This list is in no particular order, but these things have been bouncing around my head....
1. The stretch of the N/Q train from Brooklyn where you are suddenly above ground and get to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
2. The free can of soda or bottle of water you get with a sandwich at Garden City Deli
3. G-chat at work
4. European Delights Creperie
5. www.gofugyourself.com
6. Television shows on DVD
7. Unexpected blocks of trees on streets in Astoria, Park Slope, and Bed-Stuy
8. Fixed lunch menues that include dessert
9. The Music Genome Project
10. The NY Times online and free coffee in the mornings.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
This is another reason to work in theatre....
A note from last night's performance report for LoveMusik:
"The Hitler Baby lost his hat. It will be repaired for tomorrow."
Sigh. I love the entertainment industry. The Hitler baby is in a very funny scene, FYI.
"The Hitler Baby lost his hat. It will be repaired for tomorrow."
Sigh. I love the entertainment industry. The Hitler baby is in a very funny scene, FYI.
I Guess You Did Make an Impression, Little Tomato
So last night after attending the portfolio showcase for the 2007 graduating CMU designers, I went to the bar with 12,000 of my friends, some professors, the head of the School O'Drama, and various other alumni.
It was a good time. There was lots of gossip, fun stories, silliness, and inter-table texting. I got a new silly nickname because of whom I will be living with next year (Mikey and Megan and I are now officially going to be rooommates...it will be the most fun ever or implode- stay tuned to see which way it goes)and my favorite former professor told a story about me from freshman year about how I kind of told Ming Cho Lee how it really is. When Ming came and visited my freshman year, he basically told us that he thought an undergraduate theatre program was a load of crap and that people should wait until they are in grad school to focus. Apparently, after he told us this there was a long period of silence and then I raised my hand and told why an undergraduate theatre program was in fact not a load of crap.
I remember what I said now vaguely - I told Ming that every project we did required us to learn about something new and go research something new, and that I was being educated in a million different things with theatre as the impetus behind the learning. To be honest, I missed most of Ming's visit because I had the death flu (I remember that my friend Beth would bring me snacks because I was so sick I couldn't leave the dorm). But the nice thing about the whole evening was that I realized that I hadn't been a forgetable student. And that is nice. Plus Dick really was/is one of my favorite teachers ever.
I also got to meet a new School of Drama acting faculty member. He is British and he was a lot of fun. He made me laugh when he talked about the effects of Facebook on how students interacted with each other and how his students interacted with him after he joined Facebook. I still can't believe that students leave him academic related messages on his Wall. Chuckle, chuckle.
It was a good time. There was lots of gossip, fun stories, silliness, and inter-table texting. I got a new silly nickname because of whom I will be living with next year (Mikey and Megan and I are now officially going to be rooommates...it will be the most fun ever or implode- stay tuned to see which way it goes)and my favorite former professor told a story about me from freshman year about how I kind of told Ming Cho Lee how it really is. When Ming came and visited my freshman year, he basically told us that he thought an undergraduate theatre program was a load of crap and that people should wait until they are in grad school to focus. Apparently, after he told us this there was a long period of silence and then I raised my hand and told why an undergraduate theatre program was in fact not a load of crap.
I remember what I said now vaguely - I told Ming that every project we did required us to learn about something new and go research something new, and that I was being educated in a million different things with theatre as the impetus behind the learning. To be honest, I missed most of Ming's visit because I had the death flu (I remember that my friend Beth would bring me snacks because I was so sick I couldn't leave the dorm). But the nice thing about the whole evening was that I realized that I hadn't been a forgetable student. And that is nice. Plus Dick really was/is one of my favorite teachers ever.
I also got to meet a new School of Drama acting faculty member. He is British and he was a lot of fun. He made me laugh when he talked about the effects of Facebook on how students interacted with each other and how his students interacted with him after he joined Facebook. I still can't believe that students leave him academic related messages on his Wall. Chuckle, chuckle.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Dear Potato Salad, we are no longer friends (A Love Letter to Music: Part I)
I got food poisoning and I was miserable. So when I was laying in my little room last night hoping that I wasn't actually dying since that is what I felt like, I listened to my ipod. And now, after a stressful day at work my fabulous co-worker Tom (who invited me to his family's cabin in Maine with some of my other fabulous co-workers) is playing calming music... and it is making me think about the songs that have gotten me through some hard times.
A love letter to various bits and pieces of my musical tastes....
"Paper Bag" by Fiona Apple - This song should just be called "The Theme Song of My Year at Parsons School of Design". I think there is literally a ridge in my copy of Fiona Apple's 2nd album from listening to this song too much. At eighteen, I was living in New York and I wanted to be strong but wounded, sophisticated and mysterious. I didn't accomplish any of these things, but I listened to this song a great deal and wished I could.
"Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service - I love everything about this song. I love the strange beginning, I love the lyrics...it is a song that I find comforting. It also makes me think of one of my best friends from college which is a plus. This was a friend that said to me once, "You were supposed to come to Carnegie Mellon so we would meet and be friends and that is that." The lyrics in the song that talk about symmetry between people and it being a sign makes me think about this friend.
"Happy Ending" by Mika - This song has such cheese potential - it sounds like the music video should be shot in a church with candles and a gospel choir, while a dreamy Mika sports a half unbuttoned white shirt and stares into the camera with moody but loveable eyes...(sigh he's gay I believe.) Remember when Uncle Jess on Full House makes a music video...it could be the prototype for the one I see in my head that makes me chuckle when I listen to this song sometimes. ANYWAYS, the point of my rambling is related to this lyric:
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell.
Oh and this lyric too:
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
This song was something I listened to for DAYS, literally days on end while going through a stupid break-up. In all its cheeseball glory, I found some beautiful simple little melodies and of course - the joy of gospel choirs when used in pop music.
"The Wood Song" by The Indigo Girls - This song is about high school. It's not really...but to me it is. Actually I feel like the Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco are about high school. I had the general teen angst and my friends and I liked to listen to this songs and drive through Birmingham, Royal Oak, and down to Detroit while listening to this songs with the windows down. These songs also remind me of the summers I spent working as a camp counselor.
"Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode - Again high school, but specifically my group of friends from my famous art history class. And my brother. He wasn't in the class...he just knew about the attraction of Depeche Mode.
"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds - When I dated my first serious boyfriend (oops, my only serious boyfriend) this was kind of "our song" and I had this idea that I would get the piano music for this song and play it for him and sing it as a present. Well, that's not going to happen and truly it's probably for the best. I really love this song - in fact said boy actually called me while he was at a Ben Folds concert and held up his phone so I could listen to Ben play the song. It was pretty awesome on that "My conceit of romance comes from movies either directed by John Hughes or starring John Cusack or both" level (FYI: Chuck Klosterman has an excellent essay about this subject...FYI the same aforementioned boyfriend refused to read anything by Chuck Klosterman...clearly he and I were not meant to be.) I can't really listen to this song all the way through anymore but I'm working on it.
"The First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes - This was the song I used when I was trying to define why moving across the ocean was a good idea. Although that whole thing didn't work out, I still really like this song. I really like the lyric "I'd rather be working for a paycheck, than trying to win the lottery" in reference to relationships....although this brings up the general question of how hard should love be? Hmmm.
"I Will Survive" by Cake - None of your pansy ass disco versions of this song compare. I once sang this song in the rain while drinking a bottle of wine...I think I was celebrating graduation? To be honest, I'm not really sure. I also once was at a concert in Ireland and a girl from South Africa fed me something strange (I thought it was a normal shot of vodka but it wasn't) and I ended up on a stage in front of hundreds of people dancing to Aretha Franklin's "Respect". Sigh...Ireland was fun and an integral part of my personal "John Hughes Should Direct My Coming of Age Story" movie moment.
A love letter to various bits and pieces of my musical tastes....
"Paper Bag" by Fiona Apple - This song should just be called "The Theme Song of My Year at Parsons School of Design". I think there is literally a ridge in my copy of Fiona Apple's 2nd album from listening to this song too much. At eighteen, I was living in New York and I wanted to be strong but wounded, sophisticated and mysterious. I didn't accomplish any of these things, but I listened to this song a great deal and wished I could.
"Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service - I love everything about this song. I love the strange beginning, I love the lyrics...it is a song that I find comforting. It also makes me think of one of my best friends from college which is a plus. This was a friend that said to me once, "You were supposed to come to Carnegie Mellon so we would meet and be friends and that is that." The lyrics in the song that talk about symmetry between people and it being a sign makes me think about this friend.
"Happy Ending" by Mika - This song has such cheese potential - it sounds like the music video should be shot in a church with candles and a gospel choir, while a dreamy Mika sports a half unbuttoned white shirt and stares into the camera with moody but loveable eyes...(sigh he's gay I believe.) Remember when Uncle Jess on Full House makes a music video...it could be the prototype for the one I see in my head that makes me chuckle when I listen to this song sometimes. ANYWAYS, the point of my rambling is related to this lyric:
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell.
Oh and this lyric too:
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.
This song was something I listened to for DAYS, literally days on end while going through a stupid break-up. In all its cheeseball glory, I found some beautiful simple little melodies and of course - the joy of gospel choirs when used in pop music.
"The Wood Song" by The Indigo Girls - This song is about high school. It's not really...but to me it is. Actually I feel like the Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco are about high school. I had the general teen angst and my friends and I liked to listen to this songs and drive through Birmingham, Royal Oak, and down to Detroit while listening to this songs with the windows down. These songs also remind me of the summers I spent working as a camp counselor.
"Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode - Again high school, but specifically my group of friends from my famous art history class. And my brother. He wasn't in the class...he just knew about the attraction of Depeche Mode.
"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds - When I dated my first serious boyfriend (oops, my only serious boyfriend) this was kind of "our song" and I had this idea that I would get the piano music for this song and play it for him and sing it as a present. Well, that's not going to happen and truly it's probably for the best. I really love this song - in fact said boy actually called me while he was at a Ben Folds concert and held up his phone so I could listen to Ben play the song. It was pretty awesome on that "My conceit of romance comes from movies either directed by John Hughes or starring John Cusack or both" level (FYI: Chuck Klosterman has an excellent essay about this subject...FYI the same aforementioned boyfriend refused to read anything by Chuck Klosterman...clearly he and I were not meant to be.) I can't really listen to this song all the way through anymore but I'm working on it.
"The First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes - This was the song I used when I was trying to define why moving across the ocean was a good idea. Although that whole thing didn't work out, I still really like this song. I really like the lyric "I'd rather be working for a paycheck, than trying to win the lottery" in reference to relationships....although this brings up the general question of how hard should love be? Hmmm.
"I Will Survive" by Cake - None of your pansy ass disco versions of this song compare. I once sang this song in the rain while drinking a bottle of wine...I think I was celebrating graduation? To be honest, I'm not really sure. I also once was at a concert in Ireland and a girl from South Africa fed me something strange (I thought it was a normal shot of vodka but it wasn't) and I ended up on a stage in front of hundreds of people dancing to Aretha Franklin's "Respect". Sigh...Ireland was fun and an integral part of my personal "John Hughes Should Direct My Coming of Age Story" movie moment.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Oh You Poor Neglected Blog.
It's been a long time since I've posted anything, which in some ways is good. Not posting means I'm busy. And busy I have been. On May 7 was the MTC Gala which ended being a great deal of fun, but LONG and confusing. Neither Tom nor I had ever been through one of these events before and therefore had no idea what was going on. But, the event went well, MTC raised 1.5 million dollars. My friends Abby, Alex, and Beth/Liz volunteered had a good time. I won't soon forget the memory of me, Abby, and Alex running through the back halls of the Hilton with a photo backdrop and riding in the kitchen freight elevator. Or maybe the memory of Tom and I eating the food from the volunteer room off the trays while we were waiting for the elevator and getting sad looks from kitchen staff while we said "It's cool - this food is from our event." The drunk props guys, the cast of Spring Awakening at the afterparty, all the employees dancing to Ace of Base - I wonder what normal jobs are like...
Finding an apartment has been a pain....in fact I don't really want to talk about it. I was having a converation with a pretty new friend and we were noting how political living situations are - which friend you choose to live with, where you live based in relation to your friends, the requirements of blending different living styles - it is tough out there.
But admist all the hard parts of living in New York and challenging parts of my life, I really enjoy many aspects of living in New York. All the MTC employees (well at least 40 of them) are going to Coney Island to see the Brooklyn Cyclones play. I'm excited because I've never been to Coney Island and also because the people I work with are fun.
I went to a concert in Red Hook at Magnetic Field with my friend Adam. We saw a band called "Les Sans Culottes" or Without Pants. They were adorable....I now secretly want sideswept bangs and a French accent. The funny thing is that they totally aren't actually French, but it was good times all around.
Yesterday I went to a BBQ and a surprise party. So the fun never ends....
If I could just find the perfect apartment and living situation.
Finding an apartment has been a pain....in fact I don't really want to talk about it. I was having a converation with a pretty new friend and we were noting how political living situations are - which friend you choose to live with, where you live based in relation to your friends, the requirements of blending different living styles - it is tough out there.
But admist all the hard parts of living in New York and challenging parts of my life, I really enjoy many aspects of living in New York. All the MTC employees (well at least 40 of them) are going to Coney Island to see the Brooklyn Cyclones play. I'm excited because I've never been to Coney Island and also because the people I work with are fun.
I went to a concert in Red Hook at Magnetic Field with my friend Adam. We saw a band called "Les Sans Culottes" or Without Pants. They were adorable....I now secretly want sideswept bangs and a French accent. The funny thing is that they totally aren't actually French, but it was good times all around.
Yesterday I went to a BBQ and a surprise party. So the fun never ends....
If I could just find the perfect apartment and living situation.
Friday, May 4, 2007
"I Know You From Somewhere" or You Say This is Opening Night?
Let's play true or false....
1. I just ate a great deal of fake cheese with a fork.
2. I tailed Hal Prince like it was my job at the opening night party. He did press interviews. My boss was like "Um how did you get Hal to interview?
3. I ate a bunch of food in the corner of the opening night party...alone. I totally stuffed my face - it was great.
4. I introduced myself to John Shearer as we did both go to CMU.
5. The words "Excuse me, Ms. Bacall (as in Lauren)" and "Sorry Mr. Lipton (as in James) were uttered.
6. I couldn't fit the backdrop in the elevator.
7. The other backdrop was wrinkly.
8. A new backdrop was make of window card posters.
9. I have a gi-normus "I want to fool around with you crush" not a "I want to relationship with you" crush on a co-worker.
10. I got an unsolicted apartment offer from a coworker/beginning to be friend.
11. Someone in telemarketing at MTC also went to school with me....and she recognized me.
12. My boss said "You get a gold star for tonight".
13. I really like my job....
Oh heavens....they are all true.
1. I just ate a great deal of fake cheese with a fork.
2. I tailed Hal Prince like it was my job at the opening night party. He did press interviews. My boss was like "Um how did you get Hal to interview?
3. I ate a bunch of food in the corner of the opening night party...alone. I totally stuffed my face - it was great.
4. I introduced myself to John Shearer as we did both go to CMU.
5. The words "Excuse me, Ms. Bacall (as in Lauren)" and "Sorry Mr. Lipton (as in James) were uttered.
6. I couldn't fit the backdrop in the elevator.
7. The other backdrop was wrinkly.
8. A new backdrop was make of window card posters.
9. I have a gi-normus "I want to fool around with you crush" not a "I want to relationship with you" crush on a co-worker.
10. I got an unsolicted apartment offer from a coworker/beginning to be friend.
11. Someone in telemarketing at MTC also went to school with me....and she recognized me.
12. My boss said "You get a gold star for tonight".
13. I really like my job....
Oh heavens....they are all true.
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