Cheryl Ellis

Submerged: Tales from the Basin

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:18:00 +0000

“We’re not popsicles; we’re people,” writes Leslie Gonzalez, one of the contributors to Submerged: Tales from the Basin, a prose and poetry collection about hair and how this physical extension of women’s auras complicates and confirms our place in this life.

While reading the eloquent pieces contributed by various writers to create this book that benefits victims of Hurricane Katrina, I was reminded of my own hair, and how my opinion of it has been influenced by my connection, or disconnection, to who I am.

In junior high, I would start my bedtime prayers with the hope that my hair would be okay in the morning (followed by ending the war in Vietnam and bringing Patty Heart home unharmed). As I read Submerged, this memory surfaced along with the realization that I was really praying that the adolescent me would be okay, among the chattering students of the various—and in the '70s—often feuding groups that populated our school and the struggling outside world.

Editor Lauren Gonzalez pulled together these works, asking authors to focus on the theme of hair, and what emerges is a commonality between all women, not just those who have contributed to the book. We have all blessed and cursed the days when our hair meets society’s standards, and felt the ethnocentrism of hair prejudice, even within a specific cultural group. The writers have all come to a point of acceptance to be who they are internally, making this book an excellent choice to share with anyone who is currently experiencing a “bad hair cycle.”

The poem "The Bazaz Curse" by Ellen Hagan, speaks of hair that’s “a puff of awkward,” a place that everyone has been whether their age is in single or double digits. I especially want to mention "The Jewish Girl Dreams of Hitchcock Hair," a standout piece that can work on stage as well as page. Author Miriam Webb’s final point, “It’s the tragedy of the relentlessly beautiful/to be relentlessly pursued,” sums up not only the dilemma of film heroines, but the predicament of anyone society dubs “beautiful.” The shiksappeal (referencing the television show Seinfeld) of “manageable hair” resonates throughout the poem reminding us that we must accept banes and blessings when we are defined as lovely. There’s always someone in pursuit, and it could be our inner critic, out to get us. The connection we have to our hair and how it projects who we are to the world is explored in this book in an accessible fashion that anyone can relate to.

Written by: Cheryl Ellis, March 28th 2009

Moon Metro Los Angeles, 3rd Edition

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Edited by Naomi Adler Dancis

Avalon Travel

From Argentina to Cancun to New England, Moon Maps are available online and through guides like Moon Metro Los Angeles. The slender book is thick with fold-out maps of the City of Angels so you can conduct a self-guided tour. It’s not an “LA for Dummies,” but makes the effort to be accessible to first timers, as well as those who are map-challenged, like me.

Moon Metro Los Angeles divided Los Angeles up into eight specific areas, which are color coded to help the tourist quickly identify where they’re going. You may own a navigator that will get you around even as you walk, but a map can often give a wider view of what’s ahead in an area; at least, that’s been my experience with my navigational system and its 3.5 inch screen.

The guide also offers advice on tourist traps, which can be fun if you want to tell people you saw or experienced, but really aren’t the best value. Case in point are the “star tours” or “star maps” that lead you to think you’ll see the stars at their homes. Remember just how high those greens were when Ozzy Osborne threw a ham over his shrubbery? Map authors point out that homes may be recessed far enough from the street that you can’t see them taking out the trash, or (again with the shrubbery) with landscaping that is designed to cloud your view.

Hot "star spots" are mentioned: places you might not expect to see them at, such as delis or coffee shops. Bank on the fact they may love one place, but switch to another if the shine gets too bright from fans’ smiles.

Restaurant price ratings and other expected data are included in the map as well. It’s worth a pickup prior to your visit, so you can program destinations in your navigator, data phone or other electronic accessories, but is a good backup in case any of your electronics fail, and you’re still rarin’ to go.

Written by: Cheryl Ellis, March 20th 2009

Challenges: A Memoir of My Life in Opera

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:17:00 +0000

By Sarah Caldwell

Wesleyan University Press

In Challenges: A Memoir of My Life in Opera, Sarah Caldwell, the first woman to conduct the Metropolitan Opera, relates intimate stories about her experiences as a director and conductor of this dramatic art form. From a series of interviews planned and orchestrated by Caldwell, she and Rebecca Matlock have created an intimate, cozy memoir.

The passages written by Matlock include interesting personal details about Caldwell. For instance, her home has heated concrete floors and acoustic adaptations designed to allow her to listen to auditioned works at home. We also learn of Caldwell’s graduation from high school at age twelve.

The greater portion of the book features transcriptions of interviews with Caldwell who breezes through tales of opera house money woes and the sleights of hand performed to raise funds. When Caldwell speaks of challenges, she is referring to the challenge of creating dynamic performances. We learn about her devotion to an art form where the question of how to enhance even a reliable classic such as Aida involves the love of the process of creating, as much as the final result.

Opera fans who have not yet come across this book will enjoy the conversational tone that is not overly weighed down by details of production dates, plot explanations, or the dreary “facts” found in some memoirs. For those with an interest in the theatre, this is a rich exploration into the mindset of a bright, motivated expert in her field. Even those are put off by opera will enjoy Sarah dishing the dirt the world over from Boston to Mexico to the Philippines.

This is worthy opportunity to hear great stories from someone who has excelled in her chosen and beloved field.

Written by: Cheryl Ellis, March 8th 2009

Enlightened Courage

admin — Thu, 10 May 2007 01:48:00 +0000

By Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Snow Lion Publications

Buddhist doctrine can be difficult to wrap one’s mind around, and is not always feminist or politically correct in its approach. The old doctrines were written for individuals who did not even have “politically correct” in their vocabularies; the doctrines become more universal.

Dilgo Rinpoche, a teacher of Surya Das and the Dalai Lama, brings forth his interpretations of Seven Point Mind Training in Enlightened Courage. Very fortunately, there is a glossary, which probably should be read first. Those new to Buddhist teachings will find the explanations clear and educational. In addition, insights can be gained simply by reading the definitions of different terms - such as “rinpoche,” a divine leader who has been reincarnated.

I found the glossary to be highly enjoyable and it helped through different parts of the book. My experiences with reading Buddhist teachings has often been frustrating because the eloquent manner in which they are conveyed are (to my mind) best rendered in speech.

Recognizing the poetic and somewhat formal manner in which the information is offered can help in the reading of the book. The book is a translation of Rinpoche’s teachings, but appears to be faithful to the discursive style of teaching from spiritual leaders. Questions are asked, and often not answered to the satisfaction of the student. It is up to the student to find her own answers within the context of the discussion.

That isn’t to say the book is missing some practical, simple translation. In a discussion of impermanence, Rinpoche likens it to “rich people still discussing their business projects on their deathbeds.”

At the root of Enlightened Courage we have explanations on how to follow an uplifting, ethical path. Real examples are given, and our thoughts are provoked. The book isn’t designed (nor are the teachings) to be a quick, easy read. What you get from the book is much like what you get from meditation. Its ability to go back, again and again, starting anew, without judging yourself on how much you have accomplished.

Written by: Cheryl Ellis, May 9th 2007