Napoleon Complex

My French friend Violaine just sent me this picture with the comment: " This picture will hang in all the town halls of France if Sarkozy wins the French elections next week. He is a short man!" No kidding! And does he have a Napoleon complex in addition?I know for a fact that Violaine would like Royal to win, n'est-ce-pas? So lets all root for Royal! D'acco...

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Women Friends

Women can be the best of friends or worst enemies. If you think that Carrie and her friends in Sex In The City are the norm, think again. Young women especially have a way of competing rather than supporting each other. That's a pity. I for one was unprepared for the drama surrounding my daughter's all-woman's college. I think, neither was my daughter. Don't get me wrong. Academically, it has been an incredible experience for her so far....

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Those Stupid, Stupid People!

I was horrified when I saw this video. Are there really so many dumb people in the States? Wait, before answering, I already know the answer. There are many, many of them here. I just did not know how stupid. Now I know...and after you watch this, so will you....

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Deus mio!

Another great find for your listening pleasures. What can I say...I am trying to keep you in the know here in Brooklyn. There is such good music out there. This is the Belgian (yes, Belgian) indie group Deus from their album "Pocket Revolution."Great song and hey, they are cute too. Deus 7 Days, 7 We...

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Making The Bed With Martha

I love this little clip of Borat and Martha Stewart on the Tonight Show. I don't know when it aired, but I just came cross it. I needed a funny interlude. I have been painting the husband's office for days. I am using three different colors to bring out the 1870's architectural detail of the room. Don't ask. i know I am insane. But it is starting to come together. Now if only husband would keep his stuff of the floor....

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Dinosaur Barbeque in Harlem, New York

Boy, you will have to forgive me for jumping around from subject to subject, from French elections to fat Germans and crazed gunmen. So today, to confuse you all, I am going to write about my New York B.B.Q. experience in Harlem.My daughter made reservations for us to try out her favorite chow place in the city. For a while she has been talking about Dinosaur Barbeque way, way up on the West side. Yesterday, after we stopped by at the Apple store...

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Allez, la France! Vote!

Today, France is voting for a new President. I have tried to follow the event. Fankly, it seems a daunting task, especially since we are already in full campaign mode here in the States, though of course Americans will only vote in November 2008.I came across this test on The Economist to gage my knowledge of the French candidates. May I say, I am ashamed I did not do so well. But I was able to answer a few of the questions. I wonder who will...

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Much Needed Friday Humor

Air Traffic Controller Likes Pattern He Has GoingFrom "The Onion" www.theonion....

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Germany: Another Fat Nation?

Fat People In Deutschland, Oh my!I thought that I detected more fat people than usual on my annual trips back to the homeland. Now it has been confirmed. Germans are fatter than their European neighbors. But then the food is so incredibly good there. Especially the sweets and baked goods. However, even with all the rich tempting food, Germans were not particularly fat. Till now. Sadly,young German kids are eating as much junk food as American...

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Speak Out, College Kids!

So now that every newscaster has broadcast from Virginia Tech, now that the candle light ceremonies have taken place and the incredibly bad and disturbing writing of the killer has been read by all, lets get real. Lets stop this gun madness in the U.S. Lets not get intimidated any more by the gun lobby and by the lunatics who say that guns don't kill people...etc.And College Kids: We need your help. Maybe your generation is saner than your parents...

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We all fall down!

Pardon me for asking, but how is the young gunman in yesterday's Virginia Tech tragedy any different from a suicide bomber? Does it really matter to his victims what his motives were or that he used a gun instead of explosives? Doesn't it matter much more that our government allowed him to buy the explosives legally at his local gunshop or gunshow?Just asking.Your though...

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Yertle The Turtle

Over the week-end, I was sitting by the bedside of my 15 year old son who was not feeling well. Under his covers, looking miserable and emitting little moans, he looked more like the little blonde, dimple-cheeked toddler than the tall, lanky teenager he has become. Thus I was transported back to the past. I don't know what made me pick out the dusty copy of "Yertle The Turtle" from his bookshelf. It used to be one of his all time favorites when...

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Know nothing about nothing

My friend Eunice and I just had our little Monday morning political gripe session. We discuss pretty much everything in the news. And boy, are we angry with the knuckleheads in the White House. And all the politicians who lie and break the law just to appear on the news to say: "I am sorry." But at least we try to stay informed by reading from several news publications.This morning, Eunice pointed me to this article in the New York Times. ...

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English Speaking Chinese

I have a fondness for stories about mangled English. Especially because after thirty years in this country, my kids and husband still correct me often. But my language skills are a bit better than the geniuses who came up with the signs above. But hey, lets not make too much fun. At least, they are attempting to speak a second language. That is more than many people can say here. From: Der SpiegelWAGING WAR AGAINST 'CHINGLISH'Beijing Wants...

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Progress Redefined!

This little clip from Jon Stewart's Daily Show would be even funnier if it where not so incredibly true. Like always, Jon is right on with this little sket...

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Save My Environment.

I just saw Aaanold Schwarzenegger on Good Morning America, discussing his very positive moves to make the state of California greener. You have to hand it to the guy. He sure keeps on reinventing himself, from bodybuilder, to movie star to Republican woman-groping governor, to gentle green giant, fighting for the environment. He is a smart man. And likable.I wanted to bring you the video of this mornings interview, but found this much more amusing...

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Smile For The Camera!

The South is lovely. It was especially beautiful during this last trip. Everything was in full bloom and the weather infinitely milder than here in New York where we are expecting yet another big storm on Sunday.But there is a dark side to the South. All the religion and conservative thinking darkens the natural beauty of the place. Just when I think that all those Northerners moving down South moderate the right-wing mentality, I come across...

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While I Am Driving

glumbert.com - When graphic artists get boredWhile I am heading North, I don't want to leave my dedicated readers with nothing to do. Lets face it, this blog may be the only entertainment you will get today, right? At least that is what I would like to think!But all kidding aside. Take a quick look at this amazing compilation of images created by graphic artists. They are truly amazing and creative. And soon you will be reading some more of my musings. This time from ho...

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The Way North!

Lest my New York friends forget about me, I am heading back up north tomorrow. I am not looking forward to the 12 hour car trip, but we have done it before. It will be hard locking the house up again. This place is really quite something. Waking up every morning with the view over the ocean is pure bliss. Sometimes, I stand on the balcony and look out over the waves and see dolphins slowly following a school of fish. Or a group of pelicans...

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Look At The Pretty F*&$# F Train

The way to our Brooklyn house from Manhattan is to take the F Train, otherwise known as the F*&^%$k train because of the frequent delays. overcrowding and outages. It is also pretty dirty and ugly with orange molded plastic seats. Yesterday, four artists boarded an F train and worked on an installation called " No Train Like Home", which involved decorating an entire subway wagon. The redo included bookshelves, curtains and pillows as well...

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Easter In The Bible Belt!

I am still in the South and Easter is a big deal in the Bible Belt. They go all out here with Easter bonnets, Easter dresses and of course church. Lots of it. My little family is not answering to a higher authority. We will continue relaxing by the beach, enjoying the ocean, the sand and the sun. That's my religion. Tomorrow, husband will go off to the Masters in Augusta with my father, son will hopefully put a day's work into his report on...

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Ugly Dog Of The Week!

The Ugly Dog Of This Week. Yet another ugly pooch in my endless collection. This time with an Easter theme. How appropriate,no?Follow the link to the others in the contesthttp://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/search/label/Ugly%20Dog%20Cont...

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Carpe Diem!

καί νύ κ' ὀδυρομένοισι φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ἄλλ' ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.νύκτα μὲν ἐν περάτῃ δολιχὴν σχέθεν, Ἠῶ δ' αὖτεῥύσατ' ἐπ' Ὠκεανῷ χρυσόθρονον, οὐδ' ἔα ἵππουςζεύγνυσθ' ὠκύποδας, φάος ἀνθρώποισι φέροντας,Λάμπον καὶ Φαέθονθ', οἵ τ' Ἠῶ πῶλοι ἀγουσι. Dawn with her rose-red fingers might have shoneupon their tears, if with her glinting eyesAthena had not thought of one more thing.She held back the night, and night lingered longat the...

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Some Slow Dance Moves!

Take a look at this video... I am seriously considering adding these moves to my excercise routine ( if I had one.) Yea, I think I can do th...

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Totally Cool Tuesday-At-The-Beach Song!

This very atmospheric tune is from the totally "happening" Indie rock band Arcade Fire. From Montreal, Quebec, the band is currently touring Europe. So to all my European readers, see if they will be in your neck of the woods and see if you can get tickets. They are coming to New York. Maybe I will try to get tix myself.....

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Green Soup

Disclaimer: I have not tried this Green Spring Soup myself yet, but it sounded like a cool recipe and I like the fact that it celebrates the ephemeral nature of spring veggies. I promise, I will try to make it in the next few days to check out if its edible. If you make it before me, please let me know how it tasted by leaving a comment. You know how I looooooove comments.Recipe: Minestra Verde From Viana La Place From The Los Angeles Timeshttp://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-encore033007,0,684021.story?coll=la-home-foodThis...

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All-Inclusive Beach Vacation

Hi to all my peeps!I am at Surfside Beach again with husband and son. My father came for a few days to be with us. The weather is great, the ocean is gently crashing on the shore and we are relaxing in the first time in weeks. I had forgotten what it feels like to start the day without any plans...it's pretty neat. I could get used to this.What I could also get used to is the fact that we have our own personal chef here. I like to cook. But...

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Best New Product

Since I am here in the sun and you are not, I thought I would be nice and let you know about the nifty new products you can use right at your desk, at your office. This way, you have a tan when I come back and you won't be jealous.. it's only 25 bucks.USB Desktop Tanning CenterYour Desktop Fun-without-the-sun Buddyfrom www.thinkgeek.comHere at ThinkGeek, we fully understand the sun isn't always your best friend. But, unlike vampire rats, the sun...

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