Author Archives: TheRealTamara

For an opinionated woman such as I, blogging is an excellent outlet. This is one of many fori that I use to bloviate. Enjoy! Comment on my commentary.

Or the worst

Someone needs to expand on this script, ripped from the headlines.

Here’s the bones: poor but noble girl, [it’s her talent that signals her worth], becomes successful at her art. In the peak of her career, she wins the greatest prize.

She is wooed by the descendent of the most accomplished of all of America’s families.

Sure the patriarch made much of his money at bootlegging, but her beau’s forebears included a president, a statesman, a senator. They had brought Camelot to DC.

She was wooed then won by the Jr. who was prominent in his own way.

Some might say that he was notorious and unconventional. She signed on to this marriage, crown prince of MAHA and unsung girl from the Oakies. Of course, neither was young at this point; they each had matured to their own fame. No longer girl and prince.

Our aspiring princess should have seen that her prince was more than a bit unhinged.

He was in a position to do more harm than good. He was an acolyte of dark forces, perhaps the prince of evil himself.

Can she be saved? Can she become a hero in her own story?

Plotlines and dialogue required.

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For an antidote, click to hear some music.

Grounded

Surprises are the enemy of tranquilty.

Surprises are at the heart of spontaneity.

Sometimes you need the jolt of the unexpected.

Other times, you want the quiet of dependability.

It’s easier to respond  to what you know with enthusiasm.

The strange can feel unwelcome and therefore unwelcoming.

Sticking to the familiar can take you into a rut.

Don’t you need a challenge?

Try that other road; open a new door. Choose else.

Ah, what could possibly be uninteresting!?

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

We have to acknowledge that we live in interesting times.

All the news a shitshow, a circus, in these stupid ugly times.

It’s interesting that the president of these United States was seen on the roof of the White House the other day. Isn’t it?

It’s interesting that we [I mean that collectively and in re our current government] cancelled  mRNA research despite the fact it was an effective treatment. Isn’t it?

We do truly live in interesting times. Isn’t it?

Walking

My love of walking around the city was seriously hobbled [sorry] by bum knees.

Pain is a big deterrent to enjoying my walks. Well, was. I went to the ortho on Thursday.

She was pro-active and did an ultra-sound to check for water on the knee. She removed two vials of a yellow fluid from the right knee and one vial from the left. Yellow, she assured me is normal. I will start pool therapy at Sutton Place PT shortly.

The knees feel a lot better and I am not rolling as much when I walk.  Not perfect or pain free but better. I still suffer a stiffness after sitting too long. Standing in place too long again hurts.

Better right now is best.

10 years in support

If you live on the UES, come support our community at the 10th Anniversary Gala of PS109 El Barrio Artspace.

This milestone Gala brings together the artists, neighbors, and supporters who helped shape El Barrio’s Artspace into a vibrant hub of artistic expression. Like every milestone, 10 years down, is the beginning of the next 10 years.

At the Gala, you will experience a curated group exhibition that  showcases standout works by standout artists from the past decade, live performances by our in-house talent, a one-of-a-kind art auction featuring original pieces, dinner, drinks and a festive after-party to close out the night.

The funds raised support the next generation of artists in El Barrio.  If you’ve been here before, it’s a heartfelt tribute to our shared journey. If you’re just joining us it’s a toast to the creativity past, present and yet to come.

Welcome.

If you have any questions please email info@illustriousevent.com.

For single tickets or a table, click here.

Look at this

It’s beautiful. I got this print by Sara Morales, Audience of One, delivered today.

The matted and framed artwork is everything and more than I expected it to be.

I don’t acquire art as a usual thing. This picture really spoke to me, so much so that I reached out to SaViana Arts. I am thrilled I did.

It’ll be up on the wall soon.

You’ll join me for the welcome party.

Free

All the freebies in New York in the summer are great, aren’t they says my friend J. We’re on the way to see how Hidden Forest unfolds.

Elaine Summers was 82 when she designed this dance piece in 2007. It’s set to music wound around Dante’s and Italo Calvino’s words. The work is collaborative with Carman Moore and Ione, who wrote a poem she read to Pauline Oliveros’ accordian all making a contribution.

J has some familiarity with one of the artists involved, Moore. I am a blank slate. We encounter the dancers approaching the dance site, taking careful, measured steps across the Lincoln Center campus. This is oddly thrilling to me. Much of the work once we are seated is obscured by heads and trees. Outdoors doesn’t offer the best sight lines. Still fun. After there is audience participation, a bit overheated, like the evening.

Glad we went, J and I say to each other. Also, dinner, pre-theater as it were, at The Smith was truly excellent.

[For anyone wondering, it was not free.]

During our meal, we witnessed a puzzle that entertained; a family occupied the seats next to ours, and chatted, dropped a plate to the floor, then left without dining. Once would have seemed like an oddity, but it happened again, minus the plate drop. When a third group, children of similar magnitude, appeared, I wanted to take book. FYI, I woulda lost.