Bright Lights, Big City

It was riveting, a book I just finished called "Bright Lights, Big City."

I was two when it came out in 1984, and only recently learned about it, how it was the seminal debut novel from twentysomething writer Jay McInerney.

Though he skyrocketed to the status of bonafide literary star, I'm not sure his subsequent stories ever outdid the big hoopla of "Bright Lights." I'd like to read more of his books, but haven't decided which one I'll jump to next.

A book snapshot can be found here. In short, we follow a cool but confused young man -- he works as a fact checker at a prominent magazine and his wife recently left him while on a modeling job in Paris -- during a week in Manhattan where his life begins to unravel as illusion and reality collide.

It's a quick read, and I learned a lot about Manhattan during the hedonist '80s days. Besides, now I know to check out the classic French bistro, The Odeon. Great French onion soup there, I hear.

A New York Stroll

I know, I was a little MIA this month. A flurry of work travel...

Here I am in New York in October -- Central Park, to be exact. It was a crisp, sunny stroll through the world's most spectacular urban park.

I had just come from Mario Batali's Eataly cafe and artisanal Italian marketplace, a few metro stops away in the Flatiron District. At this moment, I'm feeling like a local with my grocery bag, iPod and subway navigation skills. I'm pretty sure Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey" came on just about now.

It was a warm, cozy fall moment.

Unexpected Arkansas

Arkansans are crazy about their Razorbacks football.

Last week I went to the Fayetteville area -- or Northwest Arkansas, as locals like to say -- for a planning and brainstorm session for a client. Outside of accomplishing a lot workwise, our group experienced the charming and super-friendly terrain of Bentonville, where Wal-Mart is based, and Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas.

I was taken with Arkansas, as people are as sweet as their iced tea and towns have quaint squares that harken back to the good 'ol days.

We ate like locals on the Bentonville square, including at the new, industrial-chic Tusk & Trotter where I ordered baby back ribs.

A highlight was getting a sneak peek tour of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that will open November 11 as one of the most seminal collections of American art. The exquisite museum campus is tucked in the woods near hiking trails, and the head curator led us through the hefty art collection while framing the key works of art, artists and movements in context with the evolution of America from colonial day to present.

Of course, there was also Razorbacks football. Our Friday ended with a surprise tailgate party where a blow-up Razorbacks mascot supervised our revelry. The game day tailgate came with Miller Lite, pulled pork sandwiches and a nearby pep rally with the cheerleaders and marching band.

The Razorbacks beat the Auburn tigers as we all "called the hogs" with a spirited "Wooooo Pig Sooieee!" Arkansas was a happy state that day.

Malibu

I went up to Malibu over the weekend, for an art cocktail party at a modern house perched above the ocean.

There were some photographs on canvas that I liked, but perhaps the most compelling thing to gawk at was the sea that swam into the horizon.

What a view!

Someday...

Feels Like Fall in Park City

I visited Park City, Utah, for the first time last week and adored the crisp, fall experience that awaited me -- leather boots weather, locally-brewed Wasatch beer and cups of chili, and glorious mountains splashed with reds, oranges and bright yellows that reminded me of Golden Delicious apples.

It was just the "Hi, fall" feeling I needed, coming from season-less L.A.

I'm working with a fantastic ski resort there called Canyons Resort, and I look forward to more adventures in this cozy pocket of mountain paradise.

Behold fall, Park City style:

Jane Goodall & Mr. H

"Jane's Journey" blew me away. It's a documentary about Dr. Jane Goodall and her quest to save the chimps in Tanzania, Africa, before going on to champion the conservation of natural habitats, cultures, people and animals around the world.

Dr. Goodall attended the screening and did a Q&A afterword. She's remarkable -- like Wonder Woman meets Mother Teresa.

Her answers were kind and measured, sprinkled with simple wisdoms pulled from the great truths of the universe. Her voice was light and hopeful as she relayed that children are our hope for a peaceful, prosperous world.

I was able to get a photo with Dr. Goodall in the lobby of the theatre after the Q&A. Up close, she was petite but mighty. She held tight to her dear stuffed monkey named Mr. H who was enjoying a banana.

Here's Dr. Goodall with her sweet Mr. H: