Age Is Nothing But A Number

"World's Oldest Female Bodybuilder" Ernestine Shepherd
at Book Expo America

The past few days I've felt "subpar" as I like to put it. I wasn't sick, but I could feel something coming on--slight congestion, sneezing, achy body. I know last week wore me down and that left me susceptible to a virus or bacteria. The lack of sleep and close quarters at Book Expo America--it can take a toll on the best of us.


What made me feel better was two great workouts which left me drenched and winded. Today, I still sound a little nasally, but much improved from Saturday. I always feel worse when I don't workout--physically and mentally. It's been a part of my life since high school. Being active is my being.


I'm telling you all this because I want to share one more highlight from Book Expo America. I purposely left this one out because I wanted to do a separate post. May 23, I received a press invite from Guinness World Records for a great interview and photo opportunity with Ernestine Shepherd, the "World's Oldest Female Bodybuilder". I committed one thing that annoys me when others do it (or don't do it)--I didn't read the email all the way through. I saw the words "female" and "bodybuilder" and "oldest" and I was blinded by excitement. I'm a huge advocate of women picking up weights. Strength training improves posture, confidence, raises your resting metabolism, regulates hormones, increases body density, shapes and tones your body and, the obvious, makes women stronger.

I Survived BookExpo America

I now feel as though I'm ready for Comic-Con or a Star Trek convention. I don't read comic books and I've never watched a full episode of Star Trek. But on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I attended BookExpo America at the Javits Convention Center.


Yeah, it's like that.


It was my first time going to the event. And I was very overwhelmed. I've always loved books. Hell, I'm a writer. But most of the attendees of the BookExpo took things to a whole 'nother level.

Sarah Small's Tableau Vivant at Skylight One Hanson

Sarah Small's "Tableau Vivant of the Delirium Constructions"

What a way to start the week!


On Monday night, I attended the premiere of Sarah Small's "Tableau Vivant of the Delirium Constructions". I'm always asked how I find out about these things so here's the brief history: Sarah Small is the photographer who shot me for Moregasm, she attended the opening reception for my photo exhibit, Man. Toy., I was contacted about being in a Tableau Vivant in October 2010, but missed the casting deadline.


OK...


I spotted a familiar face (and body) when I arrived--Sidney Etienne--one of the models. I also loved the interior of Skylight One Hanson. It's a beautiful venue. I'll put that on my list of places to check out in case I have to move my garden party indoors. The mosaic tile mural was an extension of the "living picture" Small created and vice versa. The performance was a homage to art history. Guess where she got the inspiration for this... The Louvre. Again, I loved the set. I don't know if my photos do it justice.

Zumbi

You like what you like. Sometimes you can't explain why you're drawn to someone, a particular show/movie, song; you just are.


A few months ago I opened Jorge Ben Jor's discography in my iTunes and let it play in the background as I worked. I already had quite a few of his songs with 5-star ratings, I workout to some, I want to do a burlesque routine to one and I've used them in some of my mixes and playlists. Now I wanted to hear everything. "Zumbi" (A Tábua De Esmeralda, 1974) struck me.

Zumbi / A Tábua de Esmeralda / Jorge Ben

"What song is this?" I wondered. It made me move unconsciously and when I listen to the layers at the end of the song I feel surrounded. It has the energy of a rally song--every time I play it I put the volume up. I have a visceral response to that song. The crescendo of the song represents all coming together. I wish the song would go on forever (or at least 2 more minutes!) Although it's in Portuguese I started learning the words. I sang along with the chorus and I knew the word "Angola" was in the song. And "Nina" and "Congo". But what exactly was I singing?

Know The Past, Find The Future Book Launch

Monday, May 23, 2011 marks the 100th Anniversary of the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (that iconic Beaux-Arts building guarded by Patience and Fortitude on 42nd and Fifth).


To celebrate the centennial a collection of 100 essays and memories of the library's treasures were compiled in Know the Past, Find the Future. The book launch was held on May 19, 2011 at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. It was the perfect location to hold the event according to Jay Walder, CEO and chairman of the MTA, because Grand Central and the NYPL are "architectural cousins".

Copies of Know the Past, Find the Future were given away, free, at the event. Penguin Classics printed 25,000 copies of the book at no cost to the NYPL. This is also the 65th anniversary of Penguin Classics. Kathryn Court, president and publisher of Penguin Books, felt it only right to marry the two. This book represents the democratic core of the library--it's accessibility to all. Readers are encouraged to pass the book along. Paul LeClerc, president and CEO of the New York Public Library, encouraged guests to leave it on the bus, on the seat in the trains. There's even a graphic on the inside cover where the library card would be,  for you to sign your name under "This book was read by:" The book is intended to be circulated.

Random Musings On French Sex

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former IMF chief attacks a hotel housekeeper, a "chambermaid" this past weekend; chases her stark nude down the hallway, forces himself on her and forces her to perform oral sex. She escapes. He flees. She reports the incident. He's apprehended on the tarmac, minutes before take-off. This is something straight out of a movie, or Law & Order: SVU.


Or a cartoon.

Pepe le Pew, anyone?

Does this explain why Strass-Kahn is considered the victim by some French supporters?

Where's The Love(r)?

Love's First Kiss by Thomas Blackshear 

I want a lover. I want romance.


Maybe I'm mushy because of the Full Moon in Scorpio.


I couldn't stop smiling watching Parks and Recreation; happy and touched that Leslie and Ben finally kissed. Abed and Annie lit something in me as they kissed while showered in orange paint. Sitcoms. This is what brings me romantic flutters of joy? I've been thinking about being wined and dined. Having my feet rubbed. Massaging his back after a long day at work. Toasting to "us". Don't stand to close to me, you might be roped into a hug and then find yourself whisking me away to a far away land.

Generation Them

This past Friday and Saturday night I got a taste of the next generation of artists. A good friend of mine, a few years younger was performing in a play. I remember when I received his text telling me he'd auditioned for the part and was cast. My heart swelled like a proud Mama (or big sister).


So I returned to my old stomping ground to watch a few plays as a part of the One Act Play Festival the theater department was hosting at City College. I was very impressed by the talent and professionalism. You could tell they took their art seriously. After the show when every one gathered outside the theater in the hallway I was reminded of their age. I wondered who out of the bunch would go on to pursue acting as a career. Many were surely talented enough to do so.

Talisman Chill Out at the Southwest Cookout

Talisman plays at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park

Last night, I took a trip to Spain, the south of France and stopped over in Italy.

I was at the Cookout at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park located in the southwest corner of the park (40th and 6th for those of you who need specifics). The cookout was sponsored by Southwest Airlines and they served fancier but still tasty versions of burgers, hot dogs, pork belly sandwiches and drinks from ’wichcraft.

I opted for a burger served on chiabatta bread. My guest's burger was a bit too rare for her tastes and she requested a new one, well done. On the second go-round, she was more than satisfied. They also served cookout staples, coleslaw and potato salad. We also munched on ancho chile and lime popcorn. Southwest Airlines will be hosting a weekly cookout at the Porch all season long! Will I be back? Oui. Care to join me?

Cidade de Deus (City Of God)

Men will be boys and the power of photography

Flixster - Share Movies

Zé is ugly. He's drug dealer and gangster in 1970's Rio. Never learned to read. Socially awkward, not sure how to handle his feelings so he resorted to violence.


Those are some of the conclusions I drew while watching Cidade de Deus (2002).

Festival Of Ideas For The New City

The Festival of Ideas for the New City is a new initiative in New York bringing Downtown organizations together to collaborate in harnessing the creative power of the community and to explore ideas to shape the future city.

The StreetFest brought together artists, small business and community organizations to showcase their innovations to make future city living more efficient, cleaner and more of it's citizens self-sustainable. Urban gardening, recycling and upcycling, composting, consuming organic foods and products and discovering and utilizing alternative energy sources were major themes of the day.

Artists of various mediums created and educated through their works. Artists participating in the Festival of Ideas also used any available space to display their work.

The Festival of Ideas for the New City StreetFest took place on Saturday, May 7, 2011 along the Bowery.

Scan For My Best Fit

Could this be the answer?


A full body scanner to find what size you wear in over 50 brands. I usually have to try on jeans, pants, skirts, shorts because the sizing is never uniform. I have to find clothing that will accommodate my thighs, butt, waist and height all in one garment. So into the scanner I'd go and 15 seconds later it'll take roughly 200,000 body measurements and match me with my best fit(s). Hmm...


Currently, the mybestfit scanner (now Me-Ality™) is only available in King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, PA. New York, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego will be getting mybestfit body scanners by the end to the year. I'd definitely try it. Plus it's a free service. With my luck, it'll probably match me to a brand I can't afford, suggest jeggings or match me with Old Navy.

Let's Move!

Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

I applaud the Let's Move! Initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Fund (NABEF). Children, and all of Americans, are getting fatter. It's not a good look. It's also unhealthy and leads to a whole host of problems. The economy is strained as it is, we won't have the funding to treat the preventable cases of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (Metabolic syndrome) cancer, knee and hip replacements etc. that are bound to plague this generation of children--a generation that may be the first to have shorter lifespans than their parents. 


Part of the blame lies with the parents who don't encourage their children to play or don't lead healthy lifestyles for their children to learn from. There's limited access to healthy, affordable foods and knowledge about proper nutrition. Then there's the epidemic of recess, physical education (PE) and intramural sports being eliminated from schools. 

What's Next, President Obama?

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

By now, I'm sure you've heard that Osama Bin Laden was located and killed. This plan was in motion for months; this past week was the climax or the last 20 minutes of the movie I'm sure is to follow.

This past week, Donald Trump was determined to be a nuisance to the president. The president couldn't be the president because he wasn't born in said country he's president of.

Don't have time for this silliness

Navy SEALs are making strategic plans under the direction of their commander-in-chief to capture Geronimo.

Are Mom Jeans My Destiny?

I've owned a pair of Levi's Signature jeans for years. While packing up my life recently, I stuck that pair of jeans in the bag with the rest of my denim. Smart move. I have a short waist as it is so regular rise or "classic" rise jeans are hit-or-miss. The waist of the Levi's practically chafes my armpits so I've never worn them. Until yesterday.


Every single pair of jeans I own is sporting the now trademark rips and slits on the inner thigh. I've completely busted through the seam on quite a few pairs. So I was forced to buy a pair of jeans on Friday. Not something I budgeted for but it had to be done. Last year, I had a painful breakup with Express when I couldn't find a fit that fit. I went back to Old Navy.

Random Musings On Visiting Friends

Does the first thing you see in the morning set the tone for the entire day? That coffee table landscape (pictured above) was the first thing I saw when I woke up on a Monday morning a few weeks ago. I felt around for my phone and took that photo.


So glad my friend followed up with an email; I didn't receive his text message because my phone was disconnected. An invite to dinner at his place on Sunday evening. One of his friends I'd met last summer at the beach, a Cajun, was there with his wife. We drank wine, studied the fifth guest's Bio-jewelry, ribbed each other and played Uno. Then there were three.

Atria Books Literary Salon With Sister Souljah

As an exclusive blog partner of Atria Books, you can view the fourth installment of the Literary Salon Series LIVE from the LA Times Book Festival at 7:50pm EST/4:50pm PST on Random Musings!


This latest event celebrates the release of New York Times bestselling author Sister Souljah's newest novel, Midnight and the Meaning of Love, a story about young, deep love, the ways in which people across the world express their love, and the lengths that they will go to have it. The interview will be moderated by Jada Pinkett Smith.







The Atria Books Literary Salon can also be viewed on my website!

On Twitter? Tweet @AtriaBooks with questions for Sister Souljah and use the hashtags #sistersouljah #atrialive. Or you can tweet the questions to me @abigailwrites and I'll pass them along. Select questions will be answered live by Sister Souljah.


Click here to order an Autographed Copy of Midnight and the Meaning of Love~

About Atria Salon SeriesThis is the fourth installment of the Atria Literary Salon Series. The previous three celebrated authors were Lauren Weisberger, Nicolle Wallace and Jodi Picoult. Returning to the grand old tradition of places like the Algonquin Hotel where people would gather for stimulating conversation, Judith Curr, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Atria Books, launched the Literary Salon Series to bring together authors, editors and media for an evening of stimulating conversation and literary style. 

The Darker Side of Lust In Paris

If you haven't heard it, it's news to you...

    

My art is holding a place for me in Paris.


Copies of my book, The Darker Side of Lust, are available at Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France! This was a moment of I wanted something, asked for it and received. I originally contacted the bookstore about hosting a book reading during my (then) planned trip to Paris last November. All their readings were full but they invited me to participate in the open mic they were starting at the time and told me I could drop off copies of my book for sale at their shop...

Dating A Nude Model

I was pondering what to blog about last night and within minutes, Raising Hope switched to a scene of Jimmy in an art class where his girlfriend walks in as the nude art model. The moment of truth--could he date a nude model?


I've done nude modeling since 2006. I'm not as active as I used to be because I'm more selective of the photographers I work with and the projects they present to me. You could say I'm semi-retired, but have no qualms being nude in front of a camera or posing for painters/sculptors/artists.


Being single, I don't have to consider anyone's insecurities at the moment. And I won't have any patience for it in the future. So the men I date have to be comfortable with the fact that I've modeled nude in the past and I'll most likely do it again in the future.

My Tae Bo Workout With Billy Blanks

Me with Billy Blanks after a great Tae Bo workout

What??? This is amazing! I "grew up" on Billy Blanks!!


That was my reaction when I received an email from Harrison Wise on Wednesday. Billy Blanks would be teaching a kickboxing workout at the dojo Wise attends. A live Tae Bo workout!! Last year, I attended Harrison Wise's Pleasure & Pain Kickboxing Boot Camp class. I'm so grateful he remembered and shared the news with me.


Anyone who's known me for longer than 5 years, knows how much I love Tae Bo and how the workout and Billy Blanks has shaped my outlook on health, fitness and working out. I was a freshman in college when Tae Bo went mainstream. My mother ordered the tapes, but I claimed them for myself. My workouts were comprised of Tae Bo and weights. When the Tae Bo Live! series came out, she ordered the subscription for me -- a new advanced workout every month!


At the same time I was working towards my Sports Sciences degree and Athletic Training certification and was taking courses in Biomechanics & Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Principles of Athletic Training, Adapted Physical Education and Sports Psychology, I was also learning from Tae Bo and was applying the body awareness, willpower and positive visualization from one to the other.