Specifics

Tuesday March 18, 2008
7:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
Clifton Commons
395 Route 3 East
Clifton, NJ

"Fear and Yoga in New Jersey"

At the center of Debra Galant's new novel is Nina Gettleman-Summer, a stressed-out New Jersey yoga teacher. Nina should be calmly guiding her high powered students through their savasanas and their chakras. Instead she is worried about... everything: her new meditation fountain overflowed resulting in a dangerous mess that caused one of her more litigious students to slip and fall; her husband Michael's job as Newark Airport's meteorologist was outsourced to the Phillipines, and a hurricane is bearing down on her parents' home in Florida.

The last thing Nina needs is her suspicious mother Belle around, wailing about the weather and asking questions about Michael's job. To complicate matters, her teenage son Adam is showing a sudden interest in having a Bar Mitzvah – even though Nina, never a fan of her Jewish heritage, signed the family up at the local Unitarian Church. Which brings us to the heart of this very funny book. Nina's put her faith in feng shui and crystals while her husband passes the time chatting with the local Jehovah's Witnesses and Adam plots his religious coming of age, which he believes will net him a real life pot of gold. The Gettleman-Summers are poised for an awakening which, when it arrives, is deftly portrayed in Galant's classic screwball style.

- Wendy

At some point I am going to have to find new employment. One of the most important things, when I start job hunting is the clothes I will need (my present job, as long as I look presentable its not a problem). USA Today (one of my favorite papers, has an article that gets into the benefits of spending a little more money on clothing, and in the long run it will pay off having quality garments.   They do have a point.   All the clothes I bought at high end stores, I must admit have lasted me for years.

- Wendy

According to Media Post, Dunkin Donuts is offering a 99 cent latte tomorrow, Tuesday February 25,  between 1 and 10 pm. Word is that is to take advantage of the 3 hour closing at all Starbucks, to train their personnel on proper procedures.

- Wendy

It hasn't been fun, right now I have a limited amount of money on hand and the prospect of any new money coming in is just plain uncertain at this point.

Here's something I did the other day. I had to meet with a prospective client at the Starbucks located in the Barnes & Noble store in Clifton (this is a bad bad place for me, it's happens to be my favorite place for impulse shopping). A nice perk about this was, when I bought my 'basic' coffee (I don't drink any coffee drink I have to use a foreign accent to order correctly), the Barista asked if I had a B & N card, apparently this Starbucks will give you a discount if you have the card.   Now, this is the first time I have had 'take out' coffee in several months. So, I didn't feel so guilty, I forfeited my daily expenditure of $1.75 of newspapers I buy daily.

My newest plan for spending is, if I want something, I am going to put it on a list with the date I wanted it.   The theory is that at the end 6 weeks, I will really know if I really need or want the item.

I also needed to pick up one item from the supermarket. I held off getting it, figuring if I go in for one item, chances are I will find something else to spend money on, so I can hold on that items purchase until I have a list and need to go to the supermarket.

Thinking about having a garage sale in the spring, clearing out some of this unwanted stuff I have hanging around this house, that I am not using.

- Wendy

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In celebration of the PATH train system, they will have free passage tomorrow Monday February 24 from 6 am to 11 pm according to the Associated Press.   To view a map of the system which runs between Newark and 33 rd Street/WTC in Manhattan click here.

A tip; parking in Harrison is at a premium because of construction, so get there early. if you park in Newark, the fee charged by the Hilton Hotel (across the street from station) is cheaper then the open air lots in the vicinity.

- Wendy

I like to travel and whenever I can I do. Last year I went to Florida and the rental cars prices were outrageous so I went to Priceline, bid low and got a low cost rental car.   USA Today in their Travel section has an excellent article on the various resources out there to save a significant amount of moolah on travel.  

Now I could take a trip, I have the air miles to get there, but no money spend once there. Back to watching the travel channel...

- Wendy

At some point in the future I am going to have to clean up my act. Being out of work, allows me the luxury to skipping on hair cuts (that's if you call not being able to afford something a luxury).    Actually I don't pay for hair cuts. My friend Nancy, a well known beautician from Rutherford, who is now retired, cuts my hair for barter. It's called I cook dinner and provide good company and companionship, and she cuts my hair.  

But I know not everyone has a Nancy, so here's a tip I can pass along that I used in my college days.   Many cosmetology schools are looking for customers (victims - only kidding) for their senior students to gain experience on.  Here's a website, which lists several cosmetology and beauty New Jersey schools, all you have to do is call to find out times, these discounted or free hair styling sessions are being held.

- Wendy

Looking for something to do on this snow day?

Fill out this survey and as a reward Blockbuster Video will send you a $1.99 coupon for a rental. Cool.

- Wendy

Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks offers a free complimentary admission to members of active duty military representing all five service branches, active members of a reserve or National Guard unit, and/or up to three direct dependants.

Here's the scoop;

• Valid for one complimentary single-day admission per person, per year, to one of the following Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks:
  
  o SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio
  o Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Williamsburg
  o Sesame Place
  o Adventure Island
  o Water Country USA
  
• Offer valid between 1/1/2008 and 12/31/2008. Operating days and hours vary by park. Please check with specific park for current operating schedule.

Click on the link here, if you qualify to apply.

You have to admire a company that does this.

- Wendy

Sometimes it isn't a great idea to rent a car at your arriving airport. When researching rental cars, call around to car rental places in the vicinity of the airport, and some times you can get a better rate. When arriving at the airport, take a cab to the location.  Another idea is many hotels offer a free airport shuttle take advantage of it, and rent your car locally the next day (thus you save a day on rental).


Also off site parking lots tend to be cheaper than on airport property.   If you have handicapped plates, call ahead, many airports allow handicapped individuals to park in the short term (high priced lot) for the long term rate. You will need state issued ID.

- Wendy