What Is A Lush Life?

"It's possible to express new ideas using old forms."
-Ludwig Van Beethoven
as heard in the Broadway play
"33 Variations"

I recently returned to New York City and the signs of recession seem absent in the area of Tribeca. There were many people coming, going and shopping on a Thursday Spring Time afternoon. Alan Freiman and I stopped for soup at the local Bouley Bakery Cafe. I was amused by a solitary woman in one corner of the cafe. She was reading a book called 'Lush Life'. The secret is not out as to where I get some of my random book selection ideas. I become intrigued when I see the expression of people's faces as they are reading.

This 'Lush Life' is a novel by Richard Price. From the information I have gathered the story takes place in Manhattan's Lower East side and explores the repercussions of a random shooting of a bartender. The ended is supposed to be expected, yet shocking. The author supposedly digs deep into his characters with perfect dialogue and details. It's an urban crime fiction novel.

From the look of the girl I saw at the Bouley Cafe & Bakery I expected a different sort of 'Lush Life' story. The word lush is characterized by extravagance and of being extremely abundant. I believe one could come up with a new, sparkling novel that really delves into a 'Lush Life'. Still...I will give the Richard Price novel a chance and add it to my Amazon.com 'Wish List'.

I would imagine the life of Ludwig Van Beethoven to be lush. Listen to this excerpt from a most favorite film of mine, Immortal Beloved, to see and feel for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yvrTbEFWI4

Twenty-five years ago today:

April 19, 1984
Thursday

Today was a good day. I got paid a NET check of $598. I ate at the Pot Belli Deli and enjoyed a citrus wine cooler to cap off the rest of the afternoon.

I telephoned Chris while simultaneously the song "Hold Me Now" by the Thompson Twins was playing at the Pot Belli Deli and at his house. It is 'Deja Vu' a lot of times when things really click with us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpZ9gEKBoYI
Chris went on to tell me he was laying out in the sun and that Jim Severn and another fellow were there for lunch. I decided to let him go to enjoy his free time.

PHOTO: Sharing The Path
by Hanne Reid
of Aldergrove, B.C, Canada


Helen invited me to dinner tomorrow night. She plans to make me a lemon meringue pie, too. It's my favorite! WOW! She's too sweet.

At around 9PM Chris Cordellos telephoned me to say that his doctor found a slight 'inner lump' in his crotch area. It does not sound too good, but he is sure that it's nothing serious.

We are looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend and the last weekend of August when we plan to visit Huntington Beach in Southern California. We surely have more good times ahead.
"I talked to my old chums Lyle, Tim and Elliot today," Chris said, "but you're my best friend."
He is my best friend. When I think of George Jones now I realize what a jerk he really was to me. I find Chris to be a one special chum. When the telephone rang tonight I thought silently to myself that it would hopefully be Chris. When I answered the telephone to hear is voice it was all the more exciting.

My bicycle ride was tough riding West as the wind was against me. I managed and the resistance was well worth the effort.

I watched Joan Rivers host The Tonight Show tonight. Loretta Lynn was a guest, singing "Always On My Mind". It made me think of Chris and how we are always on each others' mind.