What’s the Story “Morning Glory”? A Really Funny Movie, As It Turns Out
November 19, 2010 § 1 Comment
The reviews were mixed, at best. The cast was stellar – Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton, Harrison Ford, Patrick Wilson, and Jeff Goldblum. And I was in need of a good laugh. So I took a chance, and I’m glad that I did.
Morning Glory is one seriously laugh-out-loud funny movie. There are so many witty one-liners – and no, they’re not all given away in the trailer – that you really do need to pay attention. They sneak up on you, especially when it comes to Harrison Ford’s deadpan delivery. Sometimes it takes a second to realize the smart humor in the line.
Forgive the small transgressions - every good New York knows that Schiller’s Liquor Bar is not located on Madison Avenue and that rising stars do not attend job interviews at the Today Show in cocktail dresses and that television played just for laughs doesn’t always work – because even when things don’t quite pass the muster, you’ll still find yourself laughing. And you’ve got to love a movie that has two strong female leads played by two top-notch actresses, not to mention three swoon-worthy male leads.
When the kids head to “Harry Potter” this weekend, I recommend that you check out Morning Glory. Try it, you might like it.
U.S. Microfinance – A Few Updates
November 16, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Photo: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Though I’ve been keep an eye, and a Google Alert, on the topic, I’ve not written about microfinance in the United States in some time. As there continues to be daily interest on this blog, no doubt prompted in a part the slow recovery in the job market, I thought I’d share a sampling of the more informative and promising pieces that I’ve come across. If you have any of your own, I’d love to hear from you.
In no particular order:
Kiva: Visa has donated $1 million to Kiva to “Expand Opportunities for U.S. Businesses to Benefit from the Power of Microloans,” serviced by ACCION Texas-Louisiana.
Suite 101: “Domestic Microfinance Organizations Help Small Businesses in U.S.” by Christine Welter, Feature Writer, Poverty/World Development.
Creating a World Without Poverty, A Grameen Foundation Blog: “The Dog Whisperer, Microfinance in NYC” by Christopher Kellen, Bankers Without Borders volunteer.
The Financial Women’s Association’s Microfinance Initiative: On November 9th, hosted The Rise of Microfinance in the United States event in New York.
The Washington Times: “Micro-finance: Let’s get it going in the U.S.,” by Making Change contributor, Donna Rae Scheffert.
YourNabe.com: “Citi touts microloans in Jackson Heights,” by Rebecca Henely.
And, although it’s off-topic, I’m including the links to two pieces from Sunday’s New York Times:
“Can Microlending Save Haiti?” in the Business section.
Nicholas Kristof’s Op-Ed, “Here’s a Woman Fighting Terrorism. With Microloans.” Both speak to the power of microfinance to change and potentially save lives.
Small business create the majority of jobs in America. As banks continue to hold onto their wallets, microfinance increasingly seems like a viable alternative, in my humble opinion.
Lower East Side #10 – East River Park
November 2, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Image via Wikipedia
I love to walk. I head out four or five mornings a week. Which is a good thing, because, if you’ve read previous posts on this blog or my other, Food, Seriously, you’ll know that I also love to eat. Whenever I move to a new city or neighborhood, one of the first things I do is map out a new route. I like having it set – the time, the distance – so that I don’t have to think about those things. My mind is free to wander … wherever.
When I moved to the Lower East Side, I was faced with same challenge, and this time I realized that at least part of my walk could take place along a river, the East River to be exact, and through the East River Park. It runs from Montgomery Street to East 12th Street, along FDR Drive, and like many others in the city, it’s recently been updated, made user friendly.
The park is unbelievably close. I cross over FDR Drive at Delancey Street and walk (quickly) alongside the river. On with way, I pass tennis courts that are busy, even at 7:30 a.m., even when the temperature is 37 degrees; benches installed facing the river like they’re expecting something or someone; a track encircling a soccer field, both of which are in use most mornings; metal tables connected to metal chairs that are mostly empty at this time of day; leafy trees; a baseball diamond; joggers, some leisurely, some running a good clip and checking their watches – a good sign they’re training for Sunday’s ING New York City Marathon; and finally a playground, where I exit the park at East 10th Street. Throughout my walk there is the East River hit by varying angles of the morning light, the odd boat buzzing by, the Domino Sugar Factory back lit like in a movie, and the Williamsburg Bridge.
How fortunate we are to have these beautiful public spaces – rejuvenated by the city for our pleasure.
And this one on the Lower East Side is to me, daily, a marvel.
