If I worked for Kanye

So I was thinking that if I had an IN with Kanye West, I would suggest a meeting for him with one of the major ballet companies (preferrebly one in NY so I could see this wonderful idea of mine come into action) It would be a Kanye West/Ballet smash-up to coincide with his new album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". Since Runaway worked so well with ballet, why not take it a little further.



You could keep the phoenix story-line going, or perhaps a kanyefied version of The Red Shoes.

Not sure if anyone remembers The Joffrey Ballet's production of Billboards in 1993 that featured all music by Prince.

My dad taped this for me from an airing on PBS and I used to watch it non-stop. In fact, I'm thisclose to buying someones' used VHS copy they are selling on amazon for $19.

This production worked quite nicely for Prince, let's go Kanye.

And remember, you heard it here first. If this actually happens, I want some damn credit Mr. West.

life imitates sesame street...

So, I was browsing some sesame street videos. Yeah, yeah yeah, I know i really need to get over my elmo obsession. 


But I realized that even though I have "grown up" (sort of) Sesame Street is still relevant in my life.  

SESAME STREET vs. MY JOB

Oh doogie, I think I was hired at the wrong company.  We are way behind the times.
I didn't know that all I needed was a pair of fairy wings and a broadway singing voice.
I could have the entire fall collection done in a snap.


SESAME STREET vs. PERSONAL APPEARANCE

It's taken me all of my life to finally love my hair. And just for the record I have worn my hair "up", "down", "twisted all around".  Yup, braids and pigtails too.  And "in barettes" and "flying free".   I'm convinced that someone at the Jim Henson workshop found pictures of me as a child and molded this little girl after me.  I have finally found my muppet twin.

SESAME STREET vs. MY MARRIAGE

kissing, hugging, friends, helping....yup that pretty much sums it up.  Grover may have left out a few crucial elements but he got the basics....good enough for me.  Maybe the US government should watch this.

SESAME STREET vs. MY DIET

enough said

SESAME STREET vs. PERSONAL HYGIENE

OK, so I don't smell like a monster.  But this is hilarious and I had to share it!


So, thank you Sesame Street for still teaching me a thing or two.

**If you can not view the videos above follow the below links:
My Job: Shoe Fairy
My Marriage: Grover on Marriage
My Diet:C is for Cookie
My Personal Appearance: I love my hair
My Personal Hygiene: Smell like a monster

Happy Birthday, Grandma

Today would have been my grandmother's 101st birthday.  17 days ago she passed away and re-joined my grandfather after 35 years apart.  Those who know me, know I am not religious; but I like to think that they  are together again in some shape or form.  My grandmother raised 4 amazing children, one of them being my father, Marcel.  My daddy is the most amazing man in the world.  He is patient and kind, incredibly smart, always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend or a stranger.  My husband grew up without having a father in his life, so I know how lucky I am that mine is so great.  Some of my best memories with my dad are taking the trips to Groton, CT to visit Grandma.  The three hour rides were usually spent listening to Disney movie soundtracks and stopping in New Haven for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  And when we would get to grandma's house I would always look for her face peeking out from behind the curtains; waiting for us.  We would spend the day at the beach near her house or take a ride to Mystic Seaport.  I used to love to look at all the books that she had on her shelves and all the pictures of family in her bedroom.  And when we would leave (after my dad drank some of grandma's very strong coffee) she would always give me a hug and a kiss and slip money in my hand.  And it wasn't about the money, it was the way she did it.  Grandma would fold the money up and slide it in my hand really slick-like and then smile big and make sure I didn't try to give it back.

Over the years I lost touch with my grandma.  I guess life just got in the way.  I am regretful that I didn't talk to her more often on the phone or go see her on weekends.  I am not sad that my grandmother passed away, I know that she lived a very long and very full life.  My family is incredibly lucky to have had her in our lives for so long.  I am more sad that I didn't get a chance to know my grandmother more intimately in my adult life.  I am sad that I didn't get a chance to show my grandmother who I am and who I have grown up to be.  I know that my love of sunshine and reading I inherited from her.  My independence and strong will is also a part of her.  And though grandma is no longer with us physically she is still a part of my family in all of our hearts.

Below is a chronology my Uncle Rudolph wrote of the incredible life of my grandmother, Else Milfort. 

1. Else's earliest memories as a 5year in her birth town of Diedenhofen, Germany, were vivid. It was a small town in the Alsace region - a disputed area with France. Memories included fear, hunger and  the sights and fearsome sounds of a raging WW I.
2. The family moved to and Else worked in Berlin as a teacher. Her two brothers pre-deceased her by more than 60 years.... the younger brother during WW II as a German Luftwaffe pilot, whose body was never recovered.
3. Else's last employment in Germany was as a governess to 2 children of a Jewish family. Thus began her movements away from her native country. First,  accompanying the children out of Germany, to re-unite them with their  parents in Czechoslovakia where they had escaped to earlier; then to Amsterdam with the family, and finally, with the family, to the Dominican Republic. She met her husband Marcel there, fell in love and married, and yet another transition of her life began.
4. Their lives moved several times between the Dominican Republic and Haiti on that 2 country island of Hispaniola, with each of the two pairs of the boy/girl sets of children born in each of the two countries.........Marcel and Evelyne in the Dominican Republic and Rudolph and Sonia in Haiti.
5. Else's transitional life once again was destined for change, when in 1949 she moved to the United States - traveling with 4 children in tow, to join her husband who had come here 3years earlier, to work, send money back to Haiti,and save enough to send for her and the children. 
6. Else and Marcel successfully nurtured, raised and educated their 4 children. All this during an era that was very different from the world we live in today. Her strength, commitment, devotion and love for her family are to be marveled at, acknowledged and appreciated.
7. The next transition came 35 years ago in 1975, when her husband Marcel passed away. She accepted that loss with the same strength she had displayed her entire life. She found renewed happiness in other things that brought her joy. The simplicity of sitting in the sunshine - which she truly loved. Her love for Opera and especially her all time favorite performer Placido Domingo -- whose collection of autographed books and photographs, secured at live performances, was truly cherished. She was able to travel on several occasions with her daughters, back to Haiti and Germany.
8. Else's next transition, at age 96, came 41/2 years ago when she moved into Fairview in Groton. At that age she acknowledged that she could use a little help in her daily life. The care, respect and understanding that the staff provided allowed her to thrive at her age, and enjoy those simple things that continued to bring her joy.
9. Today we honor the memory of this extraordinary woman, wife, and mother whose strength, love, devotion, and independence were lived on a daily basis throughout her entire life. All who knew her were enriched by her.

                                                

More than food

I have recently been toying with the idea of blogging about other topics.

¿qué?

Yeah, I know..."skinny girl's FAT adventures" found on www.cheesyfriedgoodness.blogspot.com.
That doesn't really sound like the place you would find posts about my random thoughts on family, work, politics, tv, music, etc. I mean from the few people that actually read this blog, they all really seem to love the subject matter. If it's not broke don't fix it. Right?

RIGHT?

Except for the fact that my FAT adventures include more than just food. Just like everyone else I am traveling this journey called life and I'm not just eating my way through it. I am loving my way through it. I am crying my way through it. I am scratching my head and wondering how the hell am I going to get through it.

My life is CHEESY in that my marriage is warm and gooey with love but also a little salty. My life is FRIED, in that I am exhausted both physically and mentally from my job. But all in all my life is GOODNESS.

So maybe just maybe, this skinny girl can write about more than just food.

Randomness

Sorry bloggy blog! I know I have neglected you but please know that I still love you. In an effort to make amends here is a collection of pictures featuring foods I have experienced of the last few months.




"Five Guys"- cheeseburger and Cajun fries




"MacBar"-cheeseburger macaroni and cheese



"Waffle House"- waffles, bacon, eggs, and cheese covered hash browns



"Wet Willies"- Bar food with slushie drinks made with diesel grain alcohol.




"Sonic"- chili cheese dog, fries, chocolate shake




"Mama Mexico"- the only guacamole I'll eat.



"Max Brenners"- churros and hazelnut shake









"The River Grill"- filet mignon, t-bone steak, and duck....my dinner, my husbands dinner, and my mom's dinner



"El Bandido"- taco, burrito, enchilada combo