Meet Darlene Foster: “On the Guest List” Cover Designer!

Artist Darlene Foster

I was honored to have lunch with Darlene Foster today! Not only is she the cover designer for my book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” she’s also a very good friend!

Last fall when I was nearing the finishing stages of my book (which is now available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X) I gave Darlene a photo of me taken in the mid-1990s by my friend Ed O’Brien at a club called Cake in NYC. I felt the photo truly represented what the book was about, being on the guest list in the punk rock circles. And Darlene truly nailed it — where I was coming from and where I wanted to go with the cover — which received tons of compliments!

“On the Guest List” cover design by Darlene Foster

Darlene Foster also designed the back cover which includes endorsements for the book and a recent photo of me, taken by my husband last June.

“On the Guest List” back cover

I’m now writing my second book, which is my first attempt at fiction. And of course I’m going with Darlene once again to do the job! You can check out more of her work here: http://www.darlenefoster.com/

And for all you foodies out there, you can check out the menu of Toast in Montclair: http://toastmontclair.com/

It was absolutely delicious! I had the homemade veggie burger, sweet potato fries and a red velvet cupcake for dessert!

My Guest Appearance on “The Bright Side with Tekneshia Day”

Blog Talk radio host, Tekneshia Day

I had a fabulous interview earlier today with Tekneshia Day.

In addition to promoting my book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” and my company Pear Tree Enterprises (www.peartreeenterprises.com) we spoke about so many great things and I mentioned quite a few people who were positive influences to me in school, the music world and in publishing — as well as anti-bullying! What a great show, what a blessing, life is good!

Here is the blog radio archive for anyone who wants to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tekneshiaday/2014/03/24/on-the-guest-list-adventures-of-a-music-journalist-with-maryanne-christiano

Guest Speaker on “Bright Side with Tekneshia”

Blog radio host, Tekneshia Day

I’m honored to be a guest on blog radio show, “Bright Side with Tekneshia” tomorrow, March 24 at noon, EST. 

Here’s the link for those who would love to tune in: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tekneshiaday/2014/03/24/on-the-guest-list-adventures-of-a-music-journalist-with-maryanne-christiano

 

 

Loving All Creatures Great and Small

It was a gorgeous spring night last night, so my husband and I took a ride.

On the way home we saw a dying bird in the road — a pheasant.

By the time we made a U-turn and got out of the car, the bird was dead already.

My husband had a pair of gloves and picked her up and put her on the grass area so cars wouldn’t run her over.

We said a little prayer for her soul.

Came home and gave our kitty a lot of love.

It’s always so sad when a helpless animal dies.

Spring Celebrating!

Yay, spring! Bring out the short sleeves!

It was in the 60s today in New Jersey! Spring is my second favorite season, after Autumn and we really deserve some good weather. I normally don’t mind winter, but this year it was way too long and too cold.

I went to lunch with my great friends Nick and Vinnie. We favor “It’s Greek to Me” where the service is excellent (they let you hang long after you’ve finished your dishes) and the food is very fresh!

Afterwards I went shopping for some sunglasses. I found three pair I loved!

Me, Nick and Vinnie

Order What You Like!

Living Life to the Fullest!

It was so sad going to the bank today, one of the older tellers was complaining how she hated her job.

I suggested she do something she like instead. Another customer over heard me, a young hipster with half his head shaved who started yelling, “I need money, I can’t do what I want!”

I said, “You can do anything you want in life.”

He ignored me and kept yelling. She tried telling me what she REALLY wanted to do, but his voice kept over powering hers, ranting and raving how you can’t make money if you do what you want.

I could have used myself as an example, but I said, “I’m not saying anything people will hate me.”

The teller thought I meant the other tellers. I meant the young hipster.

I couldn’t wait to get out of there. The negativity was draining.

Then when I looked at my emails this evening, in one of the radio blogs I subscribe to, this was on the bottom of the email:

“Life is like a restaurant, order what you like and expect it to arrive!”

I was like, ABSOLUTELY! It’s so refreshing when you have that feeling of, okay, I’m not crazy … someone else actually GETS IT!

Not that I need validation that I’m living my life to the fullest, but I do take these signs as positive omens.

Never Forgetting People I Love

I was so sad to learn that my favorite uncle and his wife were moving away to Arizona very shortly, so I took the opportunity to visit them today. Luckily they said they were going to come back and visit often. And I was glad I told both of them that I loved them.

One thing I’ve learned in life — and I’m a work in progress as to making a change in this — is that you never see the people you love enough. Over the past several years I’ve really made an effort to reach out to family members I love most and friends I love most.

Every Saturday I set aside as “friend day” where I have lunch with my favorite people. I’ve been following loved ones on Face Book to be able to visit as many people as I can when they are having special events and also going to every funeral I can to be supportive.

By doing this, my life is filled with so much love and positivity.

Life so good!

 

 

 

RIP David Brenner

RIP David Brenner

I just heard the sad news that we lost comedian David Brenner.

It was just over a year ago that I had the honor to interview him over the phone and then meet him when he performed a few weeks later at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.

He was a humble, down to earth man. I spent about 35 minutes on the phone with him and off the record I told him I had a childhood crush on him when he was on Hollywood Squares.

Here is the article I wrote about him last year: http://thealternativepress.com/towns/millburn-slash-short-hills/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/comic-legend-david-brenner-comes-to-paper-mill-pl

May he rest in peace. My condolences to his loved ones.

Saturday Night Happies!

Almost a full moon!

My love!

So cool seeing a friend’s band’s CD at Vintage Vinyl

Ending the night with some kitty snuggles!

Luck of the Irish Presentation

Me with blown up vintage Irish postcard

Today I gave another “Luck of the Irish” lecture at the Mountainside Library, in Mountainside, New Jersey (http://www.mountainsidelibrary.org/)

I had such a wonderful time. It was a decent turn out. My brother-in-law Joe came along with Eileen and my friend Mary Anne showed up unexpectedly.

I write my lectures so that audience members can share their experiences and guess answers to questions (and I give away free shamrocks to everyone in attendance).

Here is a summary for the lecture (I am available to lecture at assisted living facilities, schools, hospitals, libraries, etc. Just drop an email at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com)

Luck of the Irish – Summary

Everyone has some form of tradition that is passed through generations of families. Explore the traditions of Ireland, including those that are now obscure on the island.

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta, an award-winning writer, will explore Irish topics such as the Irish wake, Irish wedding traditions, Ireland’s main crop – the potato — and of course, St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish folklore is also included in the discussion such as leprechauns, the pot of gold and where the term “Luck of the Irish” came from!

Whether you are Irish or not, you will enjoy this fun, informative – and inter-active lecture.

Visit my website, Pear Tree Enterprises for other available lectures: http://www.peartreeenterprises.com/