New York Wrinkle

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Originally uploaded by gr8wendini

Well that’s what one of my beloved yoga teachers at Yogagroove calls it when I have some intense expression of my face no doubt during DANDAYAMANA JANUSHIRASANA (standing head to knee pose). Lisa, whom I affectionately refer to as “Sarge” will yell out: “Wendy, get rid of that New York wrinkle” which lives right on my third eye. I really have to make it a point to relax my face, enjoy & have fun in class.

I share this anecdote because I think I was challenged with an emotional New York Wrinkle while on holiday the last couple weeks. Since this was my first extended visit since making the big move—it was all too much, this wrinkle in time-- too many people to visit with, too crammed, too cold, too much schlepping, too many holiday parties with small talk—and then not enough quality time with dear friends and family.
Despite what the Grateful Dead have been telling me for years—“Too much of everything is just enough”--When my Niece Ari and Nephew Adam (not to mention brother Ken and Sister-in-law Maria) come through—it’s really full-on for that time and then it’s over for a year or two. There’s no ease of the everyday-ness—it’s all or nothing.

It’s almost a year since I’ve returned from Bali, so what started as a Blog about that sojourn has turned into my own musings and now I’m wanting to up the anti on the mystical musing wit.

I love Jodi Bart’s Blog: foodtouring.blogspot.com-she has the main focus of food, and yet her musings and life are tracked through that. Over the weekend, I joined her and new friends on the “South Austin Airstream Tour” we started with crepes at Flip Happy Crepes—it was cold outside but worth the wait for the caramelized onions, gruyere, mushroom spinach crepe…moved onto La-Dee-Dah the first business operating out of an Airsteam trailer in Austin—and then the crew went onto Hey Cupcake –a South Austin favorite. I look forward to more food touring in warmer weather.

If anything, perhaps I can muse a bit on current and classic films. Last night I saw Doubt, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and & Meryl Strep at my favorite movie house in Austin—the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar where I ordered my two favorite guilty pleasures: Fried pickles and exceptional jalapeño mac-n-cheese; last week saw Slumdog Millionaire –the outstanding new offering from Danny Boyle (Trainspotting)--and Brandi, Ed & I saw Benjamin Button with Mr. Brad Pitt on 12th street in the East Village as soon as we landed in NY (well Brad wasn’t with us, per se just on the silver screen).

I guess now it’s time for the shameless plug of “Praise HA!” being recently featured on Zoe Miracles Radio Show: The Naked Truth and will be screened in the Austin Jewish Film Festival (amazing this 6-year-old film is still having a festival life) on January 29 in North Austin at the Arbor Theatre at 7 PM. Visit: http://www.the-nakedtruth.com/
Here’s a New Year’s resolution (aside from working on no typos) I’ll be re-visiting Praise HA! Video footage shot over 1999-2003 and focusing a new film on The Phurst Church of Phun. Stay Turned on. Tuned in. (and not entirely) Drop(ped) Out.

Yes, try this at home!

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Originally uploaded by gr8wendini

I have gotten to the place where Austin FEELS like home in my bones (and my boots), I love the sunshine on my face and the friendly welcoming people everyplace I go. Shall I go on? Don't stop me--I'm taking in and adapting to the laid-back culture, the alternative, progressive conscious-living vibe. I think I really made a great choice for myself. There's a big NY-Austin and more specifically Brooklyn-Austin synergy lots of people coming and going to and 'fro.

I got a car which means I'm driving everyday and paying the outrageous gas prices--which is all I've known as a car owner. I just started a new position in the Marketing dept. with a wonderful organization--the Jewish Community Association of Austin (JCAA). Shalomaustin.org.
I'm looking at an apartments--seems like the pieces are coming together. The most remarkable thing is that it has been seamless--Remember, I didn't choose Austin--Austin chose me. Austin is an energy vortex, and yes I drank the kool-aid, --I'm here for awhile--but that's all I'm drinking--I've been doing a cleanse (including no alcohol) which feels great. Part of my daily regimen (or at least 5x/wk) is Bikram Yoga at Yogagroove--I simply could not live without it. It is the most purifying thing to be addicted to.

The Tibetan Monks (tibetanmonkstour.org) are in town now. They've made and dispersed a sand mandala in front of City Hall, they've blessed Barton Springs and I had an opportunity to dine with them at a lovely Indian restaurant, The Clay Pit. Such lovely people, it's great that Austin has opened their doors for this group (surprise, surprise)

I'm going to Flipside, the regional Burning Man event--camping with Burning Glam (burninglam.com) which promises to be epic (why bother with Black Rock City) and then to Kerrville with to link up with Chandler.

I'll be working on a film project with Chris Chandler (chrischandler.org) at the end of the month--I'll be shooting from the back of a pick up truck for a one man show with projections/storytelling speaking to a non-existant hitch-hiker in the passenger seat. I love this concept.

Then back in the saddle to ground into my new job. Life is incredibly different from 1 year ago. I'm also reflecting that it was 10 years ago that I was at the Cannes Film Festival--it was the year Frank Sinatra died. Then living in Avignon working on the Avignon/New York FF-what an exceptional Summer that was.
I'm bracing myself for another special Summer--although I've been told that Summer is basically the only season--well here's the four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer and Deer Season.

Her name is Nellie. As in Whoa Nellie!

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Originally uploaded by gr8wendini

6 months ago today was Cheryl Smith’s birthday and it marks the ½ year anniversary of me stepping foot in Austin, TX. The idea of moving to Austin wasn’t even in my purview. Two days ago (4/21) I bought my first car. It was one of the most thrilling days of my life—I thought she’d be a Toyota or Honda—but here she is-- a white, 2006 Chevy Cobalt—sporty two door car with 53.7 K miles. I drove right from Jarnagin’s Car Dealership (Hillcountryautosales.com) to Yogagroove and forgot to turn off my lights—so I came out of class sweaty with a dead battery. Some of my Yoga pals (Lydia, Rosie and Wayne) were on hand to loan the jumper cable, use their car and guide the grounding of the black jumper connection—never a dull moment. Lydia gave both Rosie and I a car blessing—the three of us, standing by each car, eyes closed, envisioning safety for all who are in the vehicles and affirming protection from our spirit guides since we both have new vehicles—no license plates yet. I have to go to the Texas DMV and get a new driver’s license—which means I’ll have to relinquish my New York I.D. –the only thing I’m holding onto is my mobile # as NY it is a part of me.

Perhaps buying a car happens everyday for most people—but coming from NY and getting in the driver’s seat as daily habit is indeed a novelty—and I’ve been driving quite a lot as I’m helping drive Brits around for the Fuse Box Festival. More on that later…

Super Fat Tuesday

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Originally uploaded by gr8wendini

It’s 2 months since I left New York. I’m still on a trip although it doesn’t look like Bali. I suppose it’s the trip that is my life.

Is this the Twilight Zone or is it just Austin, TX.? I’m continually reminded that I’m not from ‘round here, yet I’m bask in the everyday novelty. When you are born and raised in New York, Texas is indeed like another country and College Station is a case in point. It’s “Aggieland” where Cows and tumbleweeds have the right of way, and suddenly I found myself in the in the red part of the red state. Yes, Priscilla and I took a 2 hr. road trip there to see “A Ride With Bob”, the story of Bob Wills’ life with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel performing. Of course Bob Wills is a big deal down here. He was the songwriter, band leader and maverick of country-swing. Of course I just went “Who”? Oh, “Take Me Back to Tulsa”, yeah, I think I heard that one…I’m such a Yankee. Sigh. At least I have Cowboy boots.

Learning a new city, groking the map, finding new favorite restaurants—even the Mexican food is authentic—as in, “Oh you want Mexican food tonight?” What type of Mexican? Interior or Exterior, Tex Mex or California Mex, and, oh there’s more...

Full disclosure: I haven’t taken the public bus or free ‘Dillo (as in Armadillo) yet. NO I’m not afraid, I just haven’t had to…rides and other small world coincidences have had a way of falling into place that confirms for me that indeed the universe is conspiring for me to be here, and it feels magical. Who’s my new boyfriend? It’s Austin. The Texas welcome mat here is big and it’s clean, freshly vacuumed and smells good too.

Every step I take has had a story attached to it—making new friends, and establishing community here through Yoga, film and music.

I’ve been to the Austin Film Society Mixer, where CK MacFarland (co-creator of A Ride With Bob) spoke last week, as well as Reel Woman, another indie film support network. I’m now a work-study at Yogagroove Bikram Yoga Studio and slowly but surely I’m mapping out my scene.

Last week I saw the SAG awards-where at the end montage of all who have passed this year, there’s the young Heath Ledger. What a sad and sudden loss. We now know it was accidental OD from prescription meds. The Writer’s Strike is near a close yet, there's 21 TV shows on hiatus now--which means 21 sets of actors, crews, catering and cleaning services out of work—It’s detrimental because even when it is said and done, it’s like starting from scratch to ramp up again on all fronts.

Today is Super Tuesday (and Mom’s Birthday) I received this email:
TO: Family, friends, friends of family, professional colleagues and others
FROM: Ted Sorensen
SUBJECT: To Urge Voting for OBAMA on Tuesday, February 5 (Super Tuesday)

I truly believe that February 5th will choose the next President of the United States, and that this choice is more important for our country's future than any presidential election since 1932. After almost eight years of Bush incompetence, indifference and disasters, Senator Obama is the one candidate who can restore America's moral authority and regain the respect essential to our security.

…yet I would vote for Hillary over Obama. She has the best built in Advisor (Bill). I registered to vote here in the blue marble of Travis County.