Bob Dylan was mistaken for an escaped crazy person in New Jersey. Happy 40th, Woodstock.
Monday, August 17, 2009
I spoke 34 minutes too soon.
Apparently, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are getting married.
From Gawker.com:
Oh, god. A billion teenage brains are going to spontaneously combust today. Apparently, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are going to get married. Their union will be officiated by the Minister of Happy somewhere around Tomorrowland and they're going to ride off on a Monorail of Pleasure sometime after for their honeymoon, and teenagers all across the land will be miserably depressed. [Showbiz Spy]
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd scene.
From Gawker.com:
Oh, god. A billion teenage brains are going to spontaneously combust today. Apparently, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are going to get married. Their union will be officiated by the Minister of Happy somewhere around Tomorrowland and they're going to ride off on a Monorail of Pleasure sometime after for their honeymoon, and teenagers all across the land will be miserably depressed. [Showbiz Spy]
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd scene.
Tom DeLay's announced for Dancing with the Stars, and Levi's showing us what's in his Levi's. Happy (11 AM) on Monday.
Yes. Both stories in the title are true. God help us. I wonder what 3 PM will have to offer.... other than that I'm too effing tired to be quippy. Those headlines just took the wind right out me.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Family shot from MV this weekend...
Probably the last time we will all be together for a while. Note Dad looming in the background... looking puzzled at his childrens' delight in taking a photograph together. Guess he's thinking of the "just one more..." Christmas photo shoots when we all want to strangle him with his camera strap.Monday, August 10, 2009
"Shiksa's are for Practice" - What's with the Tribe?
It is HOT in New York.
Really hot. Like, 95 + with humidity. My soul melted on the sidewalk this morning. Not to mention the fact that I got to the subway just as the N train came pulling in and then instead of letting me in so I could catch that train everyone just barreled out, leaving me on the hellish platform. In my morning anger I actually thanked a guy for his obnoxious behavior as the train pulled away. He smiled. I didn't.
Amidst the August oppression is the onset of The Bacchae at the Delacorte. Last night was the invited dress rehearsal and the overall reaction was... tepid. I'm seeing it tomorrow so I'll be sure to let you all know.
Lastly, a blog post from Carolyn has got me wondering about the tribe and our (possibly) irrational devotion to one another. The original blogpost, below:
Really hot. Like, 95 + with humidity. My soul melted on the sidewalk this morning. Not to mention the fact that I got to the subway just as the N train came pulling in and then instead of letting me in so I could catch that train everyone just barreled out, leaving me on the hellish platform. In my morning anger I actually thanked a guy for his obnoxious behavior as the train pulled away. He smiled. I didn't.
Amidst the August oppression is the onset of The Bacchae at the Delacorte. Last night was the invited dress rehearsal and the overall reaction was... tepid. I'm seeing it tomorrow so I'll be sure to let you all know.
Lastly, a blog post from Carolyn has got me wondering about the tribe and our (possibly) irrational devotion to one another. The original blogpost, below:
Shiksa's are for practice?
Tonight I played board games with some friends and randoms from high school. It was really fun until one individual said a few things that pissed me off and made me question some larger life questions.
Basically it went like this: we all had to go around and list a reason not to date someone. Religion came up and soon someone at the table said, "they're not Jewish." They decided to elaborate and clarified that "Shiksa's are for practice". I simply replied, "shut the fuck up," in my cool and collect way. I didn't push the issue, but later I found myself furious. I've only dated a handful of times, yet each was with a fairly religious Jewish boy.
At some point I even tried to call my ex, curious as to his past, current, and future views about his significant other's religion. Alas, the call went straight to voicemail. So for now I'll sit here, waiting until the sun comes up, forever pondering the actual significance of religion in relationships. Maybe "my little shiksa" wasn't as endearing as my charmed 16 year old self once thought it was. In the next relationship it was, "my parent's are religious, not me. Fuck that." (meaning a Jewish girl). But something tells me I might be wrong.
Basically it went like this: we all had to go around and list a reason not to date someone. Religion came up and soon someone at the table said, "they're not Jewish." They decided to elaborate and clarified that "Shiksa's are for practice". I simply replied, "shut the fuck up," in my cool and collect way. I didn't push the issue, but later I found myself furious. I've only dated a handful of times, yet each was with a fairly religious Jewish boy.
At some point I even tried to call my ex, curious as to his past, current, and future views about his significant other's religion. Alas, the call went straight to voicemail. So for now I'll sit here, waiting until the sun comes up, forever pondering the actual significance of religion in relationships. Maybe "my little shiksa" wasn't as endearing as my charmed 16 year old self once thought it was. In the next relationship it was, "my parent's are religious, not me. Fuck that." (meaning a Jewish girl). But something tells me I might be wrong.
Ok, this entry from her comes after an unrelated, but interesting statement from Dan last night. He said that when he was on the Marwood cruise he took pains to drop to two upper level people that are Jewish that he also is part of "the tribe".
So, what is it with us? What's the deal? I personally don't find the religion of my significant other important at all - but most other people do. There seems to be some kind of cultural camaraderie between Jews, even when an individual is neither practicing nor "culturally" Jewish. There is the insufferable stereotype of "the nice Jewish boy" that Jewish girls have been fed since the beginning of time. When I had my first boyfriend at 14 the first question that my grandmother asked was if he was Jewish. He wasn't. In fact I have never had any sort of serious relationship with someone who was Jewish. I don't even know that I would identify myself as such, but that hasn't stopped me from joining JDate. To prove loyalty to "the tribe"Jdate has included somewhat waning Jews with the Jew-level option of "Culturally Jewish but not practicing". This is what I have checked.
Does this mean that Jews aren't as concerned with preserving a religion as they are about "keeping it in the family" - a notoriously cult-like statement - or that people are (as I have argued since my first sociology of religion class) simply looking for a community amongst strangers? And if the only initial thing that people have in common is that they both memorized the same prayers in Sunday School, then why do Jews/Jews, Catholics/Catholics, Baptists/Baptists, etc/etc seem to find such comfort in one another when, individually, he or she may not even associate with a religion, but instead ascertain that its "just how they grew up."
I present this to you, readers. What do you think? Are Shiksa's merely practice for nice Jewish boys? Are Jewish girls meant to nab the Jewish boys before the evil Shiksa's steal them away? Are we really happier with someone that shared ONE similar aspect of our lives growing up? And what is this fierce loyalty to a tradition, even when people do not regularly practice it? I know many Jewish girls that don't believe in God, but do believe in the power of Jewish men. Most people know that temple atriums can be expanded to accommodate the large crowds around the high holidays, and then are set up with sliding walls or large screens to block off empty space for the rest of the year. So I repeat: what's the deal? What do you all think about this?
So, what is it with us? What's the deal? I personally don't find the religion of my significant other important at all - but most other people do. There seems to be some kind of cultural camaraderie between Jews, even when an individual is neither practicing nor "culturally" Jewish. There is the insufferable stereotype of "the nice Jewish boy" that Jewish girls have been fed since the beginning of time. When I had my first boyfriend at 14 the first question that my grandmother asked was if he was Jewish. He wasn't. In fact I have never had any sort of serious relationship with someone who was Jewish. I don't even know that I would identify myself as such, but that hasn't stopped me from joining JDate. To prove loyalty to "the tribe"Jdate has included somewhat waning Jews with the Jew-level option of "Culturally Jewish but not practicing". This is what I have checked.
Does this mean that Jews aren't as concerned with preserving a religion as they are about "keeping it in the family" - a notoriously cult-like statement - or that people are (as I have argued since my first sociology of religion class) simply looking for a community amongst strangers? And if the only initial thing that people have in common is that they both memorized the same prayers in Sunday School, then why do Jews/Jews, Catholics/Catholics, Baptists/Baptists, etc/etc seem to find such comfort in one another when, individually, he or she may not even associate with a religion, but instead ascertain that its "just how they grew up."
I present this to you, readers. What do you think? Are Shiksa's merely practice for nice Jewish boys? Are Jewish girls meant to nab the Jewish boys before the evil Shiksa's steal them away? Are we really happier with someone that shared ONE similar aspect of our lives growing up? And what is this fierce loyalty to a tradition, even when people do not regularly practice it? I know many Jewish girls that don't believe in God, but do believe in the power of Jewish men. Most people know that temple atriums can be expanded to accommodate the large crowds around the high holidays, and then are set up with sliding walls or large screens to block off empty space for the rest of the year. So I repeat: what's the deal? What do you all think about this?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tick Tock
With my submission to corporate America quickly descending, I have begun to accept the fact that I will no longer be able to show up in jeans and flip flops. Although this is completely suitable for the moment (i.e. starving artists, glorified hippies) these days will soon be gone. I'm in mourning, but I've decided to recreate the Betty Draper approach to the corporate lifestyle. I very much look forward to your suggestions and comments about the following outfits. Luckily, Banana Republic and JCrew are generally recession friendly.
There are more examples from JCrew, but the pictures aren't showing up as well as JPegs.... but do let me know what you think of these :-)
There are more examples from JCrew, but the pictures aren't showing up as well as JPegs.... but do let me know what you think of these :-)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Rawr!!
BIG fight with Central Park today. Almost smokey-the-beared their ass today.Well, anti-smokey the bear. You get it.
However, due to their lovely accommodation of us during the summer months, I can say no more publicly. But I'm thinking it. Oh yes. I'm thinking it.
However, due to their lovely accommodation of us during the summer months, I can say no more publicly. But I'm thinking it. Oh yes. I'm thinking it.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Different Kinds of Love.
There are so many things today. Taking a note from my dear friend Carolyn's blog, I think that it's time that I start thinking about some very real things that I've chosen to ignore for a while. This past week conjured a lot of old feelings that have been lodged away for years. I'm blogging about it now because I want someone to listen to me. I want to share it because I feel very alone in the experience. I don't want to edit this post, so please forgive any stream of consciousness that seeps in.
When I met with my friend Andrew, he told me that our old theater director had been fired for taking naked pictures of students. This man had had a history of such activity, and my boarding school hired him knowing this. While I was there I was very lucky that he did not approach me. At the time it made me feel very bad, as if I wasn't good enough or that I wasn't one of his "favorites".
I knew what he did to my friends. The school was small, and the theater community at the school was even smaller so it was really hard for me to believe that people didn't know that this was going on. Now I see that they did know, but like me they were too afraid to say anything. My time away at boarding school was fraught with a lot of sadness and distress, much of which I still feel today; but as a fifteen year old I was so concentrated on my own struggles that I didn't know how to take on anyone elses. In an act of pure selfishness I let my friends down by allowing these things to continue.
I also found out that this director had married another director of mine and they now run a children's theater together. At work the next day I ran a google search on this and not only did the theater company pop up immediately, so did my boarding school's explanation of the director's leave. They called it a sabbatical. He got away with it. Again. If I had had the courage, I could have said something years ago and stopped him from doing this to other students. But I was too self-centered.
In college I did a lot of writing about this man, and the relationship that he had with students. I think that I wrote about it so much because it was something that scared me, and that I didn't understand. Professors approached me after reading these pieces and said that they were very sorry. Many said that it was clear that the stories were true because of the details. I wonder how many students reveal themselves that way.
One of the most pointed memories I have of him was when I was in his introduction to theater class. Somehow we got on the topic of "Lolita" and he asked the class if they felt that the book was a love story or a character sketch of a pedophile. I had just read it for the first time, so I said that I thought that it was about a pedophile. He laughed and condescendingly said that that was what most people thought. He said that the truth was that it was a love story. Then he looked at me and said the opening line of the book. "Lo-Lee-Ta," before continuing with, "there are lots of different types of love, Rachel. Don't you know that?" I don't know what he was suggesting but even at fifteen I knew that there was something wrong with the tone of his voice and the way he spoke to girls. I felt overexposed when he looked at me but unfortunately this was the least of my problems at this school and I couldn't be bothered to delve into my friends problems when I had big things happening of my own. I feel a lot of shame for this. That year I copied the opening paragraph of Lolita onto the cover of my journal, with the hope that if I read the passage every day I would begin to understand "different kinds of love".
After all these years he was caught, but with no consequence. He was pardoned by the politics of prep school academia and is living a seemingly functional life with his wife, and the children's theater company that he always wanted. This disheartens and infuriates me more than I can say - to know that even if I had said something it probably would not have made a difference. Except that he would have taken his sabbatical a bit sooner.
I do not look forward to the emotional swells that surround my boarding school experience. I hope that there will be a time in the future when I do not became instantly angry at the mention of any boarding school regardless of if it was my own. I hope that one day I will be able to understand that boarding school is a wonderful choice for some students. To be honest though, my anger runs so deep that I don't think that it will ever go away. I cannot envision a world where I don't feel humiliation and rejection at the thought of that time. I just wanted to share this story. I don't think that I will be able to talk about this in detail, or even begin to vaguely describe other things that happened during my time away for a long time but it was important for me to begin talking, if only on one small spec of the blogosphere.
When all of this was happening my friend Margot took me to a local record store and bought me "Out of Range" by Ani DiFranco. She said that her angry chick days were over, and it was time for her to pass to torch. And she did. I'm still listening to that record.... seven years later.
Lastly, but most importantly -- if you suspect that you or someone you know has been sexually abused SPEAK UP. If you want more information about inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, published papers on the subject, or are just curious please visit the Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute.
Friday, July 24, 2009
I lose! Another lame excuse for sporadic posting...
Hey all,
So sorry about the pause in posting. My wrist actually exploded with nerves and upset tendons and the like, and therefore I have been unable to type with the manner in which I have become accustomed. The whole experience has been very frustrating. I am happy to report that I am back (and now typing with perky wrists!) I am ready to bestow a two week report.
I have been up to ALOT. Today we have bad dates, reunions, concerts, venue bookings, and the week the plague took over the Public offices.
Item one - bad dates. I have ventured onto JDate. It is true. After my sister became engaged to her boyfriend, whom she met on the site, I decided that it's time to land me a man. Or at least try. There are lots of things to say about JDate... but my first question is where the hell do some of these people come from? Also, if you are on a dating site and someone contacts you, why would you not contact them back? The line of assumption here is that if you are on a dating site you are paying for this service in the hopes of meeting people... therefore ignoring messages seems a little counter-intuitive, no? Maybe I'm missing something. Or worse, I'm being mistaken for some kind of creeper. Ew.
Last Saturday I did venture out on my first JDate date. I was IMed by someone named Levi. He seemed normal. I did the preliminary scan (Jdate profile, google search, facebook - you really can find anything on the Internet) and he checked out. So we talked for a bit and then he asked me to go for a drink. No big deal. Except that it was. See, Levi was a complete weirdo. First of all, I don't know who the pictures were of on the JDate profile, but it most certainly was NOT him. Turns out he is in his third year of law school at Hofstra. Trying to make conversation, I asked him what kind of law he was studying. He said that he didn't really know, he thought that he might want to be a criminal lawyer. I tried to make a joke anyway. "Like on CSI?" I asked. He just looked at me funny. He said "Yeah. I guess. But, you know, a real lawyer." I wanted to run right then. Luckily the bartender got wind of this conversation and the two of us had an eye conversation in which he indicated that he would hang out on our end of the bar and intercede if need be. Thank goodness. Anyway, Levi went on to tell me that he was raised with eleven brothers and sisters in a modern orthodox family. He left "the tribe" when he was 16 and his parents still barely speak to him. He told me that if it wasn't for his philosophy that everything happens for a reason, then he would have committed suicide by now. Um, WHAT?! The bartender actually laughed to himself when he heard that, and I downed my drink because it was all just too much. As a preemptive strike I had made sure that Alix was going to call me at 10 PM with an emergency so I would have to leave if the date was bad. As always she came through and I was out of there within 10 minutes. Lesson learned: dating is tough. Just give in to a life of good friends and wine. The end.
On Monday night I went to a comped performance at Joe's Pub again, this time seeing Ryness. Bryce Ryness is currently in HAIR and it was a lot of fun to reconnect with the lot of them again. Bryce's band is GREAT. They have a new album on itunes (RYNESS : A Fire in the Night) I suggest that you check it out. Live, Bryce sounds like Robert Plant. For reals. I saw that concert with the lovely Liz Staley, which was great fun - and then I traveled on to reunite with my old boarding school friend, Andrew. It's weird to call him Andrew now, because at school we always called him by his last name... but I guess we all grow up, right? It was really wonderful to see him and catch up. He's always been very interesting, and its kind of fun to see people grow into themselves. He's involved in a very interesting project right now about an incident that occurred in Way Cross, Georgia. He is writing a play about a group of third graders that plotted to kill their teacher. Insane. It's intriguing to hear about race and the way people still live in the South. There is still very real segregation, distrust, and anger down there. I cannot wait to read what he has done. I was nervous about meeting him as I tend to edit my entire Williston experience out of my adolescence, but in this case I was wrong. Hopefully I will see him again soon.
This week at work my keeper is out on vacation so I am doing her job. I've had a lot of fun doing it, and I've gotten to check out various venue locs for our Othello run. I'm heading up that search at the moment, so it is very exciting when people call to speak to me about it.
Tonight Dan and I are going out with friends from college for the first time this whole summer! I'm not sure what we are doing exactly, but I do feel confidant that it will warrant an interesting post.
xxRR
ps - I have video of the concert that I will post when I get home.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Another Whirlwind
I'm not entirely sure how I end up where I do over the course of the days deemed "Friday" and "Saturday" but they do make for excellent stories. As previously discussed, I went to Joe's Pub on Friday night, being comped in as an intern. The show was all right but to be honest the guy sounded like a mix between Ben Folds and a guy that wanted to write successful musicals really, really badly. Which I guess is kind of what he was... luckily we had drink discounts (they do throw us interns some kind of bone).
Afterwards Lilli and I went to a party at an architect's loft. The architect himself is in Las Vegas or something building, so her friends, one of which is currently in The Lion King (!), are staying there until he comes back. Apparently they found the apartment listed on Craigslist. That's New York City. The place was crazy - there was art everywhere. Even the rugs were like art. There were sculptures, paintings, and all kinds of cool light installations. You know that scene in The Devil Wears Prada when Anne Hathaway goes to the party to drop off the sketches for that designer? THAT'S what that apartment looked like. Insane.
Saturday's plans to storm Fire Island didn't exactly happen because both Liz and I slept through out alarms. Oopsie. It's ok through because we ended up having brunch at The Boathouse in Central Park and feeding the ducks. Liz even managed to grab a turtle who was silly enough to be lured by a goldfish. It was gross but she enjoyed it. We even had a crowd form around us. I don't know how these things happen. We then proceeded to Shake Shack, where I have never been before - even though the first one is literally around the corner from my apartment. The food was pretty good, but I still think that Ruby's is better.
Today I had many plans, but alas none of them happened. I was going to go to a friend's comedy show (rescheduled for Tuesday), and go to the Twelfth Night closing night party but then I just got too tired and True Blood was on and 81st and CPW is way too far away to trek for only an hour. After all I do have work tomorrow.. I can't just go frolicking about. Even if it is with Public Theater personnel. True Blood was AWESOME by the way. I like to watch the show and say "Sookie" like Bill does (Say "Sookie" like "Cookie" instead of "Kooky"). It's a fun game. I highly recommend it. I very much look forward doing this as I enjoy my quiet week.
Afterwards Lilli and I went to a party at an architect's loft. The architect himself is in Las Vegas or something building, so her friends, one of which is currently in The Lion King (!), are staying there until he comes back. Apparently they found the apartment listed on Craigslist. That's New York City. The place was crazy - there was art everywhere. Even the rugs were like art. There were sculptures, paintings, and all kinds of cool light installations. You know that scene in The Devil Wears Prada when Anne Hathaway goes to the party to drop off the sketches for that designer? THAT'S what that apartment looked like. Insane.
Saturday's plans to storm Fire Island didn't exactly happen because both Liz and I slept through out alarms. Oopsie. It's ok through because we ended up having brunch at The Boathouse in Central Park and feeding the ducks. Liz even managed to grab a turtle who was silly enough to be lured by a goldfish. It was gross but she enjoyed it. We even had a crowd form around us. I don't know how these things happen. We then proceeded to Shake Shack, where I have never been before - even though the first one is literally around the corner from my apartment. The food was pretty good, but I still think that Ruby's is better.
Today I had many plans, but alas none of them happened. I was going to go to a friend's comedy show (rescheduled for Tuesday), and go to the Twelfth Night closing night party but then I just got too tired and True Blood was on and 81st and CPW is way too far away to trek for only an hour. After all I do have work tomorrow.. I can't just go frolicking about. Even if it is with Public Theater personnel. True Blood was AWESOME by the way. I like to watch the show and say "Sookie" like Bill does (Say "Sookie" like "Cookie" instead of "Kooky"). It's a fun game. I highly recommend it. I very much look forward doing this as I enjoy my quiet week.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weekend weekend weekendddddd
It's Friday. Finally. This has been a looooooong week. Today I finally went on a journey to Gristedes, and returned everything that I need - including these really fantastic strawberry shortcake skinny cow ice cream sandwiches. Love that skinny cow.
Tonight I'm going to Joe's Pub, which is another facet of The Public. Some interns and I scored free tickets to see Joe Iconis tonight. I don't exactly know who that is... but free tickets are free tickets and if I've learned one thing from the powers that be at The Public is that if someone gives you tickets that are free and you don't have to wait in line you take them. Quickly and graciously. We're going out to a great (read: cheap) Thai restaurant beforehand. Apparently two of the interns know Joe or his people or something so we're supposedly going out with all them afterwards. We'll see.
Yesterday was our last Partner barbecue for 12th Night - and Pierce Brosnan was there, which tally's up the celebrity sightings this week to three, including both Martha Stewart and Meryl Streep. Exciting stuff. Yesterday I had some down time before the bbq so I got to hang in the box office and organize virtual line tickets. It sounds boring, but it was actually really fun watching Uncle Curt listen to "Fancy Dress", while subsequently google image searching Reba's fancy dress and explaining to me why it was a big deal (apparently it was very scandalous). It's always an adventure in the box.
Tomorrow Liz Staley and I are going to Fire Island! I've never been there but we're going to just hang on the beach and relax and get out of the city. I'm not sure what else there is to do there, but I do know that there are no cars so that means that it has to be charming, right? Either way it will do some good to take a break from the smell that's brewing within the NYC subway system. As always, pictures to follow.
Tonight I'm going to Joe's Pub, which is another facet of The Public. Some interns and I scored free tickets to see Joe Iconis tonight. I don't exactly know who that is... but free tickets are free tickets and if I've learned one thing from the powers that be at The Public is that if someone gives you tickets that are free and you don't have to wait in line you take them. Quickly and graciously. We're going out to a great (read: cheap) Thai restaurant beforehand. Apparently two of the interns know Joe or his people or something so we're supposedly going out with all them afterwards. We'll see.
Yesterday was our last Partner barbecue for 12th Night - and Pierce Brosnan was there, which tally's up the celebrity sightings this week to three, including both Martha Stewart and Meryl Streep. Exciting stuff. Yesterday I had some down time before the bbq so I got to hang in the box office and organize virtual line tickets. It sounds boring, but it was actually really fun watching Uncle Curt listen to "Fancy Dress", while subsequently google image searching Reba's fancy dress and explaining to me why it was a big deal (apparently it was very scandalous). It's always an adventure in the box.
Tomorrow Liz Staley and I are going to Fire Island! I've never been there but we're going to just hang on the beach and relax and get out of the city. I'm not sure what else there is to do there, but I do know that there are no cars so that means that it has to be charming, right? Either way it will do some good to take a break from the smell that's brewing within the NYC subway system. As always, pictures to follow.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Brief Blogging Pause
"Please give me tickets!"
"No!"
I do have some exciting things lined up though - but more on that tomorrow (with a real blog entry). Right now it is 10:48 PM and I'm determined to be asleep within the hour.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Monday Funday
Ooph. It is Monday. I woke up this morning to find that the secret house elves living in the walls (see below) did not clean my apartment while I was sleeping. What is that about? I left things out for them and everything...
Here are the Monday Funday specials for today:
I can haz spotlight?
The raccoons themselves have gathered and formed a dogged militia, as they appear to be gaining confidence and are growing ever more gregarious, making appearances nearly every night. They even made Page Six, upstaging both Audra and Anne. I think that they are trying to take back the castle, but to be fair we are on their turf. One particular raccoon took a liking to Audra and followed her around backstage, much to the behest of the tech crew, who tried to chase it off. This went on for the entire first act. She changed her perfume after that and to my knowledge has not had to fend off any more visitors. Except of course for the fans... but that's another story.
On the home front, I need to go grocery shopping. I don't know why but I really detest going to the store. It's right up there with doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom for me. When I see the CIA chopping and sauteeing there is a glimmer of hope, but only until I realize that I have no business doing either of those things. My cooking endeavors usually end up with me watching Ace of Cakes and looking at the pictures in the Morning Glory cookbook in my kitchen. I figure that one day I will be so moved by the pictures of food that I will want to recreate it and then (and only then) will I finally use my oven. I hold out for this day because it happened once before about three years ago when there was a picture of Blueberry Cobbler on the cover of Bon Appetit. I asked my mom to make it but she told me to make it, and I did. I had pictures on my old cell phone to prove it but alas those are long gone. You'll just have to take my word for it. I think it came out well too, but it may have just been that I was pleased with myself.
Lastly, but certainly not least: I start working for Marwood on September 8th. I'd say more about this but I'm being rushed off the computer, so just try to take in the fact that come that date I will officially be an adult betwixt the hours of 9 and 6... hmm....
Here are the Monday Funday specials for today:
- Central Park madness...
- My need to accept the fact that my next door neighbor, The Culinary Institute of America, is not going to throw delicious meals through my window so I need to go grocery shopping...
- And the acceptance of an official start date.
I can haz spotlight?
On the home front, I need to go grocery shopping. I don't know why but I really detest going to the store. It's right up there with doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom for me. When I see the CIA chopping and sauteeing there is a glimmer of hope, but only until I realize that I have no business doing either of those things. My cooking endeavors usually end up with me watching Ace of Cakes and looking at the pictures in the Morning Glory cookbook in my kitchen. I figure that one day I will be so moved by the pictures of food that I will want to recreate it and then (and only then) will I finally use my oven. I hold out for this day because it happened once before about three years ago when there was a picture of Blueberry Cobbler on the cover of Bon Appetit. I asked my mom to make it but she told me to make it, and I did. I had pictures on my old cell phone to prove it but alas those are long gone. You'll just have to take my word for it. I think it came out well too, but it may have just been that I was pleased with myself.
Lastly, but certainly not least: I start working for Marwood on September 8th. I'd say more about this but I'm being rushed off the computer, so just try to take in the fact that come that date I will officially be an adult betwixt the hours of 9 and 6... hmm....
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Recession? What Recession?
Aren't fireworks meant to be super expensive? Macy's must have been saving up for a WHILE because their fireworks on the Hudson were out of control. I went to a friend's apartment with a bunch of new people that I've been hanging out with and we had a great time just relaxing and taking in the best firework show in the country. The following fireworks gallery is mostly for my mother, who would have been very excited by the display...
Mia and I
Emma and I
Fireworks!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Parties, a Tony, and Learning to be a Chelsea Girl
Cue up "Chelsea Girls" by Nico.
I went on hiatus for about a year, as Ithaca really isn't that interesting once the clouds roll in (and stay for 7 months), but now that I am back and living in super cool Chelsea I figured that it was time for my gallant return....
Last Thursday was the Public Theater's Gala. This is the main fundraiser for the Public, and serves to honor individuals who have given their lives to furthering the arts in New York City. This year the gala honored Mike Nichols (director of The Graduate, various Shakespeare in the Park productions) and Susan Lynne. This is the biggest event all year, so working in special events was intense. I can say that I feel a bit more prepared to deal with my sister's upcoming wedding as seating charts (complete with post-its, edits, and a highlighter version of an actor proclaiming his greatness), flower arrangements, linens, votives, table arrangements, and liquor (acquisition, delivery, returning once we discovered the first batch of white wine was skunked, re-ordering, re-delivering, etc...) were all a part of the process. I learned a lot, and I now feel (after listening to my wonderful coworkers) that I know exactly what to say when convincing patrons that the arts are always important, even in times of great economic drought when people are buying ramen wholesale because its cheaper that way. All of the craziness was worth it though as the event, which consisted of a dinner, the opening night performance of 12th Night, and a party at Belvedere Castle, was beautiful. Better yet, come 12:01 AM, we were met with rave reviews, including this one from Chris Isherwood at NYT.
Kira and I in front of the Step and Repeat
The Party at Belvedere Castle
Kira, Raynelle, and I at the party
Kira and I at the party
Dan and I doing our best Prom pose
Visit http://nymag.com/nightlife/partylines/2009/06/26/ to view New York Magazine's coverage of the event!
After THAT I needed to decompress. I wanted to hide in my apartment from any form of event or situation where I would have to be pulled from my temporary hermitage. I've been in the city for a while, but due to this or that I haven't really been able to explore my neighborhood. On Friday it was *beautiful* out (a rare occurrence this summer) so I went to Chelsea Market for the first time. I didn't get anything to eat, but now I know where I'm going when I decide that I need to consume something ridiculously delicious. I brought my new Diana camera out with me, just in case I saw some cool things out on the street. I did, but I still have to find a place that develops 120mm film. Bah. On my walk I went to 192 Books, which is touted by Time Out New York to be the best book store in New York City. I went... but the pretension drove me away almost immediately... and its small so everyone is right on top of each other. It was too much for me. I fled. I continued down 10th Ave to a few galleries. The one I liked the best was called "The Female Gaze". It was a bunch of different stuff that were all done by women. Luckily it was small so I got to feel cultured without having to stay too long. From there I ventured to a sample sale and then back home, where season one of True Blood awaited me. I'm obsessed... it makes me want to drop everything and move to some bizarre Cajun town and eat spicy shrimp. I guess I could do that down the street from my apartment, but it isn't the same thing. Seriously, just watch the HBO opening credits and tell me that you aren't hooked. That was my Friday night. It was glorious.
By Saturday I'd grown tired of my hermitage and decided that it was time I ventured out into the world. I met my friend Liz Staley and her friend Jason at this really funny bar called The Trailer Park Lounge, which is quite literally themed after and looks like the inside of a trailer park. It is AWESOME. I've never seen such a collection of kitsch. They also have great food and tater tots. So. You heard it hear first. Go this bar... if you're strange and the atmosphere doesn't get you, the margaritas most certainly will. After this adventure we were off to Chelsea Piers to bowl at 300. This is the most ridiculous place I have ever been too, because it is essentially a club with a massive bowling ally. Plus, with the passing of Michael Jackson (RIP MJ), the place was playing hit after hit. Everyone was really into it. It was a good time.
Sunday was my favorite holiday of the year: PRIDE! Hooray! I'm so lucky to live right off 5th so my friend Kira and I got to enjoy the parade without having to deal with too much craziness. Unfortunately I had to clean my apartment and do laundry, etc for the rest of the day... so the excitement pretty much stops there. Unless you're into that sort of thing. Anyway.
This week has been a cacophony of Delacorte Investor dinners (companies that give money to Shakespeare in the Park) and RAIN. And yet the investors ate their catered dinner underneath umbrellas and the standby line for tickets did not even remotely go down. This makes The Delacorte Theater a magical place. 12th Night has officially exploded. Between HAIR on Broadway (and our best revival TONY win!) and 12th Night, its safe to say that the Public is owning the New York theater scene at the moment. The Twelfth Night run ends July 12 so its getting down to crunch time with tickets. Our second show is Euripides' The Bacchae. That runs from August 11 to the 30th.
And tomorrow... the fourth of July! Have a great, safe holiday!
I went on hiatus for about a year, as Ithaca really isn't that interesting once the clouds roll in (and stay for 7 months), but now that I am back and living in super cool Chelsea I figured that it was time for my gallant return....
Last Thursday was the Public Theater's Gala. This is the main fundraiser for the Public, and serves to honor individuals who have given their lives to furthering the arts in New York City. This year the gala honored Mike Nichols (director of The Graduate, various Shakespeare in the Park productions) and Susan Lynne. This is the biggest event all year, so working in special events was intense. I can say that I feel a bit more prepared to deal with my sister's upcoming wedding as seating charts (complete with post-its, edits, and a highlighter version of an actor proclaiming his greatness), flower arrangements, linens, votives, table arrangements, and liquor (acquisition, delivery, returning once we discovered the first batch of white wine was skunked, re-ordering, re-delivering, etc...) were all a part of the process. I learned a lot, and I now feel (after listening to my wonderful coworkers) that I know exactly what to say when convincing patrons that the arts are always important, even in times of great economic drought when people are buying ramen wholesale because its cheaper that way. All of the craziness was worth it though as the event, which consisted of a dinner, the opening night performance of 12th Night, and a party at Belvedere Castle, was beautiful. Better yet, come 12:01 AM, we were met with rave reviews, including this one from Chris Isherwood at NYT.
A sample table setting from the Gala dinner
Kira and I in front of the Step and Repeat
The Party at Belvedere Castle
Kira, Raynelle, and I at the party
Kira and I at the party
Dan and I doing our best Prom pose
After THAT I needed to decompress. I wanted to hide in my apartment from any form of event or situation where I would have to be pulled from my temporary hermitage. I've been in the city for a while, but due to this or that I haven't really been able to explore my neighborhood. On Friday it was *beautiful* out (a rare occurrence this summer) so I went to Chelsea Market for the first time. I didn't get anything to eat, but now I know where I'm going when I decide that I need to consume something ridiculously delicious. I brought my new Diana camera out with me, just in case I saw some cool things out on the street. I did, but I still have to find a place that develops 120mm film. Bah. On my walk I went to 192 Books, which is touted by Time Out New York to be the best book store in New York City. I went... but the pretension drove me away almost immediately... and its small so everyone is right on top of each other. It was too much for me. I fled. I continued down 10th Ave to a few galleries. The one I liked the best was called "The Female Gaze". It was a bunch of different stuff that were all done by women. Luckily it was small so I got to feel cultured without having to stay too long. From there I ventured to a sample sale and then back home, where season one of True Blood awaited me. I'm obsessed... it makes me want to drop everything and move to some bizarre Cajun town and eat spicy shrimp. I guess I could do that down the street from my apartment, but it isn't the same thing. Seriously, just watch the HBO opening credits and tell me that you aren't hooked. That was my Friday night. It was glorious.
By Saturday I'd grown tired of my hermitage and decided that it was time I ventured out into the world. I met my friend Liz Staley and her friend Jason at this really funny bar called The Trailer Park Lounge, which is quite literally themed after and looks like the inside of a trailer park. It is AWESOME. I've never seen such a collection of kitsch. They also have great food and tater tots. So. You heard it hear first. Go this bar... if you're strange and the atmosphere doesn't get you, the margaritas most certainly will. After this adventure we were off to Chelsea Piers to bowl at 300. This is the most ridiculous place I have ever been too, because it is essentially a club with a massive bowling ally. Plus, with the passing of Michael Jackson (RIP MJ), the place was playing hit after hit. Everyone was really into it. It was a good time.
Sunday was my favorite holiday of the year: PRIDE! Hooray! I'm so lucky to live right off 5th so my friend Kira and I got to enjoy the parade without having to deal with too much craziness. Unfortunately I had to clean my apartment and do laundry, etc for the rest of the day... so the excitement pretty much stops there. Unless you're into that sort of thing. Anyway.
This week has been a cacophony of Delacorte Investor dinners (companies that give money to Shakespeare in the Park) and RAIN. And yet the investors ate their catered dinner underneath umbrellas and the standby line for tickets did not even remotely go down. This makes The Delacorte Theater a magical place. 12th Night has officially exploded. Between HAIR on Broadway (and our best revival TONY win!) and 12th Night, its safe to say that the Public is owning the New York theater scene at the moment. The Twelfth Night run ends July 12 so its getting down to crunch time with tickets. Our second show is Euripides' The Bacchae. That runs from August 11 to the 30th.
***Shameless plug***
If you happen to be interested in getting tickets, or want to know the way that tickets in Central Park works, visit the Public's website. If you work for a company that you think might want to buy a block of tickets and have a catered backstage theater dinner PLEASE contact me. The Bacchae is going to be really great... plus Greek tragedies were meant to be seen in open air amphitheaters, right? Leave a comment here, or shoot me an email.And tomorrow... the fourth of July! Have a great, safe holiday!
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