Tayari's Blog: January 2009
January 29, 2009
Beautiful News All Around
You may remember that last year this time, I announced the publication of a special issue of PMS magazine, edited by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers. Well there must have been some magic dust in the binding. So many good things have happened to the women published in that issue.
The latest is that my story, "Some Thing Blue," published in PMS #8, has been selected to appear in the next issue of New Stories From the South: The Year's Best. I am so excited because NSFTS is my favorite of the yearlies, but also because I love getting my southern credentials renewed. (Just for kicks, you can hear me read the story here!)
Other PMS Contributor Fabulousness includes:
You really have to read this special issue. Order your copy before they are all gone!
January 27, 2009
Mid-Day Links
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Category:
Payback is Divine
I am at a stage in my career as a writer that I sometimes am asked to nominate folks for awards, or reccommend contributors to journals. Usually, I pass these opportunities on to emerging writers. I am motivated by a desire to emulate the writing who helped me out when I was just a little pup. When I was in school at Spelman College, Dr. Cole explained to me that life was like a train ride. The scarifices of the older generation had paid my ticket and now it was my obligation to buy a ticket for someone else.
This made sense to me when I was just a teenager and I vowed to do my part, pay it forward, if you will. But now, I am thinking that it's time for me to think about paying it back.
Many times the best teachers and mentors are not the most famous writers you will ever know. A teacher at a liberal arts college who teaches four classes a term can change a life of a student, but not have much time for her own work. Maybe your best mentor was a person who taught you everything you need to know about character development although her own writing has not received the attention it deserves.
Paying it forward is all well and good, but I want everyone to think about paying it back. Think about the people that have been good to you and think what you can do to help them. If you run a reading series, extend an invitation. Editing a journal? Invite them to submit.
I know it's hard to think about your mentors as needing your help, but maybe they do.
Posted at 02:29 PM | Comments (1)
Category:
The Writing Life
January 25, 2009
Change, Come Quick!
I orginally planned this entry to draw your attention to the magnificent poem, New Day, Kwame Dawes wrote in honor of the inaugration of Barack Obama. I still want to draw your attention to it-- for it is brilliant, and I mean brilliant as in genius but also brilliant as in light-filled-- and I still want to thank Mina J for sending me the link. I have loved, loved, loved all the love and beauty and celebration this week as we celebrate this historic milestone. (I was there in my evening gown popping a cork with the best of them.)
But... and there is always a But... We are going to have to chill with some of the boogie-oogie-oogie and start thinking about the change we want in the world. Yesterday, I was in a store and an older black man said to me, "Obama has done his job just by getting elected. That's all I need. To see him in the white house with his wife, and those pretty babies. That's all I need." All around him, people nodded in a agreement.
Well, that's not all I need and it's not all America needs.
I just read the most upsetting post on the blog of Alisa Valdes Rodriguez, the author of the "chica-lit" breakout book, best-selling The Dirty Girls Social Club. Alisa is very ill. She needs heart surgery that will cost about $200,000. And despite her success as an author, she is self-employed and without health insurance. She is considering moving to Cuba in order to get treatment.
As writers, we all dream of losing the day job and doing our writing full time. But can we ever do it as long as health insurance remains tied to employment? Even if you cuold make enough from your writing to pay your bills, you probably wouldn't make enough to take care of your health.
46 million Americans are without health insurance. This must be our top priority when we think about Change. I am not sure what we can do as individuals, but I am looking into it. When I find something out, I will post here. Meanwhile, go over to Alisa's blog and leave her some love in the comments.
Get well, Alisa. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Posted at 06:53 PM | Comments (1)
Category:
Current Events
FEMRITE PHOTOSET!
I made a little photo album of my trip to Uganda. Click on the mosaic to see the photos and read the captions.
January 22, 2009
Summer Class in Cape Cod
The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts has published the schedule for this summer. I am offering my signature course: "Tales From The Kidscape", which is all about writing young voices for the coming of age novel. The dates of the class are June 14-19.
January 21, 2009
How To Crash a Ball: A Primer
Disclaimer: Tayari Jones is not suggesting that she has ever attended any event to which she has not purchased a ticket. She is a writer and this is merely a work of imagination.
A lot of people were wheeling and dealing to get tickets to various inaugural balls. Well, as we start planning for inauguration 2013, I would like to present this handy five point guide for getting into events to which you have not been explicitly invited. In other words this is what you do when don't exactly have your ticket situation sorted out.
Posted at 08:31 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
D.C. Diaries
CBC BALL!
Eventhough I had completely committed to going to bed earlier, my good friend, Sanderia Smith, convinced me to whip out my glad rags one more time and go to the Congressional Black Caucus Ball. I was wiped out from having gotten up at 5am to become of one two million frozen witnesses to history. But Sanderia is an old friend and I hadn't seen her in a long time.
The CBC ball was a pretty subdued affair. I don't know if everyone was just sort of tired like I was, or if it was because folks were sort of bummed that O-Man didn't put the CBC on his list of balls he planned to visit. The CBC had reserved a large and lovely space-- the entire mezzanine of the Capitol Hilton, but half the tables were sadly empty at just 10pm.
I think this is a sign of the economy. I was told that several organizations canceled their balls because people just weren't buying tickets. When you think about it, balls are very expensive to attend. Let's break it down. The obvious expense is the tickets which may be about $400, but there are so many other costs. Dress, shoes, hair, nails, taxi to get there... It can easily run you nearly $1000. As much as people love Obama-- they were willing to freeze for him!-- it's just too expensive to fete and definitely to expensive to fete him at more than one ball.
Never the less, I did my part to make it merry! Sanderia and I danced, talked to strangers, and ate fondue. We ran into Dr. Johnetta Cole (swoon!) and told her how much we admire her. When I saw a woman wearing the same dress as me, in the sprit of unity, I did not demand that she go home and change.
See, it's a new day.
Posted at 08:13 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
D.C. Diaries
January 20, 2009
44
I won't say that it was fun. I got up around 5:30 am, dressed in layers and braved the cold. All my friends managed to score VIP tickets to the inauguration, so I braved the mall solo-- just one lone person among the millions. There were no signs and every cop sent me in a different direction. I know I walked three miles and in between I stood in lines that went nowhere. On the plus side, strangers were very kind, letting me join their groups and sharing hand-warmers and candy bars. One woman, seeing my numb-foot hobble, gave me a pair of nice wool socks. By 12:00, I had been out in the cold for five hours. Cell phones weren't working and I was so cold and dejected that I was in tears-- which promptly FROZE on my eyelashes.
Then, just as Barak Obama was taking his oath, I looked over and saw this sweet little boy asleep on his father's shoulders, completely content, confident and secure in the world.
Posted at 05:24 PM | Comments (3)
Category:
Current Events
January 19, 2009
Inaugural Ballers!
Last night was the Dreams From My Father Inaugural Ball. Having never attended such an event, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The event started at eight and having heard so many warnings about traffic, we headed out at 7pm. By 7:30 we were dropped off in front of The Four Seasons, Georgetown. Some members of my party-- whom I won't name-- were too cute to walk in so early, so we went to have a glass of wine and wait until the hour was sufficiently fabulous.
By 8:30, the place was packed, reminding me of the first New Year's Eve party I ever went to. People were all over the place in various stages of finery. (I must say, different folks interpret "black tie" differently. *cough* *cough*.)
There was a live band in the main hall, playing go-go (this is still DC!) and also crowd pleasers like "Brick House" and "Before I Let Go." While I was on the floor getting my dance on, I laughed at the
huge ultra-dignified picture of Mr. President Elect displayed behind the stage. I wondered if he had any idea the level of kicking-it being done in his name. Then, the band broke out with "Solid! Solid and Barack!" And do I even have to say this? Electric Slide.This was a gathering of the segment of the black bourgeoisie that likes to kick it. I ran into a lot of girlfriends from Spelman College and the brothers from Morehouse were in splendid attendance, as well. Inter-generational love was in full effect as several parties made it a family affair.
And, can I say that y'all out there in internet land are so funny? Yes, I did find some cute shoes. I was trying to go the practical route, but I just didn't feel like ME in ballerina flats.
So that was the first night. We are going to see what we can get into tonight and there is something else on tap for Tuesday. I can't say what because our ticket-acquiring process is a little bit
More later, photos now!
Posted at 09:16 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
January 18, 2009
Workaholic Links
I know I am in DC getting my inauguration on, but I just wanted to post these links. Some are sort of dated since I have been away so long, but I still thought I would post.
All Aboard!
Well, I made it to D.C. I took the Amtrak from Newark Penn Station where I ran into an old friend, which I am taking as a really good omen for the festivities to come. The Amtrak was PACKED and everyone was in good cheer, at first. After an hour or so in, the train was stopped. Apparently we were on the rails behind the Obama train. When they stopped in Delaware to pick up Biden, we were stranded on the tracks. Then, the train went so slowly that I wanted to get out and jog ahead. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. TaRessa said, "It's historical." I said, "It's hysterical." I think this is going to be one of the themes of the weekend. When is there just too much performative drama associated with the event? I'll let you know.
Anyway, we finally we arrived in DC. The energy in the city is sort of like spring break week. Lots of excited, giggly people with suitcases. I am glad to have traveled on Saturday when everyone was still in a good mood. Also, I think the Amtrak crowd is more likely to be made up of Obama supporters. At the airport, another friend said he overheard two McCainiacs. (I guess they are the last ones.) Anyway, he said he heard them say, "It's crazy in DC this weekend. You would think they were handing out free gas and reparations." (I *wish*. The little jaunt is expensive!)
I opted to stay a little outside of town in Bethesda. My hotel is pretty good but not good enough to justify the price tag, but I am not even going to worry about it. Tomorrow is the American Scholars Ball. I am mad that I let my friend convince me to leave the stilettos at home. Her reasoning, "We don't know what to expect. What is there is no where to sit? What is we have to walk a couple of blocks to get to the Four Seasons? If you can't walk, no one has any fun. And you are wearing a LONG DRESS! No one is going to see your feet!"
If you look at the time stamp on this post, you'll see it's about 6:30am. I am waiting for the shoe stores to open....
Posted at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
January 16, 2009
MLK Day Lecture at the National Theatre
On my last day in Kampala, I gave a lecture at the Uganda National Theater. Truthfully, I didn’t really expect many people to show up. The lecture, “Owning History: The Legacy of The Legacy of Martin Luther King”, was scheduled smack in the middle of the day. Further, the scheduled time block was two hours long. Me, being American, just couldn’t see folks coming out in the middle of the day for a two hour lecture by someone they never heard of.
Was I ever wrong. The auditorium was packed—even the balcony. This is a testament to the lively intellectual culture of Uganda. My speech was about the way that the legacy of MLK has been altered and stripped of its message of radical social change. I was nervous about the speech. Part of my worry was the matter of my accent. I practiced speaking in such a way that I pronounced all my consonants.
You wouldn’t believe the reaction to the lecture. I spoke for about thirty minutes, but the Q&A went on for about two hours more. Some of the questions were personal observations about the legacy of MLK and others had done extensive research and wanted my opinion about the legacy of other civil rights era leaders. And the name on everyone’s lips was “Obama.”
I don’t think I am doing justice to the experience by calling it a Q&A. This was very different from the tepid exchange you would expect after at lecture at an American university. Some of the questions poses were mini-speeches—more advocacy statements than questions. A few people were downright theatrical. One man gave something realy close to a rousing rendition of the “I Have A Dream” speech itself! I was called on the carpet for the imperialist foreign policy of the US. I was asked if African Americans are resentful of Obama “because his father was not a slave.” (I felt the need to point out that my dad wasn’t a slave either.) At the end, it was just so clear to me how much more informed people in other countries are. I cannot imagine an American audience with such a broad understanding of the history of another country.
Afterwards, I signed autographs, and took photos with hundreds of people. I felt like I was living someone else’s life. Afterwards, I was spirited off. I had a plane to catch.
January 13, 2009
A Beautiful Community of Writers
Today, was an excellent day in the FEMRITE residential writing conference. We rolled up our sleeves and got down to business. The day is structured so that we meet from 8am to about 10am—when we break for tea, and then back to work again until lunch at one. Afterwards, we get together again and work until 3pm tea and then plow on until 5pm. It took a while to get used to stopping for tea—which means hot chocolate and cookies, but it doesn’t take long to be accustomed to luxury.
The bulk of today was spent with my advanced class, who are in the picture. We workshopped a really interesting story about a girl returning to school after escaping abduction by rebels. The conversation went on so long, we almost missed our tea. As we sipped on our cocoa (made with hot milk, not water. Hot WHOLE milk.) we also discussed Dorreen Baingana, with whom I am obsessed. The conversation was lively and I think we all learned a lot from each other.
Tonight, there is a dinner with the folks from the US Embassy. It will be cool to meet them after so much emailing. Tomorrow morning, it’s back to the conference. There is a part of me that’s a little disappointed that I haven’t been able to do much sight-seeing. But at the end of the day, it’s the people that make a place and I have made such wonderful new friends.
Posted at 09:24 AM | Comments (2)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
January 12, 2009
In The Swing of Things
I'm giving up on posting photos. That will just have to wait until I get home. I couldn't resist, so you can follow me on twitter. (www.twitter.com/tayari)
I am having a really good time here. About thrity women are registered for the residential workshop. We are divided into two groups, beginner and advanced. We've only met one day, but there is such energy in the room.
Uganda has a bit of a different vibe than Ghana. When I was in Ghana, the people seemed very much into the idea of the children of the Diaspora returning home. I suppose this is a result of the Pan African rhetoric of their independence. Also, with slave dungeons dotting the countryside, there really is no way not to make a connection.
People here area very kind-- especially my hosts. However, I often overhear people refer to me as a "foriegner." I suppose that is what I am, but it is disconcerting to hear that word applied to oneself. I have read a lot of immigrant literature and this work comes up a lot, but I now can really understand how alienating this is.
Well, I need to get off this machine before it crashes again. Also, my driver is here to take me to the workshops. More later!
Posted at 11:24 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
Sunday Dance Recital
Yesterday, I went to a most amazing dance performance. My hosts insisted;although I was a bit tired they promised it would be worth staying up for. (I was a bit apprehensive. I tell you, they need a better word than plain "jet lag." What I feel is much stronger than mere jet lag.
Anyway, they were right. The dance performance was breath-taking. the dancers hail from various ethnic groups throughout Uganda. You could just see the audience members swell with pride when their own group was represented. When I say dance recital, I know you are imagining sitting in a dull auditorium-- but this was an outdoor event. The dancers, dressed in colorful costumes performed a series of narrative dances-- it had all the story-line of Swan Lake but with triple the entertainment value and quadruple the emotion. The picture you see here, I snapped with my blackberry, but I hope to soon display the pictures I took with my real camers. (IT issues)br />
The highlight of the performance was the dance for peace. The women dancers keep adding pots atop thier hands as they danced. By the end, the pots stood ten high. The meaning is that those is power should be careful, ballance all the pots, and leave none to break-- no matter how vigorous the dance.
Posted at 05:04 AM | Comments (0)
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January 11, 2009
What? No Refrigerator Magnets?
I am writing this post from the lovely Protea Hotel in Kampala. I was so tired when I got in, that I didn't even notice how posh everything is. I woke up this morning and thought I was in the W.
One thing I was looking forward to in Uganda was meeting the other TAYARIs out there. Afterall, the name is Kiswahili and this is east Africa. I imagined myself, at last, being a person with a common name. I saw myself buying TAYARI coffee mugs, key chains,and refrigerator magnets. It would feel like being a JENNIFER.
I was so disappointed when my wonderful hosts gently explained that TAYARI is not exactly used as a name here. It's more like an abstract now meaning "preparedness" or "ready." Not exactly coffee mug copy. I was so crushed that one of my hosts offered kindly, "we can always look."
More later...
Posted at 06:47 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
January 09, 2009
On My Way Out
Just a quick goodbye as I head out for my trip to Uganda. I wanted to leave you with a nice collection of links to tide you over until I got back, but I am just too swamped. Pls forgive.
I'll be in Uganda just about a week giving a workshop to the women of FEMRITE, a woman's writers organization. The schedule is INTENSE. I'll be in class about five hours a day, but I am really looking forward to it. (My hotel looks pretty swanky, but I won't be spending much time in it!) I believe I will have internet, although I am not bringing my laptop. I'll take photos and will happily post. No twitter this time, tweeting on my phone from Ghana cost me about $300!
On January 15th, at the National Theatre in Kampala, I'll give a lecture for MLK Day which is going to be about the "gentrification" of his memory and how we, as writers, must preserve the truth as we experience it. I'll also give a reading from my own work. Then, I'll come on home and take a nap, then head out to DC.
I am not sure if tickets are available for the Dreams From My Father Inaugural Ball, but if they are, you should totally go. I'm going to be presenting awards to two of my favorite folks: Johnetta B. Cole and Natasha Trethewey. Also in the line-up: Pearl Cleage.
So, I am hoping to check in before I get home, if not, I'll see you here on the 17th when I make my pit stop in Jersey to grab my ball gown.
xo, Tayari
Posted at 10:10 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Travels & Rambles
January 08, 2009
Thank You, Mosaic!
Yesterday, the UPS man came to my apartment. I have to say that the sight of him is usually reward enough, but this time there was lagniappe: forty issues of Mosaic Magazine.
Ron Kavanaugh, editor of Mosaic never sleeps. In the box was a little note that read: Tayari, Mosaic represents a commitment to all writers of the African Diaspora. When you arrive in Uganda, please deliver these copies to the women of FEMRITE with my compliments.
Thanks, Ron. And to show my dedication, I am taking three pairs of shoes out of my suitcase to make room for these beautiful magazines. And if you need Mosaic in your life, subscribe. It's just $15 for a year and $25 for two.
Posted at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
Category:
Community Service
January 06, 2009
When Good Things Happen To Good People
The NYT, more specifically MICHIKO KAKUTANI, is doing back flips over Jayne Anne Phillips' new novel, Lark and Termite. I have to admit 
that I did a few back flips myself when I read the review. Here's a peek at the acrobatics:
Ms. Phillips knows her characters so intimately and tackles their stories with such ferocity that the novel does not devolve into soap opera but instead ascends into the higher, more rarified altitudes of fable.
Jayne Anne has always been a hero of mine. I found a journal from 1999 in which I layed out all my writerly pipe dreams. One of them was "Meet Jayne Anne Phillips." In the margin I'd written "possible?!?!" after that was a discouraged littel frowny-face. Imagine how it felt in 2005 when she called me on the phone, inviting me to join her at the new MFA program at Rutgers-Newark University. She told me that she wanted to start a program that would make a difference to all of us as American writers.
I was so impressed that I quit my other job, sold my house over the phone, and came out New Jersey to help her.
And now, she has a new book out-- her first novel in almost ten years and it is a knockout.
Congratulations, Jayne Anne. You deserve all this and more. And I am sure that "more" is right around the corner!
New Year, New Links
I'll Pass on the Audio Book
Lately I have been spending a lot of time in the gym. In an effort to keep myself engaged as I trot on the treadmill, I like to read crime fiction, but only in big print. (I have to be able to read as I huff and puff.) On twitter, it was suggested that I try audio books, but I politely declined. I understand that audio books are helpful for people who have vision problems, but I don't think that listening to the book is the same as reading it. In my opinion, listening to a book is more like watching a film adaptation.
Most audio books are read by actors who interpret the characters and perform them accordingly. As a writer, I work hard to avoid stereotypes in my work, to make everyone real to make sure no one is a symbol. I guess this is what we all do. Well, one audio book reader can undo all that careful crafting in five seconds. A badly performed accent can turn a beautiful character into an embarrassing caricature in only a few lines of excruciating dialogue.
The example above is such a nightmare, but even a "good" audio book tells the reader what to think, depriving her of the joy of reading the book and finding the voice in her own head. Because of this, I am not sure that letting the author read-- as is suggested by Ask Nicola-- is the answer. Even I were to do my own audio book, I would still be exerting undo influence on the reader's experience. In writing classes we say that publishing a book is like putting your first grader on the bus for the first day of school. You've done all you can to prepare her for the experience, and you just have to trust that she's ready. You can't get on the bus with her and protect her from bullies and misunderstandings. You just kiss her goodbye, stand on the corner waving, scared to death, while hoping for the best.
January 04, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDDADDY WELDON
Today would have been his 100th Birthday. Weldon B. Posey was a terrific grandfather. We miss him a lot.
Posted at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)
Category:
TROPICAL FISH by Doreen Baingana
I'd read Tropical Fish before, but I had forgotten just how brilliant Doreen is! I am forcing myself to choose only two stories for my packet, but I can't begin to choose. I love me some coming of age stories and her young narrators are aces. I know I'll end up using one of the epistolary stories because writing a letter that seems like a letter, but still tells a story is a complicated maneuver-- which Doreen pulls off not once, but twice in the collection.
So, here are the stories I am thinking of using and a little bit of summary.
I know I said I can only use two, but there are just so many tempting stories. I wish, I wish, I could afford to buy books for all thirty women in the class!
January 02, 2009
Dreams From My Father Inaugural Ball!
As promised, here is a Q&A with novelist, entrepreneur, PR professional-- Gretchen Cook Anderson, one of the organizers of the "Dreams From My Father" American Scholars Inaugural Ball. I know that a lot of people out there want to participate in the festivities in DC, but besides google mapping the route to DC, we don't have the first idea on how to get involved. So, with no further ado, here's Gretchen and what she has to say:
Tayari: Gretchen, for many people—myself included—all the inauguration stuff is uncharted territory. Can you quickly let everyone know what exactly IS an inaugural ball?
Gretchen: The short answer is that it's a party. The long answer is that the best balls, in my opinion, bring two worlds together. In the most basic sense, it is a gala to celebrate the new president and with Barack Obama, there is obviously a lot to celebrate. So there will be food, music, party clothes, swank amenities.
Tayari: Sounds like my kind of party.
Gretchen: But a ball should also bring attention to an important issue. For the “Dreams From My Fathers” ball, we are highlighting the achievements of African American intellectuals. We’re honoring Toni Morrison, Cornell West, and other black scholars. We’re also giving a portion of the proceeds to education advocacy groups.
Tayari: I think it’s important that these folks be honored on this historic occasion. When you think about it, they really paved the way.
Gretchen: We want to honor them, but we also want to make sure that they have a good time! Macy Gray will be the MC and we’re expecting LL Cool J, Alicia Keys, Chrisette Michele and others. There will be a DJ and also a house band.
Tayari: You know I am in favor of that. I believe in a good time, especially for a good cause.
Gretchen: Did you see that we are honoring Johnnetta B. Cole?
Tayari: I did see that. I love that there are people on the list from HBCUs, the Ivies, and lots of other places. It’s like the true diversity of black scholarship is on full display.
Gretchen: That’s really what we are going for. We wanted it to be as diverse as possible. The honorees are multi-generational, they hail from all over the country. We've got novelists and neurosurgeons on the list. But biggest thing is that is it going to be welcoming to everyone.
Tayari: What about people that want to attend? I know I was interested, but I didn’t know how to go about getting tickets to a ball. I thought I needed to know a congressman or something. And I had no idea that there would even *be* events like this!
Gretchen: There are still some tickets available. You can get them at our website. It’s filling up fast, but right now, there are some available spaces.
Tayari: Just don’t give away my seat!
Gretchen: You know I wouldn’t do that.
Posted at 07:04 PM | Comments (2)
Category:
Current Events
Thanks for Your Braces and 80's Fashion!
The images are in and results are tallied. I am delighted to send a check for $520 to Girls Write Now. 22 brave souls sent in your photos and ten wrote on your blogs. Some people wrote checks to support this fantastic cause. So, with no further, ado, here are the latest pictures. Click on the mosaic to see the full batch-- and to find out who these teens are now. You'd be surprised.
Posted at 10:39 AM | Comments (1)
Category:
Community Service
January 01, 2009
Hitting the Ground Running Links
Take The Champagne and Run!
For New Year's Eve I hung out with Jarita Davis who swooped through NYC on her way to Lisbon. (Is she fabulous? Indeed.) We were sure we could find some NYE's mischeif in New York. After all, it is New York and between we think we know everybody. Well, after receiving about a dozen text messages from folks indicating that we were welcome to join them in a marathon viewing of Heros, Season Six, we decided to head out on our own in search of an appropriate way to ring in the New Year.
Here's where it starts feeling like a metaphor: We went to LITM, my favorite Jersey City bar. There was a prix fixe menue-- $89-- but we figured begggars couldn't be choosers. But, actually, we could be choosers. Jarita asked if we could order off the regular menu. "Sure," said the waitress. So we did, cutting our bill by more than half-- and allowing us to eat what we really wanted. Namely the grilled duck and Jamaican bread budding. When it came time for the ball drop, we put on our 2009 silver sparkle spectacles and ordered champagne. We toasted, he hugged each other and a couple strangers. at 12:02, the waitress dropped by the table two more splits of bubbly. We didn't order it. We didn't pay for it. But we put it in our pocketbooks and headed for the door.
This is the way to start the new year. Ask for what you want and be open and free champagne will fall into your lap. You just have to have sense enough to take it and run.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 2009 IS GOING TO BE OUR YEAR!
Posted at 01:54 PM | Comments (1)
Category:
Current Events