The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Justice and Injustice

Today, justice was served in the United States at the same time as an injustice was committed - by the Supreme Court justices. The injustice: High court OKs personal property seizures (from CNN): The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses -- even against their will -- for private economic development. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled in favor of private developers who want to bulldoze private homes and businesses in New London, CT, to build an office complex, riverfront hotel, and health club. The Court said "cities know best" and claim this provides economic development -- but do the cities really know best, or are they just being sucked in by their own greed and power? This is a case of the private interests of some wealthy corporate leaders and developers putting their interests ahead of those of private citizens. What I see is an abuse of the 5th Amendment "eminent domain" clause that allows the government to seize private land and homes for "public use" -- so what right does a big, profit-making development corporation have to come in and take someone's home - even if they are offering to... Read more →

The Class of 2005

Just back from the big graduation... all day I was mentally reliving my memories of my nephew from the first moment our eyes met in the hospital. I even wrote him a long letter (that I told him to read some other time) to express my thoughts and share a little Aunt Lisa Wisdom... and cried the entire time I was writing it. (Good God, I can only imagine how emotional I would have been if he was actually MY child instead of my sister's! What a sap!) The weather, miraculously, was cool and perfect, the ceremony held on the front lawn of the school with the sun setting in the background. Since my sister and I also attended and graduated from this same high school (me, Class of '79 and she, class of '81), it was a bit nostalgic being back there over 25 years later, watching the next generation of the family graduate. We even caught a bit of a rainbow just behind the American Flag with the school sign in front of it - quite a nice touch, God - Thanks! The kids did a good job with their speeches, and I got some decent video of... Read more →

Runaway bride runs straight to the bank

That sound you hear is a blood vessel in my head popping... like I wasn't annoyed enough by this woman's story taking over the media last month. I was just thinking it was finally all behind us, when I saw... THIS just in from CNN.com. The "Runaway Bride" has apparently accepted a deal for the movie rights to her story. Like she didn't get enough attention in the first place? Gee, maybe she'll pay the other $30,000 the town spent looking for her. Or put it toward her psychotherapy bills. Read more →

Wonder Woman? I wonder...

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." -- John Lennon This week I've felt like the proverbial tightrope walker... and balance has been critical. My plans for the week had included juggling web site projects for 3 clients, finishing a sales proposal, and starting to ghostwrite a book; putting in my usual 12 hours at my part-time pharmacy job; and gearing up for my nephew's graduation. Oh, and bitching about the incessant heat. Those were MY plans, and although it was a pretty packed week, I felt like I could handle it, having already made the decision not to commit to any MORE new projects until at least July. Clearly, the Universe had OTHER things in mind. My grandmother, who has been having heart problems for several years, has been progessively getting worse. While her mind is in great shape, her body is clearly slowing down. Over the past 2 weeks her situation keeps flip-flopping and it really seemed as if she might need to make very fast arrangements to transition into assisted living. Now that plan is on hold because her doctors are recommending a pace-maker to help regulate her heartrate and hopefully give... Read more →

Believe Street

Check out my good friend Maria Sariego's latest creation: Believe Street. She's had her blog up for a while now and this week has launched the full web site, starting with beautiful jewelry designed by her and also by her father, Fernando. Go there and be inspired, shop, and tell your friends! Congratulations, Maria! Read more →

Waves of heat, waves of memories

Yes, it is STILL so flipping hot in New Jersey. Thunderstorms expected daily through Wednesday when the weather is FINALLY expected to break from a high of 85 to a high of 66 on Thursday, then rain for several days thereafter. I can hardly wait for the lower temps - and I'm sure the local electric company feels the same way! The down side of getting that break is that it is likely to rain out my nephew Steve's outdoor high school graduation ceremony - which means he only gets 2 tickets to the indoor auditorium for his parents, and only a few more of us could go to the gymnasium to watch it on video feed. With an extended family of about 9 who wanted to attend, that's going to be disappointing -- but we can't fight nature. So, unless we get a miracle break from the rain, I won't be seeing him graduate other than maybe on video tape. What I have been experiencing with Steve's pending graduation and his upcoming 18th birthday on July 3rd, is getting very "misty" around the eyes as I remember what it's been like watching him grow up all these years. Not... Read more →

Jersey tomato feeling like wilted lettuce...

It's hot. Really hot. DAMN hot. It's not supposed to be this stinking hot in New Jersey this early in the summer. Days and days of 86-90 degree weather. Threat of thunderstorms daily but even when they come, no relief. Forecast for at least the next 7 days is no different. When's it gonna end? Having woken up at 4:30am feeling hot, and unable to get fully back to sleep, I eventually got up and went for a walk at 6:15 am (and I almost never get up before 8am) because I felt the need for some exercise and its too damn hot to exercise after 8am. And for some reason, my room is the hottest room in the whole damn house, despite having air conditioners and fans blowing air into the room. This is one "Jersey Tomato" that feels like a piece of wilted lettuce. (For the non-New Jerseyans, that's pronounced "ta-MAY-da" in your best Joisey accent, please.) I'm just never at my best in this weather. I'm cranky, lethargic, and - let's face it - irritable and cursing, a LOT. And I really don't enjoy being this "wilted lettuce" person. Note to self: Never, I repeat NEVER, retire... Read more →

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

I am a woman on the verge... of dipping my toes back into the dating scene after an astonishingly prolonged absence. It feels odd even thinking about dating again, I am so out of practice at it. (In fact, I can barely remember what it feels like to want to make out passionately with someone, in that I-can't-keep-my-hands-off-you way.) I keep hearing the "duh-dump, duh-dump, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh" Jaws theme... is it safe to go back in the water now? At the moment I have no particular man in mind, but I am realizing that if I do, as I claim, WANT to meet "someone special" that I have to make some effort... after all, since I work out of my house, it's unlikely I'm going to meet someone "at work". It's unlikely that the UPS guy will be the man of my dreams. You may wonder... exactly how long has it been since you last went on a date, Lisa? Are you sitting down, because I'm about to be totally candid about this. I think my last date was early in 1999. (Close your mouth, it's not polite to gape.) It was a blind date. He was an OK guy, but... Read more →