trying to re-brand himself for re-entry into politics or if he is in desperate need of money. Given that Jim's current beau Mark O'Donnell is a financier, I doubt that he is in need of money.

Given his positioning as a "Gay American," is it possible that Jim McGreevey is lobbying for gay support, perhaps in elected office or as a organizational leader?

Let the one who is sinless wear Mrs. Ryan's tattle-tail.

2006-10-01T15:48:00.000-04:00

When I was in the first grade, there was a teacher named Mrs. Ryan who was a creative disciplinarian. She braided a tattle-tail that she would affix on any student who would tattle on his or her classmates (oooh, Michael cheated...oooh, Tracy's picking her nose). This tattle-tail was such an effective punishment, as no one wanted to be be friends with a tattle-tail who would rat to the teacher.

I wish that the U.S. Congress would adopt a variation of Mrs. Ryan's tattle-tail. The tattle-tail would be presented to any Member of Congress who jumped on the shame-shame bandwagon of wagging their fingers at their peers who do inappropriate things. If it was ever to be discovered that a Member of Congress with a tattle-tail ever did anything inappropriate themselves (i.e., sent an inappropriate e-mail to a 16-year-old page, took an illegal campaign contribution, had an affair), said Member of Congress would have to wear the tattle-tail at the press conference in which they confess their indiscretion.

Since collegiality is no longer a valued trait in the House of Representatives, perhaps shame will be.

What civilization leaves behind.

2006-09-30T12:16:00.000-04:00

Today's New York Times reported on the plight of Sydney McGee, a Texas art teacher who was suspended after taking her students to the Dallas Museum. The parent of one of the students complained after the student reported seeing "nude art."

According to the Times, the "nude art" collection includes "...Auguste Rodin's tormented 'Shade;' Aristide Maillol's 'Flora,' with her clingy sheer garment (pictured above); and Jean Arp's 'Star in a Dream.'"

The mission statement of Wilma Fisher Elementary School where Sydney taught until this recent brouhaha is "[t]o build a school community that instills in children a rigorous and joyful approach to learning." I wonder how joyful an approach to learning Fisher students will have after witnessing one of their prized teachers being punished for her love of art.

Oh where, oh where, have the terrorist video missives gone?

2006-09-29T19:27:00.000-04:00

Today, news media reported that Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second-in command, issued yet another videotape on the Internet to denounce the United States.

Out of curiosity, I wanted to see this current video first-hand (even though I can't even say "hello" in Arabic) just to see what it looked like. I thought that the video would be readily accessible via some of the major news websites, such as CNN or al Jazeera. I tried Googling various terms, including "al zawahiri" and "watch video" and "september 29, 2006." Maybe the video is buried somewhere on the Internet, but I for one could not find it.

Why do you suppose that the video isn't so easy to locate? I would think that millions of people would prefer to see the whole 18-minute video for themselves (even if they, too, can't speak a word of Arabic) than read a sanitized excerpt that the news media wants us to see.

I have three hypotheses. The first one is that news websites are afraid that people would flood to their websites to watch the video. Is it possible that a throng of people converging onto a single website within such a short space of time could cause some sort of technical difficulty? The second hypothesis is that news websites may be afraid that a hacker might desecrate their websites for distributing the video. The third is that somehow, the U.S. federal government has banned websites from posting the video.

Does anyone know how I can locate today's video? Or does anyone know why I can't find it?

Plain Jane (Eyre)?

2006-09-27T18:44:00.000-04:00

I have always been intrigued by the phrase "Plain Jane," a phrase which suggests a woman of average looks and assets. I just started reading Charlotte Bronte's classic Jane Eyre and can't help but think that the phrase "Plain Jane" may have originated with this character.

Early on in the book, I was quite taken by this dialogue that contrasts Jane with Georgiana, once of the Reed girls with whom Jane lives:

Bessie, when she heard this narrative, sighed and said, "Poor Miss Jane is to be pitied, too, Abbot."

"Yes," responded Abbot; "if she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that."

"Not a great deal, to be sure," agreed Bessie: "at any rate, a beauty like Miss Georgiana would be more moving in the same condition."

"Yes, I doat on Miss Georgiana!" cried the fervent Abbot. "Little darling!—with her long curls and her blue eyes, and such a sweet colour as she has; just as if she were painted!—Bessie, I could fancy a Welsh rabbit for supper."

"So could I—with a roast onion. Come, we'll go down." They went.

So what do you know? Is Jane Eyre's character the source of the term "Plain Jane?"

Brad's lame excuse.

2006-09-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

"Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able."

- William Bradley Pitt, Esquire magazine, October 2006

How lame can one man be?

What makes Brad's comment pathetic is is that he is trying so hard to appear noble. But sadly, his statement is merely a weak excuse.

For starters, with whom is Brad trying to side? On its face, Brad's statement may be an attempt to side with the gay population. But with his sweeping statement, he's including men who want to marry child brides...priests...polygamists. Brad's comment is just far too broad to make a point.

Next, it doesn't appear as though Brangelina power couple is doing anything really to show their support of gay marriage (assuming that's the issue they're attempting to highlight). Poor kids in Africa? Sure, they're white on rice. But I don't recall any rallies in which they have indicated their support of gay marriage (if I missed an issue of US magazine in which they spoke out on the issue, please forgive me and I will recant).

Quite frankly, I would have no issue with Brad intimating that his unsuccessful marriage to Jennifer Anniston makes him a little skiddish on saying "I do." But trying to make a political statement out of his desire not to getting (re)married is just poor taste.

So, like, um, does this mean that Brad and Angelina are like, never getting married?

I'm strong to the finich, 'cause I eats me red peppers.

2006-09-24T10:01:00.000-04:00

The E. coli scare has rendered spinach Public Enemy Number 1. Sadly, even after the whole scandal has become a distant memory, people will not casually return to eating spinach salad or adding baby spinach to their sandwiches in an effort to boost their vitamin E intake. Hence, I offer the following as ways to make spinach substitutions:

- Add red peppers to your sandwiches.
- Snack on sunflower seeds.
- Dip bread in olive oil instead of smearing butter on it.
- Add peanut butter to your toast in the morning.
- Choose mixed salads with dandelion or mustard leaves.
- Increase the amount of fish you eat (salmon is a great source).

A reading list for the American public.

2006-09-23T14:54:00.000-04:00

This morning's New York Times expounded upon how book sales of Noam Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance are skyrocketing after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez waved the book at attendees at this week's United Nations General Assembly meeting. I was saddened by the statement that American literati would buy the book, only to have it grace their coffeetables.

Have Americans become a people who buy books for the sake of appearing to be in the know? We can spend hours watching reality television but have no time to delve through books that appear to be too dense. How can the United States achieve this alleged global dominance without the intellectual firepower to back it?

I am thrilled that Hugo Chavez has frightened a sufficient number of America's intelligentsia to peruse Noam Chomsky. I am also thrilled that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is a client of Simon & Schuster and will release his memoirs later this month. But I would be even more thrilled if American political leaders started encouraging the American public to divert their time from reality television to read some seminal work. Here's what I would suggest as required reading for The New York Times set (in addition to Chomsky's and Musharraf's works):

- American Exceptionalism: Seymour Martin Lipset
- Democracy in America: Alexis deTocqueville
- Development as Freedom: Amartya Sen
- Economy and Society: Max Weber
- Empire: Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri
- The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization: Thomas L. Friedman
- Trust: Frank Fukuyama

Please add your suggestions to this list.

Back away from black.

2006-09-22T17:16:00.000-04:00

Over the course of the past 24 hours, several colleagues have asked me about the new "Back in Black" Gap ad. This question is probably prompted by the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" poster my friend Steve gave me in acknowledgment of my favorite movie and actress of all time.

Quite frankly, I think the ad stinks. Granted, Gap and Audrey Hepburn are among my favorite brands, but Gap had no business dubbing "Back in Black" into the commercial...just as Audrey Hepburn would have no business at an AC/DC concert...just as Angus Young would have no business at Tiffany & Co.

I have no doubt that my favorite icon of style is looking down from heaven right now with her hands over her ears, begging Gap to make the awful music stop. I wish that Gap would oblige her and not exploit her image for crass profit.

Before there was bad bouillabaisse...

2006-09-21T18:07:00.000-04:00

...we had a great time in "Paris."

On Saturday, July 15, I posted a sad story about how I threw up at Casino Royale in Las Vegas after eating some bad bouillabaisse. The photo above the is "before" photo--I was so happy then.

Special thanks to Michele for forwarding this photo--it surely provides some fond memories!

My fantasy is my Achilles heel.

2006-09-20T20:27:00.000-04:00

As a (liberal, Connecticut) Republican (feminist), I'm conflicted. The thought of a Clinton/Obama ticket in 2008 thrills me to tears, as I don't believe any other political pairing could energize both political parties more than this one.

The prospect of living history with the first female President and the first African-American Vice President would be such an emotional appeal for progressively-minded people. That same prospect would be the venom chilling the hearts of red-blooded Republicans. I have no doubt that with all the emotion raging, the 2008 Presidential Campaign could be the costliest one yet. This reality could provide a budding fundraiser with the opportunity to be part of history, even if the candidates in question lose the election.

Here's my conflict: do I jump ship officially for the Clinton campaign? If I do, I will be turning my back on my personal history that includes work on George H.W. Bush's campaign, as Chair of the Alexandria Young Republicans, as Secretary of the Young Republicans of Virginia. If I don't, will I regret my adherence to party politics, politics that have generated lackluster candidates and alienated fiscal conservatives/social progressives like me?

Why can't Condi run for President and make my life so much easier?

Broadband for the masses.

2006-09-18T19:26:00.000-04:00

WANTED: Nonprofit executive/doctoral student seeks provider to outfit home with superfast broadband internet. Woman in question lives in a new neighborhood where the average household income exceeds $150,000 and the average educational level attained is at the graduate level.

Not seeking broadband for frivolous matters, only to enable the relatively quick downloading of programs and uploading of photos. Over the weekend, said executive/student wasted 28 hours attempting to download photos from recent trip to Scotland onto Kodak Gallery, only to find that uploading session timed out.

Said executive/student hopes that superfast broadband internet provider will realize what it took The New York Times to discover in only two years: that educated folk with money live in Lorton.

The opus is complete.

2006-09-17T20:13:00.000-04:00

I have finally finished posting photos and commentary from my trip to Scotland for my friend Tabitha's wedding. Please visit www.tabithasgettingmarried.blogspot.com for complete coverage. And if you would like to view photos in the raw, please provide me with your e-mail address in the comment area and I will be happy to forward you a link to the photo album. Enjoy!

If George Bush ran Edelman Worldwide...

2006-09-16T11:29:00.000-04:00

...he would counsel his clients as follows:

1. Natural Selection Foods, LLC

You see, sometimes you can pick up E. coli from the unwashed hands of immigrants who pick the spinach. That's why we gotta pass legislation to protect our borders.

2. Adrian Fenty

Now, Richard Nixon signed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act on December 24, 1973, providing for an elected mayor and council for the first time. Piss off Tom Davis and I will revoke that bill.

3. Ford Motor Company

Environmentalists are causing hard-working Americans to lose their jobs. I mean--it's very clear. All we gotta do is open the Alaskan reserve so that people can feel afford to drive their SUVs again.

4. Representative William J. Jefferson (D-LA)

Well, you see, graft is very vague. What does that mean, "I'm in the shadows, behind the curtain?" Vernon Jackson took greed to another level and that had nothing to do with this hard-working, entrepreneurial public servant. But praise Jesus that Mr. Jackson found the Christ and is seeking His forgiveness.

5. Pope Benedict XVI

Just say you're really, really, really sorry for calling Muslims evil, like you really mean it. You and I know the real truth. I'll just throw 'em all in Gitmo.

6. Zac Posen

Now, your stuff isn't what I'd want Jenna and Barbara to be rompin' around in. But at least you're taking business away from those snobby French designers.

The Ego Emissions Index.

2006-09-15T06:09:00.000-04:00

While reading The New Yorker on the way back from London, I came across a nifty brochure advertising Volkswagen's newest brainchild...no, not a car, but rather The Ego Emissions Index. The abridged handguide reads:

"Nearly everything we come into contact with on a daily basis emits ego. That's right--invisible, odorless, hard-to-define 'ego' wafts from our shoes, haircuts, turns of phrase, cars, bars, guitars, eyeglasses, attitudes, and so on. But just how much ego do each of these various things emit? That's where this guide comes in. Through the democratic survey that has taken place on EgoIndex.com, we have successfully assigned an ego-emissions rating, or 'index' to nearly everything under the sun. Now, as you begin to use the Ego Emissions Index, you'll notice that while most things come in somewhere between 20 and 80, other things, such as the Volkswagen Passat, come in much lower--around 5 or so."

The complete Ego Emissions Index can be viewed at www.EgoIndex.com. But just to give you a sense for some of the ratings, I've taken the liberty to include some below:

scorpion: 54
opera: 82
Mini Cooper: 46
pearl necklace: 84
wiener schnitzel: 36
baldness: 3
Sphinx: 55
incense: 27
cubicle: 32
socialite: 52
New York: 91
baseball: 57
chain mail: 38
speeding ticket: 54

Given this, I would rate the emissions rating of The New Yorker at about 87, somewhere the ratings for opera and New York.

Climbing up on Hampstead Heath...I can see the city light.

2006-09-12T15:16:00.000-04:00

After a fantastic day of viewing the Rosetta Stone, the Portland Vase, and other treasures at The British Museum, I decided to have a delightfully solitary picninc on the balcony of Moni's flat in Hampstead Heath (she left for Paris this morning for a business trip). I enjoyed a delightful meal of wild red salmon, pasta and sweet corn salad, and chardonnay as I watched the sun set over London and listened to the blissful hum of airplanes overhead.

Following supper, I spent about an hour reflecting in my travel journal about the glories of this trip. And while I will be sad in bidding London adieu tomorrow, there are a few lessons I hope will stick when I return to the land of supersize fries and SUVs:

1. Tea with milk and sugar makes a lovely nightcap.
2. Dressing well makes you feel good.
3. Museums aren't the exclusive domain of out-of-town visitors.
4. Rushing through life only means that you will rush to your grave even more quickly.
5. People appreciate deep conversations and connecting with other people who are interested.
6. Living graciously need not require a queen's ransom.

Cheers and good night!

Mamma Mia, how can I resist you?

2006-09-12T03:18:00.000-04:00

If you have not yet seen "Mamma Mia," the fantastic tribute to Abba's greatest hits, run, do not walk, to the nearest production. It is absolutely brilliant: vibrant costumes, astonishing choreography, and even a cheeky love story.

My girlfriend Moni and I loved the musical so much (she has seen it seven or eight times), we are seriously considering participating in a master class next year. Here's the story:

Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer and Simon Warwick for The Creative Master Class Company have joined forces once again to present four official Performance Master Classes of Mamma Mia! in 2006. Held at a central London rehearsal space and the Prince of Wales Theatre, the non-residential courses will culminate in the participants’ performance on the set of the international hit production. The performance will include full lighting, sound and Master Class Band.

Over 3 days, the participants will learn and perfect original Mamma Mia! material, taught by members of the West End creative team. "Because of the nature of the musical itself, the Master Classes will predominantly appeal to both male and female performers aged between 15-50 who dance or move well," state press notes. The Master Class fee (£295) includes a top price ticket to see the London production, plus two tickets to the Saturday morning closed performance by the members of the Master Class, on stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Broadway, here we come!

Oh, and for those of you who check up on me every now and then via my blog, I am so sorry I made a promise I could not keep. I really wanted to post glamorous photos and delicious commentary while I was in Scotland for my friend Tabitha's wedding (www.tabithasgettingmarried.blogspot.com), but I ran into technical difficulties with my camera and quite frankly, was having such a great time that I didn't have the heart to track down an Internet cafe in the countryside. But I hope to update her website with photos and commentary when I return to the States. Carry on, then.

Now it's time to say goodbye...

2006-09-01T17:47:00.000-04:00

I'm leaving for Scotland on Sunday and will be playing on www.tabithasgettingmarried.blogspot.com while I'm there. I probably won't be able to post anything until I get settled on September 4. So until then, let me leave you with a little poem from one of Britain's finest sons:

Fanatics have their dreams, wherewith they weave
A paradise for a sect; the savage too
From forth the loftiest fashion of his sleep
Guesses at Heaven; pity these have not
Trac'd upon vellum or wild Indian leaf
The shadows of melodious utterance.
But bare of laurel they live, dream, and die;
For Poesy alone can tell her dreams,
With the fine spell of words alone can save
Imagination from the sable charm
And dumb enchantment. Who alive can say,
'Thou art no Poet may'st not tell thy dreams?'
Since every man whose soul is not a clod
Hath visions, and would speak, if he had loved
And been well nurtured in his mother tongue.
Whether the dream now purpos'd to rehearse
Be poet's or fanatic's will be known
When this warm scribe my hand is in the grave.

(From John Keats, The Fall of Hyperion)

So let's root, root, root for the home team.

2006-08-31T23:44:00.000-04:00

When my friend Steve first suggested that we see a Nationals game, I thought he was crazy. We're both pretty die-hard Yankees fans, so I wondered about what could be so exciting about watching a team for which you possess merely a luke-warm fancy.

Well, tonight's Nationals/Phillies game proved that you don't have to be a die-hard fan to enjoy a good ball game. The Nationals pulled out of a potential 4-2 loss at the bottom of the ninth, thanks to Felipe Lopez tying the game and throwing the game into an extra inning. Brian Schneider brought the game home with his RBI in the tenth, clinching the game for Washington.

Too bad that this game just doesn't help them in the playoff race. Poor guys.

Raindrops kept fallin' on our heads...

2006-08-31T07:39:00.000-04:00

..but that didn't keep us from our Wednesday evening She-Woman Walking Club. We still walked to the infamous stop sign by the Alexandria marina and back. Okay, maybe it wasn't our fastest time ever, but it was still a lot of fun.

Big boat in Cincinnati.

2006-08-29T18:44:00.000-04:00

Will you just look at this? My friend Matt took this photo last night of the crazy amount of sushi that came my way at Teak (http://www.cincinnati.com/dining/teakthai/), this really cool Thai and sushi restaurant in Cincinnati. About ten of us went out for dinner to get the national party started for United Way's young leaders program.

Matt, Mike, Mindy, and a whole other cast of characters are helping secure a sponsorship to launch a national Young Leaders Society, a giving program that is geared towards young professionals under the age of 40 who can give $1,000 or more per year to United Way. The cool thing about this program is that it's focused on more than just writing checks to United Way: it's helping the next generation of philanthropists connect with one another, serve their communities, and lead organizations.

Work this much fun should be outlawed.

A "monument"al visit.

2006-08-27T08:34:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I had the privilege of hosting my Uncle Stan and his wife Cheryl for a weekend visit. They are on the "Stanley Roman East Coast Tour," as they are driving from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Newport, Rhode Island, and making stops to visit family and friends along the way. Yesterday, we spent the day touring monuments, including the Vietnam, Korean, World War II, Lincoln, and Arlington Cemetery. What a time we had, snapping photos, meeting tourists, and talking.

Perhaps the most meaningful time were the hours we spent talking on my front porch. My Uncle Stan was an assistant principal and basketball coach at Bassick and Central High Schools in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Bassick and Central are inner-city schools, so he coached students through gang warfare, drugs, and problems that many students growing up in other parts of the state would only know through the movies. What's extraordinary about my Uncle Stan is that he has the gift to connect with anyone, which proved to be a significant asset for a big Polish white guy working with diverse populations in Bridgeport.

Even though Uncle Stan officially retired from coaching a few years back, he spent some time "coaching" me. While my issues are small compared to the life-and-death situations through which he counseled his students, I feel like a new person who can tackle the world.

Dziekuje bardzo, Uncle Stan.

Goodnight, Gib.

2006-08-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Pianist Ellsworth Gibson died on Monday, August 21, 2006. He was of indeterminate age.

One of the premier jazz musicians in metropolitan Washington, Gib was a regular at such venues as The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Twins Jazz Club, and the Eighteenth Street Lounge.

I first met Gib a few years back at the Eighteenth Street Lounge. He was always willing to share his tequila sunrises with pretty girls and caress their egos with his tenor-toned compliments.

Even as an octogenarian and tipsy beyond practical, Gib could outperform any jazz pianist I've ever seen. "St. Thomas" became one of my favorite songs because of him.

Goodnight, Sugar.

You call this fat?

2006-08-24T18:06:00.000-04:00

I can't believe what I read as I was logging onto my CompuServe account. There was an article that blared "Fat is Back" with this photo of Scarlett Johansson as its accompaniment.

This is ludicrous. There is no way that Scarlett is "fat." Okay, she's not anorexic, but she is by no means overweight.

What is the media doing to us?