Sandy

April 6, 2010April 6, 2010

Mad About “Mad Men”

I love the AMC series, “Mad Men”. Its 3^rd season has just been released on a 4 disk DVD set and we hardcore fans are hoping for an early 4^th season, but will probably have to wait until August to get the next intravenous direct line.

With a great cast led by Jon Hamm and January Jones, the show includes super work by John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, Robert Morse, and Elizabeth Moss. Everyone is just so present and “there”. Good actors, but also a good writer, the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner.

“Mad Men” has developed such a cult following that there are watching parties around the country and water cooler catch up is the thing to do on Monday mornings. The mid 20^th century attitudes, clothing and behavior (3 martini lunches, smoking everywhere, personal secretaries that give benefits and “politically incorrect” remarks) are highlighted in the intrigues and escapades of the men and women of Madison Avenue advertising agency “Sterling Cooper”.

The “good old days” weren’t that good for everyone, but, watching “Mad Men” work its way thru the 60’s reminds me of all the options – good and bad- that are available to us now and I realize that “multiple choice” can make the present so much more challenging than the past with its stereotypes. The old days weren’t that terrific, (although I really liked wearing “summer” gloves to work) but, those times were simpler and perhaps that simplicity, with its mask of family values, is really what nostalgia is all about.

I love this show, the characters have dimensions and layers, the main man, Korean War vet Don Draper, is a philanderer with skills, has tons of secrets and can change personalities at the drop of his fedora. Who will he be next? Will he be radicalized by the 60’s revolution and grow his hair long or will he try to hold on to the traditional, rarified atmosphere of Sterling Cooper? Can’t wait for the next season of “Mad Men”.

FYI: Seasons 1, 2 and 3 are now all on DVD if you want to catch up = Netflix works too.

March 29, 2010March 28, 2010

Book Corner: Zora Neale Hurston

Writer, story teller and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, 1891 – 1960, started to publish right after the height of the Harlem Renaissance. The ability to support oneself with art that explored the African-American experience waned with the onset of the depression and she fell into obscurity until re discovered by Alice Walker (“The Color Purple”).

Her work gained attention again with the introduction of college Black literature classes during the 70”s. She was found and embraced by a whole new generation (including me). Her novels, short stories and poetry are now also taught in women’s studies and general literature courses.

Ms Hurston studied cultural anthropology at Barnard College and Columbia University. As a “folklorist”, she wrote and sang in the rural style and dialect of the people she remembered from the all black town of Eaton, FL where she was born and of the folks she met while traveling across the south.

Perhaps her most famous book, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, 1937, is about “Janie”, who managed to make her way thru life and find love during a time and in a place very difficult for a woman’s survival. (This was made into a TV movie a few years ago with Halle Berry)

This past January, there was a “Zora” Festival in her hometown of Eatonville, Florida. Zora Neale Hurston’s life and work were celebrated with readings, panel discussions, local refreshments and a concert – folks being folks (she would have liked that).

March 24, 2010March 23, 2010

Astrology: Moving Planets – Lots of Activity in Taurus!

The sign of Taurus will be hosting 2 high powered planets- Venus and Mercury- for several weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, 2010. Planet transits vary in length adding energy to a sign and can impact the individual wherever it falls in their chart. Taurus is a very dependable, practical sign that respects money, hates debt, loves beauty and comfort. To paraphrase a line from my favorite musical “Westside Story” – “Who knows…Somethin’s coming and it’s gonna be great”.

Venus rules the sign of Taurus and glides in on Wednesday March 31 until April 25, 2010. Often referred to as the planet of love, Venus is all about relationships and is very comfortable in this sign. Think peace, love, good food and budget talks with a significant other? (Or, a close family member.)

Mercury, the usually speedy communications planet, moves into Taurus on April 2 until June 10, 2010. During this time frame, the planet will slow its pace and go retrograde on 4/18 – it will stop going backward and go direct again on 5/11/10. Earthy, grounded Taurus will bring weight to the quick, “chatty Kathy” Mercury. Use this time to think things through – to change your mind if need be.

BTW: Taurus rules the 2^nd House in the Astrology chart – It is the House of possessions, money (what we do with it/how we feel about it), what we think is “valuable”.