Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Eating the World with Anthony Bourdain

“My job does not suck.”

So opened the Anthony Bourdain keynote address entitled “The Global Feast” at the Iconoculture conference in Miami Beach. “Iconosphere,” as the conference was branded, hosted a series of speeches, breakout sessions and discussions all focused on educating consumer product professionals on the latest behavioral trends. Topics included “Recognizing the Many Faces of Moms,” “Shades of Green: Exploring New Dimensions in the Eco-Savvy Marketplace” and, among others, “My Name is not Earl: Marketing to the True Blue Collar Consumer.” The presentations provided insight such as why a certain consumer would prefer to shop at Target, citing its Democracy of Design and a Well-Edited Collection of Goods. The marketer in me found these types of topics interesting. However, only one person at the Inconsphere conference connected with the artist in me.

The morning of Anthony’s Bourdain’s presentation, I made sure to arrive at the ballroom early, to secure a front seat. A man like him, in my imagination, stays up all night eating, drinking, smoking, conversing and laughing with questionable company. To my surprise, when I arrived at 8:20, I saw him having an in-depth conversation with the head chef of the hotel, perhaps even the head chef of Emeril’s restaurant downstairs. Ah, the Food Network irony! One woman approached me and asked if it’s ok to ask Anthony for an autograph. “I don’t see why not,” I replied and, as soon as she positioned herself near him, a long line immediately formed, of men and women, some smart enough to have purchased his book prior to attending the event, and some, like me, with cameras in hand. There we were, with great anticipation and the eagerness of an inspired child, waiting to meet a man who has eaten a snake. And got paid to do it on cable.

Anthony Bourdain in life is Anthony Bourdain on television: he is tall, dark and handsome. He has a smoky voice, deep eyes and reconfirms my description of him as “the Leonard Cohen of food.” This “what you see is what you get” energy permeates his presence and the essence of who he is. You can not separate the name from the brand: they are one and the same.

“Hi, so nice to meet you,” I said nervously as I stretched out my hand to shake his.

“Hi,” he replied.

“My friends, Deborah and Scott, are big fans of yours. They just got married. Would you mind signing this for them?” I asked as I gave him some hotel stationery.

“Is that Deborah with an ‘h’?” he asked.

“Yes…. And could I please get a picture with you?”

“Sure,” he replied, completely un-phased by the fan club in front of him. But then, what can possibly phase a man who has eaten the world?

With photo and autograph in hand, I was a happy camper and resumed my back of the ballroom seat with other American Greetings employees.

Without any glorified props, scientific research nor predictable PowerPoint slides, Anthony began his dialogue about food: about where food trends began, where they are today and where they are headed in the future. He spoke of food as though it was the one thing on earth that connects us all. And, really, if you had a grandmother in your life, you would agree.

From a historical angle he asked, and then answered, the following question: “What makes a great food culture? When someone invades a country…. Look at England, the most boring and bland food you will ever eat.” Currently Asian and Latino foods are his favorites and the best examples of what Anthony referred to as “food fusion” are in Malaysia, Singapore and Brazil. Because in these places “the influences are all moving together.” Traveling to other countries to eat their food is “gastro-tourism,” something Americans are finally doing.

According to Anthony, “The tipping point in the American palette was when Americans wanted to eat sushi…. Suddenly a white fried fillet was not the only acceptable way to eat fish.”

Anthony Bourdain also spoke of how food trends are determined. “There’s a group of chefs, sitting somewhere in New York who are deciding if pork bellies are the next thing. And if that’s what they decide, you will be eating a lot of pork that year.”

Considering that this man has traveled everywhere and eaten everything, I was surprised that while being a food connoisseur, he wasn’t a food snob – and that there’s a difference. For one thing, he only spoke for 30 minutes, leaving half of his time for audience questions, a generous move for a television celebrity.

“The prettier the food, the more sweaty fingers have worked on it.”

“The most disgusting thing I ever had was a chicken McNugget.”

“The best meal I ever had was pork chops on a bed of rice on a white plate. It was white on white on white, which breaks all the (presentation) rules. But it tasted great.”

“The scariest meal I ever had was a seven course vegetarian meal in Los Angeles. Humorless, angry people.”

Anthony also spoke of his experience in Russia, which, for various reasons was of great interest to me. “In Russia, they drink a lot of vodka. And (just when you think you’re done) they will make you toast to their mother’s health. And how can you say ‘no’ to that?”

Speaking of vodka, when asked if he has any fear about what he eats, his reply was “Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol…. You should eat with the natives. And if they have been eating this food for hundreds of years, how bad could it really be?” “Food,” Anthony suggested, “should be submissive.” He did admit to once having to lie in fetal position for several hours after eating some meat cooked in a village that had no water. He quickly followed this story with a non-chalant “But, then, so what?”

At one point, while the rest of us, and please, pardon the pun, were eating out of his hands, a woman in the audience, a woman, I am guessing, who probably carries an important title and whose salary, bonus and welfare depend on how many boxes of processed food she can push down on tired, busy American parents, asked Anthony what he thought was the future of ...snacks.

He quickly motioned his hand in a downward slope and gave this woman and the rest of us a very quick and in-your-face schooling on the lack of nutrition, the obese lifestyle children are experiencing in the U.S., how childhood diabetes is at a rise and how his own daughter, born earlier this year, will be fed “real food” as soon as possible. How even today, her Italian grandparents send over Italian baby food, and how, like him, they consider American baby food unacceptable.

Another person in the audience asked Anthony what he thought of the recent popularity of organics. His reply? “Organic food is food of the rich. It’s great if you can afford it. But there’s nothing wrong with a regular tomato.” Finally, when asked where food trends are headed, Anthony looked optimistic and shared his theory: “We’re going to be eating the food of our grandparents.”

It’s comments like this that resonated most with me. Anthony Bourdain worked his way into the celebrity lifestyle from the far more humble beginnings of washing dishes in restaurant kitchens. He knows his roots and accepts that only with this sense of history does he have a foundation.

Today he travels the globe to eat, drink and be merry with the natives. At age 51, he has a young Italian wife and a baby daughter. Anthony Bourdain is a man whose inner core and public persona are the same: that is the recipe of being a great artist – knowing oneself and allowing your talent to be food for the soul to the world.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Clowns in a Circus: Memorable Quotes, Compliments of You

We live in troubling times. Without going through a long list of depressing situations to worry about, the past year has added plenty of meshigas to our already slightly (or heavily) neurotic lives. If you happen to be someone untouched, unfazed or unbound from reality, enjoy your Shangri La while the rest of us continue to juggle, manage, cope (insert verb of choice) life in areas such as finance, romance, health, career and trying to figure out which presidential candidate can bring us back to the economic hey day when people could actually afford their houses, when world peace seemed plausible and when we survived without even knowing who that annoying hotel heiress is. While we all hope that life's progression leads to better, happier, healthier and more fruitful (and self-aware) life experiences - some call this security - often the new found wisdom merely brings us the realization of "Shit! I still have so much more to go."

In light of the seriousness with which many embark within our days, dream during our nights and contemplate choice while operating heavy machinery at uber fast speed, today's blog is here to make you laugh.

For years I have been collecting quotes from many of you: over dinner, at Starbucks, during High Holidays as well as other locations and situations. Like an addict in need of a fix, I've overcome temporary moments of permanent hearing loss all in an effort to listen to what you are saying.

Because I spend more time with some of you than others, a few names will appear more frequently. The good news is that the quantity is justified by the quality.

So sit back, enjoy and know that even during the most uncertain times, you can count on yourself to bring humor, light, great insight and provide the gift of laughter to others.

PS: Some quotes are adult reading, so if strong language or dirty thoughts offend you, stop reading now.... :-)

PPS: If you have some additional nuggets of joy you would like to add, please feel free to post comments on the blog.


"I feel like we are all clowns in your circus." - Miguelle E. to Alex 6.8.07


"One fleeting sophisticated asset in a sea of barbarism." - Robert W. 11.17.03


"Bridges are at the top of the metaphor pyramid. That's a good place to be." - Daniel B. @ Fat Fish Blue 5.1.04


"You're like my personal documentarian." - Jacob L. to Alex S. 5.14.04


"Emotionally happy downstairs." - Michael A. 5.28.04


"I am not a man of steel. I am a man of concrete." - Daniel B. 1.05


"Emotional intimacy. F*** that. And f*** me." - Tony V. 3.11.05


"A friend of mine moved to Vegas to be with a Chinese acrobat who didn't speak English." - Deborah S. 5.8.05


Danielle G. : I'm full.
Florin: Go to the bathroom and make some room. - 12.19.05


"This is nerd central. You could be their king." - Deborah S. to Daniel B., "studyhall" Starbuck's. 1.29.07


"I love him from afar, but unfortunately he now lives in my bed." - Deborah S. 4.20.06


"I'm not zenning enough." - Michael G. 1.6.07


"Hillbillies and Asians." - Wallie G. 1.13.07


"I'm the connoisseur of all things adult." - Evan L. 1.13.07

"I'd be Byonce's house husband. The public would never see me." - Miguelle E. 4.3.07


"Social Penetration Theory." - Bettina L. 4.3.07

Deborah S.: I met LeBron's belly botton.

Alex S.: And he enjoyed it. 4.3.07


"We're never content. We're Jewish. Do you know where you are?" - Tom F. to Florida waitress 6.2.07


"I really don't know what to do. But I can fly because I have wings." - 2 year old boy to his brother in Florida 6.2.07


"I hate giving head. I don't even give head to my fiance." - Katie, in Vegas. Not to her fiance. 6.07


"I didn't know hookers were that attractive." - Daniel B., reflecting on recent trip to Vegas. 6.13.07


"There are no problems. Only opportunities and the psych ward." - Alex S. 5.07

"Sometimes Phoebe. Sometimes Einstein. What can I say?" - Vanessa D. 6.19.07

"You are a fountain of obscure facts." - Daniel B. to Alex S. 6.07


"Menefits." - Kelly M. 6.21.07


"I don't have to make the world spin." - Alex S. 6.22.07


"Loose and warm." - Miguelle E. 6.24.07


"People f*** all the time." - Miguelle E. 6.24.07


"I had a conversation about G-d with a porn star / hooker." - Steve Z. 6.25.07


"Jewish sex: twice the guilt and half the calories." - Alex S. 6.29.07


Alex S.: How do you say "thank you" in Indian?
Sonya B.: No one ever says it. 7.5.07


"I've heard of Charles in Charge. But I don't know who Charles is or why he's in charge." - Daniel B. 7.6.07


"Hungaria." - Rudy W. 7.7.7

"Have you ever lived outside the Midwest?" - Ben L. to Daniel B. 7.8.07


"Curious playful minds." - Ben L. 7.8.07


"When I came along, the dog just wasn't the same person." - Veronica, San Diego 7.12.07


"He's cute, but I'll destroy him like a matza ball." - Debbie D. 7.21.07


"Now that I'm quiet, what do you want me to do?" - Jennifer to Miguelle E. 7.07


"Being a Jew just isn't what it used to be." - Evan L. 7.26.07


"Guinness. A small gift from above." - Michael (bartender) 7.27.07


"Strange coincidences and you go together." - Rick H. to Alex S. 8.14.07


Miguelle E.: Look at our shadows.
Alex S.: Everybody has to walk in them. - 8.18.07


"This is ridiculous. This is worst than a food stamp line." - Alex S. waiting to be called in jury duty 8.20.07


"I hope your job and my job never meet." - Curtis (truck driver) to Owen (paramedic) 8.20.07


"The assistant director's mother is too neurotic to be a Jew." - Evan 8.21.07


"I'm not giving you $10. I'm going to give you a "f*** you. For free." - Jose to city parking attendant. 8.24.07


"Two Rodneys don't make a right." - Jose 8.28.07


"Why does everyone say funny things when I am swallowing?" - Evan L. 8.30.07


"I got a lot to offer without my clothes on." - Miguelle E. 8.30.07


"Phrasology." - Bob N. 9.12.07


"Slinky is the anti-mushroom head." - Evan L. & Alex S. 9.16.07


To read additional historical quotes, visit:
http://www.alexsukhoy.com/YouSaidIt.html

Monday, August 20, 2007

Just Can't Get Enough: My 23 Year Relationship with Depeche Mode

Many of us musicaholics have one artist we depend on to put us in a certain state. For example, if I crave upbeat dance tracks to inspire me to clean, there's New Order's greatest hits double cd Substance. If I want psychological self-reflection to remind me that someone else's emotional struggle is more painful then mine, then anything by Blue October does the trick. And if I desire creative motivation which reminds me of how much more growth needs to happen to realize full artistic potential, then I turn on I'm Your Fan, an album of covers by bands such as James and REM all humbly and respectfully performing Lenard Cohen lyrics. Finally, if I ever need "mood" music, then neither Barry White nor Patricia Kass can compete with the one band whose songs for the past two and a half decades have inspired numerous make-out sessions across the globe: Depeche Mode.

My first encounter with DM occurred in Dina Aksel's house in (yes, of course) Skokie, Illinois. Dina lived in an area called Devonshire and back in 1984 she had MTV. At the time MTV still played music videos and one summer afternoon at Dina's house we were watching Mark Goodman do his thing as innovative songs such as "Black Stations, White Stations" penetrated young minds. Then, a video came on by this new British band called "Depeche Mode." The song was "People are People." The beat was catchy and the lyrics demonstrated an almost too profound guitar-less, keyboard sound. (sing along with me now):

[:People are people, so why should it be
You & I should get along so awfully:] 2x

(tun, tun, tun)

So we're different colors and we're different breeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me though I've done nothing wrong
I've never even met you so what could I have done?

[:I can't understand what makes a man hate another man, help me understand....:] 10x

Deep stuff for a decade of excess.

Another early memory of the band took place during a cold winter night in Chicago. My friends and I went to one of those now extinct Russian restaurants - this one on Lincoln and Peterson - to ring in 1987. I had lost my apartment keys and my sister had to leave her New Year festivities and pick me up so I could get home. She was not happy. (Sis, I am so sorry I spoiled that party for you & any others where you had to be the responsible one). However, that night her friend (I think Vadim) gave Masha the Black Celebration album. Dark, intimate and brilliant, listening to the title song as I type this I can tell you it planted a seed in a very young mind many winters ago. A few years later, during senior year of high school, for my advertising class I created a radio commercial. Using a dusty tape player, I selected "Just Can't Get Enough" for my background music. I have no recollection as to what product I created the ad for, but who cares? As a future marketer I knew that an insatiable craving for anything resulted in more sales.

In 1990 I graduated high school and Depeche Mode grew up. Or, perhaps, I finally began to understand what this music was communicating. That year DM released what, in this writer's opinion, is one of the greatest musical albums of that decade: Violator - a concise, seductive, perverse and dark title, perfectly reflective of its contents. The first song released off that album was played at my high school prom and, a few months later, at the cool clubs in DeKalb, Illinois. Debbie, my NIU roommate, brought a small tv for our tiny shared dorm room and watching the "Enjoy the Silence" video gave me chills. The addictive electronic dance beat tapped into my then very lost and confused soul like a heroin needle in the hands of a misguided celebrity. The second major hit off the Violator cd was "Personal Jesus." Written in 6/8 time it had all the Jewish kids singing every lyric - never mind the irony. While the entire cd contained only nine songs total, with titles such as "Sweetest Perfection," "Waiting for the Night to Fall" and "Clean" Violator instantly became the make-out album of choice.

In 1993, now a student at DePaul, as I took another step towards independence with my first Lakeview apartment, Depeche Mode released the even more mature Songs of Faith and Devotion. The following summer, Jen, my cousin Alex and big group of us drove to Poplar Creek to see Depeche Mode in concert. We had grass seating, it rained like a monsoon and yet we remained for the entire performance. We did not care. We watched the band do its thing - realizing then that perhaps some bands are best left to the studio. Which is ok. Depeche Mode was the first keyboard-focused non-guitar band to sell out the giant outdoor stadium in L.A. And the live two-cd set Depeche Mode 101 is a brilliant compilation of all their pre-Violator hits. But on that particular stormy afternoon, technology and weather did not cooperate. However, one particular song on the new album struck a major chord: "In Your Room." The song is an invitation, much like many of Depeche Mode's songs, even the ones on their more current albums like 2001's Exciter and the most recent Playing the Angel. The music is still relevant, still powerful.

To this day Depeche Mode continues to influence my life in the most unexpected ways. Late this summer I began a fascinating communication with a man named David who, upon reading my blogs (specifically about Grand Master Flash, Cavs and Lloyd Dobler) decided to start his own blog, writing on topics that interest him and make him question the expected nature of humanity. A talented writer in his own right, David and I decided to collaborate on a He Said/She Said dual point of view on one of the many familiar subjects that are of great interest. We could have chosen the adventures of overseas travel, the search for true love or the simultaneous and mutual self-discovery of our creative cores. Instead, we agreed to write about Depeche Mode and the band's ever-evolving impact on our lives. We also agreed to write our observations independently before sharing them with each other or with anyone else. (You can click on the link below to read David's perspective).

Thus, I've been listening to my DM library from the early days of "Stripped" to "Master and Servant" to "I Feel Loved." And I picked up on the undercurrent of the theme, the constant idea that connects all Depeche Mode songs: it's the hunger one person feels for another. Basic, primal and poetic all at once.

Every Depeche Mode song is a seduction - of the heart, the mind, the body and the soul.

I don't think any other artist has articulated what that hunger feels like. (only exception is "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails.) Sometimes we've hungered for someone so much it hurt - as the longing was a one-way street. Perhaps, we were craved by someone but lusted after someone else. And in that rare moment of mutual attraction, that age-old instinct that has sustained the perpetual conception of mankind, that split-second gaze between two people in hunger for each other, that instant is what defines every piece of music ever created by Depeche Mode.

So next time you want to seduce, or be seduced, surrender to someone new or someone whom you think you know, put on Violator and enjoy your own sweet perfection.


###

David's Blog: http://floridadavesherman.blogspot.com/2007/08/learning-with-depeche-mode.html

Thursday, May 31, 2007

A Second Chance at Witnessing Greatness: LeBron & the Cavs

"We're not here trying to win any one's respect. We're here trying to win a championship." - LeBron James

It's currently 12:13 a.m. and in less then five hours I need to get up, get ready, pack and leave for the airport. But how can anyone possibly sleep? Anybody on the planet who just saw the Cavs 109 to 107 Eastern Conference win over Detroit is wide awake, energized and still in awe at the incredulous and miraculous 48 points that LeBron scored during the double-overtime game which led the Cavs to a 3-2 lead in the series. LeBron, one man on one night in one game single-handedly elevated what a person can do if he put his mind to it.


What makes this victory so personal to me is the path to it. Whenever people ask me what my biggest regret in life was, my response is never the obvious answer that people expect. Instead, what I tell them is "My only regret in life is that growing up in Chicago, I never attended a Michael Jordan Bull's Game." Real sports fans immediately look at me with deep sympathy and disbelief, in an almost mutual mourning of "what could have been." On the other hand, people for whom basketball, or any kind of sports, is not a part of their lives, tilt their head, frown their forehead and squint their eyes as if to say "Are you kidding me?"


I won't waste my time trying to explain anything to the latter audience, for they simply don't get it. And that's O.K. Because they don't have to. But I do. And this week, the appreciation for the Art of Basketball has been a once in a lifetime gift.


As with some stories you read on this blog, this one also begins in Skokie, Illinois. In Oakview Jr. High School Erin and I tried out and played for the basketball team. She and I were tough, we were fierce and we would run, grab, throw and shoot that ball until the two tallest girls in the class would add a score to the score board. We were determined and we never pretended to be girly-girls: we did not want to be cheerleaders, we wanted to be stars.


In 8th grade, the Bears won the Superbowl, and after graduation that summer, Erin and her family left town. She remained tall, I stopped growing after reaching 5'5". But we remained in contact and never stopped being sports fans. Erin's passion is baseball, and every year the Chicago Cubbies break her heart more than any other boy ever did (thank God Mike is there now). Mine is basketball.


In Chicago, during the 90's, when Jordan lead the Bulls to two sets of three consecutive championships, for six wins total, I was a busy college student, attending DePaul and working full time to support myself. Spending money on an NBA ticket while getting paid $6 an hour was not a luxury I was willing to afford. However, I did watch the games on television and in sports bars. Each consecutive year when Michael Jordan would up the level to which all others aspired, the world began to watch this man with a careful eye just to see what he could do in the last 3.2 seconds of a game. You all saw the magic, you all watched the game face and you all witnessed the man fly across the basketball court. It was the golden era of basketball.


In the Fall of 2003, much to the surprise of everyone, including myself, I moved to Cleveland. And that Fall, a young man named LeBron James was recruited on the team. Still not old enough to drink, the hype around him was that of an established celebrity: people would claim that they had a LeBron spotting at such and such restaurant or club or downtown apartment building.


One month after arriving in Cleveland, Erin came to visit me. I bought us two tickets to a Cavs game with the $100 gift card I received from my new bank. We had decent seats and began watching this team do their thing. "Double-dribble!" "Fowl!" "What is the ref thinking?" "C'mon, on!" Suddenly our jr. high dreams were living themselves out, almost twenty years after the fact. That night the Cavs had their 1st home win of the season and their 1st 100 point game. And that night, I became hooked.


Since Fall, 2003, I have attended three to four games each season. If it was not for the grad student loans, I'd invest in Season passes. But I am not greedy. I am very fortunate. Of all the games I have attended, I may have actually paid for about three or four of them. Generous people have invited me to games and have even given me tickets, because They Know. And every single game which I have attended The Cavs Have Won. Even when they played Miami against Shaq, the Cavs Have Won. I have sat as far back as the furthest rows in the upper section and as close as 3rd row behind the team. And each time, the excitement was incredible.


Two years ago my friends and I, celebrating Sylvia's birthday, actually saw LeBron at Blue Point Restaurant. Tall, polite and holding his tiny son he smiled, posed for photos with kids and signed autographs before exiting for privacy. He knew he was on the verge of something big, and so did everyone else in his presence.


This year, the Cavs have advanced to the Eastern Finals, being one of only 4 teams that stands a chance at playing and winning the NBA Championship. This week, via a fan based lottery, I was able to purchase two tickets for Game 4. Prior to this game, the series was at 1-2, with Detroit in the lead. The Cavs won Game 3, in Cleveland, and the chance to see them win a playoff game 10 minutes from where I live was my opportunity to Right a Wrong. It took a decade to get here and this time, I spent the money on some really nice seats. My good friend and neighbor Miguel went with me and together we watched an unbelievable man do unbelievable things in front of our eyes. We were Witnesses. And Witnessed a win that made us hold our breaths until the last 3.5 seconds of that game.


At this game, I took some great photos, including the one you see posted in this blog (click on it for closer view), of LeBron shooting, ball in the air, all players, audience members, reporters and referees looking up; All of us, Witnesses. And LeBron led his team, and his city, to another victory.


Tonight, the game was played in Detroit. In their house. On their turf. And. After four quarters, two overtimes and 48 points, LeBron disrespected his opponents house. He did not rely too much on his team mates. Tonight his team mates, his coach, his family and his city relied on him. And he elevated the game to a completely new level.


During the 2nd overtime, after making yet another 3-pointer, one of the reporters said "That was very Jordanesque." I secretly smiled. As Sahar told me at midnight, "It was actually very 'LeBronesque.' " And I get to see it all for myself. And share in the breath-holding drama with my city. (Particularly with my neighbor Miguel, as we exchanged short text messages through out the game, too involved to watch it together, but too expressive to not share in colorful commentary.)


The next game in the series, and the one where the Cavs could claim their turf for The Championship, takes place in Cleveland this Saturday. Ironically, I won't be here, as I am flying to Florida to celebrate my cousin Slava's recent Hawaii wedding to his bride Kelly. It's probably a good thing that I won't be here, just 10 minutes from the Quicken Arena as I could only imagine what the streets of Cleveland, a city which is doing all it can right now to prove it's worth to the financial, creative and athletic skeptics of the world, will look like after winning the Eastern Conference.


I don't have to imagine it. I saw it in Chicago for the first time over 15 years ago. This time, though, I am a Witness.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Hip-Hop, Wall Street & Skokie Illinois


On Sunday March 11 the Rock Hall inducted 5 artists into into the Class of 2007. Surprisingly, actually 2 of these artists were female: Chicago's own Patti Smith and Ronnie "Be My Little Baby" & the Ronettes. But what was even more surprising was not these women's induction into the male-driven Museum, but that a Hip-Hop artist made the cut: Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five! While their killer record spinning and scratching performance brought a shock to the establishment system, it did propel the obvious question: Does a Hip-Hop artist belong in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame?

To answer that question, I recommend you read Christopher Farley recent Wall Street Journal perspective, "Hip-Hop Makes the Hall of Fame." The link to his article is below and if you're a subscriber to the publication, you can benefit from his passionate response; a response that struck a chord with yours truly. I was so inspired by what he wrote that I did what I had to do: write him directly. Below is my letter to him, (with one corrected gramatical error):

"Christopher,

I just read your Rock Hall Hip Hop article and need to share with you how much I enjoyed it! The fact that you took it back to your school days (and closed the piece on the same note) hit home: I was an immigrant Jewish girl from the Former Soviet Union growing up in Skokie, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) when I was first introduced to "house" music by my cool friend Karla Young. It was the very early 80's and Karla's older brother Albert, in high school at the time, had a huge stack of records with this new sound, this electrifying sound, which no one had heard of before. Saturday nights I would also listen to WBMX FM and record the Saturday Night Dance Party on the couple of tapes which I could afford to purchase with some babysitting or drum lessons money. The first time I heard "White Lines" I had to memorize each lyric - there was no other option but to sing (off key) to this song each time it would come on. And many years later, when Duran Duran covered it, I bought the entire album of covers because of this one song.

Currently, I reside in Cleveland, just blocks from the actual Rock Hall Museum which, unfortunately never hosts the induction ceremony. But perhaps one day it will. And, now that Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Blondie, who first rapped about "Feb Five Freddy" and Flash in her Top 10 hit "Rapture," (how many people realized that it's no other than Basquiat, also of Caribbean descent, spinning records in the cutting edge video?) have both been inducted into the Rock Hall, perhaps music snobs can shift their perspective. And, if not, we can always watch "Crush Groove" over and over again to re-witness the birth of the ultimate American Dream: being given no resources and via gut instinct, passion and a bit of musical alchemy, changing the world.

Cheers to you!

- Alex"


Much to my surprise within 21 minutes Christopher wrote me back:

"Your point about Basquiat was a good one. I wish I had mentioned him. Thanks for your note."

Not bad a Jewish girl from Skokie, Illinois. Ah, Beastie Boys would be so proud!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117398371690838386-search.html?KEYWORDS=Hip-Hop+Makes+the+Hall+of+Fame&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Searching for Lloyd Dobler


If you are a woman between the ages of 30 and 45 reading this blog title, chances are you have already smiled. You are probably humming "In Your Eyes" reading this and recognizing a very tall, very young and very romantic John Cusack standing outside the house of an even younger Ione Skye. You remember how simultaneously strong and desperate he looks, with his hands high in the air holding an over-sized boom-box in a last-effort attempt to woo back the woman he loves. Deep sigh.

If you are a man or a woman, hopefully since the film's 1989 release you have had romantic moments of your own. Perhaps one of you has even experienced your own Lloyd Dobler scenerio and had the person who craves you so deeply stand outside your (or your parents') house one day, playing just the right song, in order to 1. get your attention 2. woo you back into their life. Perhaps you were the one doing the wooing. Regardless - you have had that moment where you were swept off your feet, damn the odds, head over heels in love and you did not let any of life's real obstacles get in the way.

Since 1989, as some of you, I have had numerous relationships, several deep loves and all the heartbreak that comes with it. And I would not have changed a thing. And. There has been one man who has been a constant, drifting in and out of my life for the past two decades with the same random consistency as a Midwest snow blizzard: you know it's coming, you know it's going to be strong, but you never know when it will hit you. The man I am speaking of is John Cusack.

Of course, I knew who John Cusack was way before "Say Anything" was released. I first spotted him in "Better Off Dead," "The Sure Thing" and in the background of all kinds of early 80's movies including "Class" and "Sixteen Candles". But when I saw "Say Anything," and witnessed this character's ability to be tender, yet strong, romantic, yet hopeful, silly, yet responsible (he was key man at the graduation party), and introduce the world to something called "kick-boxing" all the while being obsessed with great music, I immediately identified with this misunderstood outcast who wanted someone popular to like him.

In the movies that followed, John often portrayed men of mixed emotions, complex natures and dark undertones. Some examples include "The Grifters," "True Colors" & the recent "The Ice Harvest." But it is when John portrays the outcasted, hopeless romantic that I most want to be with John. In "Gross Point Blank" he was brilliant as the professional assassin going home to Michigan to attend his 10 year high school reunion and to make right with Mini Driver, whom he stood up at the prom one decade ago. In "Serendipity" he pursues true love all the way to an empty ice skating rink, where true love finds him. And, in "Must Love Dogs" he is a man in love with Diane Lane. A man who is also into music and kick boxing...

But the movie where all things John Cusack comes into play most is "High Fidelity." Shot on location in Chicago, it is a tale of misunderstood John searching for love and managing survival as the brilliant soundtrack of life marches on in constant cadence.

For the past twenty years John has waited for me on a basket ball court, he has been out with me on a date and he's even (once) kissed me. We have had silent discussions and fleeing, but deep, emotions. There have been moments where, upon waking up from another random "out of nowhere" dream I felt closer to John than to any man I have actually ever met.

And I am not alone in this particular pursuit. Back in the late 90's, when Jamie moved from Indiana, down my block on Briar St. in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, and into my life, she & I were fixated with trying to find John's house, John's condo, John's bike, John's coffee shop. I don't know if it ever mattered if we would ever spot John; what mattered was that we were hopeful.

In reality, I have experienced two incidences of 6 degrees of John Cusack. In high school, another drummer, Martin Bany, once told me how he and his father knew "Johnie's parents." The second event happened the night before I left for business school. Masha took me to see Madonna in concert and, outside the stadium, after the show, Joan Cusack, John's sister and wonderful actress, was standing, talking to her friend. Chris Forillo & I came up to her and then I took a photo of Chris and Joan. Ah, one step closer to the dream!

I recently read that John is single. And someone told me that he's "difficult." But who isn't? John Cusack is an accomplished and award-winning actor, successful in comedy, drama, thriller and, of course, romance movies. His strong sensitivity, obsession with music and love of film are just a few of the things he & I both have in common. Not to mention the Chicago roots. I wonder if I will ever meet him or if the man who I will fall eternally in love with will share the same characteristics? But am I really that interested in John Cusack, or his portrayal of my favorite leading man, Lloyd Dobler?

Thursday, February 22, 2007

My Super Bowl Adventure

February 5, 2007

I wanted to share my little adventure with you of what happened to me during Super Bowl weekend, as I embarked on a little adventure to Rochester (and back) for a Simon on-campus recruiting event. The weekend itself was wonderful, celebrating birthdays with Rami & Isanna and their respective families at IHOP, having dinner with Angela and her boyfriend (yes, he exists) Chet, interviewing some brilliant future leaders for Simon, catching up with fellow Skokian Associate Dean Steve Posavec and buying some Sabra salads at the world's greatest grocery store, Wegman's.


As I left Wegman's on Sunday at noon and filled my car with gas prior to getting onto 390. The temperature was cold, but the sun was shining, visibility great and I ambitiously set off for my drive home, in great anticipation of Deborah's Super Bowl party to watch Da Bears play in the world championship for the 1st time since Erin & I sang the "Superbowl Shuffle" in 8th grade.

However, destiny had other plans for me and, immediately after passing through Buffalo, while talking to Debbie Dvorin in Chicago, the skies turned gray, snow began to blow horizontally and all visibility went to hell. And what followed next felt like a long, bad dream. But, perhaps, sometimes our spirits need a nice kick to exercise whatever demons have leeched on to our best manners. It's at moments like this, one truly learns what she is capable of and what one's character will and will not do. It's also at times like this the world throws you angels, like the nice young man with the "Tim Horton's" hat who pulled over, dug me out out of the snow and literally saved my life.

I have decided that I can now win "Survivor: The Winter Edition" and that for me to find true love, the man of my dreams must pass the following test:

Can a guy figure out what to do if he is stranded by himself in a snow blizzard in the middle of nowhere and then find his way home? Test includes: zero visibility, 4' of snow accumulating to 10', below freezing temperatures, 30 mile winds, no snow tires, no shovel, wind shield fluid replacement, frozen wind shield fluid "holes" (thus unviewable front window), being stuck in the middle of a busy intersection blocking 2 lanes of traffic all at once, a motel with no cleared out snow in the parking lot (or anywhere else), low room heat, no food, a broken remote and a shower that sets off the smoke alarm. Also, upon trying to figure out how to unfreeze the wind shield fluid dispensers, having the support stick to the hood of the car malfunction, thus having the hood fall on one's head....

If a man can survive that and make it home alive, without hitting anyone or being hit, he's no mamas boy :-)
As my good friend Jessica so wisely put it: "Alex, so you basically want to date AAA?"

Crooked River Burning Review


January 2007

Crooked River Burning by Mark Winegardner is a book Daniel gave me as a gift in 2006. It sat my old white built-in bookshelf at the Cleveland Heights apartment for nearly half a year before I finally picked it up. And then it took me months to finish, as it traveled with me to my new downtown apartment, to Chicago and even twice to London. Perhaps I should have had the novel stamped at each Passport station that I crossed during its reading? Anyhoo, I finally did finish reading it and have been recommending it to many. Additionally, it has recently received some amazing press.

The book itself is a couple of years in publication and in this January's Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King picked it as one of his top 10 reads for 2006. "Uncle Stevie" even puts a disclaimer that his list is not about books that came out last year, but books he read during 2006. And he calls CRB "The great American story. About Cleveland? Yes Cleveland!"

It's really, really good. I have never taken this long to finish a book because, secretly, I did not want it to ever end. Thus I read just a couple of pages at a time. Sort of like watching General Hospital, except on that show, after an hour, (or a week or a month) nothing new happens anymore....

Crooked River Burning is full of historical insight about this city, as well as memorable one-liners. My favorite quote in CRB is: "Every man in Cleveland lives within a mile of his mother. And if not physically, then metaphorically."

This novel should be the welcome manual for all of us who transplanted into this city, not understanding East vs. West, stagnation vs. progression, Cleveland's undenying belief that its factories, churches and sports would keep all afloat for much longer than reality would allow, how the political machine ran the town, all from a little restaurant on Vincent street, and basically what happens to people, and a city, when a myopic view takes over and the price future generations will have to pay (or simply leave) to resuscitate life into a once-energetic metropolis while the neighboring and growing suburban fiscal influence snubs Cleveland-proper, except during election time.

Many of you, Clevelanders or not, would enjoy the book and, if nothing else, learn a thing or two about the city that has become my home.

http://www.amazon.com/Crooked-River-Burning-Mark-Winegardner/dp/015601422X/sr=8-1/qid=1172203976/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-8551678-5928635?ie=UTF8&s=books