The Oscars and my childhood friend, Sean Peart

Hello friends,
Watching the Oscars now.  My 2nd cousin, Sara Nesson was nominated for an Oscar tonight for Best Documentary (short subject) for her film, "Poster Girl".  You can read a Huffington Post article about her film here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-kors/oscar-nominee-sara-nesson_b_827351.html
She didn't win tonight but I am so very proud of her!
I didn't even know I was related to her until recently. Go figure!  Gotta' love those extended family emails with fun information! Congrats to Sara and I hope to see her film SOON! I think it was shown on HBO!

On a very sad note, my childhood friend, Sean Peart lost his battle with a crazy rare form of cancer this past Thursday.  His wife Esther is also a childhood friend of mine (we all went to school together, met them when I was 14).  Esther is such a remarkable, funny and inspiring woman and a great friend.  There was a Jewish shiva service tonight at their home.  Everyone faced east as prayers were read and people gathered around together.  The idea is that Esther and her children can't walk two steps in any direction without having someone around to lean on and support them (in theory and most likely literally at times).  I hadn't seen some of those people in 20+ years.  It was as if time had not passed.  When times get difficult, people do come together and show their love. I am grateful for having shared this last moment with my friend Sean and will always remember his gentle nature and the friend, husband and father he was. 

Me with my friend Sean Peart
Taverna Opa Restaurant

South Beach, FL 

September, 2010

(It was at our unofficial Miami Beach Senior High School reunion).

Sean, may you rest in peace and thank you for your wonderful friendship.

Nite nite all,

Mindy

Cell phone pics and South Beach are a good combo

Hey ya'll,

I hope you (non) readers are enjoying my posts so far!  LOL! ;)
I don't think anyone is reading it yet. Probably because I didn't send out an invite to anyone to read it?
Whoops!

I find myself shooting photos with my blackberry phone while out and about.
It's so handy (yet low resolution).
It's just fun now that almost every phone has a camera built into it.  Everyone has become a photographer when it was actually more rare to be one back in the day.  I sound old. I'm not that old.

I just want to say that I remember film like an old friend.  Especially b&w.
Some pics I have taken in the past week or two driving back and forth from South Beach and Fort Lauderdale.  Beautiful days with wonderful friends.  Just sharing... :)

I think this was while I was at a light in Aventura, FL.  Pretty sunset and palm trees.

This is just NOT recommended!  Weird! 

Good thing the police were there helping out with the traffic movement.

Sonia and I went to Epicure on 5th Street on South Beach.

It's super duper famous if you don't know it. 

This is a red velvet cupcake "to go".

I didn't get it but we did share a chopped salad with blackened grouper on top of it and we each had the seafood bisque.  They have the best dark rolls with chopped onions inside. 

It was so good with the soup as it was a chilly South Beach day which is rare.

Here is one of the stone crab cracking masters!

In the martini glass is an orange and grouper/shrimp civiche.

I would like to try that sometime soon!

Waiting at the bridge on the Venetian Causeway.

It was a kinda cool day for South Florida.

Downtown Miami in the background.

Yes, a bird shit on my windshield.

It was fresh alright as it dripped all down the window after I shot this pic.  LOL!

It's good luck, right?! ;)

The boat show was in town and very happening around the Miami Beach convention center.

Parking was a bit more difficult than usual.

Julia Tuttle causeway at sunset.

One of the most beautiful causeways EVER in my opinion.

The story is that as you drive over the bridge part that the bumps in the road create a beat that the Bee Gee's used in a song. It might have been 'Jive Talkin'" but I'm not sure and should probably verify before posting!  :)

My friend Steve has an awesome house on South Beach and a very tranquil yard.

He also has a gardenia bush that every year I steal flowers off of (and avocadoes when they are ripe).

It's a fruitful home!

Gardenia flowers are my all time favorite flower.

They remind me of my grandmother, Shirley.

Julia Tuttle causeway heading east towards South Beach.

This past Sunday I had the lovely pleasure of seeing my dear ol' friend, Sharon and her 7 week old baby daughter, Mia! She's so precious!! I loved holding her and having her sleep on my chest! She's so warm and cuddley. Babies are beautiful!  Congrats to Sharon & Shaun!!!!!!!  What a beautiful sweet girl they have!

I have been friends with Sharon since 8th grade.  We had modern dance class together! 

FUN!  She ROCKS and is already an outstanding mommy!

I hope everyone (none of you?) are having a fab week so far!

More on the flip side my little rockers!

Mindy

Dania Beach Arts & Antique Festival & Motorcycle Festival - 1/29/11

This past Saturday afternoon I ventured to Dania Beach to attend the Arts & Antique Festival as well as the Vintage Motorcycle Festival (located within a couple blocks of one another).  Weather wise, it was the most perfect warm but not too warm and sunny afternoon. 

I first stopped over at Grace Cafe & Gallery to visit with Clare who owns the gallery/cafe/art space.  http://www.gracecafeandgalleries.com/ Clare had invited me earlier in the week to attend a private tour of The Creative Workshop (a most unique workshop for restoration of super rare/old cars).  The owner is Jason and he is very passionate about his restorations.  They are perfection!  Before heading over to The Creative Workshop, I had some time to walk over to the motorcycle festival.  There was a lot excitement going on in Frost Park!  Music, food, all girl roller derby, vintage bikes on display, life music, etc.

Upon arrival, all girl rollery derby!

This was kinda silly.

"Don't hand me no lines and keep yer hands to yerself"!

This one goes out to my bandmate of 20something years, Rat Bastard!

I liked this one.

Talk about an old ride!!!

After I left the motorcycles, I walked a couple blocks back to Grace Cafe & Gallery to meet up with the owner, Clare.  She was kind enough to walk myself and another person over to The Creative Workshop. This place is located only 1 block from my office and is in an old barn.  Jason is the owner and he took it over, cleaned the place up to perfection and it's a workshop for some of the most amazing, limited and wonderful vehicles I have ever seen in person!  I felt very lucky to have had the tour and enjoyed meeting him and his hard working staff.  What an interesting afternoon!  Dania Beach has so much to offer!!

The green car on the front/right is 1 of 60.  Literally #1. 

I wish I could remember who made it!

Doh!

Among the items that Jason found while cleaning up from the old owner were many vehicle parts which he is now turning into a HOT ROD! 

Yes!  A real one! 

It's going to be BAD ASS when it's done!!!

Really!!

Check out the scroll paisley detail work on the light fixture.

The roof of the car is also carved out with the same design.

If the sun were out, the light would shine through.

This is a HOT ROD!

#1 of 60.

She's really pretty in person.

Go speed racer!

One seater BAD ASS car!

This is Jason, he owns The Creative Collection.

I think he's the real life speed racer.

http://www.thecreativeworkshop.com/

Hope you all have a fantastic rest if your week!

I hear my Mom is going to hopefully be making a visit in the semi-near future. 

I haven't seen her or my step-dad in almost a year!  I miss them a lot.

So my friends, until the next time!

Happy day to you!! :)

Mindy