Endless Knots

The best bar on the most beautiful block in NY

Now I'm not much of a bar hopper (my friends and family are now doubling over in laughter at the thought) but when I happen on a place like this one, it's definitely worth a blog entry.

Some very close friends of mine had a welcome home party on Sunday, honoring their return from a long trip. They're not that old, so inviting all their friends to gather at a bar is de rigeur. I was invited too.

Habana Outpost in Brooklyn's Fort Greene is not to be missed. For starters, it's the first "eco-eatery" in NY. What does that mean? It's solar powered, everything is recyclable, and even the smoothies are blended with bike power. Second, you can take your dog, at least to the outdoor seating (which is all I saw). Third, the Cuban menu includes corn on the cob rolled in something that is positively delicious (though not identifiable to this gourmande). Fourth, there's a fashion flea market set up around the perimeter but inside the bar's fence (yes, it's a fence). Fifth, they show movies at night. I could go on but just look at the pictures.

Then take a walk down South Portland Avenue, toward Fort Greene Park, and see what Time Out New York  calls "the most beautiful block in New York." No surprise to me. It's Brooklyn, my mother's beloved hometown.

"Email is for old people"

There have been a few problems at my alma mater of late, which have captured my attention sufficiently to get me to attend alumni meetings, where passionate grads are arguing the future of one of America's great institutions, Antioch College.

So while I'm sitting at the most recent one trying to follow the conversation, someone said something that has proved to be the only direct quote I recall from the meeting: "Email is for old people."

The speaker, whose name I've been trying to get but alas, she may not reply to email, went on to say that "young people post. They don't email."

I email and I post. Like right now. This is a post. I've been thinking since about what this might mean. Is there only direct 1:1 communication in public? In private forums that the public can join by registering?

We know from our research over the years -- and we are by no means the only ones recognizing this -- email has its limitations. Long discussions do not lend themselves to email. Bulletin boards, threaded discussions, and Internet buzzword of the moment, wikis, do.

Having been involved in computer conferencing (what the wiki idea stems from -- Hello, Murray Turoff and Starr Roxanne Hiltz) for 25 years now, I am a committed believer in "public," many-voice conversations. But I ain't throwin' in the towel on email yet. Nothing is better for 1:1 asynchronous (different time) communication (gospel according to me).

"The most famous woman in America"

At Mount Auburn Cemetery, where Fuller's friends erected a memorial to her, on May 23, 2007

On this date in the mid-19th century, America lost one of its greatest writers and keenest observers when Margaret Fuller died on July 19, 1850, in a shipwreck off the coast of Fire Island, New York. Her work has fascinated me for many years; indeed, her thinking and remarkable insight into the human condition have inspired me to write Woman in the 21st Century, a novel-trilogy in which she is a major character who disrupts the life of a young writer.

In honor of her birthday this year (May 23), I wrote this essay. Lacking time to write something new to commemorate the day she died, I'm posting it here.

Cross-posting for the sake of art

The kind and knowledgeable blogger, Bill Ives, whose expertise in web-ish type things, especially blogs, is nicely balanced with his love of art and jazz, has done a very nice thing. Today, he writes about the work of Eliza Stamps, whose work I've featured before and before and will, no doubt, again and again. Gave her her first set of crayons - you figure it out.

Empress, ink on  paper, 22 by 30 inches, 2007, on display until July 25, 2007 at Mehr Gallery in Manhattan, was purchased by collectors at the show's preview.

Bourne Betrayal rises to #9 on NY Times list!

Keen readers know of my recent meeting with Eric Lustbader, who is hands-down the biggest poster to this blog (grazie). Glory, glory. NY Times Book Review, tomorrow, July 15, 2007 does a nice call out to his Bourne Betrayal and gives Eric the space to explain how he's writing books about Robert Ludlum's characters. Interesting writing proposition, Eric, and what a great gift from Mr. Ludlum's family. Open to answering a coupla questions here? Now, I've put you on the spot.

Antiochian alert: Eric went to grammar school with Neelon (nee Pepper) Crawford, '69, married to Susan Hill, '70.

Zucchini Ribbons with Pesto Pasta

In a few weeks, New England's farmers markets will be swimming in zucchini--and they've always got a plenteous supply of basil. Where am I going with this? One of the best recipes I've learned in a while, which was handed up to me by Daughter #2, who got it from Daughter #1, who got it from one of the glossy food mags, likely Bon Appetit. #2 and I made it last weekend to great ummms, equipped with only a mini-prep (baby food processor). Then I made it again a few days later for a dozen. I'm putting it to the scale test later this week when I'll make it for 40. Wish me luck - and try it.

It's very hard to wreck this as it only requires making (or buying for undaring or busy) pesto, possibly the easiest, most delicious thing you can make. Pesto is a very much to-your-taste food. Can be more basil-y, more garlic-y, more oil-y...and it doesn't matter. Keep adding ingredients until it tastes just right to you.

My name is Mary Lou Merriwether

On June 9, 2007, the Board of Trustees of Antioch University decided to suspend operations at Antioch College effective June, 2008. I've posted about this before. Today, I'm cross-posting this letter to fellow alums on college-related chat lists, wikis, and such. What do you think?

Photo from Dayton Daily News, May, 1967
Mary Lou Merriwether, on set of THE ANTIOCH ADVENTURE

 

Dear Antiochians,

My name is Mary Lou Merriwether. I attended Antioch for ten days in the Spring of 1967, during which time I studied, went on coop, found a boyfriend, was cheated on, learned to dance, and graduated, riding out of town in a cap and gown on a BMW R69S.

My real name is Jessica Lipnack. I was the star of “The Antioch Adventure,” Marc Stone’s genius film that people on this list still want to see. (Also had a cameo in Thanos Fatouros’s “Antioch Adventure: Part II”—even got the T-shirt).

Like nearly all who went there, I loved Antioch.

Turkeynose heads home

Two of my closest friends will return to the US soon after six months travel in Oceania and Asia. I was lucky enough to join them for three weeks in New Zealand and recorded my impressions. They've kept a detailed itinerary and a fascinating blog of their adventures--many funny and poignant posts, zillions of good pictures, and "Turkeynose Lists," where each accommodation, restaurant, and activity is documented and rated by stars. If you're headed to any of the countries they've visited, you'll love this. And I'm really looking forward to saying, Welcome home.

Tag, you're it: "8 Random Things"

Has anyone else gotten one of these? Michael, my friend in Christchurch, NZ, "tagged" me at the end of his post with "8 Random Things" about him. Another social networking phenome. Global game of tag. I like this one. Make a list, think about who to tag. What would make this a valuable thing to do? Pondering.

Unraveling a network

Received a fascinating inquiry this morning. Networking experts, networkers, plain old folks (well, not old necessarily), please post your thoughts.

How do you know if a network is unraveling? What are the signs?

Talking about a people network here, not a technology network (in which case I would have posted this to CIOblog-is there such a thing?)