The Ultimate Celebrity Sighting

It's a beautiful mild evening in the Big Apple tonight. I joined a friend for dinner after work at the The Half King (co-owed by Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm) for their Monday night book reading series.

After dinner, we headed east on 23rd Street. As we walked past the restaurant Bette, two doormen asked me to step back. I thought it odd since I had just about passed the doorway.

Then I noticed the standard celebrity vehicle, a black SUV, parked in front of the restaurant entry. I looked at the doormen and as I moved back from them, I rolled my eyes. They told me it would just be a few minutes. I told my work colleague Philippe that this had never happened before - I was sure it was going to be someone like Lindsay Lohan.

But instead, who steps out but Bill Clinton! His hair is full and very white but he looked older because he was so gaunt. I know everyone always looks smaller in person but he's very thin!

I looked at the doormen and they smiled. I said, "Okay this one is definitely worth it. I don't have a problem stepping back for Bill." As he walked by me, I said, "We love you, Bill." He stopped, took off his glasses, turned toward us, and raised his hand and said, "Thank you, thank you very much."

Bill, he's just so Elvis!

And no, there wasn't time for me to mention that I had missed the family portrait in 1996 because I bartendeding at a youth hostel in Tel Aviv. But I knew if I had asked to shake his hand, he would've stepped over. (But no Nancy, I didn't ask.)

Then we kept walking down 23rd street - Philippe was thankful it wasn't Obama -he's afraid I would have caused a scene but he said, "just like a New Yorker - tell a former President, 'we love you' then just keep walking to your subway."

Sometimes, I forgot that New York is pretty cool.

(Happy Birthday Micaela!)

Tear Down That Fence, Mr. Bush!

A little paraphrasing from the GOP's favorite icon, Ronald Reagan, as he commanded Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall in 1987.

The Bush Administration moved boldly today to address the issue of Immigration Reform. Did they come up with a progressive, thoughtful solution that the majority of Americans can support? Did they consider the aspect of human dignity and the reality of poverty? Did they think about the history of this nation as a place of opportunity for all? Did they send a message that moves beyond the fear and distrust; from a victim mindset to a place of innovation and hope; to the mindset of a leader?

Nope.

They came up with a solution that reflects the limited thought process of your average five-year old - a big wall to keep the bad guys out.

Yes, let's keep all of those immigrants making $4 cooking our meals, cleaning our toilets, and trimming our hedges out of America! Those criminals must take responsibility for all the havoc they are wreaking on American security and the economy. They don't deserve our respect, empathy, support and certainly not any benefits at all! Because by golly, my grandparents didn't get that when they came over from Yugoslavia! God knows, we don't want to make anything one iota better than what our grandparents experienced 75 years ago!

That's how much we've evolved in our humanity - everyone has to suffer just like me - then maybe they'll get my empathy - as long as they look like me, practice the same religion as me, eat the same food as me, and have the same political beliefs as me.

Never mind acknowledging that the existence of immigrants led to an evolution of legislation that supported the dignity of the America worker from the 40-hour work week, to child labor laws, to the National Labor Relations Act. I wish Americans - especially American lawmakers - were interested in the history of this country.

This law and this manner of thinking are a disgrace to the lady that stands in the New York harbor offering words of hope, encouragement, and welcome to all who wish to call America home.

(I know a little dramatic - but honestly, a FENCE?)

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Barack NOW!

I wish this entry was about my support for Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States. As a woman who appreciates the vast strides and unappreciated battles of all the women who came before me, nothing would give me more pleasure.

I think Hillary is brilliant, I think she cares, I think her focus and determination helped Bill get elected. But Hillary is not a leader, she's a politician. When she could have made a difference, she went along with the crowd - because it would make her and keep her electable.

Great, I voted and got a female Senator to represent me and she's not one iota different than the rest of the white men in Congress.

I don't dislike Hillary and I don't think she is simply in pursuit of power like so many of her critics say. (And my response to that criticism is "So what if she were? Nothing is wrong with using the power instilled in you for the greater good.") I just don't think Hillary has the courage to be a leader. Bill had the charisma and the opportunity but he gave into his fears and his ego. The real shame of Bill's administration is not the impeachment but that he didn't realize his potential. His immaturity and his lack of discipline failed him. And the Republican machine was standing by ready to fill the void.

The Democrats have disappointed me for years. They react. They whine. They keep propping up unelectable men with no charisma, no backbone, no vision, no courage to stake a claim on what is best for the entire country and the world. They say they are different from Republicans but when push comes to shove they vote right along with them. They are more concerned with saving their seats than making this country better. Yes, there are exceptions but they are far and few between and are viewed as flaky or out of touch. (i.e., Dennis Kucinich)

What this country desperately needs is a leader. A mature, thoughtful, determined leader - man, woman, black white, straight, gay. I don't mean a hero. Like the word angel, hero has been overused to the point of meaninglessness. Besides, I'm a self-sufficient, 45-year-old woman, I don't need a role model or a hero.

What I need and what I think this country needs is an individual who will stand up and speak my best voice. The voice inside me that believes all the myths of America's greatness, of the possibility that anyone can become anything, that people are genuinely good, that we support each other, that big dreams come true, and more than anything, that we invite the rest of the world to embrace our best self - that self of freedom, optimism, innovation, hard work, tolerance, and respect for all.

Since I first saw Barack Obama speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, I knew that he was different. So did everyone else who saw him speak! As I wrote in my blog entry, I stood alone and clapped and cheered and cried in my apartment. I called my Mom and said, "Are you watching - he's going to be our first black President!" Go to YouTube if you haven't seen this speech. Read his 2005 commencement address at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois if you think it was a fluke.

I was thrilled. I was moved. I was inspired. For a few minutes, I even believed in our political process again. A few weeks later I bought his book, "Dreams f My Father" and was impressed by his unprecedented candor, his poetic perspective, and his willingness for self-reflection.

Then the election. I gave up. I was bitter. I was angry. I was apathetic. I felt like I wasn't represented by anyone in my government - even the ones for whom I'd voted. I vowed I'd never give another dime to the Democratic party. I didn't read any blogs and I didn't write in mine. I felt powerless.

Then I watched a Keith Olbermann video and I got re-engaged. I made a choice to get re-engaged instead of moping like the Democratic party on the sidelines. As the tide has started to creak, I wanted to be excited about the buzz for Hillary. I knew I'd vote for her because as everyone said, "Who is the alternative?"

Then.

This week, Barack was in NYC promoting his new book, "The Audacity of Hope." A group from work were going to go but an early arriver let us know that an hour before he was due to speak, the store was packed, no seats left, no promise there would be time for all books to be signed. I decided to stay at work because I knew I'd get a chance to see him speak again. So I bought the book and started reading. Then I googled more recent speeches.

And I remembered.

In this new book, he gets to the heart of the matter. Each and every matter. Past the polarization, past the hatred, past the judgment, to a place of thought, of consideration, of spirit, of intelligence, of optimism, of accountability. It made me, for the first time since I was an adult, want to stay in the U.S. and see what we could be instead of moving to Europe as another disaffected, cynical, Bush-hating, American expatriate. Those of you who know me well - know this is not a small statement I make.

The true leaders force us to dig deep and find the best part of ourselves. They help us excavate the parts of our soul that are barricaded by pain and fear so that our spirit can emerge and reach its potential. They tell us that we cannot sit and wait for change - we must be a part of the change. One of my favorite quotations is from Ghandi, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

Imagine if each and every one of us had the courage and support to reach our potential, to be that change we are so hungry for? What would our world look like then?

I know people say because he's young, because he's black, because he doesn't have enough experience, he'll never get elected. To all of those arguments I say, "When it's destiny, the time is right."

Just like the best art, music, and nature, authentic leadership is inspiring. Not because it is created by those better than me but because I can see myself in it, in them. I believe Barack is a normal human being with flaws and imperfections. He's pissed me off with some of his votes but he's also had the courage to speak to why he made those votes and they weren't about protecting his Senate seat.

So here it is.

Barack Obama is an authentic leader and more important, he is a channel for change. Like Ghandi, like FDR, like JFK, like Malcolm X, like MLK, like Bobby. These leaders didn't just sit back and pontificate. They said, "Join me. I'm not better than you. If I can do this, so can you." They inspired people - first to imagine, then to participate, then to take responsibility for building a different and better world.

I think he's going to run and I think he's going to win. I think he'll appoint Hillary to his Cabinent. I'm going to work like I've never worked in my life to get him elected. I'll make the calls, I'll go to door-to-door. I'll make sure I study to learn the issues so that I can speak intelligently to those who aren't ready to believe that change is here. That we can be better.

I hope you join me.

Ici C’est 100% Sans Tabac

Am I the only person shocked that the French government has approved a ban on smoking in public places?

C'est pas possible!

Actually since New York and I agreed to quit on the same day (July 11, 2002), I've always been afraid (of my own lack of self-control) that I'd started smoking again during my twice-yearly visits to the City of Light. The previous time I quit (April 11, 1994) I started smoking again after 12 hours in London (May 2, 1996).

Although, I have been sorely tempted since then - I've never given in.

I do remember Paris 2001 when I was the only smoker at the table (4 frenchies, 2 american expats) and I kept my lit cig behind my back. The friend seated next to me said, "What are you doing?" I said, "I'm used to holding it away from people." As our waiter approached, cigarette in hand, it was clear that sort of politesse was not expected in my favorite city in the world.

I also remember Paris 2003 when a French guy told me, "Can you imagine they have banned smoking at Charles de Gaulle. What were the idiots thinking? This cannot be!"

Paris has, of course, an esprit. Part of that is not only its incomparable energy but the sights and smells. For some reason, smoking doesn't stink there. It is Paris! I guess because it permeates everything it doesn't stand out like it does here.

Mais, oui - I'm a little smoking obssessed.

I have beautiful memories of the year I lived in Toulon, France in 1985-86. We spent hours and hours and hours talking about the meaning of life (as if we knew at 24), drinking espresso, and smoking Marlboro Lights with Indochine or The Cure playing on the radio at Le Chantilly on Boulevard Strasbourg. If money was tight, we'd switch to Gauloise Legere.

I also remember Paris 1996, a dreary Sunday afternoon in November drinking red wine, eating oysters, and smoking at Le Baron Rouge.

And Paris, 1998, a beautiful Saturday, eating boudin, drinking red wine (again) and smoking (again) at Le Coude Fou in the Marais.

I know you ex-smokers know of what I speak even if you've never been to France.

I learned from an article in The New York Times that "France’s history with tobacco goes back more than four centuries. Nicotine, after all, is named after Jean Nicot, a 16th century ambassador to Portugal who took tobacco leaves imported from America to Catherine de Medici as a cure for her migraines."

Bernard Hinault and Zinedine Zidane. Le Louvre and la Tour Eiffel. Coco Chanel and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Champagne and brie. Louis XIV and Dominque de Villepin. Jeans and cigarettes.

France rules!

My favorite line in the Times article was from a French politician, André Santini, a center-right member of Parliament from a Paris suburb and compulsive cigar smoker, “What disturbs me is the ayatollahs you meet everywhere. They tell you how you have to make love, how you have to eat.”

I am guessing he hasn't tried to order pate in Chicago lately.

The truth is almost all of the Europeans I know no longer smoke.

And in the end, Paris is a Virgo city. Virgos for all their obsessions and guilt are health puritans at heart.

a bientot.