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It’s been a pretty crazy week chez Saraclaradara – writing deadlines for saramerica’s political column, freelance business writing piece, and general holiday craziness.

But last weekend, we had a visit from my English nieces and nephews. I’d seen my nephew and the niece that’s daughter’s age when they came for Son’s Bar Mitzvah in June 2006, but my eldest and youngest niece I hadn’t seen in at least four years.

So I was REALLY, REALLY excited!! And so were the kids. Here are the Gorgeous Girlz:



And here’s my handsome nephew:



I’d bought my niece and Daughter matching fuzzy monkey pj’s. Aren’t they the cutest little monkeys you’ve seen in a while?



We went out to the Japanese restaurant to celebrate Nephew’s birthday – here’s a picture of the Gang:



It was lovely to have the house full and to spend time with much-missed family.

Meanwhile, after a week of serious B-I-C, not on any of my novel projects but on business and political writing, I said goodbye to my not-so-little chickadees, who are off to Disney with their dad for the holiday, then headed up to Boston to pick up The Webmeister, so we didn’t end up with two cars down here, because we’ll be back in Boston for New Years.

Last night we were back here, though, and headed into the City to see Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad (or as my friend Pilot Rocker says, “The Story of Saraclaradara’s Life.”)

It was, in a word, HILARIOUS. It’s on tonight and tomorrow night as well, so race and go see it if you get a chance. My face hurt from laughing.

Tonight, to continue my Jewtacular holiday season, I’m heading into the City once again, this time to see my high school buddy Rob Tannenbaum (previously of “What I Like About Jew” and music editor of Blender Magazine) in his new show, “Good for the Jews”.

You’ll enjoy his irreverent humor in such ditties as “They Tried to Kill Us, We Survived, Let’s Eat”, which pretty sums up every Jewish holiday we celebrate.

Anyway, must run – my Jews await!

Over the weekend (entirely by accident) I met director Paul Rachman, the man behind the documentary American Hardcore as well as scores of music videos that my buddies and I would watch in high school.

He worked with some of my favorite bands--The Replacements, Temple of the Dog, and Alice in Chains (the trippy "Man in a Box" video!). Last night I dug through his website, interviews, and music videos. It took me back to a much simpler time, and I started writing about my hometown again.

If those bands mean something to you, you must check out Rachman's website -- the memories are priceless. If you don't know the music, read Rachman's reminder about the importance of community in this Evening Class interview:

"However small it was, we knew we were part of something intricate, that had this ethic of helping your friends. Everybody had to work hard to make that show happen on Sunday afternoon at the VFW Hall. Everybody. You had to show up. You had to help. You had to help the band get there. It was a sense of community. You really counted on each other to make it happen because it wouldn't if not. There were too many forces against you."