First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

What Are You Reading?

During the last 48 hours, I crisscrossed the country and finally got the chance to catch up on back issues of The New Yorker. As far as a magic ring, I wear my mother’s wedding band.

Flying Back from D.C.

More tomorrow.

Traveling Mermaid by Franco Mattacchio

Pay Day

It’s tax day, and I’m ready to honor my commitment.

As promised, here’s the winning entry for our contest, What’s Your Splurge?   Continue reading »

How Many Shoes Can You Fit Into Your Carry-on?

On a plane ride to Italy for a ten-day vacation, the chic woman sitting beside me altered my packing habits. She had only a modest carry-on for her month abroad, while I was about to wait 45 minutes in the Rome Airport for overstuffed luggage. That was three years ago, and I’ve rarely checked a bag since then. But the biggest challenge is always the shoes, which I contemplate now getting ready for a micro trip to D.C. What are your packing habits?

Giant Gym Shoes by Claes Olderburg is part of a show at MoMA.

Cause and Effect?

I’m not sure why I was so late to the party, but last month, I finally started digging into Downton Abbey. I binged through 3 seasons in a few weeks and couldn’t stop talking about it to everyone who’d already seen it. I was also terrified of finding out the plot, and tiptoed around the internet, which was near impossible for me to do, as I’m such a media hound. Miraculously, I managed to get through the final episode without any spoilers. I’m grateful to friends who showed such restraint. And I’ll try and pay it forward, so as not to cause any unseasonably bad weather.

Cartoon by Sarah Lazarovic

Moving the Dream Forward

What did you do this week to force the issue?

Last chance to win a copy of the best book you’ll read this year.

Artwork by Shahir Zag

I Can Do That!

I’m watchin’ Sis
Go pitterpat.
Said,
“I can do that,
I can do that.”

Knew ev’ry step
Right off the bat.
Said,
“I can do that,
I can do that.”

One morning Sis won’t go to dance class
I grabbed her shoes and tights and all,
But my foot’s too small,
So,
I stuff her shoes
With extra socks,
Run seven blocks
In nothin’ flat.

Hell,
I can do that,
I can do that.

I got to class
And had it made,
And so I stayed
The rest of my life.
All thanks to Sis
(Now married and fat),

I can do this.
That I can do!
I can do that.

Photo: 1975. Michael Bennett holding auditions for A Chorus Line

Springtime

Last night, hustling my dog through the last walk before bedtime, I was stopped by the sweet scent of jasmine. I blissfully sauntered back and forth a few times, before moving on to the mundane business at hand. Breathing in this first scent of spring made me feel hopeful.

Contest deadline is Thursday.

Exploding hydrangea by Fong Qi Wei

Rest Stop

Poster by Anthony Burrill

Roger Ebert, RIP

Through the years, I’d heard from colleagues in the movie business that Ebert was a generous guy and a tireless champion of independent film. But it wasn’t until I started reading his pithy reflections on culture, politics and the fragility of life, along with 800,000 other Twitter followers, that I got a sense of his grace. When I heard the news of his passing today, I literally gasped out loud, as if a good friend had died. I’d never met the man, but I feel like I’m a better person for his having walked the earth. And BTW, I totally agree with his sentiment expressed above.