Eat Your Vegetables
My father courted danger. His most consistent food items were bread and chocolate ice cream. He never ate vegetables, never exercised and smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 50 years. And yet, my father lived with mostly good health until his mid-80’s. I hope I’ve inherited those genes, but I’m not taking any chances.
Green Day by Adam Hillman
Art Matters
On Sunday, I trekked with friends to L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art to see an exhibition of 3 iconic photographers, Brassaï, Diane Arbus and Nan Goldin. I felt so enriched by the day. The 1960 photo above, Architectural Hats, was not part of the exhibition, but it’s another reminder of how uplifting art can be.
Milos Forman, RIP
Director Milos Forman was one of the greats! (If you haven’t yet seen Amadeus, track it down.) Here’s a wonderful interview with Forman on Fresh Air from 1994.
Budding with Anticipation
Spring is more nuanced in Los Angeles than other climates, but there are scents and flowering plants here that only come alive this time of year. One of my favorites is the Jacaranda tree with its blueish-purple blossoms. I love gazing at them on the tree, but also once they’ve fallen on the dark green grass. What buds are you most looking forward to?
Painting by Chloe Hedden
Perfect is the Enemy of Good
Notice how the illustrator Marc Johns places the “pretty good” text off center.
Date Night with Mac and Cheese
On Saturday afternoon, I had a hankering for mac and cheese after reading a recipe in the Times. I’m fortunate that Trader Joe’s is just a few blocks from my home and I walked over to procure the ingredients. It took longer to prepare than I’d envisioned. I finally pulled the dish from the oven at around 8. As I took a moment for gratitude before diving into the glistening, gooey pasta, I thought, there could be no better way to spend a Saturday night.
Slave to Beauty
The other day, my close friend who never holds back said to me, “what’s that rash on your face?” Before his comment, I hadn’t realized I had a rash. But maybe that’s because I don’t look in the mirror much. There was concern in his voice. Then I remembered I’d tried an “anti-aging” retinol serum the night before, which we both agreed might be the culprit. I stopped using it and saw my friend a few days later, who said I looked much better.
Illustration by Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber
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FIRST PERSON SINGULAR is a guide to surviving, thriving and sometimes just getting through a single day. Created by Wendy Braitman (more…)
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