I gave myself a timeout.
By 9am I had finished writing, cleaned the house, walked the dogs so I decided to indulge in moi.
Central Park
I bundled up to brace the 20 degree morning temp and strolled through an uninhabited Central Park.
It was brisk, but beautiful.
When I arrived at 5th Avenue I did a double take because the sidewalk was so wide and unemcumbered.
Did I experience a senior moment?!
No, the pathway was devoid of carriage ride hawkers, vendors and tourists.
What a lovely, wide open vista.
Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet in, Call Me By Your Name
I crossed 59th Street and went back in time to the glam days of movie theater viewing.
The Paris is all that…velvet curtains that open when the film begins.
The velvet extends to the seating and the staff is welcoming and accommodating.
The carpeting has Paris imprinted into the pile carpeting.
The theater was opened in 1948 when actress Marlene Dietrich cut the inaugural ribbon.
There were 3 people ahead of me, awaiting the theater box office opening.
Other than me, there were 7 peeps in attendance for the first showing of, Call Me By Your Name.
Initially, the film was not on my bucket list, but after the Oscar nominations, I was curious.
The film was beautifully shot and I am ready to move into the family home in northern Italy.
Timothee Chalamet, who is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, was wonderful.
To be honest, I felt that Armie Hammer was outstanding and a perfect foil…surprised that he was not nominated.
I hear it was political because Hammer pissed someone important off.
The story is a romantic, sensual coming-of-age film.
The depth of emotion communicated by the actors is what makes it believable.
A highlight is a profound speech, delivered brilliantly at the end of the film by Elio’s father, played by Michael Stuhlbarg.
I didn’t fall in love, but appreciated, Call Me By Your Name.
It wasn’t even noon, so I wandered through Bergdorf Goodman which is next door to the Paris Cinema.
I am on a self-imposed shopping moratorium.
I did try on the most fabulous, just released Tom Ford sunglasses, but I sadly put them on the counter, turned around and walked away.
Chicken Salad, El Centro
I had a tasty lunch at EL Centro on 9th Avenue which always turns out good Mexican food.
I decided that I do not enjoy eating alone unless I am sitting at the bar with one of my friendy bartenders.
I was home by 1pm, back at work, feeling as if I just enjoyed a mini staycation.
