Pine nut, pistachio nut, macadamia nut...

So can we talk about Plumpy'nut? No, I'm not joking. Have you heard about this product? I've obviously been in the dark about this one. Anderson Cooper did a spot on it that I saw recently. It's single-serving peanut butter based paste that is curing scores of children who were suffering from malnutrition. Worldwide.

As I watched the special, a doctor from Doctors Without Borders made mention of wasted life. How the deaths of children in developing countries have been nothing more than wasted life. Maybe 8 months lived, then dying from malnutrition before a first birthday. The report's statistics showed that in any given family, 1 child in 5 would die from malnutrition. No memories established, no feeling, no real growth or learning. No chance.

Enter peanut butter. I just searched my blog to see how many times I've mentioned it and when and where. Turns out 5, now anyway. Personally, I've loved the stuff since childhood, so I can understand. I couldn't eat it with jelly on a sandwich because the jelly always made the bread look bruised. But that's just me. Really, it makes sense. All you need is a spoon. But in single-serving packages, not even that. With all the pharmaceutical warnings, food-borne mishaps, hell, toy recalls we are lucky to receive day-to-day, I hope this product works and proves a viable solution.

There were quite a few comments made about Anderson Cooper's report on CBS News that may also be of interest, from personal histories to opinions.

Right now

Does anybody else have plum crazy stuff happen to her? Or him? Me...things tend to coincide. Like I'll be talking about someone to whom I haven't spoken in years who suddenly appears right before mine eyes. Or I'll mention something in passing, then turn and see an advertisement of that very thing passing me by on a bus. It's not supersicion, it's reiteration.

Maybe I'm crazy but I take these coincidences to heart and figure, "Wow. I am supposed to be in this moment. Right now." And it's comforting. An affirmation from the world, or perhaps simply coincidence for you realists. But me? Call me naive, but I choose to believe.

Wonderful

Ok, ok, ok. Hold your horses for a second.

Two nights ago Heather and I were talking about music theater. Not really my thing, used to think it was lame, but have now grown to love it. Live, anyway. And I have this idea I'm not going to publish because I still hope to do it, but it involves musical theater and the one, the only, Stevie Wonder.

So. The conversation moves to us visiting Heather's friend Marika in Canada, where Stevie Wonder is rumored to be headlining a jazz festival. So I figure...well, maybe he's on tour. Turns out, I was right. And tonight, people, a dream of mine was fulfilled. Stevie Wonder. Live. On the beach (pretty much). A torrential downpour complete with crackling lighting gave way to a brilliant, full moon that rose over Stevie Wonder.

What a human being. Joy and humility. Jokes. He's so smooth. I was the only person up dancing for Golden Lady, but whatever. This man shares his life with you while on stage. Gracious. Funky. What a blessing. An inspiration. What a voice. From singing "I Just Called to Say I love You" with the winner of a local radio contest and a on-stage dance competition to a duet with his daughter and the first live performance of a new song, Stevie Wonder indeed lives up to his name. I'm thankful to have seen him perform songs all of us know by heart.

Seen at Tompkins

On my bike on the way to lunch with Heather at Westville, I encountered a man pushing a piano through the park. An upright atop two dollies, he was recruiting unloading help from locals. Strange. Piano in the park. I circled the group a few times. Stranger, I realized that I knew the kid. Two more circles, perplexed at who this redheaded piano man could be, I figured that I should mind my own business. I looked a bit like a shark on the hunt, as it were.

Westville has these frozen mint lemonades. Damn refreshing. And the Cobb salad...nice!

So on my way back through the park, the redhead had been joined by a drummer. They were performing. I walked up, snagged a CD and told him I knew him, but couldn't figure out how. He calls himself The Crazy Piano Guy. He told me I looked familiar, too, but neither of us could resolve it. In my mind he's on a bicycle with one of those bike hats flipped up in the front. Anybody know this kid??

A little pink book

I've learned recently that I am that girl. I am every girl. Who thinks she's in love with a man who just really isn't that into her. Yes, folks. The Sarge gave me the book, He's Just Not That Into You, for our Saturday beach excursion. Her mom gave it to her because of an especially agonizing few months with respect to dating, love, men. I've read 100 pages of it. In about an hour. Talk about a beach book.

The Sarge thought this book might traumatize me. But, on the contrary, I feel free. Missed opportunities, excuses, rules and all that crap, I no longer have to worry about any of it. It's simple. We do things for those we love. We act on behalf of them, support them, we help solve their crises. We delight in and depend on those we love. That's what matters most. And that's what I have to give. And what I want back. Along with a lot of laughter...and vacations!

And a happy one to Clarice, aka Roni!

Sugar and spice and all that's nice

In life we all go through phases. Sometimes thrilled with our lives, sometimes bummed about our jobs, sometimes jilted, elated, distracted...you get the picture. Lately, I haven't been feeling myself. I'm working, but not enough. And not stuff I adore. I want to travel but am here at least through the summer. Surely, it'll all work out. But to help the process along, I just picked up Spezie, a scent I first fell in love with in Florence. Italy is the ultimate place to fall in love. Whether with a person (which I did), city (as well), even aroma (last but not least).

Maybe it's me, but smells and scents trigger the most vivid visions and memories. And thank heavens for Lorenzo Villoresi. Perfumeries aren't the most common occurrence here in New York, much less the States, from what I've seen. Sephora and the department stores seem to mass market fragrances from the latest crop of celebrities who have decided to bottle themselves. But Lorenzo, this cat is a perfumer. And it is an art. His are the kind of smells that, once on, you actually want to spend the day inhaling yourself. And so does everyone else. Delicate, yet primordial. In a time when I have been feeling like I need a V8, Lorenzo to the rescue! If only computers were scratch and sniff.

And happy birthday, Keri! And, you, too, Gwen and family!

Thank you, T-Bone!

I got on the A train, the blue line that runs up the west side of the city, headed in the wrong direction today. I wasn't paying attention and was out of my usual routine. I never take that line anymore. It's a nice thing about New York. You can venture a new path, or rediscover an old one every day.

I'm headed to see Allison Kraus and Robert Plant in concert at the Garden. Let the summer of music begin!

So the blend of bluegrass and rock n' roll these two combine to create is genius. Kraus' voice is angelic and yet haunting. Plant's unmistakable sound...these two together, it's just monumental. Magnetic. Magic. Battle of Evermore seems to have been written however many years ago just for the two of them to perform. I saw an interview with them and T-Bone Burnett who played with them tonight. He's their producer and intimated that he'd brought them together in hopes of pushing both out of their comfort zones. What a brilliant idea. It inspires me to hop out of mine. I'm signing up for voice lessons.

Happy birthday, Rebecca! Love you!

What and the city?

I went to see Sex and the City with Heather two days ago. I thought it was going to be all fun, fashion and sassiness in the city. Turns out it's about love. With all the aforementioned thrown into the mix. It was devastating for me, this movie. I came home, sent Heather out for 40s and hair dye and started cutting my hair. Nothing major, no platinum or shaved parts. It is a little rock n roll. I like it. I tigress, I mean, digress...

Two days later and I'm still wondering, in the land of opportunity where anything's possible, what's my New York dream? How is this whole thing going to work out? And is there really true love out there for everyone? It's funny how the impression of New York and New Yorkers is that we're all living the glamorous life. And that your dreams come true. And don't get me wrong, I live it up. And you forget how much you do in a day-in-the-life here. But there's something to be said for a simple, quiet life. But, for me, nope. Not yet, anyway!

FYI, I got cast as Samantha in my group of friends. I know, Mom. I know.

Keep it moving

Lately, a girlfriend of mine who lives in Switzerland asked, "Who is this Tony?!?" And it occurred to me that perhaps I should do a few introductions and maybe even updates.

Tony, aka Anthony, and I met in college at Georgia State in Atlanta. The first time we met, he asked if he could cheat off of me. HA! And I told him no. We've been friends ever since, maybe 11 years now. We've lived in different cities, sometimes the same one, and wreak our fair share of havoc together. He is currently moving to San Francisco via Omaha...

Next, the person who comments most on this blog, Sockmonkee, aka Rebecca, I also met in the ATL, well, technically Decatur. We met because of this guy; he's not really a part of either of our lives but thank God he brought us together. Rebecca is my encouragement and the most understanding human being I know. She can also argue all sides of a situation unlike me. She's also the one who will be most upset that I put her name, photo, etc up here. Heh, heh. I've vacationed with her family for a few years now as well, and hope to again this year.

Then there's the Sarge, aka Keri. God bless her, she's had a rough few months lately. But she just moved into a fabulous one bedroom in Innwood. A place to call home. And I'm hoping to help decorate! And more than one room! Knowles is on the left in this photo, too. She just moved to Queens.

And then there's Heathen, aka Heather. She's staying with me for the summer. We used to live together uptown when I first moved to the city. Between the Sarge and the Heathen, this summer is shaping up for some good fun. Heather has coined it "The summer of music," while Keri's calling it "Single Summer '08." Combine the two and I'm in...Prosecco, anyone?