Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. Sounds like a joke. Sounds like they devised an acronym for depression and then thought about what the S, A, and D should stand for. My link to the description of symptoms and treatments is, appropriately, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

It's October, and already we've skipped fall and plunged into winter. Granted, it's not -20 degrees yet, but so far we've had temperatures that, in Atlanta, would be the coldest days of the year. Worse: I haven't seen the sun all week. Gray skies are a nice backdrop to colorful fall leaves. But in November. When the calendar finally permits you to start daydreaming about turkey, stuffing, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Already, in my mind, I'm planning a Hanukkah party but time really needs to catch up with the weather.

Sigh. So far my remedies have been homemade chicken soup, tea, and casseroles. I even got a new (well, replacement) winter coat to allow retail therapy to work its magic. Maybe I'll just carve a pumpkin and enjoy the 40 degrees... because we know that even this "bad" weather won't last...

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Engaged? Jewish?


I'm told you must read this book. Just trying to pass on the good word. Apparently, Anita Diamant, author of The Red Tent, has written the bible (mixed metaphor?) for planning a Jewish wedding.

On the back jacket, the book is recommended as "Complete, authoritative, and indispensable, The New Jewish Wedding is a must-have resource for anyone who wants a wedding that combines spiritual meaning and joyous celebration."

Considering I've never attended a Jewish wedding and likely won't before my own, I'm a proud new owner of Adam's and my copy. I'm going to take to it with a highlighter!

Want to purchase your own online?

Monday, October 12, 2009

Oh, yeah, remember that time it snowed on Oct. 12?


Ordinarily, Oct. 12 is meant to commemorate Columbus Day.
Or my parent's anniversary.
In 2009, October 12 will mark the first significant, measurable snow in the Twin Cities.

Let me do some quick math by counting on my fingers... so we're going to have winter for the next six months??!

(And, yes, I'll admit I took that picture from my iPhizzle while driving to work. I'm that girl.)

Sunday, October 11, 2009

More on Minnesota from the Washington Post

I'm always stealing articles! This one is an interesting piece by a Jewish man from St. Louis Park, MN commenting on the rich talent that has emerged from this accomplished, quirky, close-knit Jewish Minneapolis suburb.

Linking is better than paraphrasing:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/08/AR2009100804786.html?hpid=sec-artsliving&sid=ST2009100803933

Fall in Minnesota

Notice the brilliant orange leaves juxtaposed to the dusting of snow on the ground.
And now, they're calling for 2-4 inches on Monday. Sheesh! October? More like Octobrrrrrr!


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I've been anonymously published in The Washington Post

I had two questions answered in today's online Q&A discussion about "Destination Weddings"!!! I'm the author "Minneapolis, MN."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/09/30/DI2009093003224.html

In terms of distinction, this is really no more impressive an honor than writing copy for a year and a half at The Post with all those classified ads and yet... cool, huh?

Sunday, October 4, 2009

A Serious Man

Adam, a friend, and I waited on a line that circled the block of Lake & Hennepin to see the premiere of the new Coen brothers' movie A Serious Man. Set in St. Louis Park where the Coen bros. grew up, they shot the film locally and cast many no-name Mpls people for support roles. What was especially cool for us is the Coen brothers made an arrangement for the Uptown Theater to have exclusive privileges for the movie's first weekend release. As a part of the fanfare, they invited many people who had participated in the making of the film to be in the audience. Seated in front of me was the makeup woman. Other "Jewish-looking" extras were also in attendance. It was interesting to think I was seeing this movie with others who were seeing themselves IN the movie.

A Serious Man is being reviewed as the kind of personal film that you can only make once you already have all the awards and acclaim in your back pocket. The film touches on issues of faith and doubt à la the human condition. Specifically Jewish faith. And the film doesn't educate you. If you're not a Jew and you don't get the joke--that's it. You don't get the joke.

While I enjoyed the movie and the characteristic dark humor of the Coen bros. repertoire, I would only selectively recommend it. The film is not incredibly plot driven: just one ordinary man's crisis with faith as his life falls apart around him.