Currently...

In the days following the election, I have been experiencing what I can only call depression.  Not only did the candidate I voted for lose ( although she won the popular vote), but to many it seems that love, peace, and understanding also lost.  Many (myself included) feel lost, without purpose, confused, and afraid.  My very sweet neighbor was almost in tears yesterday as we spoke about our frustration about the political situation.

I am heartbroken.

The only choice now is to put forth more effort in the direction of love and compassion.  We cannot sit idly by while changes are made in the opposite direction of progress.  With this sentiment in mind, I will be trying to do my part to contribute in a positive way to my world. In the coming week I will be adding a charity item to my
ETSY page; of which 100% of the process will benefit Planned Parenthood a cause that is very important to me.  It's something small, but its something I can do.  Now is the time to stand up, let our voices be heard.

I found this quote to be quite relevant, in addition to that fact that the author passed away on Thursday.

"Ring the bells that can still ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in"
-Leonard Cohen

Power Thoughts

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

I would like to bring more kindness, compassion, and joy to the world.  I'm not exactly sure how I plan on doing this, but it's my goal.  Wanted to put it out there in the universe.

xo

Let's talk movies! "Amy"

Amy Winehouse wanted to sing and write music that really spoke from her heart.  She had a raw and beautiful talent that was obvious to those around her.  She was not ready for the feeding frenzy the all too often comes with fame, but if you listen closely all the revaluations that this documentary illuminates are already laid out for you in her music.

The director Asif Kapadia did a really amazing job of telling the story behind the star.  He left nothing out: the dramatic rise to super stardom, the drugs, the eating disorder, the harsh reality of fame; but the way he did it left you with a clear picture of this talented musician.  He didn't portray her as the victim, nor demonize her in any way but rather focuses the attention on her unique talents and style, showing you who this woman really was, and I feel, an honest look at her story.

It was clear from the start that this lady could sing, and that she had a real true talent.  She decided that because the songs available weren't to her liking, she thought she'd have a go at it.  Everyone fell in love with her and her music.  As her star began to rise, and the money began to quickly roll in, there wasn't very much guidance from people that she trusted.  Her father, who had once abandoned her family when she was about 9, quickly came back when she became rich and famous.  As most people will remember from her famous single: it had become clear that rehab was needed, but when her father said she didn't need it, and she simply didn't go.  That was before she became a super star, and before Blake, it could have made a real change, but it wasn't to be.  The film shows all the parts the media relentlessly covered, the sad drama of someone becoming unhinged, addicted to drugs, addicted to a man who was using her; but also how hard it is when everyone wants a piece of you and you are just struggling to find peace.  Instead of focusing on all the sadness, the documentary tells the story of the artist with her music.

I highly recommend this movie.  I was a little unsure about it, although the trailer really drew me in; because I knew that in the end the person you are routing for tragically dies.  However, the film is beautifully done, and I believe that if Amy where alive, she would have approved of her story being told in this way.

Dear old Dad

On this special day dedicated to Father's everywhere:  A few selected words for an important dad in my life:
Not perfect, but perfectly Dad.

I'm so incredibly grateful to share the experience of parenthood with you.

We love you more than words can express.  I'm so happy that you are ours.

xo Dinah & Mr. Blu

Summertime

 

So it's summer again.  In South Florida that means that it's 90 degrees + enough humidity to melt all your make up off by 9am.  The only time I generally spend outside is the time it takes to walk to my car, or time spent sitting next to the pool.  Other than that- it's too freaking hot.  

As soon as the kiddo is out of school, I start thinking about summer vacation.
I'm taking my parents to the airport on Tuesday, because they are on their way to New York, to pick up their vintage GMC camper.  I'm so excited for them.  My Dad has been hunting one down for a few years, and he finally found the one for them.  Our camper is one that I bought off Craigslist for $700 bucks, and because of a roof leak we had to remove the air conditioner.  So with the sweltering heat of summer, she is an unlikely candidate for a summer trip. ):  Although it's a little difficult to plan, we will be going on a summer trip somewhere, I'm just not sure yet.

 Until the right plan comes to me, for a exciting and affordable summer getaway, I'll be bobbing in the pool daydreaming of summer travel.  Any good Ideas for me?

xo Dinah!

33

So here it is- I'm now 33.  I used to get really upset around the time of my birthday, much to the confusion of my friends and family.  The passage of time, and the desire to do something really important before its too late- really stresses me out.  Also the lurking feeling that I might be failing to realize my potential as a human.

However, with the numbers on birthday cake going up, I feel a small sense of peace during my birthday space.  Just try to enjoy the present, whatever the future brings, and try not to be so consumed with what's next that I miss out on what's happening right now.

So yes, Happy Birthday indeed.  Go out into the world and be the best you there is.

Let's talk movies! Chef

Last weekend I went to see Chef  at my favorite movie theater.  I feel like the theater is worth mentioning, because it really does add to the overall viewing experience.  I have been going there regularly since high school, Gateway movie theater in Ft. Lauderdale has been only lightly renovated since the 1950's when it was a movie "palace" and only showed one movie compared to the 4 theaters it now has.  They have recently replaced the old rickety seats with big squishy reclining ones, and they have paper towel robots in the restrooms, but those are about the only notable changes.  In a world that focuses on new, new, new; I'll be the first to say that I really enjoy going somewhere that I can count on to be the same.  Deliver the same; rounded bathroom entrances (you'd have to go to understand), tiny ticket booth, and where you can still see the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight on Saturday nights.  It would be an understatement to say that I thoroughly enjoy this theater, I would say it's my movie watching home. 

But let's talk about "Chef" the movie.  Let me first say that I have worked in restaurants since I was 13 years old, and it is possible that I may have a more skeptical eye (than most) in that department.  Food service and preparation are things that I know.  With that said, overlooking a few items that only food service personnel would recognize, this movie is delightful.  

Carl Casper (John Favreau) is a talented chef who wants to be creative in his kitchen.  His boss/owner of the restaurant he works at (Dustin Hoffman) tries to stifle his creativity by ordering him to cook a tired boring menu.  At the suggestion of his son's mother (Sofia Vergra) he meets up with her ex-husband (Robert Downey Jr.) to discuss trading in the professional kitchen he is used to, for a food truck where he could call all the shots.  His former employee Martin (John Leguizamo) Joins him and helps transform a broken down old taco truck into a restaurant that any chef would be proud of.  In addition to helping his father run his food truck his adorable son Percy (Emjay Anthony) also heads of all the food trucks social media outlets, really making this truck an overnight success.  

The soundtrack in this movie really rocks.  And John Leguizamo really makes this movie believable and even more enjoyable.  I would highly recommend this movie.  

I give it 8 1/2 popcorn bags (out of 10): sweet story line, amazing cast, and dancing inducing soundtrack.