First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Here’s to Renewal

Creative Boost

 “Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.” Salvador Dali

My hairstylist is an artistic genius. I sit in her chair, and let her do whatever she wants. But today, for the first time in our 10-year relationship, I brought in a page from a fashion magazine of a haircut I really liked. I was a little timid about it, not knowing how she’d react. Would she get put off at my suggesting she copy someone else’s vision? Of course not. She loved the haircut, and told me how much she appreciates drawing inspiration from whatever sources she can. That’s inspiring.

Photo of Salvador Dali and quote from this isn’t happiness 

Desert Food

I’ll be posting 2 favorite recipes from my Seder this week, but first I wanted to highlight a moment from yesterday’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court. As these hearings were so monumental, I suggested to my Seder guests that we start the evening by watching Rachel Maddow’s analysis of the day at Court. She played these opening remarks by attorney Ted Olson, who was giving the Justices context about Proposition 8. (The bold emphasis is mine.)

Mr. Olson: “….It walls-off gays and lesbians from marriage, the most important relation in life, according to this Court, thus stigmatizing a class of Californians based upon their status and labeling their most cherished relationships as second-rate, different, unequal, and not okay.”

I looked around at everyone else in the room who all happened to be married (actually one was widowed). And for a brief moment, I felt like a second-class citizen.

Happily, let’s move on to food.     Continue reading »

Marriage For All

(My internet server was down. Finally back up.)

Yesterday, I promised Passover recipes. I’ve been cooking all day, with barely a moment to breathe, and still haven’t showered with guests arriving in less than an hour, so I’ll have to postpone until tomorrow. Then, I’ll be able to tell you whether the recipes worked out. Keeping me company as I hovered by the stove today was the TV coverage of the marriage equality case before the Supreme Court. It’s amazing to be a witness as the swift tide of history bends joyfully towards justice.

Why I Love Passover

Apart from the Eastern European Jewish food that I only get to eat this one time of year, I love that, at its core, the Passover holiday is about storytelling. Jews are obliged to remember and retell one of the greatest liberation sagas of all time. After cooking all weekend, I’m almost ready for the Seder. Check back for recipes tomorrow.

Image by Sandra Autukaite

Are You Here, Now?

It’s Friday night, and I’m doing my weekly best to get “here.” I can already sense it’s not going to be easy. A martini will really help. Happy weekend!

The Moment by Christopher David Ryan

Is Relationship Advice Worthwhile?

My friend, the psychotherapist, doesn’t believe people take advice. It’s a provocative admission, and he’s probably right. I once bought a self-help book on how to make relationships work better, even though I wasn’t in a relationship at the time. I was trying to study up, and got about halfway through before realizing, this is not something you can practice on your own.

Illustration by Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber

Happy Vernal Equinox!

Margaret Atwood: “Gardening is not a rational act. What matters is the immersion of the hands in the earth, that ancient ceremony of which the Pope kissing the tarmac is merely a pallid vestigial remnant. In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

Artwork by Beth Hoeckel

Can You See Me?

I just came in from walking my dog on a chilly evening in March, during which I wore a knit cap pulled down over my ears. It’s not a good look for me. I considered hiding from my dog-owner friends in the neighborhood (some of whom were in flip flops). But don’t worry. I got over it.

Photo by Tiziana

What Would You Do To Your Face?

I got my first lesson about skin care from my gay best friend. Always up on the latest consumer products, he tutored me in the value of a daily regimen, which in those days consisted of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Life was simpler then. We hadn’t yet been introduced to exfoliants, serums, fillers, lasers, collagen, Botox, bee-stung lips and facelifts. Such skin treatments are commonplace for men and women in Los Angeles. You see it everywhere. But I’ve never been tempted to go under the knife, or even the needle. I’m not convinced that it makes anyone look better. And I’d rather put the resources into a new pair of shoes. What do you do to your face?

Illustration from Modern Beauty Culture, Maria Verni, 1933.