Bahamas, Day 1

I was mostly on my own on Paradise Island my first day in the Bahamas and actually relaxed. The view from my room is amazing or what one may call breath-taking. I went to the pool and read a book which I'm dreading finishing because it is so good. In the afternoon I took a free casino gaming class which turned out to be really fun. Blackjack and Craps were on the agenda. I'm ready to hit the tables in Vegas now! All I need is some money to hit them with. :)

There was a huge storm and an accompanying power outage. Where would you NOT want to be during a power outage? The survey says...Elevator! That's right, my brother-in-law and I had just gotten into the elevator when the power outage occurred and believe me, I was a little worried for the few seconds that the lights were out. Luckily we were out of there within 2 minutes. It was one of those, "I hope I don't end up like that guy in the you tube video" moments. Ever see the guy who was stuck for 46 hours? I think I'd lose it eventually, if only for a few minutes.

We indulged and at at Nobu but I wasn't too impressed. The NYC location is better according to my bro-in-law and I'd have to think so. They were even out of kelp for the Kelp Salad. I offered to run out to the beach and get some but the waiter didn't think that would work. It was worth the laugh it got though.

It is a bit strange being at a resort because it's like living in a little microcosm of the entire place. There is a Market Village area but it is all owned or affiliated with the resort. We're looking forward to going over to Nassau and other places to check things out. Everything is geared at tourism though.

So far the Bahamas are pretty cool and give great opportunity for photos which is even better.

What I Did this Summer...

It seems like I'm always on the road and for the past two months that would be a difficult statement to argue with. I never thought I was a person who would like so much to be away form home but I guess we begin to learn these things about ourselves as we go out into the world, huh?

So far this year (for work and fun): Ontario (California), Fresno, Memphis, Chicago, NYC and now the Bahamas. I'm in the middle of a 2-hour layover in fact. Next up: San Fransicso and Puerto Vallarta for weddings. I think I'll be beside myself in July unless I find a way out of town again! I'm excited about seeing some new places as other than the Bay Area my upcoming travel is taking me to places I haven't been.

Got any summer travel plans?

Iron Man

Robert Downey, Jr. has been "back" for a while but I think Iron Man has made it official. He's not only healthy and still brilliant but he's also a superhero.

Iron Man is a must-see on the big screen if you're considering waiting for DVD and a must-see if you're on the fence about it. Why?

1. Political: the original comic version of Iron Man, the main character Tony Stark was in Vietnam and becomes a hero in the backdrop of the Cold War. The new story for the film brings the hero into modern times and since we have a war going on as we read and write he is relevant and the kind of hero we need.

2. Acting: Robert Downey, Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow...the film combines the best of the best with an excellent story. These actors are in atypical roles which is even better.

3. No 1: the film was number one and a record-breaker for a reason. If it was awful, word would have gotten out. You need to see it so you can talk about it. This is the compelling and content-vacant peer pressure reason. I am into lists at the moment and felt two good reasons wouldn't complete the list so I added this third reason.

Iron Man had a great dialogue, great characters and entertained and excited me. There are also two noticeable sequel set-ups including a worthwhile bonus scene after the credits that make really a fourth reason to see it. You'll need to in order to enjoy the sequel or a follow-up project of any sort if it happens.

Robert Downey Jr. Bonus news: He will play "playboy" Hugh Hefner in a big-screen biopic that is slated to be aptly titled "Playboy". This news was just released hours ago.

So Long, Sydney...

Film Director and Producer Sydney Pollack is another in an ever growing list of people lost to cancer. You may not recognize him by sight but he was a wonderful director whose list of projects includes one of my absolute favorite films, The Way We Were.

Other films by the great American director:
- Out of Africa
- Tootsie
- This Property is Condemned
- Three Days of the Condor
- The Firm
- Sabrina

He was responsible most recently for producing Michael Clayton which starred George Clooney. His films spanned genres and I'm sure in the list you'll find a happy memory too. Pollack also acted in his films and others. You may even remember him as Will's dad on televisions "Will and Grace".

Thank you for your legacy, Mr. Pollack. Many thoughts and prayers are with you.

As an aside, my thoughts are also with Senator Kennedy and his family as he begins a fight of his own.

Wicked NYC

I'm in NYC, one of my favorite places in the world. I have less than two more days left on my trip and know I won't really want to go. They weather has been awful (cold, windy, rainy) but it is still so great to be here. My mom had a big birthday this year and I decided she HAD to see the city so that's why I'm here, with her and her friend.

The picture, before I forget to mention it, it the sunset on Monday evening, from Top of the Rock...the cool, hip and quicker alternative to the Empire State Building at the Rockefeller Building. That was from the 69th floor.

We saw Wicked tonight and I'd seen it before but it was much different on Broadway. I see now how it makes such a difference to actually see shows here versus at the SD Civic Theater or even in Los Angeles which are both places I've seen this same musical before. Nevertheless, if you haven't seen it, see Wicked wherever you can. It is amazing, clever and touching even the third time!

Anyway, it was a perfect night that could have been otherwise. For some reason I thought the show started at 8pm so I made dinner reservations at an expensive but worth it restaurant for 615pm. A glance at the tickets around 545pm showed us that the show was actually at 7pm...there went dinner before the show.

As a result of the mishap, we were all starving after the show and in good spirits so I was able to get the ladies to check out a new part of town. We headed away from Broadway and walked a longer distance than expected but ended up in Hell's Kitchen where I'd never been before and had a great, inexpensive dinner. It was probably our most enjoyable meal since being in the city and yet another time that proved best laid plans, when abandoned, can lead to the best outcome.

I would write more but we went to Ellis Island this morning at 8am (to avoid the line that was still too, too long) and it is after 1am so time to go! It was a long trip out there but after reading about immigrants' experiences, I shouldn't complain. Gosh I have so much more to talk about but it can wait until tomorrow...I Heart NYC.

AI

I am watching American Idol, on the night it airs, for only the 3rd time this entire season. I am not certain but I'm expecting Syesha to get kicked off. As soon as I'm done typing I'm going to hit the fast forward button on my Tivo. Why? I still don't get Fantasia. I'm not talking about the Disney movie but about the woman. She looks hideous and sounds worse to me. Wow. Good luck to the David's.

Playing Catch Up

It has been a while and we have mostly your mom to thank for that. Or, maybe my mom. It was Mother's Day and I have been busy. In all of the hours and all of the time away from home, I have had some good times. Here's the Top 10 List in no particular order:

1. Hard Candy: the new Madonna CD is like one long jam. There is one slow number I think but all in all, I'm really digging it. Pharrell Williams is one of the major producers and his influence is definitely there and appreciated. He's clever in laying tracks and his use use of R-L recording. We've only got 4 minutes...

2. Consolers of the Lonely: The Raconteurs also put out a new album and I love it too. Jack White should consider making his "other" band into his primary band unless Meg White is able to tour sometime soon. The Raconteurs' album is a must for fans of White and either of his bands or fans of rock/rock-country who love some good lyrics. "Shades of Black" is the track I'm too into.

3. Wrigley Field: I had the chance to check out the Cubs in their home town. It was a game versus the Brewers who is a team we don't care about much in CA but in Chicago, there is a clear rivalry. Milwaukee is close enough that the fans drive to Wrigley and the stadium gets loud. I bought my first Cubs hat, ate my first dog at a Cubs game and best of all saw my first Cubs victory in person.

4. 29: I'm 29 now. I worked for 13 hours on my birthday but still had time for a nice dinner and a decent day over all thanks to the locals.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall: dear Lord...apparently frontal male nudity is ok, as long as it is not of a sexual nature. Jason Segal took full advantage and showed off a few times in this one. I mention it because that's what
everyone's talking about! It was an ok film. There were really funny parts...that's what she said...that were unrelated to Segal's exposure but there were also parts that were just ok. If you like the other movies like it, check it out. if not, don't bother.

6. Iron Man: I haven't seen it yet but it's out and Robert Downey Jr. is doing great. Cheers to RDJ!

7. Success: Things have gone really well for me over the past couple of weeks, professionally. Personally things are good and bad but that's how the see-saw goes. I won't elaborate on the professional or the related personal but I will say that I have overcome some fears of non-success and that has made all the difference.

8. Mraz, Buble, The Breeders and Northern State: I went to four concerts over the past few weeks and they wer eall different but all totally enjoyable. Jason Mraz drops a new album today. I recommend you buy it and listen to it. Don't forget to relax and enjoy. If he comes to your town, go see him. If he happens to be in a town you're in, go see him. I caught him in Chicago and woah! Michael Buble was a Mother's Day surprise for my mom and he was very entertaining. Funny guy, created an intimate setting though he had a crowd of 12.5K and he can belt 'em out. The Breeders packed a small house and made fans very, very happy. The thing I enjoy if an act isn't my favorite is seeing the faces of the people who are seeing an act that is their favorite. Very cool. Northern State brought hip-hop from the east coast to tha West Coast and though San Diego didn't bring a crowd to the Casbah, the people who were there made up for the numbers with sheer enthusiasm for the trio of ladies. Oooh, girl.

9. Elton John: I sat in the 3rd row at the Honda Center, right in front of the man and his piano. Only in looking at the video screens have I ever actually seen him play. This was too real to be good. It was GREAT. Elton brings the same energy he did years ago with even more humbleness than he should even express. I got his autograph, Sir. And, yes, when I did, I cried.

10. NYC: I leave next week and this time it's for vacation. Fabulous!

11. MS Walk: I know it is a top 10 but I wanted to add a thank you to everyone who supported me and Team ProFlowers in this year's MS Walk. The MS Society didn't post the numbers they wanted to but I definitely exceeded my goals! Thank you. www.mswalk.com/rabiahc