Recently in Personal Category

If you want to restore your grandfathers gold watch from the 50's you have many choices in New York City. There are watch repair shops all over Manhattan. After I got my Grandfathers Bulova "Wrist Alarm" mechanical watch back from the shop around the corner from my apt in the West Village I was deeply disappointed to see the quality of the work. They butchered the face and replaced the gold pyramid hour markers with luminescent paint. I complained, but as is all too common, the shop on the corner did not preform the work himself and ultimately all I got was a deep discount, when truth be told, I would have happily paid double just to have the job done right the first time. And therein lies the problem with the watch repair shop on the corner, they farm out a lot their work, the quality and reliability of which, while fine for your average watch of lesser value, is not high enough to restore that precious gold watch worn by your heirs 60 years ago. In my opinion they're not even qualified to open the back and cleaning an automatic, COSC certified, mechanical chronograph (if you're lucky enough to own one).

Earlier this week I saw a performance that moved me. It was not grand and it was not hip, but it was astounding and as American as Apple pie, or should I say tea and crumpets.

Last night I saw a performance that also moved me. It was grand and it was big and there was not a dry eye in the room at one point or another. "The Soloist" with Robert Downey Jr and Jamie Fox satisfies that rare itch. A modern film that you actually want to talk about after the fact.

As for earlier this week, I present to you Susan Boyle, her humble, rich voice is not at all expected and that is exactly what ties her and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (the main character in The Soloist) together. These two have been around for a while, forgotten in plain sight and now seen, as if for the first time, to all our delight.

Neither of these gems are what you expect them to be, neither are what they appear to be, yet both are going to move you and maybe, just maybe, this return to reality is what will be best of 2009.

For your consideration:

The lady: Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009
The movie: The Soloist, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.
and
The not wholly dissimilar story of Paul Pots - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2008

On a rainy April night 2009, The Juilliard Club hosted the Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) and its members for "Modern Dance 101" with Juilliard faculty member Henning Rübsam in the amazing new Glorya Kaufman Dance and Rehearsal Studio that overlooks Broadway. It was a great introduction to the modern American dance tradition, its roots and founders, repeat with technique and movement demonstrations by Juilliard dance students and capped off with an elegant hybrid ballet/modern dance set to JS Bach. A great time in a great space gave me a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones as well.

Relevant links:
Henning Rübsam dance company www.sensedance.org
Juilliard Club http://www.juilliard.edu
Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) http://www.lincolncenter.org/
Glorya Kaufman Dance Studio at Juilliard

March 15th, 2008:
At 5:11pm Sarah gave birth to our son Lucas Marcos Lara. Baby and Mother are both doing great. The baby is 6lbs 1oz and 20 inches long and the most content and happy little thing anyone could hope for.

Update March 16th, 2008:
Day 2 in the Hospital, Sarah gave birth in one of Ulster Hospitals new water birth suites here in N.Ireland. Water birth is an all natural delivery and Sara received no drugs, injections or assistance during the birth, other than constant monitoring, my supporting hand and Gas/Air. It was a truly amazing event to witness someone give birth all by them selfs then reach down and pick up their baby. That proves it, women are stronger than men. I am in awe of her fortitude and inner strength. Sarah is my little Warrior! Sarah's mother Pamela also gets big praise for her help and constant support.

And here he is, for your viewing pleasure may I introduce to you, Lucas Marcos Lara.