Let's Do Something New!

This is a short video summary of what it was like to go without the internet for 24 hours. Press play to see how awful I looked with no internet connection. But I did it. I  made it through.

Thank God for yesterdays internet group therapy.

One of my blog readers asked me if I would try to go without the internet for 24 hours for a NEW THING TO DO. I accepted the challenge. This will NOT be easy.

I could not have done this without group therapy. Press play and see how YOU TOO can get the help you need to survive 24 hours with NO internet.

(I will then post a video when I have succeeded to show what it was like called “how I survived 24 hours off-line”)

This is Judie and Neil Barkan. I met them in my building when I was living in Atlanta last year.  I met Neil when I was in the elevator and it was around x-mas and he just kept shaking his head. I asked him what was wrong so close to x-mas? He said his 40 year old son had just unexpectedly passed away in his sleep of a heart attack. They moved from New York to Atlanta for retirement, but mostly to be near their only son and their grandchildren. Now plans had suddenly changed. My heart broke for him. I decided that as long as I lived there I would be their adopted child. Not that I could ever take the place, but I wanted to be there. From that moment I had meals with them, I brought them flowers on mothers day and fathers day, I hung out by the pool with Neil making bets who could get more tan. He told me stories of his son, of living in New York, of traveling, and of the dream he had of spending his last years near his son and his grandchildren. His dreams were shattered now that his only son Jon had died. As for Judie, well, Judie became the worried Jewish mother I never had. She constantly took interest in my life, and my hosting (designed to sell)…I knew she LOVED “designed to sell”, so I got her and Neil on an episode.They pretended to be ” potential home owners” I introduced them to the entire film crew as my  ”Atlanta Jewish Parents”. And they really were. When my REAL parents came to town we all had a fabulous dinner. When I had to finally move back to L.A. I knew they would be the people I missed the most. They let me stay with them after my furniture had been moved and I still needed a place to stay before I officially moved. They really looked after me. I loved the way they bantered and said exactly what was on their mind. I loved the fun talks and the real conversations we had. I watched them both try to get through the heartbreak of losing their only son,their only child. Judie hid the pain pretty well, but I noticed that Neil could never fully recover from that loss. Judie had a resilience and reached out for support, but I believe the pain was too much for Neil. No one can ever really know the pain that comes from a parent losing their child. It does not seem fair. His body began to break down. He had hip replacement surgeries, and surgery on his heart. I do not think the doctors could fix a heart that was beyond repair. Judie texted me yesterday that Neil had suddenly dropped to the ground at home after a Dr.’s visit. He did not recover. Then she texted that she will always remember how kind I was to both of them.

Neil passed away this past Monday. His heart had just stopped. Judie said that she felt a peace about it because she believed he just did not want to go on anymore. She had just buried Neil next to his son back in New Jersey. Judie wanted to know how I was and what was going on in my life. Suddenly my life, my career, and doing “new things”  did not seem important. It is typical Judie to have this happen and still ask about my life. Today I am really sad, and just need to spend a day remembering. Remembering all the people who have lost someone so important to them, that they never fully recover. Remembering to say a prayer for them. Remembering that life is so precious. Remembering all the people we do love. Remembering to tell them. Remembering strong resilient spirits like Judy. Remembering how powerful connection is. And remembering to remember.

Sorry there is no video today. Just images playing in my mind of good times I had with 2 people who I  Love dearly, and remembering Neil.

I’ll make this simple. Everyone wants to leave their mark, and since I did not have a movie this year at SUNDANCE, I decided to bring the city of Park Lake a new winter sport that they can do between movies, on their way to movies, or just window shopping downtown.  My last night at Sundance I thought this was the least I could do for them.

Press play to see my new winter sport.

Well, one NEW thing to do here at SUNDANCE is to find a famous person and get  them on camera and then get a picture with them. I have never done this before ……and although there many famous people here in L.A. I think that at SUNDANCE , it might be a bit easier to corner someone  I began the day not knowing what famous person I would end up getting on camera, and at the end of the day, I was with ADRIEN BRODY!!

I was hoping he would pull what he did with Halle Berry at the Academy Awards and slop a kiss on me, but a picture would just have to be enough.

Press play to see my star gazing NEW THING….

It’s pretty simple. I am addicted to trash magazines and if there is ever going to be a change I have to DO SOMETHING NEW AND and see if there are OTHER magazines I might be able to read that might be better for my life.This is  a NEW discovery that might be good for everyone. It’s a Magazine called ODE. It talks about how to fight poverty, alternative medicines,GREEN solutions, fundraising,…..etc. Basically how to make the world a better place.

They say this magazine is for “Intelligent Optimists”  That’s me! I am smart. I am Positive. I’m even positive that I am smart! I never even knew there were magazines that talked about what we can do to help, how we can be inspired by incredible people and their stories, as well as just plain make you feel good about the world. This is positive news for a change. The world seems to focus on fear based stories, yet there are so many people out there doing incredible, uplifting things…..and this is what I believe we need to fill our minds with. (although this does not mean  I won’t have the latest info on Tiger Woods…)  Order a subscription today! Here is the link-  odemagazine.com

Oh, and press play to see my endorsement…..

I figured out a NEW way to take my vitamins…..

Well, I will be trying NEW instruments this year for sure, and so far the TAMBOURINE is  my favorite !!

I don’t think you REALLY enjoy an instrument until you play it in a professional band-

This was one of the BEST NEW THINGS TO DO—I challenge you to find an instrument you always wanted to play, and PLAY IT!!! DO IT!!!  TRY IT!!!

After you watch this you might just be inspired to pick up that shoe horn, and play in that rubber band..(sorry,a DAD joke)…what I am saying is ….just start playing music this year!!

I think I may have found my new career……..this video is for all the closet musicians…..

Well this was a great NEW THING TO DO especially in this economy. On Sunday nights a place called CITY SIP in Silver LAke has really good wine for 1/2 off. They want to rid the open bottles so everyone who shows up gets a really good deal on pretty fine wine. I loved the atmosphere, the selection of wine, and the New York experience of a romantic looking place that has good deals and great cheese, (not like the cheezyness you find everywhere else in L.A.) I give City Sip a thumbs up, even if you do not like wine. Did I mention there were some cute people here as well? And with these prices for fine wine, they may just put 2 buck Chuck out of Biz.

Cheers!   And dad don’t worry, I only had half a glass….for HALF off!

Well, its NOT JUST ME that wonders WHY there is ALWAYS a line at PINKS. I have lived in L.A. for over 15 years and have NEVER been to this famous hotdog stand because I refuse to wait in line for a stupid hot dog. Yet EVERY TIME A I drive by it, I am perplexed and have to say out loud in my car- “WHY?? Why is there always a HUGE line of people waiting to get a HOT DOG?Are they REALLY THAT GOOD????? SO I went to the website and did some research. PINKS has been the most famous and popular place for hotdogs since 1939. They say the hot dog is amazing and they even promise to have it in your hand in less than 30 seconds after you order it.  Well, I am tired of just not understanding why people line up for these things every single day.

My NEW THING TODAY is to go to PINKS and ask people why they are standing in line. SO I went with my HOT friend Johnny Cruz to get to the bottom of this.

It is raining today and no one wants to be anywhere on the road in L.A. let alone waiting for a friggin hot dog……right? Well, just press play and see… I finally get my answer… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI6-3CjXCIw

Although I wanted to keep my dad’s video advice from yesterday up for 2 days because it is so good, I felt compelled to post today (since I DID promise ONE new thing a day for the entire year)

One  of my blog readers suggested posting a video I had recorded about teaching my parents modern technology. I take suggestions and will try to adhere to as many requests as I can.

So blog readers, keep suggesting! I already have a list of a few NEW THINGS I still plan to implement given by some people who read this blog!…..(ie: riding a 7 person bike, eating dinner with ONLY cooking utensils, only eating food that is green for a day….) Another request was that I feature my dad once a week. BUT-I will have to contact his agent and see if he is available……

So, this post today is per request.  Teaching my parents modern technology was new for me and  ALWAYS a NEW thing for them and every now and then a special moment gets caught on tape.

This was one of them.

FOR SOMETHING NEW TODAY I thought I would ask my dad for advice on this blog. I recorded his advice on skype.

I am keeping it up for a full 2 days because the world deserves to have an extra day to witness a glimpse of my fathers advice and the painful technological communication attempts to get it.

And don’t worry, after you press play the 5 minutes only FEELS like 40.

Well, who knew that Los Angeles had an Animal Sanctuary only 30 miles away from where I live!? It’s called the WILDLIFE WAYSTATION.  For your NEW THING TO DO find something you never knew was there but is close to where you live. I bet you’ll be able to find something close to you (like a sanctuary) on the internet. This Animal Sanctuary was like a new world I discovered …and it has been here for over 35 years!

Most of these exotic animals started out as pets for people, and then the stupid people realized they could not handle them, so many of these animals came to the sanctuary sick,neglected, and  unable to survive in the wild. As sad as it is for me to see ANY animal in a cage, I also know that the sanctuary is the only place that could save their precious life, and at least give the animal some form of existence. All the animals get plenty of attention and are taken well care of.  I asked if they needed volunteers and as always, ANY animal sanctuary can use a hand. The sad part is that THIS one might be shut down because of some recent strict L.A. county rules that must be adhered to. But this Wild life Way station is gong to do everything in there power to stay open. Let’s pray that they do.                                    

REALLY GREAT new thing.This is a GEM of cafe that ANYONE  will want to try. It’s called THE MANTEE CAFE. I wanted to try food I never had before at a place I have never been before. I even tried and LOVED quail egg with pastrami and french bread????–What???? ……..who knew!!!

I used my i-phone app. called “urban spoon” which randomly picks places in your area to go to for something to eat. I was willing to go to whatever restaurant the i-phone app. landed on, and I had a fun, charming accomplice JOSH FINGERHUT willing to DO THIS NEW THING with me. So Urban Spoon landed on this place called MANTEE Cafe in Studio City. Mediterranean food?? Did I dare??? I have been to TURKEY, did NOT enjoy the food, so I thought I would NOT like this experience,BUT- I was sooooo wrong.

This was one of the the best dishes I EVER HAD called THE MANTEE (The CAFE’S signature dish)…..watch the video to see what’s IN IT!!!

This is my new favorite date place, or place to go with a group. How can L.A. NOT know about this place when it gets RAVE reviews on YELP and anyone who has been here LOVES IT!!!!   This is by far one of the best places in L.A. for  environment, food, service,and most importantly, a family run experience,where the owner (Raffy, NOT Raphiel as you will soon see) makes you feel at home and very welcome.

Enjoy this NEW thing with me, and for YOU? Well, try a food tonight that you NEVER had, OR–go to a restaurant you have NEVER been to that serves a food you THOUGHT you did not like!!! And if you do, I want to HEAR ABOUT IT!!! This WHOLE experience has introduced me to a new friend (Raffy) and a new local dining place that I never would have gone to had I not forced myself to DO SOMETHING NEW!!!!!!!

Press play and see how much fun doing something new can be…..