Book Review: The Red Tent 3 out of 5 Stars

Last week I finished my book club's April selection, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. The story of Dinah, Jacob's only daugther, among eleven brothers was a wonderful one. The author took the briefest mention of an individual in the Bible and expands upon it to provide a full picture of what the life of Jacob's only daugther might have been like. I loved this concept, taking a brief mention in history and fleshing it out to provide us with a story that we would otherwise never hear. It also provided some additonal perspective on some of the well known biblical stories that I gre up with - I always envisioned the Donny Osmond version of Joseph (heretical of me I know) but this book provided a very different picture of what Joseph ultimately became. Another reason the book was so compelling to me was it's very detailed description of daily life in biblical times, these are the things I've always wondered about but things that were never touched upon in more known works: what did people do all day, what were the customs, what were the other gods they worshipped - all pieces that brought the puzzle of those lives and times together for me.
Finally, my favorite component of the book was the emphasis and strength of female relationships all throughout the novel. While the concept of Jacob's four wives, all of whom were sisters is fodder enough for a novel, it was the web of their relationships and how their unique gifts all came together to provide for their family that I found so fascinating and inviting. In what would definitely be material for the Jerry Springer show today, there was power and unbelievable capability among these women - I found myself being envious of the tightness of their relationships, when I live in a society today were women are so catty. The work also served as yet another example of all that women did and still do, Dinah and several of her companions were essentially the first OB/GYNs and what they accomplished all on their own amazed me.
If you're looking for a fresh perspective on an old biblical tale or an story that will leaving you feeling in awe of women then this is a must read for you.

If You Can Feel A Breeze It's Wrong

I mentioned in my last posting that I had the distinct pleasure of hanging out with an old friend this weekend, what I failed to mention was the not so distinct pleasure he had while we were out. Out enjoying some drinks after dinner, my friend had the unlucky seat right next to a group of very drunk women in their mid 30s (okay I'm being generous it was more around early 40s) and although their drunken state at only 10:30 at night was sad enough, it only got worse when suddenly one of women went crashing directly backwards off her stool and onto the floor (at 10:30). My friend, being the polite individual that he is, immediately bent down to help her up off the floor and back on to her unsteady feet. Once she was safely propped back up at her table we learned the really sad, and actually unacceptable, act of the evening - her drunken fall had revealed her lack of underwear.
While receiving an unexpected flash of a stranger's business is usually almost always unappealing (unless you're somehow into public urination or peeping toms - if so don't let me know), it's actually so much more than that. Nevermind this day and age of YouTube, camera phones and paparazzi frenzy, which means that one accidental moment can leave you forever imprinted online in the most up close and personal of ways. Fundamentally, you do not go out of the house without underwear on!!! I am quite fine with breaking most rules of etiquette and style to accommodate your own perogative but this is one that you cannot ignore.
Unless you were a dramatic DCFS case growing up, I am most assured that your mother always enforced the importance of underwear, especially clean underwear, in case any emergency situation should arise where strangers might see your drawers (although I think mom was thinking of the paramedics vs. the paparazzi). And don't scoff at this mother's wisdom because it's not wise - it is a common sense matter - cover yourself up! There is enough over exposure in the world as it is, I don't need to see more of you, in fact, I rather quite obviously know that you are wearing underwear, than fear that you're not. Pantie lines and fashion issues I also don't care about, I firmly stick to the belief that it's better to know that you have it on vs. having some tragic clothing accident that leaves you adam and eve'ing to the world with not so much as a fig leaf.

Renting to Own

So recently I got to thinking about the term 'dating' and more specifically, when does the term dating no longer apply to a couple? This came to mind due to several conversations that I've had with friends over the past few months, one specifically where I referred to a time when my boyfriend and I "were dating" in the past tense, when in fact we are still very mucht together. My involuntary phrase got me to thinking, if I don't consider that me and my boyfriend of four years are no longer dating, then what exactly should the term be for our relationship? I view dating as a the 'trying out period' when two people are together and it can last for quite awhile since it can take varying amounts of time before people feel as if they fully know the other individual and vice versa. I'm beyond this point with my S.O. (yes he is still anal about me giving his actual name on this blog - with it's huge readership and all : ) - we know each other and what we're all about, so for me, dating doesn't really feel like the right term.
Coincidentally, I also happen to be looking for a new apartment or possibly a condo right now and after perusing many a listing description and trying to figure out if I want to continue to rent and have some options or if I am ready to have a place that's fully my own, that reflects who I am and that I'm fully responsible for - I have also come upon the perfect term for when you're no longer in the dating zone but you're still not in the 'till death to us part zone', Renting To Own.
Think about it, Renting To Own, it implies that you're committed to place/person with the intent to commit even further but it's just a gradual, sensible approach so that you have time to fully realize what you're getting into.
So if anyone asks, for the moment, I'm renting to own.

The Weekend

Okay, I finally feel a bit more normal after two weeks on the job - still totally overwhelmed but I am adjusting to living in that state. So I was so excited to cap off another busy week with the John Legend concert at the Chicago Theater. It was fabulous! I thought he was a great artist to begin with but I was not prepared for how high energy his show would be - he sang for an hour and a half and I was enthralled the whole time. The only thing that would have made it better is if he had selected me to come up on stage for a little dance (although in retrospect he was pretty sweaty at that point so I am glad I didn't have John Legend sweat all over me - I'm sure I'll regret this later on). Corrine Bailey Rae opened for him and I wasn't expecting much from her since I think all her songs sound the same but she had surprising range and it is MUCH better live. So hands down - if you don't own a John Legend cd or at least a few of his songs on iTunes get on there today and get them.
The weekend just continued to get better as I also had one of my favorite all-time people in the world in town this weekend and we went to dinner Saturday at one of the best spots in Chicago ( at least in my humble opinion) - Avec. It's a very simple, very small spot just west of the Loop with lots of smaller plates and a somewhat Mediterranean menu. Their wine list is full of things you've never heard of before so I always just ask the very knowledgeable waitstaff for their recommendations and I'm never disappointed. Their menu tends to change and feature more seasonal items but if you happen to go there you must have the following: chorizo stuffed dates with a tangy tomato sauce (these have become somewhat overdone as of late but their's are still good), there is also the cheese selection which like the wine list is unique but always delicious, and finally the best item on the list, foccacia with taleggio, truffle oil and a bit of sea salt, you will not be able to even leave one piece of this on the table, I promise.
And if you're ever looking for anyone to go with you to try it out - I'm only a phone call or email away!

Would You Root for the Yankees of the Golf World ?

So yesterday was Easter, and nothing says "let's celebrate Christ's resurrection!" like 40 degree weather, eating ham and watching the Masters. Maybe it's not exactly what Mary Magdelene and the disciples had in mind but over the years but that basically sums up my day yesterday. Don't get me wrong, Easter is one of my favorite, if not most favorite religious holiday, I love the the joyfulness of it, lilies are gorgeous and it usually signals the end of dull, drab winter and movement into spring. Although, if I am asked to probe to the true reason why I love Easter it's probably because I associate it with getting a new outfit, since every year growing up I would get a new dress, and maybe a purse and hat if I was lucky (yes, I wore a hat and carried a purse at age 5 - does that explain a lot of things about me for you - I bet it does), and although patent leather is back in, I have not taken back to wearing those classic, shiny black mary janes with the frilly socks, though it's tempting.
Easter attire aside, it was a great day spent with family and friends, nothing I would change about. We capped off the day by watching the Masters, and while I was just glad that Phil Mickelson didn't win (I have an intent dislike for him - I won't get started on it here though other than to say, he's supposed to be a champion yet he is a sweaty mess - he's the Whitney Houston of golf), what I really focused on though was that everyone I was watching with was intently cheering for Tiger, which seems to be pretty normal for the average golf fan. However, once I got to thinking about it more, I decided that I am not going to cheer for Tiger Woods. Why you ask ? It's simple - Tiger is the New York Yankees of golf, he's loaded, he's talented, and if doesn't always win the big one he's at least in top contention for it. Now I can't stand the Yankees so why would I support the golf equivalent of the Yankees? I'll appreciate his skill but I will not watch another tournament and hope he kills it, instead I'll do the sensible thing and pick a new favorite player based on his name or how stylishly he's dressed (all highly relevant factors).
I am sure the even larger issue you're wondering about is - does she really watch golf on tv ? Up until this past year I never did, I swore up and down that it was THE most boring thing on tv, but that was until I took up golf last year and now it's a little more exciting, this will be my first, full official summer golfing though so stay tuned on how all that turns out, I've yet to really learn how to chip or putt so I'm sure I'll just be relying heavily on my ability to drive the ball straight to the tee (hmmm maybe I will cheer for Tiger after all).

Momentarily Tapped Out

I started a new job this week, and while so far it's been great, I must confess that I am exhausted! My brain is on overload taking in SO much new information, mentally I have been so spent at the end of the day that I haven't even had enough brainpower to watch a Law & Order rerun (gasp!) Thankfully I do have enough brainpower flip through an US Weekly - should this change though I will become worried.
So I'm afraid that I don't have the ability to conjure up anything highly or even moderately entertaining or insightful - so all I have is this, some of my pet peeves that I've noticed have been occurring with increasing frequency.
Peeve #1 - When you let someone in traffic and they don't give you the obligatory 'thank you' wave. When I don't get the wave that is the height of rudeness on the road! Wave when someone lets you in or face their future road rage in the future.
Peeve #2 - I like to linger over a meal when dining out as much as the next person but when I'm ready for the check I like the server to be readily available and prompt with closing out the bill. They hover around all night then instinctively once they sense I'm ready to leave they - poof - disappear for at least a half an hour. If someone was getting ready to pay me I would be sure to be all over that - why aren't they ?
Okay, that's all I've got after day 3 on the new job - we're lucky that I am still typing at this point in the evening.

A Few Days in Cabo

So I am back from my mini vacation in Cabo, a slightly darker shade of white, tan would be too strong of a term, and I’m sipping a new wine I discovered on the trip AND it’s 4:40 in the afternoon – I am really enjoying this no working thing!
After hearing so much about Cabo over the past few years, I decided that I needed to go and check it out for myself. Overall it was a lovely trip, very relaxing and great weather so it achieved it’s main purposes, but I am here to provide you more detailed than that! I am committed to providing you with the real scoop on wherever I go, so without further adieu……
The highlights of Cabo are definitely the weather, the days and nights are perfect, clear, not too humid and sunny and a little cooler in the evening – I couldn’t have requested better weather. It’s also a really easy place to maneuver, I know some people are apprehensive whenever leaving the country but this is not the case, they take U.S. dollars everywhere and if your Spanish is no more than the menu at Taco Bell, do not fear you can still easily converse. While there are no real huge cons to Cabo there were a few things that annoyed me (shocking I know), first being the prices, Cabo is not a cheap town and while I was expecting bargain basement deals it is still Mexico so I thought it would be at least reasonable, not the case, be prepared to drop some coin when there, on dining especially. Also related to dining, at times I was frustrated with the service there, while people appeared very eager to help sometimes there was just not enough understanding there, waitstaff especially.
We stayed at the Hilton in an area called the tourist corridor which is basically the strip of beachfront in between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. I actually think this is the ideal spot to stay in if you plan to leave your hotel on a regular basis (which we did). The Hilton was nice, great view of the ocean from their sweeping veranda, bar area and a nice infinity pool with good poolside accommodations and service. We did have the pleasure of staying at the Hilton at the same as the Creative Memories (aka crazy scrapbookers) annual sales trip so while our poolside company wasn’t my ideal it did make for some interesting people watching – who knew the world of scrapbooking was so full of intrigue ?
The two towns that make up ‘Cabo’ are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, we checked out both and my favorite of the two is San Jose, it’s a little smaller and a little more authentic than San Lucas (i.e. fewer crappy t-shirt shops). While the towns themselves aren’t too much to write home about they make for a fine hour or two of wandering around, checking out stores, stopping at bodegas, etc. We ate two dinners in San Jose, one at Mi Cocina which was good, lots of fresh seafood and a few tasty authentic Mexican dishes and offered a flame-lit courtyard for dining. The other was Damiana, and while the food was just so-so the romantic back patio covered in plants and twinkling lights, complete with mariachi band provided great ambience making the dinner worthwhile. In San Lucas t-shirt shops, touristy bars and silver shops abound but it’s also a must to check out the main tourist attraction, Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo, if not for glimpse of Sammy jamming with the locale talent (we didn’t see him) then at least for a few beers in a fun people watching setting. We spent one night in San Lucas for dinner, a sushi joint of all places but it was surprisingly good (or maybe it was after a few cervezas) but nonetheless a fun casual spot to grab some fresh sushi after wandering around town all day.
There are a number of things you can do in Cabo, golf, para-sail, snorkel, deep sea fish, swim with dolphins, etc. Sadly, we did not try any of these out and were permanent sun bathers poolside (this was mainly my fault due to a travel injury – don’t ask!) But to be honest I think Cabo is best suited to relaxing by the pool and enjoy some beverages, if you are a big water sports person there are definitely other places I can recommend. Besides everyone needs to just have some R&R and be a pool potato sometimes.
So after several days laying by the pool we came to the close of our trip and my absolute favorite evening in Cabo – a dinner at the One & Only Palmilla.
The Palmilla is also located just down the road on the tourist corridor and it is actually the place we had planned to stay at when planning our last minute trip but word must be out on how fabulous this place is because we weren’t able to get a room, which after being there I can easily see why. The entire Palmilla resort is gorgeous, Spanish style architecture and landscaping with a prime hotel location that is just feet away from the rocky coastline and surf. The pool area is small but immaculately kept, I can only imagine that laying poolside you feel a bit like Cleopatra (where is my palm fan ? feed me grapes!). We went to the Palmilla because we wanted to check out what we were missing but mainly to go for dinner at C, a Charlie Trotter restaurant. Being the foodies we are (the other part of this ‘we’ being my boyfriend who has requested not to be named by name in here- because SO many people are reading this : ) we felt that we had to check out the Trotter’s spot and see how our local Chicago boy was doing in Mexico. We were more than pleasantly surprised. C is none of the reserved, formal French style that Trotter’s flagship is, rather the décor was cool, blues, silvers, whites and very modern, like dining inside a contemporary ocean. While the menu looked fabulous we opted for the tasting menu, being the true gluttons we are, the chef comes out (not Charlie) and requests your likes/dislikes and then goes to town. I won’t bore you with our whole menu but some highlights were a truffled risotto, possibly the richest dish on earth, along with a mini short rib in coconut foam that tasted like dessert, seriously it was the first meat I have ever had that was good enough to be dessert – how is that possible! We left feeling fully sated and wandered around the grounds which in the evening are lit entirely by candle, I can’t remember the last time I was in such a romantic place (Paris aside) I did not want to leave, the evening felt perfect, if I ever go to Cabo again I will only stay at the Palmilla.
So Cabo in a nutshell, great weather, a bit expensive, more chill than active and partying but still worth checking out.