I Left Aaron Sorkin Speechless!

With the buzz swirling around Steve Jobs, the movie based on Walter Issacson’s biography of the brilliant yet narcissistic founder of Apple, it was a priviledge to attend a screening organized by my union. The successful screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and I both belong to the Writer’s Guild of America, and frankly, that may be where the similarity ends.   Once upon a time I penned words for Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson on PrimeTime Live, but that was another lifetime ago. 

Aaron Sorkin

Sorkin was going to engage in a Q&A after we screened his latest film, so this was my second chance to ask him a question. I blew it last time when Sorkin did a Q&A after screening  the Social Network, another brilliant, rapid-fire tome that makes writer’s like me throw up our IPads and search for a dog walking job. I was intimidated by the master wordsmith’s presence and unsure of what to say, but I was younger then.  This time I was not going to throw away my shot.

Sitting in the front, I shot up my hand and was the first person called.  I said, “I loved this film but I don’t have a question about it. I’ve waited a long time to say this.  I want to thank you for the West Wing.  I have multiple sclerosis and for years in our support groups, we complained about the need for a poster child, ala Michael J. Fox with Parkinson’s disease.  Someone with an unpredictable affliction, but who still gets up, takes the nasty drugs and gets on with it. Then you gave President Jed Bartlett MS.  Fiction or not, I don’t think we could have asked for a better role model.”

Almost Free Theater!

Many of you want to see a Broadway show when you come to NYC and I don't need to tell you how frighteningly expensive this pursuit can be.  Still, a live show is an unforgetable experience and those of us who are lucky enough to live here have found several ways to "never pay retail."

By now most people know about the TKTS booth, operated by the Theater Development Fund.

You must wait on line, but you are rewarded with a half price ticket on the day of the show. Booths are located in Manhattan in the Theater District, at the South Street Seaport, and in Brooklyn.  Check the link to get hours of operation and remember the earlier you get there, the better your chance of getting the show you want.

10 Almost Free Things to do in New York

10 Almost Free Things to do in New York 

I moved last year to what we affectionately call "Upstate Manhattan."  Washington Heights had a scary reputation in the 80's but things have changed radically and it is now a very friendly, safe, family neighborhood  The 2008 Tony Award winning musical "In The Heights" is composer (and my son's 7th grade substitute English teacher(!)) Lin-Manuel Miranda's love letter to the neighborhood he grew up in and still calls home.

sunset in Washington Heights

So I thought I'd start this invitation to visit New York with a Northern focus.  Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters are really the jewel of this neighborhood.  The Cloisters feature art and architecture from the Medieval era and a reconstructed monastery,  You can easily transport yourself back to the days of Romeo and Juliet!  The Cloisters are part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and admission to one gets you same week admission to the other. The suggested entrance fee is pricey - $25 for adults, $17 for Seniors, $12 for students, under 12 free - but remember this is a recommended price.  You can (and should if you need to) pay less.

A New Computer!! 

Is your computer so slow you want to throw it out the window?  Are you delaying cutting the cable cord because you think your computer cannot handle it?  I am about to rock your world.

Crucial, a computer hardware company I discovered a few years ago, offers DIY memory upgrades that couldn't be simpler, even if you are less than confident about your computer skills.

Full disclosure here:  I frequently blame the type of nerdy guys I wouldn't date in high school  - we used to call them the AV (audio/visual) nerds - for all the unfriendly computer stuff out there.  It can be very intimidating. 

Cut the Cable

Cut the Cable

Happy New Year!

If you have decided to save significant money in 2015 - about $100 per month - read on... 

As many of you know, I am a former television writer/producer and an incurable news junkie, so this was not a decision I made lightly.  But a monthly cable/phone/internet bill that approached $300 was enough to spur me to explore the alternatives.

In my old apartment I had Verizon's FIOS and loved it. After years of TimeWarner unreliability, I was thrilled when FIOS finally was available in my old neighborhood on the Upper East Side.  I think I was the first one to sign up for the service and when they finally got it right, I was very happy.

Then I moved to my new apartment in Washington Heights and FIOS was not available.  Instead of going back to TimeWarnerCable, I decided it was time to take the plunge.