Celebrating my (gulp) 14 yo son on his birthday

Posted on February 4, 2014 | 8 comments

Today my first child turned 14.

Jacob soccer

I often tell Jacob — in quiet whispers so his brothers won’t hear– that he’ll always have an edge on cool because he was born in New York City, while they were born in suburban Jersey. But there are many more reasons why he’s one of the coolest cats I know.

Last year, I wrote a speech to give at his bar mitzvah, which sums up his personality, and what it’s like to parent him. It’s often challenging, but in the best way. I’m sharing the speech with you today to celebrate my baby growing up.

It’s a great day and we are so proud of Jacob. But his performance on the bimah today is no surprise to (Wilson) and me. 

Jacob was an ideal first child. He arrived a day early, cried very little, and smiled all the time.  As a baby he was already showing traits of his personality: smart, good-natured, curious, and eager to please.  As a toddler he got a lot of attention for his curly blond mop of hair, and he soaked it in.

Jacob baby pic

He was an easy baby because he could roll with anything: staying up late at night, trying new foods, and engaging all the adults around him.  All of our family and many of our friends here tonight have known him since he was born and remember him as happy, chatty, and completely unintimidated by grownups.

His friends know now what we saw even as a toddler and little boy—he has superior social skills and can get just about anyone to do just about anything if he sets his mind to it.

He is famous for texting me after school asking me to go to the park:

First it’s:

Mom, can I play?

Then a barrage of backup texts……

I did all my homework, I cleaned my room last night, and I will be home by 5 because I know I have to eat and change for soccer practice. Please?

Then he always completes the move with:

I love you mom.

Damn, he’s good.

I sometimes fall under his spell, and often have to remind myself that I’m the parent and know what’s best for him.

As he‘s grown up there are things he didn’t always want to do and we had to push him along.

Jacob beach

When his homework was difficult or he had a long-term project he was avoiding I would nag him to get it done. He’d ask why he had to do it and my standard answer became “It’s my job to make you the best Jacob Lefferts you can be. It’s not always easy or fun, but that’s my job.”

It was a tough one to argue.

Although he has always been a terrific, committed athlete, there were times when he didn’t always want to go to baseball, basketball, or soccer practice. I would tell him that practice is what makes you better, and that would make him the best Jacob Lefferts he could be.

Jacob baseball

When I would suggest we take a break from the 24/7 sports mania that goes on at our house to walk around the city or visit a museum, Jacob usually resisted.  “Why do we have to, mom?”

 Because I want you to be a well-rounded person with exposure to culture and beauty. It’s part of making you the best Jacob Lefferts you can be.

There were eye-rolls and grunts. But to his credit, he would always admit in the car home that that wasn’t so bad after all.

It may surprise you to know that –despite his stellar torah reading today—Jacob did not always enjoy going to Hebrew School. It often got in the way of playing with friends after school or Saturday night sleepovers.  He would get frustrated and beg me to skip it, questioning “WHY? Why do I have to go?”

 And I would tell him it was all part of making him the best Jacob Lefferts he could be.

Today, Jacob there’s no more arguing or negotiation. You studied and worked hard at your Hebrew.  You stayed committed to volunteering with the kids at the Network in Newark once a week.  You respect your parents and love your brothers. You’re a wonderful student and a good friend.

We may have nudged you along, but you did that. You have become all those things on your own.

And today, you are the best Jacob Lefferts you can be. We love you.

Jacob and mom

Happy Birthday to my baby boy, still the best Jacob Lefferts he can be!

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Who won the Super Bowl? Budweiser!

Posted on February 3, 2014 | 3 comments

The blowout Super Bowl was a huge disappointment to Wilson and my boys (ages 13, 10 and 8) but I’m no football fan so the shocking lack of competition didn’t disappoint me one bit. The commercials however, really let me down.

So many car ads!  Trunk-loads of cash was spent, but the ideas ran out of gas. Very few were memorable, most were far-fetched and off-topic. The only exception I would make were the KIA ads with the Muppets. I can’t ever diss Kermit, Animal, and the singing chickens.

There were some ads that stood out– to me and others at our Super Bowl party.

bud-light-ad

—Bud Light won for most inspired with an ad taking a real guy and putting him in some crazy situations.  This is the long version of the Bud Light ad that combines reality with fantasy, celebrity with the everyman, and beer with unexpected fun. Outstanding!

–Greek yogurt got lots of love. The most popular ad at our party was the guys from the 80’s sitcom Full House-– featuring the ageless and still hot John Stamos–  who made us giggle in Dannon’s Oikos Greek yogurt ad.

–I also liked the giant grizzly bear who wreaks havoc when he breaks into a small town general store to get a Chobani yogurt.

–The moms in the room liked the ad with the obnoxious boy who won’t help his mom get the groceries out of the car…until she offers him Doritos. But as the little stinker is headed towards the chips, his little brother dressed as a cowboy, hops on his giant dog and rides him like a mechanical bull, while lasso-ing the Doritos.

–Many ads were jam-packed with celebrities. One of the best was for Time Warner Cable promoting its new packages and featuring P. Diddy, Jimmy Fallon, Anna Pacquin, Victor Cruz, Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight, and Drake.

–The other was a savvy ad for Radioshack. The idea is that the store is no longer stuck in the 80’s, it’s hip and new and ready for your modern tech needs. With Loverboy blasting in the background, a mob of 80’s stars descends on a Radioshack store to dismantle it. Seeing Erik Estrada in his CHIPS uniform, Cliff Claven from Cheers, Hulk Hogan, MaryLou Retton, and Alf, working together is hilarious.

ellen-degeneres-busts-a-move-as-goldilocks-in-a-super-bowl-ad-for-beats-music

–I never tire of watching Ellen Degeneres dance, so her ad for music streaming service Beats Music was entertaining and clever. A very modern version of Goldilocks and the three bears, it was by far one of the coolest commercials of the night.

— If there weren’t many ads to make you laugh, there were a few that yanked at the heartstrings.  One of my favorites was Microsoft’s “technology has the power to unite us,” message, told through a series of images of people overcoming disabilities through technology, space travel, medical advances, and international cultural hookups. It’s voiced by a robot saying words written by former NFL player Steve Gleason who suffers from ALS and can’t speak. Moving stuff.

–You can always count on Coke for good sap. This year it was a montage of scenes of every day life with “America the Beautiful” sung in different languages to celebrate all the cultures that make up the country, with the tag line “America is Beautiful.”

–My favorite ads of the night were two Budweiser spots that both elicited a group “awwwww!!” One was the puppy and the Clydesdale horse who become friends (with the adorable hashtag #BestBuds.)

Budweiser super bowl ad

–The other Budweiser winner was the soldier coming home from war. Following the young vet from his airport arrival to a hometown parade on a Clydesdale-drawn carriage felt intimate and real. The spot ends with the kid hugging his mom (and me crying) with the tag line “Every soldier deserves a hero’s welcome.”  It was a nice touch to have the soldier and his gal live at the game after the ad so we know they’re legit.

–Creepiest ad was definitely Audi’s “Doberhuahua.” The idea is a Doberman Pincher bred with a chihuahua to create a crazy hybrid who takes over a city. Random, bizarre, and not even remotely related to a luxury car. It was memorable so I guess that’s something.

–Most ridiculous might be the Taco Bell commercial with Olympic athletes touting enchiladas topped with Fritos. Really? That’s what world-class athletes eat when they’re training?!

Bruno Mars was definitely a highlight. I liked his goofy 3-foot pompadour, gold lame jacket, and tight pants. His energy was infectious, his voice sounded terrific, and his dance moves and look were reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson.  The lights and fireworks were pretty cool too.

More than 108 million people were expected to watch the game and companies paid an estimated average of $4 million a spot. Budweiser was one of only a few who got their money’s worth.

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My moment of Zen at the Daily Show

Posted on January 30, 2014 | 2 comments

I crossed off another item on my pop culture bucket list when Wilson’s brother recently hooked us up with tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Whether you watch it religiously like I do, or have caught it only once or twice, you know that Stewart and his writers are brilliant, searing, and very, very funny.

I DVR the show every night and refuse to delete an episode until I’ve watched it.  Even months later (Wilson complains because I’m still hoarding shows from last April,)  the sketches are so clever and smart, I’m entertained and enlightened.

When we arrived at the studio on the west side of Manhattan there was a long line of people waiting outside in the cold. A sign over the entrance says in Old English type, “Abandon News, All Ye Who Enter Here.”

daily show jon stewart ticket on carpoolcandy.com

Check out this very high-tech ticket system.

Our VIP tickets got us inside right away but we had to stand and wait for another 30 minutes before going into the taping. Nothing says VIP more than a 23-year-old PA with a headset and an inflated sense of power telling you where to stand.

I was surprised at the large size of the studio. When watching at home, it feels like an intimate set. I pictured a small audience, sitting very close to Jon. It’s at least 200 people and the audience is more than 25 feet away from his desk.

The production staff hands out tickets in numbered order so the earlier you arrive, the better your seats, but it’s also a random process and sometimes you have to get lucky.  Wilson and I went with another couple and I realized too late that we probably could have sat in the center section if we had said we were a party of 2 instead of 4. (Note to self for next time.)

Instead we were led to the absolute last 4 seats of the center section all the way to the left of the stage, right behind a giant crane maneuvering a robotic camera. (Sigh.) In the end, our view was somewhat blocked but it was totally fine and we could see everything if we cocked our heads at just the right angle.

daily show jon stewart studio on carpoolcandy.com

I’ve worked in production for years so seeing the set, lights, and cameras is no longer a thrill, but TDS— more than other live TV shows I’ve seen– felt like a cross between theater and a comedy club. There was a hilarious warm up guy who ran around the studio with a microphone doing jokes and interviewing audience members for about 15 minutes. He chose a few poor souls in the crowd to pick on and got everyone rolling as he turned them into blithering, giggling targets.

He also gave us direction on when and how loud to clap and cheer once the show began. The energy in the room was electric as Jon came out a few minutes later.  He also had a mike and thanked everyone for coming before taking questions from the audience. Answering every question with a delicate balance of confidence and self-deprecation, he was exactly as I imagined in person: short (in stature,) quick (in humor,) gracious, and slightly removed.

When the show started, there were no surprises to seeing it live, except how close the correspondents are when they do their schtick. There’s a green screen just a few feet away from Jon’s desk where Jason Jones did a hysterical bit about gay marriage with a giant grapefruit protruding from his tighty-whiteys.

When each performer finished and the show took a commercial break, Jon shouted out his/her name so the audience could applaud, which felt very showbiz.  I forget that these guys are basically putting on an original mini-comedic play 4 nights a week. It’s impressive, and must be exhausting.

The guest was kinda lame. Sorry Steven Brill, but you’re no celebrity. A lawyer, author, and journalist, Brill’s recent book, “Bitter Pill” is about the problems with America’s health care system. No Will Ferrell stealing loot from the green room, or Jon swooning over Jennifer Lawrence.  Ah well.

The moment of Zen was a tribute to the show’s head writer, Tim Carvell who’s going to work on John Oliver’s new HBO show. After the video played out, a nerdy looking guy who’s probably a comedic genius came out for applause and the entire crew stood up, clapped, and cheered. Seems like a tight-knit group.

It was over all too soon.

Daily Show with Jon stewart graphic on carpoolcandy.com

I would argue that Jon Stewart is the Johnny Carson of our time.  Even if you don’t agree with his politics, you can’t deny his intelligence and deep understanding of issues. Most of my contemporaries watch him much more than Fallon or Kimmel (does anyone watch Leno anymore? Good riddance!)

His show is clever and quotable. But he’s also expressing ideas and– between the fart and sex jokes–  making his audience question our political system and examine social issues. He’s set a new standard for late night TV: now we can laugh and think at the same time.

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Favorite moments of 2014 Grammys

Posted on January 27, 2014 | 1 comment

I don’t usually blog about music awards shows because I don’t know enough to opine on winners and losers. But the Grammys have become a pop culture must-see event, more for the performances than the mini gramophones handed out.

Grammy graphic

The Grammys were presented live from the Staples Center in LA, with L.L. Cool J as host. Let’s start with the red carpet…..

While at the Oscars or Globes we look for elegant couture, the Grammys is the place to take risks. J.Lo’s famous green cut-to-the-navel Versace dress and Lady Gaga’s Saturn-inspired space get-up were previous favorites. But with neither diva there, there was little to turn heads.

OFF THE CHARTS:

—Taylor Swift won best dressed with a stunning Gucci metallic short-sleeved sheath with metal detail that was edgy and sophisticated.

–A svelt Miranda Lambert looked amazing in a sexy, black dress and long blond tresses.

—Katy Perry won most whimsical in a Valentino dress literally inspired by music.

Jason Merritt/Getty

Jason Merritt/Getty

SOUR NOTES:

—Daft Punk guys were wearing face-covering Darth Vader-ish helmets with tuxedos that I’m too square to understand. (More on them later.)

—Cyndi Lauper had on a black and gold get-up with a cape, and bright red hair piled atop her head…which prompted my 8 year-old son to ask if she was in Shrek.

–I love Gloria Estefan but her red lace dress made her look like a blood-splattered shooting victim. Maybe the rhythm finally got her?

—Kacey Musgrave won for best country music album and sang a cute song, but her bejeweled mini-dress made her look like a Neiman Marcus Christmas ornament.

For more Grammy fashion click here. 

Onto the show…..

—Bey and Jay started it off with a sexy duet of “Drunk in Love.” All eyes were on the king and queen of the music prom. Sasha looked fierce with wet hair in a black sheer bodysuit and fishnets in a Flashdance-inspired chair dance.  Jay Z came out in a tuxedo and rapped around her. No sets, no dancers, watching just the two of them singing and dancing felt very intimate.

–Katy Perry never disappoints.  Singing “Dark Horse,” she appeared onstage dressed as a witch inside a crystal ball. Her number had crazy lights, acrobats, pole dancers, a life-size Trojan horse that broke apart to reveal rapper Juicy J, and pyrotechnics burning up the stage. Oh and Perry singing. Over the top? Sure, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.

–Julia Roberts introduced Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr who played together in a rare duet. Not sure why she was there but she made up for her dowdy Globes dress with a hot, black, sparkly mini dress and long bed-head locks.

—Robin Thicke teamed with Chicago for a medley that included “Blurred Lines.” Thicke minus twerking Miley and gangster suit = fun to watch.

–One of the coolest moments of the night was when Pharrell, Daft Punk, and Stevie Wonder had the whole crowd on their feet boogying to  “Get Lucky,” I loved seeing Yoko Ono, Beyonce and JayZ, Katy Perry, and Bruno Mars getting jiggy in the aisles.

daft punk grammys

Jason Merritt/Getty

–Jay Z, was the night’s front-runner with nine nominations, including best rap album, rap song and rap performance. When winning for best rap song/collaboration for “Holy Grail,” Jay called Beyonce his “light” and holding up the Grammy, had a message for daughter Blue: “Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you!”

—Macklemore and Ryan Lewis won best new artist and pointed out that they made their album without a record label and went on to win a Grammy, giving hope to struggling artists everywhere.

–I had two favorite moments. The first was the amazing Pink. She puts everything into what she does. She sang ” Try” while flipping and doing the splits, dangling from scarves high above the audience. Next she belted “Just Give Me a Reason,” with fun’s Nate Ruess with such passion I wanted to cry.

–The other was the duet with Carole King and Sara Bareilles singing a mashup of “Beautiful” and “Brave,” while playing dueling pianos. King sounds as good as she did in 1985 when I’d listen to “Tapestry” over and over in my friend Debby’s basement. You could tell Bareilles was having a pinch-me moment.

–Taylor Swift got a well-deserved standing O after performing an emotional version of “All Too Well,” from her Red album.  Looking grown up and poised in a dramatic dress and Farrah Fawcett hair with just a piano and a spotlight, she sang better than I’ve ever heard her.

–One of the most talked about moments will certainly be when Macklemore and Ryan Lewis sang their hit about tolerance, “Same Love.” Mid-song Queen Latifah came onstage to officiate the marriages of 34 couples in the audience. As the group of gay and straight couples of different ages and races exchanged rings, Madonna appeared.  Channelling the Lone Ranger in a white suit and 10 gallon hat, Madge sang “Open Your Heart” intertwined with “Same Love.” She looked creepy. She’s had too much work done and although her ridiculous outfit proved she can wear anything and still look good, it seems like a wasted opportunity. Don’t get me wrong. I will always love Madonna. But I wish she were aging more gracefully instead of fighting it with everything’s she’s got.

—Trending on Twitter:  Pharrell Williams’ giant mountie-inspired hat got its own Twitter feed…. Keith Urban was bashed for his new short haircut and accused of stealing Jennifer Lawrence’s do….and everyone loved Pink. 

The biggest winners of the night were Daft Punk, the French robots who won five awards, but never said a word when accepting because those darn helmets got in the way.

For a complete list of winners click here.

No matter what your musical taste, a night at the Grammys is the coolest concert around. Share your highlights in the comments.

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Dishing on Downton

Posted on January 23, 2014 | 3 comments

I read a great article in TIME this week about why binge TV watching can be so unsatisfying. After screening the entire first season of Orange is the New Black in a week, the writer was disappointed that new episodes aren’t even shot yet, much less available to watch.

Besides the lack of instant gratification, part of the fun of good TV is sharing the experience with others. I used to love going into work the day after a great Sopranos episode and analyze the story with my friends. Now everyone watches shows at a different pace. The temptation to watch a whole season at a time is often too strong to resist. (For more on the TIME binge watching article click here.)

If I had to hear one more time how amazing Downton Abbey was from other TV addicts, I thought I’d poke my eye out with a tiara. Determined to catch up, Wilson and I tackled seasons 1 through 3 in the last few months and were good to go when season 4 started in January.

The best way to binge is right before the new season of your show. Great for continuity and dishing with fellow fans. So let’s get to it! (Spoiler alert! Don’t read on if you’re not caught up.)

Downton Abbey graphic on carpoolcandy.com

There are so many things I love about the show— the excellent writing, sets and costumes, and the peek into a world of extreme wealth and privilege. But it’s the characters that set the show apart. Despite the stuffy English exterior, they’re complex and convincing.

What fascinates me most about Downton is how everyone knows their place. The staff accepts their status and shows very little aspiration to do more than service.  The Crawleys have no guilt or awkwardness about their leisurely lives and often treat the servants as their closest confidantes. One of the best lines of the whole series was when the Countess asks “What is a weekend?”

The concept of rags-to-riches and working hard to improve one’s lot in life– the American dream itself–  does not exist in that British era. In fact, when Tom, the chauffeur runs off with Sybil, the servants are as aghast and embarrassed as the family.

This is Lady Edith’s season. Perpetually in the shadows of her beautiful sisters — spirited, clever Mary and compassionate, fearless Sybil– Edith was overlooked and even ridiculed. It bothers me how even Lord Grantham can be so cruel and presumptuous when it comes to Edith trying to make her way. But no one’s putting this lady in a corner in season 4. Her clothes and makeup are sexy and stylish and she has a cavalier confidence we’ve not seen before. One virtue she’s always possessed is her self-awareness and candor about her circumstances. I’m not sure her new suitor is on the up and up. He may just be in it for the money, but I’m hoping Edith will shine no matter the outcome.

Lady Cora has lost some cachet.  In the first two seasons, she was so strong but she seems meek and insignificant lately. I don’t like it. Especially since she’s the American. She needs to represent!

Downton Abbey cast photo on carpoolcandy.com

Is there sexual tension between Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes? Wilson thinks these two are gaga in love. I say their affection is platonic, like a brother and sister. If anything, Mr. Carson has the hots for Mrs. Hughes but is too uptight to do anything about it. I don’t think she sees him that way.

The Anna storyline is horrifying but I like the realness.  I was so shocked when Anna was attacked, but the way they set it up– during the opera singer’s performance and after Anna had been nice to the brute– felt authentic. Her response has been compelling to watch. Mr. Bates finding out is inevitable, which adds to the drama.

Who’s your favorite character? My mother loves every bitchy line Dowager Countess Violet utters. (For some of her best click here.)

Wilson loves the no-nonsense way Mrs. Pattmore’s runs the kitchen and would enjoy a spot of tea with her.

I can’t choose between Lady Mary and Mrs. Hughes. Lady Mary is such an obvious choice but I can’t resist her wry spunk and modern sensibility. I also love her hats.

Mrs. Hughes is the den mother who looks out for everyone. Her ability to anticipate the actions and reactions of both the Crawleys and the staff while managing the house would make her a successful CEO in another time.

Please share your favorite character and any other Grantham goodies in the comments.

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The desensitizing effect of a smart phone

Posted on January 19, 2014 | 20 comments

I was walking from work to the train station in Manhattan last week when I passed the aftermath of a horrible car accident. Sixth Avenue was blocked off from 41st to 42nd, cops were everywhere, and ambulance sirens wailed in the background as they tried to get through rush hour traffic.

The street was marked with yellow tape and scores of people lined the sidewalks, gawking at an overturned car. It was a mangled black Cadillac SUV perched upside down on its dented roof right in front of Bryant Park.

NYC fatal crash photo on carpool candy.com

I heard onlookers saying the car was going too fast and hit a bus when it turned onto 6th. The news junkie in me instinctively whipped out my phone to take a photo. I was trying to get a good angle when I saw a stiff plastic bag hanging out of a back window.

There were murmurs among the crowd that there was a body inside the bag, and there could be other dead passengers in the wreckage. I found out later the driver was the only person in the car when it crashed, and the 44-year-old male victim had a heart attack and was pronounced dead at the hospital. (For more details on the crash click here.)

I later discovered that what we thought was a body was actually the airbags sticking out of the shattered car windows.  But even when we all believed we could be staring at as many as three dead bodies,  almost every person on the street was snapping pictures with a smart phone.

Why?

To have evidence when recounting the story to friends? To send to a news site? To post it on Reddit, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook?

As I stood there gaping at the grim scene, I felt sorry for the victim… and sorry for where we are as a culture. It’s difficult for some of us to experience life’s impactful moments these days without resisting the need to document and share them.

Was it the great emotional jolt of the moment? Or the “I was there when it happened” cache? Or the peer pressure to capture it because everyone else is?

I sheepishly walked away feeling guilt and regret for not being able to resist photographing someone else’s tragedy.

This is the age we live in.

Anyone younger than 25 won’t even question the impulse to record every moving moment, even if the moment itself is interrupted or sacrificed in order to capture it.

But for old fogies like me, it still feels unnatural and wrong.

Apparently not wrong enough. There I was, one of a hundred minions taking a picture. And here I am sharing it with you.

nyc fatal car crash on carpoolcandy.com

If I’m using the photo to make a point, is it acceptable? I’m not sure.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Posted in In the News, Modern Life, Social Media

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Golden Globes 2014 post game wrap

Posted on January 13, 2014 | 6 comments

Golden Globes 2013 highlights

I love the smell of hairspray in the morning.

Stars of TV and film were up spinning, down-dogging, running, plucking, waxing, botoxing, self-tanning, eyelash-donning, hair-straightening, and starving since the crack of dawn so they could look effortlessly beautiful for us!

It’s awards season kids, and I couldn’t be happier. Tonight I hunkered down with my electronic gadgets and some snacks to watch the Golden Globes.

The overall theme of the night was : “I don’t have anything prepared. This was totally unexpected!”

Let’s get to the deets…..

THE RED CARPET: 

Who shined:  

—The always elegant Naomi Watts looked amazing in Tom Ford: sleek ,modern, fit like a glove with subtle details. One of my favs.

Jason Merritt/Getty

Jason Merritt/Getty

–Olivia Wilde was radiant in an sparkly emerald-green sheath that showed off her baby bump. Loved the rich color and sophisticated style.

–I often fantasize about being besties with Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow and her fashion sense is only one reason. Loved her gorgeous, long, straight hair, and her black lace strapless dress was glam but not over the top.

— I’m a huge fan of Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland and thought her pretty pink sheath was age appropriate and refined. I wasn’t sure about the braided crown hair but she pulled it off.

—Girls creator Lena Dunham redeemed some previous fashion don’ts with a bright canary yellow dress that had a flattering strapless bodice and fit her well.

—Amy Adams looked sexy in a red and maroon color block Valentino halter dress, she said  was influenced by her American Hustle character. She was one of many with her hair in a bun.

—Wolf of Wall Street breakout star Margot Robbie channeled Grace Kelly in a cream low-cut Gucci sheath with jewel details and a tight low bun.

—Sofia Vergara has cornered the market on voluptuous, and while her strapless ball gown hugged in all the right places, the basic black color was a bit dull for the fiery actress.

— The beautiful Luoita Nyong’o from 12 Years a Slave was a standout in a bright red strapless gown and cape by Ralph Lauren.

-Robin Wright is owning 47. She looks gooood. Her sleek, sexy, low-back sparkly dress was elegant and age appropriate and showed some side boob!

–Her alabaster skin and shiny black hair complimented Julianna Margulies’  gorgeous low-cut black Andrew Gn gown. The gold details gave her a regal, commanding look.

–Not every man can carry a tux but these guys know how to make it look good:  Bradley Cooper, Matt Lauer, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, and Chris Pine. 

—Taylor Swift looked pretty in a dramatic Carolina Herrera red and black ball gown, but she looks too skinny. Should I be worried?

Who should fire their stylist: 

–The Bjork scary dress award went to actress Paula Patton, who looked like a giant marshmallow in a skin-tight white lycra sheath with some crazy angel wing accessory attached on one side. Yikes!

–I love Drew Barrymore, I do. So I’m not going to pick on her when she’s pregnant. I’m not going to say she made a poor choice of moo-moo sprinkled with pink and red flowers. I’m just going to wish her well.

—Julia Roberts was a huge disappointment. Her Dolce and Gabbana black and white Oxford shirtdress and poofy, matronly up-do did not work for me.

—Hayden Panettiere is such a pretty girl but her slicked back severe hair and unflattering halter dress did not do her any favors.

–Zoe Saldana’s dress seemed to be suffering from multiple personality disorder. Weird length, several patterns, attachments, and details that didn’t work together. Beautiful face, terrible dress.

—Zooey Deschannel— has had too many misses on the carpet to let this one pass. Hair and dress were dowdy and unflattering.

For more on fashion click here.

NBC

NBC

THE SHOW:   Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were able hosts, but not as clever and refreshing as last year.  I love their chemistry and fearlessness in that tough room. They manage just the right balance of teasing the Hollywood elite without being mean or dirty. I giggled several times in the opening monologue.

WHO NAILED IT: 

Jennifer Lawrence’s reign as Hollywood darling is intact after she won best supporting actress for “American Hustle,” and seemed genuinely surprised to win again. Her speech was earnest and full of gratitude.

After 5 nominations, Bryan Cranston got a roar from the crown when he finally won for “Breaking Bad.” Well deserved! The show also won for best drama series. Meth-heads everywhere rejoice!

Cate Blanchett won for her excellent performance in Blue Jasmine and was one of the few who didn’t talk about how surprised she was to win, but spoke graciously like an old Hollywood legend.

Leonardo DiCaprio won for Wolf of Wall Street. Wilson and I saw it this weekend and despite it’s 3-hour running time, I highly recommend it. Although he seems like a huge ego-maniac with a model obsession, I can’t help but love Leo for his talent. He deserved to win.

WHO GOT ROBBED: 

Jon Voight won for best supporting actor in a TV series. I’ve seen Showtime’s Ray Donovan and Voight is a great actor, but I’m sorry Aaron Paul’s work on Breaking Bad should have been recognized. Not ok.

SURPRISE WINNERS:

Amy Adams beating Meryl Streep for best actress was a shock but I haven’t seen American Hustle yet. Adams is super talented and her speech was genuine, smart and poised.

Brooklyn 99 best new comedy on carpoolcandy.com

I may have squealed in delight when my boy Andy Samberg won for my new favorite show Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It’s only been on a few months, but as I’ve said in more than one post, it’s really funny!

In the tough best comedy category the nominees included Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, Girls, and Big Bang Theory. But the winner?  Brooklyn Nine-Nine baby! The Hollywood Foreign Press and I agree it’s must-see TV.

CRINGEWORTHY BITS: 

No one seemed more surprised than Jacqueline Bisset herself when she won for best supporting TV actress . She got to the stage slowly, and was stunned, speechless and then got bleeped for cursing, before blathering on for too many long, excruciating minutes, despite the playoff music. Wacky.

Fans of 80-‘s drama My So Called Life will be happy to hear that Jordan Catalano, I mean  Jared Leto won for best supporting actor for “Dallas Buyers Club. ” His tremendous performance as a cross-dressing AIDS patient blew me away. His acceptance speech, however, not so much.

FAVORITE MOMENTS:

When Amy Poehler’s name was announced for best comedy actress in Parks and Recreation, Bono was giving her a backrub for support, and when she won she grabbed his face and started making out with him! Why not?!

Woody Allen received the Cecil B. DeMille award for excellence but– despite many nominations– he’s never attended a Globes show so longtime pal Diane Keaton accepted on his behalf. Rocking a tuxedo as well as Clooney, Keaton gave an interesting speech, noting Allen has written and directed 74 movies in 48 years. He’s worked with every major actress in Hollywood (179 in total) because his female characters are real, complicated and can’t be compartmentalized.  The montage made me want to see many of them again. Blue Jasmine is still playing and well worth your time.

I would have liked a few more Fey and Poehler bits throughout the show but it did end on time. If only there was a live broadcast of all the after-parties. I’d be up all night.

What were your favorite moments of the show? Tell me in the comments.

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Things no one tells you when you get a puppy

Posted on January 9, 2014 | 5 comments

I thought it was about time I gave you an update on the progress of our six-month-old Golden Doodle puppy, Brady Blue. He’s a good dog:  smart, affectionate, eager to please, and the right balance of mellow and active.

Puppy in a blanket on carpoolcandy.com

But taking care of a dog is hard work.

I’m not surprised by the time and energy it requires. I knew that going in. But as I’ve said, neither Wilson nor I grew up with a dog so there have been some surprises along our puppy path. In just four months, Brady has provided amusement, adventure, worry, and dare I say aggravation?

I was warned by everyone that puppies pee and poop all over your house, chew on shoes, and play rough. I knew he might cry the first night in the crate, he had to be neutered, and would bark loudly.

Bu there were many things you dog people didn’t tell me. Here are just a few:

Puppies are obsessed with toilet paper.    What’s that all about? Brady’s go-to activity is grabbing onto the end of the roll and running as far as possible. Then he rips it to pieces  until it looks like a Homecoming Float threw up on my floor.

Puppy plays with toilet paper on carpoolcandy.com

Who, me?

Puppy eats toilet paper on carpoolcandy.com

Ok, maybe that time it was me.

Puppies love the snow.  One of my favorite experiences as a dog owner was letting Brady off the leash in our back yard after a fresh snow. Watching him race in circles and bound around with the kids was the purest expression of joy I’ve ever seen.

Puppy and boy play in snow on carpoolcandy.com

Puppy and boy play in snow on carpoolcandy.com

Not sure who is happier here. I love Brady’s snow mustache!

Puppies eat pencils and paper.    I expected him to munch on shoes, belts, and backpacks but I thought that was because he was teething and the leather feels good in his mouth. What’s the allure of eating entire pencils and paper? It can’t taste good!  I’ve decided he was a fellow writer in a past life and he’s been sent to inspire me.

Puppies have to wear a cone when they get neutered.    I had seen dogs with cones before but I always thought it was because they were biters or badly behaved. I felt so sad for my poor pooch when he had to walk around with that cone of shame, banging into walls like he was drunk because he had no peripheral vision.  But the second we took it off after the allotted 5 days, he went to town on his wound and we had to put it back on until he was completely healed.

Puppy wears a cone after neutering on carpoolcandy.com

Training classes are a pain in the ass. It’s important to me that Brady understand the rules of our house and maintain some manners so I knew training was a must.  Although we’ve learned a lot, the commitment to attend weekly classes and keep up with practicing skills is yet another thing added to my busy plate. Plus, every family member needs to be on board and since I’m the only one who’s gone to every class, we are not in sync on our message, and the learning is slow.

Puppies are so very naughty.   Much like children, they know exactly when you have your guard down, and they get into trouble quicker than you can say milkbone. I swear I was on the phone for a second when Brady ran upstairs and pooped in my son’s room, or found a stuffed animal and swallowed all its insides, or discovered an abandoned bag of candy and ate every piece, plus the bag.

Puppy jumps on desk on carpoolcandy.com

Brady jumped on my desk to get a clementine he smelled from down below

Their obsession with food makes them do crazy things.    We found this out the hard way. Up until about a week ago, Brady was totally cool with human food. Wilson and I could sit on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and he’d lay next to us without budging. We ate our meals in peace. He has clearly hit the adolescent stage, testing boundaries because this week he jumped up with his front legs on the kitchen counter, grabbed an entire stick of butter and swallowed it whole!  Ick and oh boy.

Puppies eat their puke.  Soon after Brady scarfed down the butter, he puked all over my couch. And then he ate it as my son looked on in horror. When I say Brady doesn’t like to miss a meal, I mean it.

You have to cook for puppies.  Brady puked on and off for the next two days so the vet said I had to give him Pepcid AC, stop his dog food and make him chicken and rice for every meal. That’s right, now I’m cooking two dinners every night.

Puppies carve a spot in your heart you didn’t realize you had.  I don’t mind making two dinners every night because I want Brady to feel better. I was as upset about his illness as I would be about my kids’– maybe even more because he can’t tell me what hurts.

He cuddles on the couch with Wilson and me every night while we watch TV.  He meets each one of us at the door with his jingling collar, wagging tail, and kisses. Unlike a sibling or spouse who can get on your nerves, he’s the family member adored by all, who brings us together to care for him.

I can no longer imagine life without that dumb dog. He brings out the best in all of us. Despite all the surprises, I have no regrets, only gratitude.

Share some of your puppy tales in the comments.

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Wanna read more in 2014? Get your best books here

Posted on January 5, 2014 | 3 comments

Happy new year! Hope your holidays were swell.

I set out to write a blog about resolutions, but when I went back to last year’s January blog, I realized I haven’t kept ANY of the seven I made last year! No joke, it was an epic resolution fail.

But I was a little nuts to expect I would get one or two– much less all — of those goals achieved in one busy year.

Sleep more?? Never. Write a screenplay and a New York Times essay? Stuff of fiction! Get more facials? Who has the time?

New Year's 2014 glasses on carpoolcandy.com

So this year I’ve decided to keep it simple.  No more lofty dreams. I’m going to try to drink a half-gallon of water a day, and read more.

I’ve been toting around one of my boys’ fancy water bottles  that keeps it icy cold,  and I admit drinking more H2O does fill me up. Often I eat because I’m bored or restless, and though I might want food, a drink of water is all I need.

drinking-water

So far so good on the agua. Now for the books.

I read a lot for work and I’m in two book clubs (don’t ask!) so that leaves me little time to read books I choose myself. But I also blame TV and the internet. (Every time I get sucked into reading Facebook crap for 20 minutes, I curse Mark Zuckerberg for providing another distraction I don’t need.)

I have no self-discipline at bedtime and often stay up waaaay too late surfing the web and/or cable channels when I could be enriching my mind with a book. If I’m cozy in bed reading, I’ll fall asleep earlier too so that’s a bonus.

Reading more makes a lot of sense, which is probably why it won’t last past, say,  January 24th. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I also want to read to my kids more. When they were little, I loved reading time under the covers. But that’s when books were blissfully short and uncomplicated.

Now they’re into chapter books and you have to pay more attention to the characters and plot. You can’t pick up a chapter book after 4-5 days and get right back into the story, without rereading a few pages each time. Plus, my kids go to bed so late now, by the time they settle down to read I’m spent.

But I miss it.

They read plenty on their own, but for Aden, 10, and Eli, 8, I don’t have much time left before they’ll find reading with me annoying and babyish so I can’t squander this time, when they love reading together as much as I do.

FloraandUlysses

We just started a new book by our favorite children’s author, Kate DiCamillo, called Flora and Ulysses. I highly recommend it for kids from ages 6 to 12. Aden, Eli, and I are all drawn in by DiCamillo’s unique storytelling, so we’re off to a good start.

A glance at some “Best Books of 2013” lists got me excited to keep my promise to myself. Last January, I wrote a post about books and devoured a bunch that were on my list. Fiction favorites include The Orphan Master’s Son, Yellow Birds, and the stellar, cheeky Where’d You Go Bernadette?  Pick those up if you haven’t already.

The Goldfinch

The New York Times put out its list here, including The Goldfinch, which is at the top of my must-reads.  The Huffington Post’s list had some interesting fiction here.  JK Rowling’s novel (under a pseudonym) The Cuckoo’s Calling  and Dave Eggers’, The Circle look like good ones.

And for bookworms who think last year’s best are so 5 minutes ago,  Flavorwire has a list of the most anticipated titles of 2014 right here.

So… reading and drinking water…  seems manageable. Also sounds like things I’d do in prison, but that’s beside the point.

What’s on your resolution list? What books are keeping you up late? Please share in the comments!

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NYC holiday window tour, a less than perfect tradition

Posted on December 29, 2013 | 1 comment

In the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, I had the magical notion of taking my delightful children (ages 8, 10, and 13) on the train to Manhattan to see the retail holiday windows and the giant tree at Rockefeller Center.

NYC Rockefeller Center tree on carpoolcandy.com

Although I love the idea of strolling down 5th Avenue at Christmas time and soaking in the creative opulence of the fanciest stores on earth, my boys could care less. So I did what any resourceful mother would do, and enticed them with a sushi dinner following our window walk.

In my version of the afternoon, we would run from window to window, sharing the excitement of being in New York for the holiday. The thousands of people jamming the sidewalks had flown or drove from all over the country– and the world– to experience Christmas in New York, I told them earnestly.

They were not impressed.

As soon as we emerged from the subway, the complaints began. They were cold, tired, and annoyed by the crowds of gawkers who also had the brilliant idea of cramming 5th Avenue on Christmas Eve.

I was disappointed, but not completely surprised by their indifference. But I wasn’t going to let those three Scrooges dampen my holiday spirit! I yanked their little hands through those giddy mobs of rubberneckers from 60th and Madison to Times Square, clicking as many pictures as possible, and ignoring their protests.

It didn’t help that the windows were a bit of a bust this year.

We started at Barneys on Madison. For years, the Barneys holiday windows were my favorite by far. They were edgy, fantastical, irreverent, and chic all at once.

Check out these gems from 2010:

Barneys holiday window 2010 on carpoolcandy.com

Barneys holiday window 2010 on carpoolcandy.com

This year, the store collaborated with rapper Jay Z to produce four futuristic scenes that were shiny and modern, but a complete snore.

Barneys holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

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Barneys holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

Santa’s 21st century sleigh

There was a light show and a crazy tricked-out sports vehicle that was supposed to be Santa’s sleigh, but it just didn’t work for me at all.

So we soldiered on to Bergdorf Goodman, which got the best artistic design award of the evening, but was not as inventive as years past.

Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

July 4th

Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

April Fool’s Day

The theme was magical holidays.

Bergdorg Goodman holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

Arbor Day

Valentine’s Day was the highlight, with amazing attention to detail and color scheme.

Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

Bergdorg Goodman holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com
Next up, the jewel-encrusted Bulgari windows. Classy, bold, and serpentine, which the boys liked.

Bulgari holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

The Henri Bendel windows were a pleasant surprise. They’re a tribute to famous cartoonist and New Yorker Al Hirschfeld.

Henri Bendel holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

New York notables, including Liza Minelli, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Woody Allen, and Audrey Hepburn were among those immortalized.

Henri Bendel holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

We made our way to Saks on 50th and 5th. More kid-friendly, the store’s whole block of windows told the story of a winter yeti who leaves home to discover the world and ends up in New York. Kind of random, but at least they tried.

Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows 2013 on carpoolcandy.com

By now the whining was reaching a crescendo so I relented and said we would head towards the restaurant…but purposefully passed the Rockefeller tree on the way. There were just a few other people there too.

NYC Rockefeller Center tree on carpoolcandy.com

Then we headed straight for Haru on 43rd and Broadway, where we met some friends and melted into our seats for sushi. The whole sojourn lasted maybe an hour but the struggle to wade through the sea of people in the midtown cold made us feel like we had walked to the North Pole.  Nothing a vodka martini and three Shirley Temples couldn’t fix.

It was not the evening I imagined, but I’m glad we did it and I’d probably do it again. But don’t tell the kids. I’m hoping they’ll block all the bad parts out and only remember the sushi by next year.

If you want to see even more windows, click here and here.

Hope you’re enjoying some rest and family togetherness this holiday week. Wishing you peace, love and adventure in the new year.  Happy holidays!

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Posted in I'm a Sap, Modern Life, Travel

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