The Mayonnaise Jar Philosophy‏ by The Professor

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when
24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and
the 2 cups of coffee.

*********************************

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty Mayonnaise Jar and proceeded to fill it with
golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They
agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into
the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open
areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the
jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up all the empty spaces. He asked once more
if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes'.
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the
empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health,
friends, and favorite passions - Things that if everything else was
lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house,
and car. The sand is everything else -- The small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is
no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will
never have room for the things that are important to you.

So. . . . .

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Talk with your parents. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the car.

'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. 'To show
you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room
for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Woman in Red !‏

I want a red dress.
I want it flimsy and cheap.
I want it too tight, I want to wear it
until someone tears it off me.

I want it sleeveless and backless,
this dress, so no one has to guess
what's underneath.
I want to walk like I'm the only
woman on earth and I can have my pick.

I want that red dress bad.
I want it to confirm
your worst fears about me,
to show you how little I care about you
or anything except what I want.

When I find it, I'll pull that garment
from its hanger like I'm choosing a body
to carry me into this world, through
the birth-cries and the love-cries too,
and I'll wear it like bones, like skin. . . . .

Wind of Change Blows on my Face‏

The wind of change
Blows through our days
Sometimes can leave
Our minds with haze

When thinks do not
Go as expected
It is easy to feel
Quite dejected

If we live
With love inside
And never faith
We compromise

We can bring
Our dreams to reality
Transform that haze
Into clarity

Wind of change
Can be uplifting
Promising
And also gifting

A chance for
Love and new beginnings
When you believe
You end up winning.

Movie Review - 'Limitless'‏

'Limitless', is a clever, stylish little exercise in drug-fueled
paranoia. This film raises the question, 'If the apple from the
tree of knowledge fell right into your lap, would you take a bite?
And then what would you do?'

The apple in this case is an illicit designer drug, NZT. Now,
it isn't just another quick high, but instead, it makes a lie
of the old saying that we only use 20 percent of our brains and
cranks that percentage up to 100. Can you fathom that! The
possibilities are endless in theory and also for the purpose
of this story.

A thirty-something writer Eddie Mora (Bradley Cooper 'The A-Team'),
is divorced with a terminal case of writer's block. Here is a guy
who was just dumped by his most recent girlfriend Lindy (Abbie
Cornish 'A Good Year'), because he's going nowhere at the speed
of light. By circumstance, our slacker finds himself in possession
of a stash of the wonder pill.
Suddenly, Eddie -- seducing the worlds of writing, women and
Wall Street -- has got massive amounts of game and brains, attracting
the attention of both barons of the boardroom like Carl Van Loon
(Robert De Niro 'Little Fockers'), bullies on the street like
Russian mobster Gennady (Andrew Howard), and some mysterious
third guy who keeps giving him the side eye and chasing him
around Manhattan.
And did someone mention side effects? Baby, this apple bites
back. This is where Eddie might be starting to realize that
getting really smart really quickly may have been a dumb thing
to do.

Bradley Cooper is great and really plays up both sides of that
coin, the intellect and when the drug wears out, the pauper.
I have been a big fan of his since the series 'Alias'. I always
enjoyed him because he stretches and doesn't just skate on his
looks. He tries to be diverse in his choice of roles. Lately,
he's seen in raunchy fare like 'The Hangover' and plodding
rom-coms ('Wedding Crashers' – didn't you hate him? 'He's Just
Not That Into You' – again the cad and we loved him in
'Valentine's Day').

'Limitless', based on the novel 'The Dark Fields' by Alan
Glynn and directed with a nimble efficiency and sense of visual
humor by Neil Burger ('Interview with the Assassin'), is at
times reminiscent of the work of Danny Boyle ('127 Hours',
'Slumdog Millionaire'), it never takes itself too seriously
but still manages to be suspenseful and clever. Burger, Cooper
and De Niro opened up what was a very cluttered book and
injected it with a jolt of cinematic electricity.
Smart move - smart movie.


* From Where I Sit!
March 27, 2011

'Evolution' Dinner Observations‏

Ladies & Gentlemen,

'I have called this principle, by which each slight variation,
if useful, is preserved, by the term 'Natural Selection.' ~ Charles
Darwin (Father of Evolution)

What a night! The guests reached a zenith of Forty-One. . . . WOW!

'Our hearts are drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see.' ~ George W. Russell

The following could have been my observations of the launch of
the 2011 season of dinner parties. I could have mentioned how the
'Evolution Dinner Party' far surpassed anything I envisioned or
could have imagined, but instead . . .

'Great effort from great motives is the best definition of a happy
life.' ~ William Ellery Channing

As is the case, with each shindig, the dynamics and especially
the landscape varies, not more discernible than this recent
eclectic ensemble. I have always been a big proponent of 'Evolution',
and how we must always evolve or perish.

Oscar Wilde said, 'Move forward or die!'

I could be writing about how this evening was elegant, without
being formal, like my attorney, gracious and a warmth and love
hard to surpass, but instead. . .

'To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds
our life.' ~ Pablo Neruda

I could be mentioning how after all this time and space our little
group is a true testament to class acts and how I should be as happy
has a little girl, but instead. . .

I could be thanking all the newcomers, who are far too many to mention
individually, and wish them to return, but instead . . .

The ladies who were jaunting along like little girls in a playground,
while at the same time exuding such fiery sultriness, were palpable.
Luigi was having trouble concentrating on any one lady, the beautiful
and gorgeous came out in droves. One lady in particular, who has blessed
me with her friendship, is a loving creature. The hair, the cheekbone,
the way she smiles, even her posture, is unpretentious. Teresa Silvano
looked 'Good Enough to Eat!' Delicious! I could be dispensing admiration
of that sort, but instead . . .

'Camminando le donne può tutto mostrare...Ma niente non lasciare
vedere!' ~ Marcello Mastroianni
(Sensual women can show everything, without revealing anything!)

I could be singing from the rafters how this little kid from the
other side of the tracks, had Quebec Royalty grace his table in the
form of a 'Disco Diva'. How Patsy Gallant became a raconteur and
entertained her coterie, but instead. . .

I could be mentioning the camaraderie I witnessed on numerous
occasions, as I glimpsed at little cliques that formed. Gabrielli,
Latino, Fiorante, and Garone to name but a few. Groups of
people I would not have matched or others I had not seen together
since my adolescence, but instead. . .

We like wine . . . Everything about it . . . The cool feel of
the bottle . . . The pop of the cork . . . The splash of the pour
and the tip of the glass. Great wine has the power to make any
meal or moment memorable. It's magical that way.

I could be pointing out how the wine we had was such a magical
elixir. 'Arboleda' Cabernet Sauvignon de Chile, was full-bodied,
ruby red, deliciously dry, with a hint of a woody finish, yet
velour to our palette, but instead . . .

I feel it remise not to thank Gianni, and the personnel at
Cavalli, for consistently making us feel special. Those culinary
delights emanating from the kitchen, under the supervision of
chef extra-ordinaire Frankie Baby, like the lamb chops, the
sinful Mac&Cheese and the leafy Endive salad. All those exquisite
main courses from the Salmon, to the Sea Bass, to the Veal
chop, etc.

I could have acknowledged the succulence of those first
'Shrimps Tempura' and 'Raw Oysters'. Could have mentioned how
they made 'The Professor' utter, in a low breath . . .

'Frank, if this were the only dish it would be enough.'

Thank you for taking my hand and traveling with me on this
journey, when you suggested I go back to school. I couldn't
have done it without your guidance, fortitude and perseverance.
I hope I can inspire you as much as you have me.

'Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not
born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that
a new world is born.' ~ Anais Nin

I could have aggregated the following, 'Life's euphoria is
made up of little moments you steal away from the mundane'.
This night was such a moment, but instead . . .

'We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for after
a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.' ~ Marcel Proust

* From Where I Sit!
Friday, March 25, 2011

'Enchantment' Dinner Observations‏

'We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who
begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at
once, before a word has been spoken.' ~ Dostoevsky

After a 45 minutes ride, which went by in a flash, I arrived
at my destination, 'The Food Porn Palace'. The anticipation had
been palpable for the past seven days, in part due to the fact
that this night had been in the pipeline for some time, on account
of some of the ladies that inspired this shindig were unavailable,
but ultimately, they did not even attend. Live and learn!

'Your primary purpose is to be here fully, and to be total in
whatever you do so that the preciousness of the present moment
does not become reduced to a means to an end. And there you
have your life purpose. That's the very foundation of yourè
life.' ~ Eckhart Tolle

A couple of decades earlier, on such a journey, on such an
evening, in the back of a limo, a young man reclined like a
Master of the Universe. A new friend I had met, in of all places,
a restaurant club in Ft.Lauderdale named 'Yesterday's', but who
actually lived on the South Shore of Montreal, in a tiny, very
Nationalist enclave called St.Jean-sur-Richelieu.
This man, let us call him Gaston Paradise, was the largest
builder of government subsidized housing, military barracks,
warehouses and office buildings in that town. He was the biggest
fish in a small pond. Gaston liked limos, blue ones, so he could
drink to his heart's content. Whenever he came down to Montreal,
either to party or dinner, it was always in a long, blue
limousine. In all the time I knew him, it was always the driver.
I would arrange outings, dinners, and the like with very
attractive, successful older women. He had confided in me,
back in Ft.Lauderdale that he had been observing me for some
time from a distance, within my entourage, and loved the way
I operated. He offered to bankroll me if I would include him
and his good friend in my circle. And that was the beginning
of a long, very interesting and fruitful friendship.

In the setting sun the striking skyline glitters, alight with
promise, dripping with possibilities.

For a while my neighbors did not know what to make of this
seemingly regular, clandestine visitor in this big blue car
picking up the kid down the street.

At first it seemed we were going to have one of my famous dinners
of seven, then a funny thing happened, people commenced trickling
in and before you knew it we became an ensemble. What began slowly
and with very little fanfare culminated into a most enchanting
soiree.

'Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born
until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world
is born.' ~ Anais Nin

The motley group of fellow party diners soon gathered to party on.
We were able to amass quite a montage of bon vivants! The sparkling,
flashing, neon, lights twinkling brighter than the early-evening
stars.

'We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at
least once. And we should call every truth false which was not
accompanied by at least one laugh.' ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

I'm back to verbalize my reflections and laud the virtues of
our latest culinary tête-à-tête. As is customary let us welcome
the nubile Nicole, Linda, and that delicious birthday girl Teresa,
as well as 'The Lonewolf'. New male members of our cortege are
few and far between. Renato was a formidable addition as well as
a gentleman. I hope he along with those delightful dames continue
to grace our table.
I'm a big proponent of evolution, and this group has definitely
evolved. It was different and unique, as they always are. As is
the case with each gathering, the dynamics and especially the
landscape changes, and this time the changes were subtle. I mean
the splinters seemed to be grouped as though it was preordained
by affiliations, desires, wants and needs.
It's similarities to an ever-changing living organism that grows
as it absorbs particles it picks up along its journey like Teresa.
There's a fresh particle. She had had a working relationship with
'Madame Sotheby's, in the carriage trade, so it was a seamless effort
on either part. They hit it off. Along with Madame's beau, 'Monsieur
Arbitrage', both had recently flown in from down south. They are
so precious! Love them both. The lovely and effervescent 'Ivana',
who made her second trek to one of my dinners in recent memory.
What an exquisite and smooth accent. It plays off the ear like
its namesake.
'The Cat', to whom I shall add the prefix 'Sultry' from this
date forward, maybe because it had been so long we had not seen
each other but she exuded sensuality to a whole other level.
Speaking of sensual levels. Hilda, who from this moment on shall
be forever known as 'Boobs'. WOW! In all the time I have known
her, had never noticed the curvaceousness of that kitten. Also
in that corner was the always bodacious 'Biker Babe', Patricia
and 'The Lonewolf'.
Next to me sat the always constant in a sea of change Doris
and Patrick. Facing them, the 'Prodigal Son' returns, the always,
gregarious Frank Manzone. 'The Photographer' dazzled the ladies
with his Beatlesque look and who's attention was directed solely
at the delicious and vixenish 'Meryl'.
In the other wing, of this long train, there was Anna, 'The
Attorney', being amused by 'The Printer' and 'La Regina' holding
court. And I smiled!

'I have gotten to a point in my life where I don't want to have
dinner with someone I don't like.' ~ John Frankenheimer

There was a sweet smell of sensuality emanating from our mostly,
female coterie. I enjoyed that most of the ladies wore skirts, except
the ones that slipped through the cracks and I forgot to mention it
to, failed dramatically but for the most part I was privy to a bouquet
of stems. I relish in and appreciate the infinite beauty and exquisite
curvature of the female form. Show it, flaunt it, admire it and allow
it to blossom.

A special mention to 'The Attorney' who looked every bit une 'Femme
Fatale'... 'Camminando le donne può tutto mostrare... ma niente
lasciare vedere! (Sensual women can show everything, without revealing
anything!).' ~ Marcello Mastroianni

I feel it remiss not to thank Gianni and the personnel at Cavalli,
for consistently making us feel special. Our very own and personal
assistant Audrey, who time and time again as shown great stamina, in
the face of a constant barrage of requests from a spoiled bunch (or
maybe that's just me?). Kudos to the chefs, Frank and Nick, the dishes
were remarkable and sublime. The Swordfish with a smidgen of squash
concoct was exquisite, moist and mouth-watering. The Salmon Tartare
was devilish. The Filet Mignon was rich and rosy. Inspirations!
They say the measure of a great restaurant is the consistency of its
dishes. Once again, 'The Food Porn Palace' as proven that dictum,
and its King's altruism never cease to amaze me.

During the evening someone asked, "Are you going to mention me in
your 'Observations'?" To which I replied, "I don't feel inspired."
Well, what do you know here I am, again!

Love the music, love the sunshine love the whispering winds that
deliver fresh petals, to far away places. Adore subtle hues, the line
of a suit or an historic house draped in springtime. Nestle into
a trusting arm, on a cozy floor from which to gaze above at possibilities
in life, at stars that beckon dreamers all the while listening to
the whispers of friends' hearts and lovers' lips.

'I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning
and that's the best they're going to feel all day.' ~ Dean Martin

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who
treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything
happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both
hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy,
they just promised it would be worth it. Life is short, Break the rules,
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and
never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party
we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.

'A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to
us. To live is to be slowly born.' ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather
to skid in sideways, cigar in one hand, wine in the other, body
thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "Woo! What a ride!"


* From Where I Sit! *
January 14, 2011

Holiday Dinner @ Globe‏

On December 10, to celebrate Christmas with my dear friend,
we partook in a most splendid dining experience on the Main
concluding that Christmas equals family we elected a familiar
place. Facing the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out
onto St-Laurent Blvd, as I watch the white, fresh snowflakes
sprinkling the cars and passers-by, think how rapidly time
can pass you by.

Serendipity a word I truly enjoy saying, hearing and what
it signifies. On Friday night it signified culinary discoveries
and a return to what made Globe unique, the inventiveness
of the cuisine.

'The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
landscapes but in having new eyes.' ~ Marcel Proust

We share a special connection, a bond, if you will, between
Globe and myself, along with my extended family. We have history.
My nieces have been celebrating their birthdays there since
turning eighteen, with each inviting their respective entourages.
Then there's my Godchild who was five years old when the
chef would prepare a special plate of pasta (which was not
on the menu). I remember she always adored him for it and showed
him with genuine hugs. He would take her their famous 'Tourte
au Chocolat', to enjoy at the bar, while I savored my cigar.
You see children, once upon a time . . . smoking, even a cigar,
was tolerated at bars and restaurants. The good old days!

There was no missing the long series of restaurants between
Sherbrooke and Pine Ave but all the action was at Globe. It
is the Hot Spot, especially on a Friday Night. It is the
destination 'de rigeur' that boasts eye candy and enticing
food. With their dazzling waitresses and up-to-the-minute
menus, Globe has always been considered 'hot' on all these
fronts. While some of its competitors have cuter waitresses
and better chairs, Globe always succeeded by offering the
full package. This past Friday evening I rediscovered an
old friend.

For a while the food wasn't up-to-par but it as returned
to its former glory, and rightful place above the fray of
restaurants and bistros all along the strip. The present
chef, Jean-François Baril has picked up that mantle and
brought back gusto to the kitchen. The plates produced from
that gallery were all topnotch.

Globe's cuisine exploits organic and local produce to its
fullest. This kitchen lets the quality of ingredients do the
talking. In that sense, let's begin with Les Snacks, a grouping
of marinated olives, Lupini beans and tiny slices of Sopressata
with chili audaciously packed a punch. The Hummus with chorizo
wafers was awesome. The appetizers, each separated in a bowl
with amazing flatbreads set on a butcher's wood slab, were cool
which best epitomizes what this restaurant is all about,
sophisticated simplicity.

The wine, selected by the proprietor, was a purple-red Sterling
Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, featured an exuberant nose, dry,
full-bodied elixir of the Gods with a delicious woody bouquet.
The white selection, a Vintner's Collection Chardonnay, was
rather delightful.

It was followed by a Mesclun salad with raspberries, candied
pecans, and small, stubby, finger-shaped Fingerling potatoes
made it a real treat. Delish! The second or third course depending
on your perspective, were these 'Gnudis'. Picture ravioli without
the meat, with tomato, garlic flower and pistachios. Heavenly!

The main courses consisted of a Glazed pork chop with potato
rosti on the side, apple and cauliflower, all of which, was
illegally buttery and tasty. A delight! The other main dish was
a Salmon resting on a sheet of potato purée covered with slight
shavings of garlic and a leek emulsion. Every morsel is melting
and fresh.
Finally the dessert, was an Apple 'Croustade' with sour cream
ice-cream, raisins and whiskey with a Maple whip. Sinful!

Gorgeous waitresses, models and actresses-in-waiting are
practically a hallmark at Globe, and our waitress, Melissa,
easily fits that description. With charm and professionalism
to spare, not to mention legs to Heaven and back. After the
witching hour, Globe metamorphosis into a club scene, which
was our cue.


* Restaurant Globe
3455 St.Laurent Blvd.
Montréal (514) 284-3823
www.restaurantglobe.com

* Reviewed December 10, 2010