Down and Out in Boston: Boston Comicon

A couple of weeks ago the Westin Waterfront hotel hosted the annual Boston Comic Con. The event brings together comic book vendors, artists, fans, readers, and general nerdiness. The event ran from April 10-11 and cost $15 each day but it was well worth it! For any and all comic or graphic novel readers in the area, this event is a must. The range of artists was fantastic and there was something for everyone. Artists that specialize in the more conventional comic books such as Superman and Batman were present as well as those who are more experimental. Subjects ranged from the traditional superheroes to situational comedies and lesbian love stories and adolescent vampires. Anything purchased by an artist was kindly signed and most prices were negotiable. For those who do not have enough money in their budget, the conversations with artists are priceless. Artistic technique, difficulties in publishing, forming a story arch, etc. are just some of the topics that we discussed. Unlike people at other conferences, those at Boston Comic Con were very kind and respectful and more than willing to pose for pictures! Overall, it is an excellent experience and truly worth the $15 for any of those interested in this kind of art and literature. If you missed it, don't worry! It will be back next year on the first weekend in April. Want a comic fix sooner? There is always the Manchester Comic Con on May 23th and the nationally acclaimed San Diego Comic Con this summer.

-DLP

Book Review: Slam

After reading Not My Daughter, I tried to find a book that discussed teenage pregnancy from a male perspective. This was certainly difficult because most novels about teen pregnancy either do not include the boy in the mix or write him off as a dead-beat dad and do not write him into the story. It took me a while but I finally stumbled upon Nick Hornby's Slam which is exactly what I was looking for.

Slam is about a 16 year old boy named Sam who has never had a girlfriend until he meets Alicia. She is beautiful, smart, funny and is interested in Sam. Soon after they begin dating, Sam and Alicia have unprotected sex and Alicia becomes pregnant. While Sam is asleep, he dreams that he is in the future and can see the life that he will have as a teenage father. He discovers that he will have to give up his skateboarding and possibly leave his mother's house in order to live with Alicia and their baby. When he awakes form his dream, he decides to run away from his problems. This plan does not go as expected and he has to resort to plan B: go home and face being a teen father.

I think that this book is priceless! Not only does it discuss teen pregnancy from the father's point of view, but it is humorous, easy to read and has the perfect message: don't get pregnant, but if you do make sure that you take responsibility. Sam battles with a lot of issues from his parent's divorce and the stigma that his mother must endure as being a teen mom herself to love (or lack thereof) for the mother of his child. Sam is funny and introspective which makes the reader listen to him. This is important because the novel is geared towards young adults and as we all know it is hard to make teens listen to what adults believe is right for them. However, I think that this novel will be different because Sam is an incredibly likable character with which teens can relate. When the novel was first published, 800 copies were distributed for free around Southampton, England with an inscription asking the reader to read it, discuss it, and pass it on. Overall, I think that this is an excellent book that is incredibly well-written with a wonderful message that is lacking from our society.

-DLP

Book Review: Guernsy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

After reading numerous reviews about how exceptional this book is, I knew that I had to read it! This is another example of a book that though it created great hype and a flood of good reviews, I felt that it was lacking.

The plot is pretty simple and revolves around the lives of people on the island of Guernsey which is one of the islands in the English Channel. The reader is introduced to these charming people by Juliet Ashton who became famous during WWII by writing a column in the British newspapers. She wrote one book that was given such acclaim that her editor demanded that she write another. However, Ashton has writer's block and isn't sure that she can make another moving book. Fortunately, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams who has stumbled upon a book of poems by Charles Lamb and wants more information on the poet. Adams mentions that he was introduced to Lamb's work at the local book club called the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Ashton becomes incredibly interested in this society and being a correspondence relationship with Adams and other members of the literary group. Immediately, she feels a pull to the island and its residents. When Ashton is told how Guernsy was occupied by the Nazis during WWII, she decides to visit the island and meet these resilient people. The secrets that she reveals and personalities that she encounters make the novel a delightful read.

The novel is told entirely through letters which is an interesting technique but often takes a bit getting used to. The characters are charming though not dynamic and most times predictable. The story was enjoyable and quaint but not deep or remarkably memorable. The most interesting aspect of the book is the boom of publicity that has preceded and continues to follow this novel. Possibly one of the reasons why it created such a sensation is because the author died before the book was even published. Mary Ann Shaffer died the February before her book made it onto shelves. All editing and changes made to the novel were done by Shaffer's niece Annie Barrows. Many readers of the novel have become so entranced with it that they have created a Google map with pin points to mark certain areas that are described in the book. Besides the island of Guernsy, all other places on the island are fictitious. Yet, readers have used descriptions in the book to locate where certain events might have occurred. These events are marked and the passages in which they are described are tagged on the left.

I believe that literary connoisseurs should read this novel because it is going to be discussed for years to come. Book clubs have already devoured it in such enormous quantities that the novel has skyrocketed to best-seller status across the country. The sensation that this book created is reason enough to pick up a copy. However, do not expect it to be of the caliber of great and lasting fiction.

-DLP

What's for dinner? Paris Creperie

It's the French Burrito! At the Paris Creperie in Brookline, you can get sweet crepes, meal crepes, make your own or a decadent smoothie. The creperie has a wide variety of delicious crepes on the menu, ranging in price from a couple dollars each up to ten, but the price is well worth the taste. Many of the sweet crepes feature nutella or brown sugar and are melt in your mouth tasty! Served warm, the light flavor of the crepe compliments so many ingredients. My personal favorite is the Lilli because it is bursting with my favorite veggies - broccoli, asparagus, avocado and drizzled with melty cheese. Located in the heart of Coolidge Corner and tucked into a tiny space near the Coolidge Corner theatre, grab a seat early because this place is always packed! Often overflowing with college students, this isn't the best place to sit and chat, but if you do eat in, after you order at the counter, the servers will bring your order to the table.
278 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446-2917
(617) 232-1770
http://www.paris-creperie.com/

- KER

1001 Books Challenge: Tender is the Night

Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, I never managed to read a selection for March for the 1001 books to read before you die challenge. I had every intention of reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night. I even selected a book discussion meet-up to attend, but that did not work out either. Anyway, since I gave myself this assignment, I felt I needed to make it up as quickly as possible! Last night I finished it. I selected Tender is the Night because I would like to read more Fitzgerald in general and it sounded interesting. I enjoyed The Great Gatsby both times I read it in school, so why not? While I was not totally disappointed, I can say Tender is the Night is nowhere near as strong a storytelling piece as Gatsby. While Fitzgerald also focuses on wealth Americans in Tender is the Night, he moves them to Europe - traveling in high style and spending money with abandon. Throw in a vague medical career, a mental condition and the occasional lustful affair and you have Fitzgerald's recipe for a story. The back cover describes the story as "the tragic romance of the young actress Rosemary Hoyt and the stylish American couple Dick and Nicole Diver." I thought this meant the story would center heavily on Rosemary and her relationship with the Divers. Not so. I found that Rosemary's presence served as a catalyst for Fitzgerald to explore the beginnings and later deterioration of the Diver marriage. The suspense Fitzgerald builds early on about Nicole's mysterious behavior fizzles in part two when he painstakingly, yet dully explains her mental condition and relationship with Dick. This contrast demonstrates the unfortunate pacing of the novel. While the beginning is languid, slowly setting the scene and builds larger than life indulgent characters, the story spirals down into the Divers unhappy marriage. Fitzgerald manages to demonstrate that people change and often not with each other; that marriage or partnership of any kind for the wrong reasons result in anguish and infidelities. Fitzgerald's writing is strong, lyrical and compelling, but his storytelling is flat.

- KER

Book Review: Cast Member Confidential

After reading Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom last month, I decided to dip into the underbelly of the actual Disney World. It is for this reason that I got Cast Member Confidential: A Disneyfied Memoir from the library. In this memoir, Chris Mitchell describes the year that he spent in Disney World and all of the insanity that he encountered in those 365 days. Though his observations are enlightening, humorous, and certainly go against our image of Disney, it is nothing entirely new.

Before entering the Disney workforce, Mitchell as a professional skateboarder who believed in rebellion above anything else. He had a steady girlfriend, a loving family, and an excellent job that allowed him to be an anarchist in his own right while still making a living. All of that changed when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and his long-time girlfriend left him for one of his friends. Mitchell was unable to cope with these developments in his life so he decided to go where there is no hurt or death: Disney! When he arrived there, he discovered what most of Americans had only fantasized about; Disney is just a microcosm of the world with just as much sex, drugs, and rock & roll. He found that all Disney employees take their work very seriously and have even created their own hierarchy based on the kinds of costumes the employees (known as cast members) wear. Mitchell was also confronted with the fact that there is an entire book of rules to which cast members must adhere while "on stage" (in the park). Most nights Mitchell is invited to parties thrown by cast members that become as out of control as a frat party. Everyone in the underworld of Disney is sleeping with one another despite sexual orientation. Drugs are passed around as frequently as Mickey ears are and there is even a Winnie the Pooh who was found masturbating in his costume. Though Mitchell finds acceptance in these misfits, he comes to understand that the "Disney magic" is nothing like what it seems.

Though this book was interesting for the first 100 pages or so, I found that it lagged about halfway through and I had to push myself to finish it. Some of the stories were interesting, but most were nothing that couldn't be found on a college campus. Disney World is basically just like a microcosm of the rest of the world with its drug problems, infidelity and caste system. Sadly, the majority of the book is focused on these aspects of Mitchell's life there. However, there are certain gems that pushed me to keep reading. Such as the fact that costumes are based on height and not sex. Therefore, a woman often is inside the Donald Duck costume while a man is often "casted" as a Minnie Mouse. Besides the "face" characters such as the princesses and some of the princes who have to show their faces, the rest of the costumes are based on height. The rules that cast members must adhere to are also interesting such as no eating while "on stage". Also, cast members must never point to a direction using a finger but must use their entire hand. Lastly, the entrance and rides at the Magic Kingdom park are actually located on the second floor of the park. The first floor is a series of underground tunnels that lead to different lands and rides. The contracted built these "tunnels" and then just built the park on top of them. It is these vignettes that make the story so interesting. However, these are just a peppering of the tale and not the overall substance. This disappointed me, though it might please others. Overall, it's worth a reading even if you skip over certain parts to get to others. Despite its faults, Mitchell does pull the mask off of Mickey which shouldn't go unnoticed!

-DLP

Now on DVD: An Education

Last week, I flew to the movie store to rent An Education which was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Movie and Best Actress. Though the acting with very good, the screenplay with extremely tight, and the movie was an overall success...I was disappointed.

The film has been described as a "coming of age tale" and it is just that. taking place in 1961, Jenny Mellow attend private school where she excels as a student and a musician. Her ultimate goal, and that of her parents, is to graduate and attend Oxford. Due to this, she spends almost all of her time studying and playing in the band. One day, on her way home from band practice, an older man named David overs her a ride home. Though she is hesitant at first, she finally accepts and the two instantly have a connection that is fostered throughout the rest of the movie. Jenny is terrified that her parents will not approve of their relationship, but to her great surprise they are ecstatic (though completely naive). Slowly, Jenny realizes that David is nothing like what he seems and his true self is far more devious than she could have ever expected. However, she is so enchanted by him that she is willing to throw away everything that she worked for in order to be with him. That is, until she discovers the complete truth about David and must decide to either follow her heart or her better judgment.

Overall, the movie is predictable. There is nothing new that hasn't already been done in previous films such as Lolita (though Lolita is far better!) or American Beauty in which an older man seduces a younger woman. Consequently, the young girl discovers the truth about the man who sexually awakens her and the resulting drama threatens the happiness of both parties involved. Thus, this story is not new or is its production anything different from its predecessors. With a screenplay written by Nick Hornby, I expected a bit more from the writing but was disappointed. Overall, it's worth a viewing because it is a good film but do not expect much from it. If you want depth and complexity, pop your old VHS of Lolita or your beaten up DVD of American Beauty into the player and enjoy one of the classics!

-DLP

Get Outside - DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park

Located in the suburb of Lincoln, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park covers over 35 acres that include about 75 sculptures. The price of admission is $12 or $8 for college students. However, if you pack a lunch and bring a blanket you can make an entire day out of it! Also, if you go after the museum closes, you can usually get into the sculpture park for free. If you're not sure if this is for you and don't want to spring the $12, go anytime between now and May 14th and pay half price! I can almost guarantee you that there is something for everyone.

Though people are not allowed to climb on the sculptures, there is plenty for children to do. There is tons of space to run, picnic, play tag, or take a nap. Most of the sculptures make for excellent photo opportunities. For an older audience, there are maps and a guided tour through your cell phone in which you enter a number and the curator explains the artwork to you. Also on the campus, is a museum with traveling exhibits. Though I am partial to the sculpture, I wouldn't discount the museum. In regards to education, the DeCordova also has art classes for all ages in many disciplines. Students do not receive a degree, but the courses are relatively intense.

Personally, I find that late April to late June is when the DeCordova is the most breathtaking. The flowers are in bloom, the grass is plush and perfect for laying down, and there are not a lot of people as there are when school gets out.  So get out there, take a walk and take in some culture while you're at it!

-DLP

What's for Dinner? Cafe Sol Azteca!

For years, I have searched for a good Mexican place that is more authentic than Chipotle or Bolocco (not that there is ANYTHING wrong with those!). Last week, I found the place. It is located on Union Street in Newton Center and is called Cafe Sol Azteca. The original Sol Azteca is located on Beacon Street in Boston and is a larger place than the one in Newton. No matter which place you go to, the food is excellent! The restaurants have been in business for over 35 years and have certainly perfected their craft!

The meals are about $15 dollars and that includes rice and refried beans. There is even an option to choose two dinners for the price of $15. Every diner is given free chips and homemade salsa which is wonderful! The portions are large and filling but not overwhelming. The ambiance is perfect! The Newton restaurant is located down a kind of alley which could be creepy if the atmosphere in the restaurant weren't so friendly. The tables are small and close together so I wouldn't recommend the place for a quiet romantic night. Though the dining room isn't overly loud, it certainly is not a silent room with candles on the tables and formal waiters. But this just adds to the ambiance of the place which is draped with Mexican tapestries and tables with mosaic table tops. The service is very speedy and efficient. Because the food is more Mexican than Mexican-American, be aware that you're not going to get a burrito with sour cream. This is not Margaritas! And that's what makes it so good.

-DLP

Get outside - the sun is shining!

Given the glorious weather the Boston area has seen over the past few days, I'd like to suggest a few places to visit.

I love a long walk on a beautiful day and at this time of year, so does everyone else! Here are a few places:

Chestnut Hill Reservoir: this large reservoir, sandwiched between Boston College and Cleveland Circle very easy to reach on foot or via public transportation. It can get crowded with families, runners and loungers, but it is over 1.5 miles around with plenty of sun and shade. Go early in the morning if you want solitude.

Jamaica Pond: Due to recent rains, much of the pathways around Jamaica Pond are flooded, however, it is still gorgeous. Like the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, it can get crowded, but it is so large and wooded, you'll still feel like you are alone in spots. Additionally, there are several large grassy areas surrounding the pond if you'd like to sit and read.

Lars Anderson Park: Part of what I like about this park is that I can walk there, but with some effort, so the journey is part of what I enjoy. I walk past Hellenic College to get there, which is also beautiful. The park has some grecian sculptures and pillars surrounding a small pond, with cute bridges. There are also tables for a picnic and a baseball diamond. There are plenty of benches to plop down and people watch or dive into a good book! On a summer Saturday you might even catch a glimpse of a wedding party snapping photos.

Brookline Reservoir: Smaller than the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and a little more isolated from a heavily populated area, I recommend this area for more peace and quiet.

More fabulous outdoor places to come!

- KER

Book Recomendation: Katharine Graham's Personal History

So I have to confess that in March I dropped the ball on our 1001 books challenge for a number of reasons, most having to do with working a ton of overtime in March and planning my wedding. I had every intention of reading Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night, but I listened to a couple audiobooks instead and finally finished Katharine Graham's Personal History.

Katharine Graham was essentially American royalty - her parents built careers and interests on their own, but built an empire. Her father purchased The Washington Post for $800,000 during the depression and laid the groundwork for the company we know today. Personal History traces Katharine's roots through her parents and illustrates the somewhat painful and sheltered childhood she led, filled with insecurity. What makes this book so fascinating is that Katharine Graham is extremely honest and self-reflective. She reveals her fears and insecurities and for much of her adult life, remained unaware at the affect she would have on The Washington Post Company. She and her husband knew many important and public figures, like the Kennedy family and other heads of state. Graham's perspective is thoughtful and true to her generation - while she calls herself a liberal, it took many years for feminism to take hold. Furthermore, it is encouraging in a sense to discover that a woman considered one of the most powerful women of her time, Graham expressed fears of failure and uncertainty, much like many of us trying to find our way. She is certainly someone who felt greatness was thrust upon her.

While the book is nearly 650 pages and covers a lot of history, it is well-paced and fresh writing. I enjoyed each section in Graham's life and while I knew how it ended, I hoped for better. I wanted her husband to get out of her way and let her shine - there was so much untapped intelligence and curiosity simmering under the surface. Personal History provides a great deal of insight into the Graham family, but also an interesting perspective on American history during the period her life covers.

- KER

Now Playing: Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill

Last week The Lyric Stage Company of Boston opened the legendary musical story, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, featuring Billie Holiday late in her career. The performance clocks in at around 90 minutes, with no intermission and recreates one of Holiday's final performances in which she sings, struggles with memories of the past and a harrowing addiction to heroin.

Prior to the performance the renowned Spiro Veloudos introduced the production and encouraged the audience to participate and interact with the performance, as it is set in a nightclub. While the audience I attended with kept quiet, the folks around me whispered throughout the production and opened krinkly candy and tissue wrappers all evening long. Unfortunately my badly behaved neighbors did infringe upon my experience as I am not a huge Billie Holiday fan. I was intrigued by the concept of the production and am always curious about how the creative team at The Lyric will use their intimate theatre. In the case of Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill, I was once again impressed. The Lyric continues to amaze me with the sense of intimacy they create in the medium sized and somewhat black box style space while also establishing a comfortable distance for the audience.

This production feature Jacqui Parker as Billie Holiday and while her acting performance was solid, I found her singing to be underwhelming. Parker was fine, but she did not produce the same quality and exactness of natural talent as Billie Holiday. While this production is a performance of a real person and some differences between performance and person are acceptable, Parker's vocal performance raised questions for me because it was unclear if her flatness was a function of Billie Holiday's state at the time of performance (ravaged after years of drug addiction) or if Parker was truly not a great singer. I suppose this is a great role for an actress who can only sort of sing because the audience can blame it on the drugs.

However, setting aside the mediocre singing, the rest of the production was enjoyable (minus my neighbors!). The accompanist was lovely and provided balance to Holiday's increasingly unhinged monologue. The simple set served as a neutral backdrop to Holiday's wandering discourse, allowing her to invite the audience in to pieces of her life. The lighting design works in harmony with the play's transitions from monologue to song - as the pianist plucks out a tune, the lights shift and throughout each number, depending on its tone, the lights shift further to heightened the tension or joy. Although compact, the play starts out slow and picks up the pace in jumps and starts as Holiday's stories linger with the smoky air.

Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill

- KER

Museum Exhibit: Jim Henson's Fantastic World

The muppets are in town! The National Heritage Museum in Lexington is hosting the traveling exhibit about Jim Henson and his muppets. The exhibit focuses on the how and why of Henson's creation and passion for the muppets. Several of the muppets are on display like Kermit and some of Henson's earlier creations for commercials and short plays. Also on display are original drawings and storyboards as well as a few videos of Henson interviews. For fans of Henson's darker work, there is a section devote to The Dark Crystal. While the exhibit is thorough and interesting, it may bore children. This exhibit features a great deal of written material and older videos. All of Henson's work is innovative and creative, but may not grab children's interest for long.

However, if you grew up watching Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock or The Muppet Show - check it out!

Jim Henson's Fantastic World

- KER