Mt Kisco Walk Through Today #2

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Single And The City’s Asian Persuasion Singles Event Settles into a Great Night out for All

A few years ago, I was friended by one Amber Guesa on Facebook. She runs a social dating site called SingleAndTheCity [http://www.singleandthecity.com/]. I looked at the pictures on her page and I was quite intrigued. But I never raised enough impetus to actually elevate my aspirations and attend one of her parties. Grounded to yet another boring weekend in Westchester, Amber personally invited me to an event that I could not be persuaded to miss.

An "Asian Persuasion" Singles Mixer –for Asian women and all the men that love them." Oh my, am I attracted to Asian women and being 30 minutes early for the 4:46 out of Chappaqua left nothing to chance.

After arriving at Grand Central, I made my way to 313 West 37th street, being extra cautious to not to get hit by a bus. There I was greeted by Kim Loan who co-hosted the event at Image Powerhouse Studios, [http://imagepowerhouse.com/] a model agency by day and private event space by night. An Asian herself – oh my.

Remarkably, I was not the first one there. On the couch waiting was a Pace University Student originally from Pennsylvania. She looked a little nervous, but I was pretty sure I bore no responsibility for that.

She had never done a singles event, and I offered some simple advice: be honest.

Boy, I must really be some sort of catch.

She laughed and we went onto exchange some of the normal pleasantries. Not really believing in segues, "what's your position on fracking," seemed logically where I should go next – given her home state.

Taken aback, she launched into a healthy laugh. It was obvious she was much more ready to engage. Hey, I know what I'm doing people.

The party started slow – at least from a guy's impatient point of view. Well yeah, that's what we do – especially when women know that the building will actually have to be on fire before we give up on the particular persuasion that got us here in the first place.

It's also safe to assume that the particular persuasion in question had something to do with the over eagerness. Given that 50 men were turned away off the $40 event price, let me try to explain, "Oh my."

Mysterious, intelligent, confident – I don't know, how about artistically symmetrical. I'm making a fool of myself. Asian women make my head spin, and believe it or not, the subject did not come up among the men. Put in the position of such submission, maybe it's just too embarrassing to discuss. Or they're heads were too busy spinning like mine.

Since I did have my objective reporter's hat on, I was able to temper my own usual impatience. Instead, my laid back approach put me in a few interesting and funny conversations with the guys on hand, with things such as musicians, bankers, lawyers and filmmakers.

After all, we do these things to meet "people." Ok, maybe not, but a few more women eventually meandered in and I smoothly got myself into the game. In other words, I spilled a glass of wine on myself.

No matter, Kim quickly came over and took care of me. She got me a napkin and advised that I just un-tuck my shirt into a more casual look. Fashion and models – I know she knows what she's doing.

Interesting, that's how I usually do it. Maybe on this point, I know what I'm doing too. Sorry, no chance.

Shaking off my setback, I still turned to find a party mostly dominated by men. The alphas definitely noticed. But mostly doesn't mean all, and without objectivity, I made the most of a friendly group of women who were quite open to more moderately amusing segues.

And again, I didn't limit myself and got into a few more good conversations among the guys. Nonetheless, the chatter skewed toward disappointment. This put me in the position of becoming the girl at the 7th grade dance who tries to steer all the shy boys to the center of the action.

Now, I'm sure Kim and Amber do a great job of getting everybody mixing. On this night, for instance, to break the so-called "ice", all attendees received half a playing card with the goal of finding the matching half being held by someone of the opposite sex. Women were able to receive make-up touch-ups to look their best and all guests were able to participate in a photo shoot. All while getting our drink on with complimentary wine and beer provided throughout the night. But sometimes the clouds un-align and the mix just doesn't work.

So the good guy that I am, I did just what I said above. Why should I have all the fun? For instance "Nancy" was celebrating a birthday so I persuading a number of the anxious to wish her one, but this turned out to be much ado about nothing.

The girls – not seeing the building bursting into flames from 9th avenue – started making their way in and nicely balanced the room out.

The shy boys also seemed to settle in, and the affair really ended up starting where it began. Pleasantries, conversation, and an easy going time that yes had many cards exchanged and aspirations elevated, but had no one leave at a loss – especially me.

Wait, here's the kicker. When I got home, an email subjected, "Asian Persuasion Credit" was in my box. I opened and since many of the women showed up late, a credit was received for a future singles event. You can't beat that so why not give on of Amber's events a try in the future

There’s nothing Ordinary about 45 Years with Charlotte Rampling

45 Years at the Burns

45 Years sets us at ease as it opens to the bucolic English countryside, and the lilting tone of Charlotte Rampling’s lovely ascent into the golden years of a long, fruitful romance. But the shadow of a past love puts the basking at bay and turns the glacially paced plot into a cascade that will leave you feeling as though you were buried in an avalanche.

All unsuspecting and harmoniously content, optimism still shines through in eyes that definitely show all the time that has passed since her duplicity ripped apart Paul Newman’s soul in The Verdict 33 years ago.  What comes around not on your docket, Kate Mercer finds her husband Geoff (Tom Courtenay) distraught over an opened letter.  “They found her,” he states flatly of the women before her, whose existence was disclosed at the outset of their relationship.

Read more...http://rmentertainment.expertscolumn.com/article/there-s-nothing-ordinary-about-45-years-charlotte-rampling

Charlie Monetti at his son's Wedding June 1991

Horace Greeley vs Carmel Jan 2 2016

Brewster 2 Yorktown 1 Jan 2 2016

Why do I have to Tell the Republican Party the Opportunity Immigration Reform Presents

My Grandfather the Illegal Immigrant

The immigration system is broken.  I got an idea. Let’s fix it.  Excuse me, this is America, we stopped fixing things just after Apollo 17 splashed down in the ocean in 1972.

As is, the number they keep trotting out is 11 million illegals, which is likely wrong because it never changes. Nonetheless, taxes aren’t being paid and resources used, so it benefits us all to find a solution.

Here are the obstacles.

Me and my ilk. We’re human and empathize with people who seek escape from poverty, despair and injustice inside the borders of our vast country.  Our hearts beat for those who undertake this struggle so when we hear from the heartless among us diminish and dehumanize them, we shut down.

The anger evoked just doesn’t seem commensurate with somewhat higher healthcare premiums or elevated teacher to student ratios.  For instance, if the 11 million cute girls from Ireland graced our nightlife as bartenders, last call on this issue would have been issued years ago.

In other words, me and mine can’t help but feel that racism drives the outrage and coming up with a solution becomes secondary to standing up against the small mindedness of too many Americans.

So regardless of what’s good for us, there’s no push from our end.  That leave the Democratic Party to act alone.  Sorry, Democrats in congress won’t solve the problem because there’s no incentive. 

As long as the Republicans have the self-deportation talk of Mitt Romney and the likes of Donald Trump to alienate Latinos, why change the status quo. The Democrats have the Hispanic vote, so if it ain’t broke on Election Day, why fix it.

This gives the Republicans opportunity to take advantage, and they haven’t got a clue. Yes, George W. Bush put forth a moderate plan for amnesty, and the Republican constituency made piñata mush of the initiative.  But proposing and pushing a rational solution is the only way forward for the party.

Doing so will piss of their base to no end, but what are they going to do – vote for Hilary Clinton. On the other hand, a third party mess could emerge for the Republicans. Still, they’re never going to win another presidential election until they start appearing as human to this ever growing voting block. 

So what do the Republicans have to lose?  Eventually, their base will simmer down, a system will be put in place, taxes paid and resources paid for.  They’ll be the heroes, and the Latino vote will for grabs like the rest of us.

You’re welcome, and I’ll take an ambassadorship to Italy when you finally figure this out.