Wednesday, October 30, 2013

two major non-wedding related events


On Tuesday, my dad came home, after almost four months in rehab.  My mom is optimistic that his being home will be good for everyone; I hope she is right, though I have my doubts. 

And today, my mom joined Facebook.  Twitter can't be far behind.

Monday, October 28, 2013

a walk on the wild side


Lou Reed died yesterday at age 71.  I think of John.

Funny how music gets associated with people.  And usually it has nothing to do with lyrics.

My first boyfriend was Bob.  We met in college in 1970.  I even transferred from BU to Tufts to be near him, and this is after we’d broken up for the first time.  Today, he lives in Napa Valley with his wife (his two kids are grown) and we are still in touch. I remember college and I remember Bob. I associate him with Simon and Garfunkel’s iconic album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. 

While living in Boston in 1974, I met (and later lived with) Don.  Him I followed to Chicago, also after we had broken up.  We are still good friends, despite geography (he recently moved to Arizona after many years of living in LA).  Don introduced me to Phil Ochs, whom I'd never heard of.  Och's Pleasures of the Harbor album, released in 1967, became the music we most often listened to.  

Years late, I met Eric.  It was the summer of 1989.  While he introduced me to Talking Heads, and I grew to love their music, it is Tracy Chapman’s self-titled album that most reminds me of Eric.  When I hear Baby Can I Hold You, I am immediately brought back to the first few months with Eric, and crisp fall air.

In between Don and Eric there was a long, tempestuous relationship with John.  I met him in 1981 when we both worked at Gillette. John introduced me to the music of Lou Reed.  I have no explanation for why I wasn’t a fan before then.  Reed’s 1972 album Transformer seemed to always be on my stereo.  




My favorite song, and the one that most reminds me of John, is a strange little song that gets little airplay called Make Up. It’s about a transvestite getting ready to go out.  Admittedly, this is an unlikely song to associate with an exciting affair, but there was and is something about that song I find sexy.

                                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyTaFXw19mw

Today the world mourns a great musician.


Sunday, October 27, 2013

the morning after


We go to bed at 3, totally stuffed from food, drink, and dancing.  Impossible to believe but we return to The Pierre for another big feast this morning. 

It feels good to wear a normal-level of makeup, and to comb through my still stiff hair.  It also feels good to see everyone again, and to reflect and reminisce the night before.

Before leaving, my mom wants a picture with her girls.




I  get the sleep-deprived boys to comply.



The happy couple look as if they got all the sleep they needed.


As does Valerie and two of her closest friends, Carolyn and Wendy.


Sandy (in black with no glasses), one of the guests, took photos last night and we gather around to watch his slide show.



There were many photographers at the wedding, but those pictures won’t be ready for a while.  Sandy thoughtfully buys some DVD’s so he can make copies for the family.  Unfortunately, the disc drive in the computer he’s using won’t accept his discs.

Not without some resistance, Alexander agrees to go back to our apartment and get my computer, then return with it.  Fortunately it works, both his going and coming and the disc drive.  I am the last one to leave, and am so grateful to Sandy that I get some photos to go with my words.

I love that Amanda and Jason have thought to share some of their favorite foods with us.  Last night it was Nobu and today it’s a parting gift of cookies from Levain Bakery. 


So this is it.  Jason and Amanda are married and will soon be on their way to Africa.  The wedding is over.  The memories have just begun.




Saturday, October 26, 2013

amanda and jason get married


The wedding is spectacular.  I wish I had the vocabulary to describe it well.  Perfect in every way.  It is Alexander’s first time at a wedding; I am afraid he will think all weddings are like this one.  They are not.

(My tiny purse barely fits one lipstick so I don’t bring a camera.   I do, however, get some photos from Sandy, a lovely man from California I meet at the brunch on Sunday).

The ceremony and reception are at the Pierre Hotel. The room where the ceremony takes place is astonishingly beautiful.  I have never seen a more gorgeous chuppah, the canopy under which a Jewish couple marries.


 The ceremony starts, and both my mother and son participate.


There are many touching moments.  For me, the most touching is watching Jason stand in front of the chuppah, waiting for his bride.  When Amanda walks down the aisle, Jason’s eyes fill with tears.  His love for her is visible.  And Amanda is absolutely exquisite.  She is ethereal as she walks down the aisle. I have never seen two people so in love.  It is hard not to cry.  And I am one of many who do.




After the ceremony, there are three rooms for hors d’oeuvres and drinks. My favorite is the sushi bar from Nobu, one of the best Japanese restaurants in New York. 



Amanda spots two wedding crashers and confronts them.  Needless to say, they are quickly gone.

After hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, we enter the magnificent main ballroom.  The table settings are stunning.


And the food is exceptional.


The 16-piece band makes not dancing impossible.  They play recognizable music from today and years past. Soon everyone is on the dance floor along with the new bride and groom. 








Rita and my mom are on the dance most of the night.  Jim, Jean’s husband, even incorporates a handspring into his wild dancing.

I love the toasts. Amanda’s mom and dad speak first. Then Amanda's younger sister Lauren and older brother Adam take the mic.  


Everyone talks of Amanda’s perfectionism and attention to detail.  Her accomplishments and her drive.  Her athleticism and her academic and business achievements.  But they also talk of their own love for Jason. His strengths.  His kindness.  His loyalties.  They have welcomed Jason into their hearts.  Everyone is utterly thrilled with this most perfect union.

And then Adam and Michael get up. 


Adam begins by marveling at Jason’s perfectness.  And Amanda’s too.  And though they admit Jason is funny, he is difficult to make fun of.  Especially since he does everything so right.  So they ask the guests to imagine the year 2024.  Amanda and Jason now have two children, Lockworth and Charlotte.  They then reenact a day in the life of the world's most perfect offspring.  It is hilarious. — the best toast I’ve ever heard. 

Toward the end of the night, Jason and Amanda are on stage with the band singing Sweet Home Alabama. Soon most of the wedding guests are up on stage with them.


The wedding ends at 1:30, but there is an after party at Club 2E in the hotel.  While I'm not there, I later hear that Michael's buttons pop off his shirt while he's dancing. He still looks adorable.


It is an extraordinary wedding, and one that aptly celebrates the love of a truly magnificent couple.