It’s funny, but in all the years I spent growing up in Miami, I never saw the sunrise over the beach. Having woken up this morning at 5am due to jetlag, I decided to correct that injustice. My mom was up so she kindly made me a cup of coffee and I was on my way up from Redlands via Chrome, Eureka, the Turnpike, the 826, the 836, and finally the Rickenbacker Causeway to South Beach. As I was passing next to the massive cruises ships in the Port of Miami on my left, traffic slowed down to a crawl. Accident? No, it was a warmup for the Miami Marathon. I felt a slight depressing longing for running again, hoping my knee will heal so that one day, I can run marathons again. I felt at the same time excited and happy for those brave souls that were about to embark on what was for me in Paris in 2010, one of the most mentally intense and rewarding experiences that I have endured. The downside to the traffic was that I missed the official sunrise time of 7h06 by about 15 minutes, but easily found parking on Ocean Drive, slipped off my shoes, and headed for the turquoise water which had a beautiful orange carpet laid out to the horizon by the wakening sun. After dipping my feet in the cool water, I sat facing the whispering surf to take in the breeze and think. My mind was racing with thoughts of back home where I left the wife and kids, work where I am still in limbo, and the immediate moment where I had hoped to find some internal peace. It occured to me that oceanside is a good place to think, but that it wasn’t sufficient to clear my mind completely. I walked a bit on the beach and then returned to Ocean to have breakfast at the News Cafe from which I am wiring this rambling post. For me, writing seems to be a more effective placebo against my inner turmoil than simply looking at the water. Fortunately, the News has free wifi so the geeky stress of “not being connected” was relieved. Well, my huevos rancheros have arrived so I am gonna close this post here. Bon appetit!

The RBs in concert

My cousin Ben has been a Cali-punk singer for at least 20 years now. His current project is The Roadside Bombs. If you like punk rock, I think you’ll appreciate the RBs as much as I do. He actually has had many bands over the years, but this one seems to have lasted longer and gotten a little more press and publicity. One story I may have shared earlier on this blog is that, years ago, Ben fronted a band that opened for Green Day across California just before Joe Armstrong&Co went mega with Dookie. I recall Ben dissing them, saying they weren’t real punks and had sold out. Years later over several beers, he admitted he was just a tad jealous that they made it and he was still doing odd jobs when he wasn’t singing. The great irony here is that his daughter is a huge Green Day fan. My how times change…

Lana's Monroe

My other artistic relative is my Aunt Lana. She has been painting since I was a kid. Her style is naïve with loads of color. She loves to take celebrities as you see here and reinterpret press photos. I have another work of hers in my office and had a colleague inquire about it as I wrote recently. So, now I am thinking maybe I should create a Facebook page for her to promote her stuff. What do you think? Interesting idea anyway. If readers are interested, I can post more of the jpgs I have.

Oh, I have yet another cousin that is an incredible cook and caterer as well so there is one in the culinary arts as well.

So there you go. Oh, as a bonus, my feeble attempt at a self-portrait. What you do think?

Fino "Autoportait in D Minor"

Super Agent Claire Daines

[WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT]

I just finished S01 of the Showtime war-against-terror series Homeland. I talked about the first five episodes a few days ago and wanted to give some insight into the rest of the season. Actually, there was a bit of a lull in the middle of the show and then it picked up at the end. The part where Carrie really loses it in E12 was very well-acted by Claire Daines. The relationship between her and Saul also drives the show along. The villains here, both Estes and the Vice President, are the typical cynical, sinister types that we see in these kinds of shows. I am not sure the twist at the end would have cut the mustard at FX, so it is fortunate that this was purchased by Showtime instead. As for the plot, it was relatively believable – with some moments that were a bit too far-fetched – but I think that the concluding E13 did have some interesting ideas. I feel this show is a definite improvement on what I found to be abysmal in 24, but still has not made the same impression on me as Sons of Anarchy or some of the others I have recently reviewed. I’d give kudos to Claire for her acting and to Saul for his supporting role but was never quite convinced by the Brody character – he seemed so incredibly pathetic in E13 when he should have been made of steel. I know, that’s part of the point but it was quite a break in character for him. The scene with the wallpaper in E12 and the very last scene of Carrie putting the final piece in the puzzle before undergoing electro-shock was good albeit a bit predictable. I guess that is the fatal flaw of shows like this, in trying to be so new and innovative, they fall into the same plot traps and characterizations that make them a bit pedantic in a way. Well, we’ll see what happens in Season 2 later this year.

In the meantime, someone put me on to Lights Out (cancelled by FX unfortunately) and Rescue Me (now in S05 or S06 I believe), so I’ll be filling your browser windows with reviews on those later.

Just working too late tonight but listening to Spotify. I like to select an obscure artist that I like, in this case the eternal Gourds from Austin and see what similar artists that Spotify will find. Well tonight, I got lucky with a live Copperhead Road from Steve Earle but even more interesting, The Madonna Trilogy from The Meat Purveyors from the Making Singles Drinking Doubles album. I had never heard of this group before to be honest but I absolutely love the bluegrass/country versions of Lucky Star and Like a Virgin in this Medley. Gives a whole new perspective on our generational diva. No, I am not thinking of the detestable divas for the young in’s today what with their Britney’s and Rihannas and god save us from Lady Gaga. No, I am speaking of the queen of trashy elegance and the destroyer of MTV, the lady Madonna herself hollered be her name.  Anyway, its way too late to be blogging so ciao until tomorrow.

Birthday idea for kids in Paris: There is an association called Paris d’enfants that organizes visits for kids of various ages to Parisian museums. For my son’s 5th birthday, we are going to try their 1h40m tour of the “Louvre Médiéval” which falls well since my kid is in a knights and castles period. I’ll let you know how it goes.

By the way, is it just the kids around here or is there a bit of a 5-year old obsession with Lego Ninjago toys? I had never heard of them until just after Christmas and now my kid rarely talks about anything else. Just wondering if this was a fad back home in the States as well.

Hope you enjoyed the week-end and good luck tomorrow, o reader of mine.

Homeland Poster

As far as TV series that I have reviewed so far go, at least up to E05, Homeland is not my favorite. It is a bit reminiscent of 24 in terms of flag-waving, anti-terrorist plot lines. I like Claire Denis, but find that perhaps the writers get their wires crossed a bit. For example, they created a subplot about her having some mental instability but – other than her stealing meds from her dad in E05 – they haven’t really exploited that at all. The Brody character is OK but the actor is a bit deadpan. Actually, the acting in general isn’t all that stellar. I read on Wikipedia that Episode 8 is supposed to be really good, so I’ll reserve judgement until I get to that one. I really prefer my criminal series (Weeds, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter) more than CIA/Military ones but I suppose that could just be me. OK, off to E06 and so forth.

Le Tartine, Hallowed be thy name

Sometimes I need to be reminded of why I am living in Paris. I talked yesterday (or was I complaining, I can’t recall) about traffic here and there are times when I am really at the end of my Parisian rope, but it happened that today after having my annual optical exam, I was drawn like a magnet to the monument that is La Tartine at 24, rue Rivoli in Paris. This wonderful institution is a little brasserie specializing in a good wine selection by the glass but more importantly, an impressive cheese collection sold on toast – “tartines” in French. If you didn’t already know, besides wine, cheese, and gastronomy, the French are also quite serious about their bread. There is, of course, the stereotypical baguette but you shouldn’t forget the pleasures of pain poilâne. I guess that the yeast for San Francisco sourdough bread may be the same strain in pain poilâne because of its rich taste and luscious texture. I am saying all of this because the “tartines” at La Tartine are legendary.

The Wine Selection - you can almost make out the tartine selection on the board on the left

Now, I am dating myself a bit, but back in the 90′s I live about a block and a half away from La Tartine. I didn’t go all the time but sometimes would go there as a treat to myself. It was a bit rundown at the time and perhaps could have been described as shabby. That being said, I fell immediate in awe of the tartines. They had one called “fromage fort” (strong cheese) which I learned today was – and I am not kidding – outlawed in about 2000. This was fromage that made your nipples hard, your hair stand up, your nose nearly crumple off, and your taste buds howl in pain. But damn it was good! It was definitely a cheese to eat fast because otherwise, it would probably be out the door on its own. It was really THAT strong. Unfortunately, those days are now long gone and you are stuck with St Nectaire like I had with a glass of Crozes Hermitage which was actually quite pleasant. A guy at the bar got a sample of some roasted camembert with apricots which looked like ambrosia. He inquired the bartender about it and Fino the eavesdropper heard that the bartender had made it himself on his bbq. So, next time, you know which one I am going for!

So, next time you are at BHV and are wondering where to rest your shopping-weary feet and feast on something quick and scrumptious, head over to La Tartine. You will not be disappointed – unless you are, like I was, looking for the fromage fort

Driving in rainy traffic in Paris

I feel like I spend an unreasonable time waiting. I am waiting on a new job. I am on telephone holding wait probably once a day. I open WebEx calls and wait for folks to arrive. I think the worst wait is my daily 1h45m to 2h00 commute staring at brake lights on Parisian highways and byways. It drives me nuts. Yeah, its exciting to drive next to the Seine and see the Eiffel Tower across the river sparkling in the fog and all, but I’d rather be home already. On the positive side, it gives me loads of time to listen to music and during the evening ride home perhaps call some folks in American time zones for work-related stuff, but sitting in traffic is such a bummer. Some folks wonder why I don’t use a scooter but I only need to point out the helmeted lumps on the pavement being scooped up by spatulas by the paramedics to demonstrate why that is a lame idea. I could take a bus but standing up with folks elbowing me in the ribs and insane bus drivers that accelerate and stop like on a Le Mans race course makes reading nearly impossible and the rate of theft of iPads and iPhones is alarmingly high from what I hear. So, I spend my mornings and evenings waiting in the car to move forward and creating new insults for the French drivers ahead of me. Great stuff, huh? Well, a lame excuse for a blog post but maybe good for a snicker or two….

As for the second half of this post, schmoozing is another unfortunate evil, don’t you think? If you want to move up and stop waiting (at least in my case), you need to do some major schmoozing. Sometimes this entails some personal sacrifice. Personally, I just decided to go a little earlier to an event in Orlando for the official schmoozefest which starts Monday morning rather than chill with my folks in Miami for those two days. I am offering in exchange the perils of 9h30 in an airplane alone with my two little monsters for a week in April for the grandparents to see them. Fair change? Probably, although my blood pressure rises at the thought of two scream-me-me’s for that long Paris-Miami flight. I mean, how do you deal with one having to go potty and the other one squirming. Yeah, I worry too much. Guess I am just too tired. So, off to bed with me.

But in order to not leave you frustrated, here is a grat video from productivity geek and guru Michael Mann that I discovered recently about Fear: ScarednShitless. I love this video and even checked out some of the music he refers to. I covet the Countryman mike and hope I’ll get one someday – but – Jesus, Merlin, blow your nose next time dude!

Wow, just finished Justified S03E01 and it is promising. Pretty ironic to see Quinn from Dexter in a cameo appearance as the “Icepick” killer, don’t you think? Glad to have Raylan back and love the banter with the lovely Winona. Great stuff