Thursday, August 9, 2012

readers, now find me at a new blog address

So far, it's only one person, one city...but am told that will change...am now only writing at this address...in case you are still reading...enjoy!

http://twofriendstwocities.blogspot.com/





Wednesday, August 1, 2012

pre-dinner drama

It’s Gail’s birthday tomorrow.  Tonight we are going to Mr. Chow’s to celebrate.  We have a 7pm reservation.

It’s 6pm, and I plan on leaving around 6:30.

Shower?  Check.
Makeup?  Check.
Clothes pressed and ready?  Check.
Camera?  Check.
Gift?  Check.
Umbrella?  Check.
Wallet?  Missing.

I check everywhere.  All my handbags.  The entire apartment.  It’s nowhere.  When did I have it last?  This morning I dropped off shirts and sheets at John’s Cleaners.  I call and the owner answers.   He undoubtedly is not named John, but something more like Li or Jing or Wei. In English that is difficult to understand, he says,

“We have it.” 
“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask.
“I thought we just drop off on Saturday with rest of laundry.”  And then he adds, “You have not much money in wallet anyway.”

No, but my credit cards and license and Metrocard are in it.  Really.  Li/Jing/Wei was going to wait three days without calling and then just deliver my wallet with my laundry?  I am speechless.

I run to the cleaners, get my wallet, and miraculously make it to the restaurant on time.

The rest of the evening is lovely.  Gail, statuesque at over six feet, arrives on time.  She’s been to this restaurant before (with Mick Jagger, no less) and suggests we let the waiter choose for us.  It’s a wise recommendation.  We begin with cocktail champagne with lychee fruit.  Delicious, as is the rest of the meal.  Rice, green spicy prawns, string beans, something that looks like swordfish ravioli, and two desserts:  a medley of three sorbets, followed by a chocolate mouse cake with a scoop of ice cream with a raspberry sauce (and a candle, of course).

I have no doubt we’ll be celebrating each other’s birthdays at 80.

readers relate

I wake up to two emails from friends (younger than I am) regarding my post from  yesterday.


One headlines her email with:  I can top your story from yesterday


At hand surgeon's office about my wrist pain. The 30 year old Physician Assistant is doing the pre work. After she does my medical history and preliminary exam, she asks if I've had any changes in my personal life.  I say, "Like what?" and she says, "Any new grandchildren?"

Seriously, that hurt more than the wrist pain.

Do I look like a grandmother?



The other emails me with the following:


Same thing happened to me.
I was talking to a neighbor on the street, chatting happily for 15 minutes.
She walks away and a garage attendant says to me,"That your daughter?"
"Excuse me," I say, thinking surely I didn't hear him properly.
He repeats the question.
I want to put my head in an oven.

She is 36 years old.
I decided she looks 18 and that it was a compliment after all.
Its all in the perspective!