Ron Mueck Exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum

It was so wonderful to finally see the works in person of Ron Mueck, one of my "new" favorite artists. I will tell you his work may not appeal to everyone but it is a must see just for the fact that it is hard to believe the realistic lifelike figures he creates. I encourage you to visit his exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum which will be on until Feb. 4th. It is a must see!!! My interest in Ron Mueck's work started after I had the great fortune of seeing "Two Old Women" in Glenn Furhman's apartment last year during a Women's UJA event. I have always been fascinated by Art that is very realistic and lifelike. Especially sculpture and 3 Dimensional Art. I instantly bonded with this piece as it truly fascinated me. I promise you a visit to the exhibit will be truly worth it!! Also stop into the Museum Cafe for a great lunch and the Museum Shop!
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/ron_mueck/

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

Sleeping .......

Not being a great sleeper... as in rarely if ever do I sleep straight through the night... I find myself trying to linger in bed especially in those early morning hours when I do finally feel like I could sleep for hours.... My perfect recipe is a slightly soft mattress... 3 or 4 king size down pillows... a room that is no hotter than 65 degrees preferably 63 and a big mushy down comforter enveloped in a Pratesi duvet... Very decadent.... So OK I did finally pull myself out of bed at 1:00 PM this afternoon.... Having pressed the snooze button a million times before that. Made a toasted everything bagel and a great cup of coffee... Hmmm the greatest luxury in life is not having to do anything... So we should all cherish those times when we can stay in bed a bit longer.. and just relax and enjoy doing nothing at all!!

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

American Idol should be ASHAMED!!

I haven't watched American Idol for that many seasons and I have to say I am embarassed to admit I have watched for the last two nights. All I can say is that the producers should be ashamed!! I have a great sense of humor and love a good joke any day of the week. What were they thinking??? All I have watched both nights is people making fools of themselves. I am hoping this must be a joke?? Some of the people even border on mentally impaired. I guess the goal of American Idol is to poke fun!! Is it so hard to get ratings that we need to stoop down to this level?? Very sad!!

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

Thank you in Action.....

When I receive a gift it is immediately acknowledged with a thank you note. I have been doing this since I was a child and because of this I have acquired a taste for beautiful stationery. I have tried to instill this in my children albeit it is tough but hopefully as they get older it won't be. Acknowledging and then showing your appreciation for a gift by writing the "gift giver" a personal note is a "must"!!! We all lead busy lives but can't use that as an excuse for not having having good manners. It is shocking to me how many people do not follow this... I would think it would be natural. As natural as bringing a gift to someone when they invite you to their home?? Don't we all do this?? Well since I mentioned stationery I will tell you some of my favorites.. For sure Mrs. John L. Strong which can be found at Barney, NY and then Cranes, Smythson, fabulous papers and choices at Kate's Paperie www.katespaperie.com ... Great choices online at www.finestationery.com and www.chelseapaper.com

BTW My special thanks to y'all for reading my blog!!!!

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

I Thought I said PLAIN!!!

I am not the type who redoes the menu when I dine out.(Daily LOL!!) My biggest requests are dressing on the side or lemon with my diet coke. My children are another story.. Although they have matured greatly in their dining tastes and will try new things every now and then when they say "plain" they mean PLAIN!!! You would think when you say plain just plain with nothing on it.. the kitchen would understand?? But is it the kitchen?? If the waiter didn't explicitly convey your request to them whose fault is it? I will say that at least 75% of the time the order doesn't come as requested. I can't even tell you the countless times we have seen "green stuff" on pizza and pasta... wasabi on sushi.. lettuce and tomato(my son will just puke).. sauces on top instead of on the side... oyyyy... This is just a parent's worst nightmare!!! Especially those with young kids.. How many times have we all picked the "green stuff" off the food!! Tonight while eating at a local restaurant in town.. The boys both ordered Shwarma and we told the waiter plain with nothing on it at least 3 times!! Of course when it came one had salad on it. Major no no!! I stared at my sister and said I know I told the waiter plain and she said yes you did.. He got all flustered and had the nerve to go back to the kitchen and tell them that I was wrong.. I think he said something like that blah blah lady... Unbelievable! Is there any hope for change???

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

Service as a Regular

This morning we went to our favorite local coffee shop (diner) in Center Moriches. The "UnHamptons"... Lucy one of the owners greets us immediately with a Kiss and a Happy New Year. The place is bustling with locals. We've barely sat down and a hot delicious cup of coffee is placed in front of me with a bowl of half and half's... I see our waiter grab a large glass and go for the ice and bowl of pre sliced lemon. I know he is getting me a diet coke before I have even asked for it. What service!!! Then he comes to the table to take our order.. always the same.. He even says two hot chocolates.. one with whipped cream and one without.. The boys say no two with whipped cream. I am amazed as they have changed their standard order. The waiter is shocked.. Then as Lucy brings over the hot chocolates she says.. WOW you both want whipped cream?? She said I had already made one with and one without so its overflowing a bit after I put the whipped cream on top. WOW that is personal service!!! And always with a smile no matter how busy the place is. Wouldn't it be nice to always be treated like a regular everywhere?

Have fun! I always do!

RISA

Service or the Lack of...........

It amazes me that we are living in a world that when you receive good service it is almost a suprise. How sad and thoroughly frustrating. You would think that buying high ticket items at luxury shops, eating at expensive restaurants, staying at lavish hotels and giving your business to high end firms would somewhat ensure this. NOT!!!! (As said by Borat!! LOL!!) You get better service at McDonalds!! How many times have you been in an expensive restaurant with great food and lousy service?? Turns the whole meal on its head... Or having to wait 10 minutes for a glass of water after you've asked 3 times. Inexcusable!!

Is it a new generation of workers? Are the younger generation not being trained properly by their employers? Prices keep rising.. Technology is moving at breakneck speed. People are still needed and they need to be properly trained in their job functions to deal with customers. Every customer deserves proper respect and timely service no matter what price point they are shopping or dining at.

I hope the trend changes for the better although I am not holding out much hope for this.

Have fun!! I always do!!

RISA