Road Trip #1

Query: What do you get when you put three female Princeton graduates, including two lawyers and a doctor, in a car together for approximately 10 hours?

Answer: Tons of laughs, great stories, insight into other mothers' experiences with teenagers and young children, as well as shared stories and sympathies regarding careers and husbands!

This past weekend, I traveled down to New York City then on to Princeton with two fellow graduates of the Princeton Class of '85. Both ladies ("women" just seems too old, still) live in Newton, MA, approximately 45 minutes from Haverhill. One is a lawyer, one an m.d., and both have two children within the same age range as mine. Both, coincidentally, married fellow graduates of PU from the Class of '84, which I find incredible. They have recently become reacquainted (after almost 25 years) as part of a book group in town. We were all together as members of our class's 25th Reunion planning committee.

[As an aside, if you have any interest whatsoever, you can check out the facts on Princeton Reunions by clicking Here. Even I was surprised to find PU reunions designated there as "the most well-attended college reunion in the world." The picture with this Posting is of Whitman College, a new residential college at Princeton, named after Meg Whitman, Class of '77, Ebay co-founder and Princeton trustee. Whitman College, in all its true magnificence (think Hogwarts, only modernized), will be the locale on campus for our own 25th reunion in 2010).]

We laughed and laughed as we drove, often expressing surprise and sympathy for shared experiences. We didn't notice any quiet the whole way down to NYC, and even almost the whole way home from New Jersey; the radio went on only once for about 1 minute, then was drowned out by yet another story. We talked books, movies, children, husbands, schools, colleges, and just about every other subject imaginable ... except for sex. We'll save that for our next trip....!

The best part of the trip for me occurred as we approached home, late Saturday night. One of the Newton girls shared a story of her mother's recent re-marriage, at the very energetic age of 72. Her father passed away about 10 years ago, after which her mother re-connected with a high-school friend who was still entirely smitten with her after more than half a century! After many years of courting, they decided to marry. (I've left out a few of the details, but, trust me, it is truly a love story of unique proportions).

What I didn't share with my two "new" friends was how similar all three of us are in this regard.

Quite surprising to me to find myself in a car with these two women who, despite their obviously similar educational, professional and mothering experiences, also share the much less obvious reality of losing their beloved fathers within the past 10 years. I didn't share with them my father's sudden death in 2001, and how the pain from his loss is something I experience still, almost every day. I didn't share with them my recovery from that loss and the changes in our own family as a result of it. I didn't share with them stories of my mother's own relationship with a new love, who is gradually, and happily to all, becoming more and more a part of our family. I didn't share with them the depths of change I have gone through over the past eight years as a result of my father's absence from my life.

Though we didn't talk about all of this, I am confident they would understand. Sometimes, women just "get" each other. Sometimes, we don't need to talk about all the nuances and details of every event and of every feeling we've every had. Sometimes, I am learning, less can be more. Perhaps we'll talk about our moms and our dads when we travel again, and perhaps we won't. I just wanted to let the Newton girls know that we share more than they even realized. I know one of them reads this blog, and I hope the other finds her way here. Just so I can thank them for the hours of shared stories and honesty, the laughs, and the confirmation that we are all truly connected in many more ways than we sometimes realize.

Musings -- The Daily Show; Taking Chance

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Intro - Brawl Street: Get Ready to Buy Low! And Sell Die

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

Well, Daily Show Fans Everywhere were not disappointed last night, when, to quote my cousin, David, Jon Stewart "eviscerated" Jim Cramer. You almost (almost) had to feel bad for the guy. Except, of course, when Stewart kept running the 2006 video from Cramer's "thestreet.com", which may in fact end up getting Cramer in a spot of trouble for claiming to have intentionally manipulated stocks he was hedging. Especially interesting was when Cramer, last night, stated he had been "inarticulate" when he claimed he himself was doing the hedging. You can't claim to be a Harvard Law School graduate and then simultaneously claim to be inarticulate; it's just not credible..... along with everything else he says. Stewart was totally right in comparing Cramer's show to an infomercial. My question is this: Is there a conflict of interest policy at CNBC? For all its reporters? I'd like to know about that.

And, for something Completely Unrelated to CNBC .... I have a suggestion for President Obama and HBO. While the President is having his people "look into" the policy that prohibits pictures of caskets returning from Iraq, the administration should get together with HBO and present a commercial-free broadcast of HBO's new movie, "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon, on one of the non-subscriber television stations. Not only does the movie completely undermine this policy while never once mentioning it, it also does a terrific job of showing the respect and honor that Americans have everywhere for those killed in Iraq, even though there may be disagreement over military policy itself. In addition, Kevin Bacon has never been better as the solemn marine sergeant who escorts the young marine's body. I highly recommend it (though not for watching while working out on the treadmill; I had to stop the machine twice to catch my breath because I was getting too emotional (I know, hard to believe ....)). The movie is incredibly simple and incredibly effective. Whoever had the idea of adding the pictures at the end deserves an award. Take some time to watch it if you can.

Confessions of a Former CNBC Addict

Father, I'm sorry to say it has been approximately 30 years since my last confession. I am here seeking solace, and penance for my latest sins, which, surprisingly, are currently the topic of blogs, television shows and news articles everywhere. Father, I confess that I am having trouble controlling my long-lasting obsession with all things CNBC.

Please understand that I thought I was cured of my obsession shortly after the dot.com crash, but, like most people, I still often linger somewhat lustfully over the stock market picks and suggestions offered by CNBC's handsome anchormen. David Faber has always inspired me with his thoughtfulness and insider wisdom, and I was so proud to have known and followed Rick Santelli before the rest of the world met him a couple of weeks ago when he bashed Obama out loud on the floor of the Chicago stock exchange. Sadly, I also still sometimes lust over Maria Bartiromo's chic office attire.

You can understand why forgiveness is so important to me, especially after what I did years ago to our accountant, who was forced to spend hours matching the hundreds of buys and sells I made during my six-month fascination with day trading. I recognize that my CNBC obsession reached its height then, several years ago, but sometimes I still recall those days with warmth and longing, and even wish for them back. Isn't Bank of America a good value NOW? Shouldn't I be buying stocks that track the NYSE, since it couldn't possibly go anywhere but UP?

Though CNBC may bring me back to the confessional, as I sometimes find myself lingering over the hourly confession schedule outside St. Michael's Church -- apparently people do still step into the box behind the curtain -- I realized it's quite possible that Catholic absolution, while apparently very much in vogue these days, may not be necessary to cure me of my CNBC obsession. Over the past several days, I have found my obsession with all things ticker-related to be abating. Why, you ask? Just ask Jon Stewart.

Jon Stewart's recent rants, and hard video evidence, against CNBC and Jim Cramer are working their magic to cure me of my fascination with picking stocks (can you say Gambling?) and with CNBC itself. Several of my children and closest friends have recommended for years that I tune into Stewart's program on Comedy Central. Sadly, I was too busy watching CNBC, vowing not to miss the next stock market millionaire-maker. Now I can say, Nevermore!

The latest volleys between Jon Stewart at Comedy Central and the CNBC anchorpeople -- most notably Jim Cramer -- are filling in the celluloid void left by Brittany Spears and A-Rod. While celebrity antics are sporadic and unpredictable, the visceral controversy between these comics and financial pundits offers the potential for permanent, even cerebral entertainment. Did you see Meredith Viera ask Jim Cramer about the ongoing "feud" on this morning's Today show? I thought Cramer was going to cry. If he called Stewart a "comic" one more time -- How Dare He? -- I was going to fall over in hysterical laughter. Oh, Jim, say it isn't so, that you actually recommended buying Bear Stearns stock when it was $69/share, or that you recommended Wachovia was undervalued two weeks prior to its complete non-existence. Poor Jim, he's finding that Rush Limbaugh isn't the only person in America with a consistent source of access to a group of savvy listeners (did I just actually call Republican Conservatives "savvy"?).

I am definitely planning to follow this feud between comedians and stock-pickers, because, truly, It Is So Much Fun! Much better than Brittany or even Bristol (another shocker ... Tripp's parents separated? Just makes Sarah Palin even More like every other American mother ... yeah, right). Much better than exercising to build up my own arms (BTW, have you seen Kelly Ripa's arms ... talk about "thunder and lightning" -- of course you did read Maureen Dowd's column where David Brooks called Michelle Obama's arms "thunder and lightning," right?) Of course, Bo Burnham's star is on the rise -- he's at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston in April -- so I might have to watch him during commercials.

Wow .... I have too much time on my hands! Hah!

I was going to put just the video from Comedy Central here on the blog. But, guess what? It was available on YouTube yesterday, but was taken off today because of "a copyright claim by Viacom Corp." Have you ever heard of such a thing? So, to see the source of this whole feud, when the whole thing started (brief summary: Stewart asked Rick Santelli, the CNBC trader reporter to come on his show to talk about his rant on the exchange floor, and Santelli declined, so Stewart upped the ante and things took off from there), you can click on my title above, which will take you to the Huffington Post, where you can see the whole initial video. Trust me, it's worth it. The video below is Stewart's latest, which promises that Cramer will be on Comedy Central Tomorrow! OMG, I can't wait!!!! As I write this, CNN is airing a story on the whole mess.... Stay tuned.

Rage and Calm

It was a tough weekend. Nothing tragic, mind you, just a lot of work. On a weekend. Go figure.

Let me start out by acknowledging something I have learned about myself: I could never be married (for long) to a man who traveled frequently. This I know, with certainty. I have nothing but the utmost respect for my women friends whose husbands travel throughout the week for work. This past weekend, Bill was out of town, golfing for four days, and I just about lost my mind.

Initially I was happy that Bill was getting a break from work, in Florida, surrounded by similar-minded golfers for a few days. That happiness lasted approximately 12 hours (6 of which I spent sleeping), until I woke up Friday morning. From that point on, for three very long days, life was hectic, crazy, unpredictable, and exhausting. I held things together pretty well -- including: an airport run (Will), car pickup (Bill's), dinner (and beds) for Ethan and his swimmer friends, playdate for Julia including the candy store and a movie, back and forth to Cambridge (in Friday afternoon traffic) to search for Ethan's lost (very expensive) swimsuit, Oh, and don't forget the three dogs and daylight savings time -- until late Sunday morning.

Ethan swam at the NE Age Group Championships all weekend at MIT's pool in Cambridge. He and a friend drove in early for warm-ups, and I drove in a bit later, on Saturday and Sunday, to be there for 9:00 start. Even with the loss of an hour on Sunday, things went pretty smoothly (thanks in part to my in-laws, who let the dogs out on Saturday so Julia and I could spend the morning and evening in Cambridge, and to my mother, whose home acts as a haven during these trials/finals swim meets). Sunday in the city should be easy, lacking weekday traffic and offering plenty of parking. It was easy, until I left the pool after Sunday's morning session and discovered my car in the parking lot, completely blocked in by another car. Not completely, exactly, because I was able to get it out, after about 15 minutes of inch-by-inch movements, forward and backward, turn, turn. By the time I drove out of the lot, I was seriously steamed, sweating, furious, almost in tears, and looking around to see if I could make a head-on, high-speed assault directly into the offending vehicle. Did I? No, of course not. I came pretty close, though. It was the angriest I have been in a long, long, Long time.

By the time I got home to Haverhill later that day, all I wanted was a stiff drink. Instead (since it was about 3:30 in the afternoon, and not yet 5:00 anywhere), I made all the ingredients for a funky drink I saw Ming Tsai make on PBS -- candied ginger and ginger syrup for Ginger Tequila Margaritas. Not until I was full into the cooking of the syrup (before it spilled over, miraculously without burning) was I relaxed from my morning. Catastrophe (and heart attack) avoided.

I saved the ginger syrup to make margaritas with Bill (who of course returned tan and relaxed), and the candied ginger for Candied Ginger Scones. Below are some pictures and the recipes. The margaritas are a nice treat after a stressful day.



Ginger Syrup

This is delicious. I dare you to make it the whole way through without licking the spoon at least twice. Be careful, it's sugar syrup, so it gets extremely hot.

Peel and thinly slice 1 large piece of raw ginger. The more surface area you create, the better. Even 1/2 cup of fresh ginger slices will suffice. Place ginger into small sauce pan with 1.5 cups sugar and 1.5 cups water. Bring to slight boil over moderately low heat, then allow to simmer approx. 30 minutes, until it looks like picture #2 above. Drain syrup into container. DO NOT Refrigerate (I made this mistake; the sugar crystallizes again and ruins the syrup). Place leftover ginger slices into a bowl of sugar and coat each one in sugar; place on tray to dry out, then in Tupperware container for future use (I'll post the ginger scone recipe with a pic when I make them over the weekend). They are a bit spicy, but yummy when placed in the bottom of the margarita glass.

Ginger Lime Margaritas

Into cocktail shaker filled with ice, place: 2 jiggers Tequila, 1 jigger Absolut Citron Vodka, 1 jigger Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice, and 2 jiggers Ginger Syrup. Shake like a crazy woman (man?). Pour into martini glasses, top off with a bit of soda water (or lime seltzer). Placing a candied ginger slice in the bottom of the glass will make you drink faster to get to the candy.... could be a good thing, or not so good thing! Enjoy.

Snow Day!

Let me set the scene ....

As I lay on the windowseat in the kitchen, typing, the snow is swirling outside. The snow wraps the house in a sort of winter cocoon that is only interrupted by the sounds of an occasional snowplow grumbling by. The kids are all still in bed, my morning coffee is hot and freshly brewed, the dogs are taking their early morning nap, and, wait, wait, Bill is ... cleaning up the wine glasses from last night. Uggh! Make him stop! The clinking and clanging is wrecking the mood!

I love snow days. While I fully understand this is blasphemous to some people, outrage over snow days is something I have never understood. Living in New England, you can either go with the snow flow, or grumble loudly for four months. Our life certainly isn't made any easier by the snow -- believe me (not to get too graphic, as it's still only 8:22 a.m.), picking up twice a day after three dogs in knee-high snow isn't all that fun -- but I can't imagine life without it.

And, frankly, at this point, I fully welcome any and all distractions from the Obama chatter that is completely bugging me. What chatter is that, you ask? Well, let me tell you.

What is the deal with the pundits' obsession with Michelle Obama's arms? It is downright ridiculous! Get off it! Move on! Talk about something else, like her workout schedule or her height or her hairstyles! Don't these news shows have anything to talk about? It's the Economy, stupid! Am I the only American who Does Not Care about triceps and biceps? Apparently, because all I hear about is her arms.

You could say that I'm just jealous. You would be WRONG! Hear this: I don't care about Michelle Obama's arms. I don't care about her hair, I don't care about the size of her dresses. I'm actually happy that she has some part of her physique that people admire. Good for her! Would you rather have an ugly first lady to look at for four years? Can you imagine if she were obese, or anorexic looking? She is already crowding out the rest of the news with arm chatter; if she had a real issue with her appearance, there might not be any room for the breaking news on Citibank or AIG! Can you imagine?

Still snowing. Back in a while ....