Monday, May 26, 2008

Happy Birthday Louie!

Our little guy turns six today ... six years ago he was born in Nebraska to proud parents Foxy Lady's Nikki One-Legged and T-Dallas Sungirl Rebel ... as the gentleman who gave me his paperwork explained, "That's the south for ya."

I didn't intend to get a dog -- I'd contemplated it peripherally over the years, but it was not until the fateful day we locked eyes on Christopher Street, me on my way to brunch, he staring out longingly from a pile of puppies, that it became a real possibility. I know it's unfashionable to procure a pet in this way -- I should have rescued a legless 18-year-old bassett hound from death row, but Lou and I were meant to find each other. We've been through a lot -- some dark and tumultuous times -- and we have come out the better for it.

We're heading to the river to take a walk in a little while, the three of us, and tomorrow we take Louie to Sea Isle and to the beach, which he loves. If you've never witnessed a puppy discovering the beach and the ocean for the first time, I suggest doing it ... Now Lou's a bona fide frisbee-catching wave-biting sand-rolling beach dog:







We love you, Black Louie Bitey-Bitey Buchwald!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Gadget

See, this is why I need comments -- they (the good ones) encourage me to keep writing. As anyone who writes knows, validation can make a world of difference. For all artists, if I may be so bold, the difference being that while there are many very confident musicians and actors, one hears less of the cocky writer. One springs to mind, a poet I spent time with some years ago, but I'd say he's the exception, not the rule.

My father once told a group of summer interns (of which I was one), "Every day I wake up and think, today's the day they're gonna catch on to me." I think most of us feel like a fraud about one thing or another: my working-mom friends think that they're doing a half-assed job in both places. My entire writers' group (all four of us, soon to expand) wonder if we're really writers, and reprimand each other when we express self-doubt. As Brian says, "People don't realize that I only write because I don't know how to do anything else." We talk about this often; each time we complete an article or an essay we worry that that was the last good thing we'd ever write.

As I said, I'm working on a piece of fiction and this is starting to absorb a decent amount of creative energy, I'm happy-yet-hesitant to say (what if the first 3000 words I've written are the only ones I'll write?). And in the meantime, I'm writing professionally (press releases, web-based articles, that sort of thing) and occasionally checking in here. And this has turned out to be really helpful in terms of allowing me to pretend that I'm a writer. I've gotten a few compliments that have inspired me -- such as the email I just got from my shy friend, whose name I won't mention, but who appreciates the photos of Spain, the pretty ladies and the news about the gadget, as he calls Lou. My friend out west likes the poems.

If you paint a picture, are you a painter? How many times does an artist need to produce something to rightfully earn that title? Thanks to my amazing and supportive writers' group, I am obligated to continue with the aforementioned piece of fiction. I get paychecks for things I write. And with this odd little forum that still doesn't have a name, I'm writing because it's fun.

Louie prefers singing:

Feedback

Will you folks comment occasionally so I know I have readers? If I have readers, I'm more inclined to write. And I'm soon doing away with the "Anonymous" option ...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Let there be light

I've been chipping away at the mystery of the blueish tint that's infused most of the photos I've taken with my new camera. It's mind-boggling what one can learn from an instruction manual.

I love my new(ish) apartment, and will be happy to show more if you'd like to see. In the meantime, I offer photos taken from the western-facing window in my bedroom. When I first moved in, there was nothing there, and "no plans for building!"

Cue jackhammers, my second month in the place. Not to mention construction workers so close I felt I should offer them coffee. Before, Kristine and I (and several others) were treated to amazing sunsets on the Hudson, and miniature games of soccer played in the field across the street in any weather.

We used to see this:

(That's Dan in front of the soccer field)

And now we have this:
Still, this is miles from the apartment I lived in for the five years preceding this one. That was a cave, a place where time stood still. I'd invite people for coffee and they'd stay for days. Permanent twilight. And for Louie and me, two sensitive souls who veer toward the melancholy, we need as much sunlight as we can find.

So here we are. View-blocking-new-building-that-will-have-individual-elevators-for-tenants'-cars notwithstanding, this is what we needed.

In other news, I'm working on a piece of fiction. Damn, it's hard!

Paella

In keeping with the Spanish theme (my parents are in Madrid as I type), we had some folks over for paella and sangria last Saturday. Neil's paella is the stuff of legends. It was a refreshingly small group this time, and was a Happy New Phase party for Cheech as well as an impromptu birthday party for Melissa:

Other guests included Louie's auntie Kristine:

And Ivy:

And of course Cheech and Alex, neither of whom let me photograph them. Elusive creatures, the men-folk.

The chef in his domain:

Me, helping:

The pièce de résistance:
A good time was had by all, including Louie who realized a love for stolen tapas. You can hardly blame the guy, what with the coffee table being at snout level:

Lots more to say, but I have some work to do on a project I will mention later.

Adios, amigos.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Faster, easier ...

Wow ... there has got to be a more efficient way to upload photos than the method I used. That took for-freakin'-ever ... I finished a few days ago but needed to rest, it was so laborious. Results to follow...

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Vacation slideshow

Marbella:
Neil dreams of Serrano ham


George's bright idea

Coffee in the Plaza del Torre


Marbella in the Rain

Ronda:

Being followed by the Paparazzi (who bore a striking resemblance to George)














Ronda in the rain

Tapas y vino tinto



Puerto Banus



Africa (the faint outline of land in the background of these three photos)

Neilio directing traffic

Aligate (where we stayed):



Our porch






Beach in Aligate

Neil making lunch

Cobalt

Granada:




The old Islamic quarter





Spice market



Moroccan restaurant

Our favorite tapas bar

The Alhambra:
















View from our room
Olive trees on the drive to Malaga

Cambridge:




George with Ruby and Woody

The Flying Pig