Does anyone really know who they are? Is it for us to decide or for the others who make an assumption by sometimes inaccurate judgments? Or even worse…accurate judgments that can fall in any direction depending on our mood at the time of the first encounter? Working at a resort hotel in The Hamptons comparable only to The Bates gave me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. From the A List celebrities to their occasionally disgruntled hired help.  One weekend in August I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Geoffrey Gray.  In this case he had no idea who he was.  He checked in as a guest of someone else, out here to cover a local fundraising concert event.  I don’t think he had any clue that when he spoke his name at the front desk he would get the reaction that he did from me.  He told me the name he was registered under, then nonchalantly told me his name.  His reaction to my reaction was what one would have referred to as a Kodak moment.  He had no idea that to me he is the man who can take you from a fabulous dinner at a quaint hideaway in Spain or the after effects of a boxing match in just minutes and leave you with such a  feeling that you’ve actually been there yourself, that you have to wipe the sweat off your brow.Mr. Gray actually laughed when I asked him if he was really the Geoffrey Gray who writes for New York Magazine and he seemed to think it was even more entertaining that I knew who he was and proceeded to ask him who in their right mind didn’t ? His articles are read by millions, and as it seemed to me he had no clue how his work affects just regular people like me on a daily basis.  He was a welcome change to the paparazzi craving tourist clan that migrates to The East End doing cartwheels backwards or spending a month’s rent in a NY penthouse just to get their picture on a page in a local tabloid. A moment I won’t forget.        

If I’m not my own worst enemy then I don’t know who is.  We got up bright & early and got to the 8 am karate seminar.  Despite the floor at SYS being something resembling cold cement which was making my feet numb, I think I did pretty well.  We learned a lot of technique.  Now we know why we have to do a lot of what we do, and the bottom line is ( in the words of Shihan Jemott himself) “If it hurts, the you’re doing it right.”  No joke! After 2 hours of training this morning, we left to go to the SVA Christmas party so JJ could see Santa.  He had so much fun! It was  worth every second just to see his eyes light up when Santa got there.  He tried to convince me that this wasn’t the real Santa, because he is up at The North Pole wrapping present to make sure he’s ready for Christmas, but I know it had to be him!  There is only ONE real Santa, we all know that! Once done there we came home so I could get ready for the evening seminar.  JJ opted not to join me, so I went solo.  I was the lone white belt amongst the browns, blacks, green & purples.  I accompished what I set out to do-making sure to punish myself for yesterday by torturing myself today.  I’m actually quite entertained by the serenade of my screaming muscles and the fact that I am typing so slow because my fingers are a part of the choir.  Makes you want to run out & join, huh?   Well, I’m off to lalaland, last stretch ( no pun intended) begins at 10 am. Wish me luck or at least have a hot bath ready for me when I crawl home tomorrow

I am so angry with myself!! I have been practicing my Kata to test for my first belt and today was our test.  I, who can entertain anyone anywhere without a second thought completely blew it!  I work so well under pressure, I never let it get to me.  I was great until I was halfway through, then I forgot what I was doing.  My mind went blank, and I couldn’t even attempt to recover.  I am now in the worst mood ever!  I practice an hour every day, I take minimum 2 classes a week, sometimes 3 & 4.  I  can do Heian Shodan in my sleep.  Tonight I had a complete meltdown. The second half of our seminar is 8 am tomorrow, and just to punish myself for screwing up so bad today I am going to take the entire seminar again Saturday night and Sunday morning so that by Sunday afternoon every muscle in my body will be begging me to stop.  Well, now I’m off to drown my sorrows in a pint of mint choc chip ( My most favorite!!) and try out my new ice cream holder made by Prepara which I suggest all of you run out and buy immediately if not sooner because it is the best stocking stuffer for the ice cream whore in your life or yourself. It comes in Pink, so of course I had to have it! 

I just went into my bathroom to give my plants a shower and across the floor ran Myron! Yay!  He’s back, ok, and looking as cute as ever! For those of you who don’t know who Myron is ( ever watch Brady Bunch?), I shall explain. About 5 weeks ago I went to take a shower and there was a tiny grey mouse ( Mouse, not a RAT. This IS The Hamptons yu know.)  running and trying to climb the walls. ( He should take lessons from me! ) So, of course I did what ever animal love would do. I fed him, gave him water and made him a home.  Well, apparently what I was feeding him may have been his fav, but it certaibly didn’t agree with him. The other day I went in to check on him, and he fell out of his blankie and kinda rolled until he could get onto his feet.  He looked like a stuffed fig with tiny feet. I assumed that I had overfed him. ( I’m Italian. Would you expect any less from me? My poor gf in the City has gained 6 pounds because I keep sending her chocolate every time I find a new fav.)  So, I gave him some veggies, hoping that would help with his digestion and just figured that he wouldn’t be alive when I returned home. Well, when I finally did get home he was gone. Splitsville, nowhere to be found!  I thought he may have just gone somewhere to leave us but nope he was not anywhere to be seen.  Now, as I just said he is back!  I’m so excited!! My poor son was sobbing when he thought Myron was gone.  He will be so excited when he gets home from his Father’s tomorrow.  Well, I’m off to finish wrapping presents and play with Myron.  I’ll be back later. It’s getting late, and I still haven’t given you my list of Holiday Favorites! I wouldn’t want everything to be sold out when you go shopoing.