New shoes! New shoes! I finally purchased new running shoes!
New fuel belt! New fuel belt! I finally purchase a new fuel belt!
For my non-running readers, go ahead and laugh, but those things were desperately needed. My old shoes, purchased in APRIL, have seen only 1 10K, 1 marathon and 1 5k, but plenty o'miles in between. And, as the Houston runners can attest to, Memorial Park and Rice University are not nice on the running shoes (can we say "DIRT"??). And as for the fuel belt, my other one was over a year and a half old and so over-used that the velcro wasn't working as well, and during my run the thing would just fall off. Annoying!
So I went to Luke's Locker (my shoe shop of choice) and happily spent too much money on a pair of running shoes and a fuel belt. I'm so excited!! As soon as my tummy settles from lunch, I'm going to go back to the gym and do 2 miles on the treadmill to begin the break-in process. I'm still going to use my old shoes for my weekly runs, but I'm going to start to incorporate my new shoes into my long runs and treadmill runs so that they'll be nice and broken in by the VA Beach RNR half next month. Then, once the race is over, I'll run around Memorial and Rice with them (call me a girl, but remember I don't like to get them too dirty before a race).
Oh, and for those of you who said they didn't get the pun from yesterday's entry...
In the 1800s, Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer, wrote a satire called "A Modest Proposal," which was making fun of the British, who hated the Irish and wanted to control them. Swift suggested that the Irish population be controlled by eating children. So when Andrew said something about eating children, that's the first thing that popped into my mind.
Andy got it. But then, he's an English teacher. I guess this would be classified as "English teacher humor."
I am a geek.
Cheers!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Too Smart for My Own Good
I'm intelligent, and I am a nerd (which I'll easily admit to). Last night, however, I felt like a complete dork.
At Katz's (which never Kloses), I was in a corner booth with a group, none of whom has an English degree or is a teacher (and are about as opposite as myself as one can imagine). One of them (I think Andrew) said something about eating children (not serious, of course). I looked over at him and said, "Well that's a modest proposal."
NO ONE GOT IT. When I said that, confused looks were cast in my direction. I was damn proud of my pun, but that pride deflated when I realized that I was the only dork that understood it. Sigh.
Anyway, that was last night.
This morning, I ran with June. I only did 3, just to be on the safe side, not wanting to hurt myself too quickly (at all). Afterwards, June and I went for breakfast and I discovered that the new IKEA catalog is in today's Chronicle. Woo-hoo!
Now, I'm going to nap (maybe after a game of Scrabble) and then hit the gym.
At Katz's (which never Kloses), I was in a corner booth with a group, none of whom has an English degree or is a teacher (and are about as opposite as myself as one can imagine). One of them (I think Andrew) said something about eating children (not serious, of course). I looked over at him and said, "Well that's a modest proposal."
NO ONE GOT IT. When I said that, confused looks were cast in my direction. I was damn proud of my pun, but that pride deflated when I realized that I was the only dork that understood it. Sigh.
Anyway, that was last night.
This morning, I ran with June. I only did 3, just to be on the safe side, not wanting to hurt myself too quickly (at all). Afterwards, June and I went for breakfast and I discovered that the new IKEA catalog is in today's Chronicle. Woo-hoo!
Now, I'm going to nap (maybe after a game of Scrabble) and then hit the gym.
Friday, July 28, 2006
One Week Left!!
The frozen hot chocolate at Serendipty 3. Notice the two straws. I don't know why two were needed - it was only me and I drank the entire thing (minus the whipped cream).
Lord Voldemort/Red Dragon
The Emperor
Yay! The picture thing is working again!
Ok, time for a physical update.
I haven't run since my birthday (after which I seriously jacked up my ankle/tendons/muscles). I stayed off of it almost completely for a day and a half, and then began walking. By my last day in NY, I was walking very well.
Today, I ran for the first time.
Wednesday, I decided to start doing impact workouts to test out my ankle. So I did 45 minutes of Tae bo. No problems (although my quads and hamstrings are STILL screaming at me... and I used to be able to do the workout easily and without pain - what the hell happened to me???). Yesterday, 35 minutes on the elliptical. I felt crappy (non-ankle related), so I gave up after that.
Today, back at the gym. I started off with a mile run on the treadmill. I perhaps did it too fast for the first mile back (11:30), but I didn't feel too terrbile at the end. It twinged every once in a while, which leads me to question how Sunday's 6 miler will go. It's just a couple of laps around Rice (I think... right June?), so if I hurt, I can bail out. I want to be able to finish the half-marathon that's in 5 weeks, but it'll be a very SLOW race for me). Then afterwards I hit the elliptical machine for another 45 minutes and did some heavy upper-body weights (I love the fact that I use 75 pound weights on the lateral pulldowns and 65 on the rows).
Now I'm home. I have one week of vacation left - and I don't know what the hell happened to the other 9 weeks. I was a bum!!! It kinda bothered me this morning, but then I realized that my funk was probably related to the general inactivity that I'm been going through the past three weeks (except for the walking in NY). Now I'm ok with what I didn't do, which really isn't anything to fret over. But I have been very (VERY) unproductive for the past couple of days. Why? Because I joined the internet scrabble club and I keep playing games - up to 6 or 7 a day. This is why I still haven't finished "Crime and Punishment" or "Cold Mountain" or began to write lessons and quizzes and word banks. It's so addicting! I'm going to actually have to make myself stay off of it for a few days, or at least until I'm done with "Crime and Punishmnent."
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Home Again, Home Again
Yep, I'm back to the steamy-stormy reality of Houston. After a bit of irritations at the airports (yes, plural), I arrived safely last night.
My mail is stacked high (but there's invitations and magazines - so it's good mail), my laundry pile is getting higher and my bed is now full of stuff to put away. Ahh, unpacking.
And I didn't gain a single pound while I was there, which is amazing because I ate my way through Manhattan. Seriously, let's look at the final count...
1) Bagels with cream cheese - 7 (almost every day for breakfast)
2) Hot dogs - 3
3) Slices of pizza - 4 (and they were large)
4) Alcohol - only 2. I wanted to eat more than drink.
5) Gyros - 1
6) Servings of fries - 3 or 4 (do home fries count?)
7) Chocolate - too much to count (hello, there was tirimisu and that huge frozen hot chocolate)
8) Sandwiches - many. And they were huge. Or grilled cheese. I ate three of those.
9) Tasty-de-Lites - I think 4. We need these in Houston.
10) Vegetables. Very few. One thing that made me chuckle is that tomatoes didn't come on sandwiches - and they charged an extra $.50 or $1 to add it.
I know I ate more crap than that. I just can't remember.
On a side note... I wrote this entry Tuesday, with the intention of putting pictures up with it (now it's Thursday). I've been having problems since then putting photos up, so here's the entry, and I'll figure out the photos soon enough.
PS - I had my offical weigh-in at Weight Watchers today. Yep, I did not gain a single ounce from my NY trip - it's the walking that helped, because God knows I threw all eating rules out the window!
My mail is stacked high (but there's invitations and magazines - so it's good mail), my laundry pile is getting higher and my bed is now full of stuff to put away. Ahh, unpacking.
And I didn't gain a single pound while I was there, which is amazing because I ate my way through Manhattan. Seriously, let's look at the final count...
1) Bagels with cream cheese - 7 (almost every day for breakfast)
2) Hot dogs - 3
3) Slices of pizza - 4 (and they were large)
4) Alcohol - only 2. I wanted to eat more than drink.
5) Gyros - 1
6) Servings of fries - 3 or 4 (do home fries count?)
7) Chocolate - too much to count (hello, there was tirimisu and that huge frozen hot chocolate)
8) Sandwiches - many. And they were huge. Or grilled cheese. I ate three of those.
9) Tasty-de-Lites - I think 4. We need these in Houston.
10) Vegetables. Very few. One thing that made me chuckle is that tomatoes didn't come on sandwiches - and they charged an extra $.50 or $1 to add it.
I know I ate more crap than that. I just can't remember.
On a side note... I wrote this entry Tuesday, with the intention of putting pictures up with it (now it's Thursday). I've been having problems since then putting photos up, so here's the entry, and I'll figure out the photos soon enough.
PS - I had my offical weigh-in at Weight Watchers today. Yep, I did not gain a single ounce from my NY trip - it's the walking that helped, because God knows I threw all eating rules out the window!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
A Day of Celebrities... and my Geekiness
Right after I updated/wrote my last blog, I left the aparment to get tickets for "The Faith Healer." Who do I see walking down the street, half a block from the apartment?
Craig Biggio. I don't even see him around Houston, and I see him in NY! He was with his kids, so I didn't want to be a pest. I was wearing my Astros jersey, which he saw and smiled at. I smiled at him and said, "Good luck at the game today!" He smiled and said, "Thank you."
Wow. The game. Wow. It was bad. We lost, I think 4-3 (I say "think" because we left in the 9th inning to avoid the mad rush to the subway). And yes, I have pictures of Shea Stadium.
After the game, Christine and I did go see "Faith Healer." Hmm. I was a bit bored by the script (the guy next to me fell asleep and many people left at intermission), but the actors were mesmerizing to watch. Ralph Feinnes, Cherry Jones and Ian McDermid were so GOOD.
After the play, Christine and I lined up for autographs and pictures. I did indeed get the autographs of all three, as well as plenty of pictures of Ralph Fiennes and Ian McDermid. The bouncer/guard asked us to not ask for personal pictures because they crowd was so huge. Darn. But I did get pictures of them, just not with them.
Ralph Fiennes is as handsome in person as he is on stage and screen, but he is one of the thinnest men I've seen. My celebrity crush as diminished a bit due to the fact that I am not attracted to extremely thin men. But he is still a good-looking man. Ian McDermid also is a very tiny man. I'll post pictures when I get home.
Today was a day of further walking and exploration. I walked to the City Hall area and trekked across (and back) the Brooklyn Bridge and meandered around the financial district and the WTC site. Then I met Christine for lunch in Union Square and I trekked back to her apartment from there.
All told, I think I've walked about 10 miles today. My legs started getting sore, so I'm in for the day. I figure I'll relax, pack, read.
I leave tomorrow afternoon. I think in the morning I'm going to wander around Central Park. I've done pretty much everything I wanted to do on this trip. My next trip to NY will be shorter, however, because 9 days is quite a while. I think maybe 5 days will suffice. I won't get theatre-ed out (like I did this trip) and I might manage my time better.
Ok, let's look at the missions I was sent on during this trip.
1) To find the illusive blue coffee cup. I didn't. I searched, but I'm thinking it's a Hollywood prop.
2) To go to the Pickle Guy for a quart of half-sours. Did that.
3) Eat a Nathan's hot dog. Yep.
4) Go to Papaya King - tomorrow.
(notice how my missions increased from when I started)
5) Go to Carnegie Deli. Yep.
I also did most of what I wanted to. I didn't see one play that I wanted to, but I chose not to because the lead was on vacation this week and I wanted to see him perform. I also didn't see "Avenue Q", but I did get to see 3 musicals I didn't plan on, which helped me get a bit over-theatred. I'll see it next time.
Tonight, dinner at a local diner with Christine and Blake, and hopefully a night of television and leg rest.
Cheers!
Craig Biggio. I don't even see him around Houston, and I see him in NY! He was with his kids, so I didn't want to be a pest. I was wearing my Astros jersey, which he saw and smiled at. I smiled at him and said, "Good luck at the game today!" He smiled and said, "Thank you."
Wow. The game. Wow. It was bad. We lost, I think 4-3 (I say "think" because we left in the 9th inning to avoid the mad rush to the subway). And yes, I have pictures of Shea Stadium.
After the game, Christine and I did go see "Faith Healer." Hmm. I was a bit bored by the script (the guy next to me fell asleep and many people left at intermission), but the actors were mesmerizing to watch. Ralph Feinnes, Cherry Jones and Ian McDermid were so GOOD.
After the play, Christine and I lined up for autographs and pictures. I did indeed get the autographs of all three, as well as plenty of pictures of Ralph Fiennes and Ian McDermid. The bouncer/guard asked us to not ask for personal pictures because they crowd was so huge. Darn. But I did get pictures of them, just not with them.
Ralph Fiennes is as handsome in person as he is on stage and screen, but he is one of the thinnest men I've seen. My celebrity crush as diminished a bit due to the fact that I am not attracted to extremely thin men. But he is still a good-looking man. Ian McDermid also is a very tiny man. I'll post pictures when I get home.
Today was a day of further walking and exploration. I walked to the City Hall area and trekked across (and back) the Brooklyn Bridge and meandered around the financial district and the WTC site. Then I met Christine for lunch in Union Square and I trekked back to her apartment from there.
All told, I think I've walked about 10 miles today. My legs started getting sore, so I'm in for the day. I figure I'll relax, pack, read.
I leave tomorrow afternoon. I think in the morning I'm going to wander around Central Park. I've done pretty much everything I wanted to do on this trip. My next trip to NY will be shorter, however, because 9 days is quite a while. I think maybe 5 days will suffice. I won't get theatre-ed out (like I did this trip) and I might manage my time better.
Ok, let's look at the missions I was sent on during this trip.
1) To find the illusive blue coffee cup. I didn't. I searched, but I'm thinking it's a Hollywood prop.
2) To go to the Pickle Guy for a quart of half-sours. Did that.
3) Eat a Nathan's hot dog. Yep.
4) Go to Papaya King - tomorrow.
(notice how my missions increased from when I started)
5) Go to Carnegie Deli. Yep.
I also did most of what I wanted to. I didn't see one play that I wanted to, but I chose not to because the lead was on vacation this week and I wanted to see him perform. I also didn't see "Avenue Q", but I did get to see 3 musicals I didn't plan on, which helped me get a bit over-theatred. I'll see it next time.
Tonight, dinner at a local diner with Christine and Blake, and hopefully a night of television and leg rest.
Cheers!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Going to Bed in New York
Last night, Christine and I went to the uber-trendy restaurant/bar called Bed. For those of you who watch(ed) "Sex and the City", you might remember that the girls went to a bar called Bed (it's the "Post-It Always Sticks Twice" episode). Well, the real Bed didn't exist then, at least not in NY. The first actual Bed was in Miami, and this one opened up in 2005.
But it has the same concept.
Christine reserves a bed for 8:30 (we wanted much later, but that was the latest because we waited until Tuesday to reserve it) and we get there. It's in a little dark Chelsea alleyway crowded with other uber-trendy bars. Christine said that she interviewed to be a bartender, but didn't get the job and we realized why once we got in - everyone had a freakin' accent. All of the people working there were absolutely gorgeous and fabulous, as were the diners.
We were escorted to our bed, and we were told to take of our shoes before settling in. The bed was a mattress on a wooden platform close to the ground, covered in very comfortable bedding with fluffy pillows (yes, I took pictures). The mattress was one of those that are advertised by putting a glass of wine on one end and dropping a bowling ball on the other - movement wouldn't disrupt the bed. So we put our very pricey cocktails on the tray in the middle of the bed and sat down. Soon we were laying down. Wow, was it comfortable. The ambience was fun - dark, light music, lots of people chatting and being comfy on the beds, everyone dressed up in the latest fashions. It was nice.
The food was also fantastic. If anyone looks up the site, I got the Ahi Tuna Napoleon for an apetizer and the duck for an entree. Dessert was the Tirimisu Bed, in which they took a square of tirimisu, added a crunchy headboard and footboard and put ricotta pillows on it. Yes, I took pictures.
I am a geek.
Oh, and when we sat down, they asked if we would like still or sparkling water. We said still and they brought us a large glass bottle of Voss water. Immediately I giggled - one of my friends' last name is Voss and I remembered the first time I discovered Voss water and gave that friend a bottle, much to that friend's delight and surprise.
Yes, I kept the bottle. Hell, we paid $10 for the bottle (we discovered at the bill), and that bottle will now sit on my desk and hold flowers.
Overall, it was the most fabulous dinner I've been to - or at least, the fanciest. I really want to go again next time, but I'm torn between going again and finding a new fancy place to go.
I should probably find a new fancy place to go.
Today, Christine and I are off to Shea Stadium to cheer on our Astros (and to avoid insults by Mets fans, since we are outnumbered). The weather is absolutely beautiful and it's not supposed to be hot at ALL (thank God, because the jersey is thick and warm). Tonight we're going to try to get tickets to see "The Faith Healer", starring Ralph Fiennes and Ian McDermid (aka, Red Dragon and the Emperor). And yes, I will go to the stage door after the show with my camera. I would love a picture with those guys!
Cheers!
But it has the same concept.
Christine reserves a bed for 8:30 (we wanted much later, but that was the latest because we waited until Tuesday to reserve it) and we get there. It's in a little dark Chelsea alleyway crowded with other uber-trendy bars. Christine said that she interviewed to be a bartender, but didn't get the job and we realized why once we got in - everyone had a freakin' accent. All of the people working there were absolutely gorgeous and fabulous, as were the diners.
We were escorted to our bed, and we were told to take of our shoes before settling in. The bed was a mattress on a wooden platform close to the ground, covered in very comfortable bedding with fluffy pillows (yes, I took pictures). The mattress was one of those that are advertised by putting a glass of wine on one end and dropping a bowling ball on the other - movement wouldn't disrupt the bed. So we put our very pricey cocktails on the tray in the middle of the bed and sat down. Soon we were laying down. Wow, was it comfortable. The ambience was fun - dark, light music, lots of people chatting and being comfy on the beds, everyone dressed up in the latest fashions. It was nice.
The food was also fantastic. If anyone looks up the site, I got the Ahi Tuna Napoleon for an apetizer and the duck for an entree. Dessert was the Tirimisu Bed, in which they took a square of tirimisu, added a crunchy headboard and footboard and put ricotta pillows on it. Yes, I took pictures.
I am a geek.
Oh, and when we sat down, they asked if we would like still or sparkling water. We said still and they brought us a large glass bottle of Voss water. Immediately I giggled - one of my friends' last name is Voss and I remembered the first time I discovered Voss water and gave that friend a bottle, much to that friend's delight and surprise.
Yes, I kept the bottle. Hell, we paid $10 for the bottle (we discovered at the bill), and that bottle will now sit on my desk and hold flowers.
Overall, it was the most fabulous dinner I've been to - or at least, the fanciest. I really want to go again next time, but I'm torn between going again and finding a new fancy place to go.
I should probably find a new fancy place to go.
Today, Christine and I are off to Shea Stadium to cheer on our Astros (and to avoid insults by Mets fans, since we are outnumbered). The weather is absolutely beautiful and it's not supposed to be hot at ALL (thank God, because the jersey is thick and warm). Tonight we're going to try to get tickets to see "The Faith Healer", starring Ralph Fiennes and Ian McDermid (aka, Red Dragon and the Emperor). And yes, I will go to the stage door after the show with my camera. I would love a picture with those guys!
Cheers!
Friday, July 21, 2006
An Almost-Mugging and a Gigantic Sandwich
NY Day 7
Today's goal was an exploration of the Upper East Side. I almost think I went a bit too upper.
I started off at 5th Ave. and 104th Street, which is where the Museum of NY History is. I didn't actually go in (whereas this was mainly a theatre trip, having seen 6 shows, my next trip here will be a museum trip), but instead walked down 5th, which borders Central Park. Unfortunately Cedar St. Sinai is there, and where there is a hospital, there are crazy people lurking.
I was wandering down 5th, minding my own business, when this crazy lady comes up behind me. She looked rough and like her crack had recently worn off and she was wanting more. Anyway, she comes up behind me and proceeds to walk aside me, telling me that her daughter needs formula and that her apartment burned down and they put her up in a hotel and that she can't afford formula for her sick child and she's unfamiliar with this area, and the hospitals in this area don't have the formula she needs and she's not asking for money but for help with formula (preferrably two cans). I didn't believe her at all (seriously, she looked like she was on crack), and she wouldn't leave me alone - she kept following me despite the fact I wasn't very polite to her. She made me feel terribly uncomfortable (especially since I was unfamiliar with my background) and she wouldn't take no for an answer. And there was no police officer around (surprising, since I see oodles of them daily). I honestly thought she was going to snatch my purse and run if I was rude to her.
Luckily, there was a drug store nearby and I went into it with her, planning on losing her there in public. I told her inside that I couldn't help her. She was not happy with me at all, but left. After she left, I stayed behind. The lady behind the counter came up to me and asked about the crazy woman. I told her that she wouldn't leave me alone and I thought she was going to mug me. She told me that the lady comes in at least once a week with someone new, convincing them to buy her formula and that's she's a scam artist. If it works, she's smart, because baby formula is expensive. If she gets people to buy it for her (2 or 3 cans at a time) and returns it for cash, she can rake in around $60 a person. The lady at the drugstore and two guys who worked with her looked outside for the crazy woman - I was not leaving that store until I was sure she was nowhere in sight.
After I was sure she was gone, I went about my merry way. My ankle held up just fine for the 5 miles or so I walked today.
Here's some things I saw:
1) The Plaza (no longer a hotel). But, being the geek that I am, I took a picture of the side where Carrie told Big "You're girl's lovely" in the season 2 finale.
2) The Russian Tea Room. Closed down.
3) Designer shops that blew my mind (and would blow my pocketbook).
4) Serendipity 3 - home of the famous frozen hot chocolate and sundaes.
I stopped at Serendipity. I've wanted to for a while, so I treated myself to a frozen hot chocolate which was YUMMY. I took a picture of it.
Then I continued to walk around, dodge thunderstorms and people.
I ended up at Carnegie Deli (thanks Donna!). Wow. The wait was long, but when I was finally seated, they brought me a bowl of pickles! Home-made pickles! (Andy, you never would've survived there). Then I ordered a corned beef sandwhich (when in NY...). I kid you not, it was 6 inches high. I realized I'd only eat half of it, so I just focused on that half. And I had to remove meat and eat it separately before I could even tackle the sandwich! Sorry, Donna, I didn't have room for cheesecake. But I will before I leave!
Then a thunderstorm started to loom, so I headed back to the apartment. Now I'm doing my nails and plan on showering soon to get ready for tonight. Christine and I are going to Bed, which looks fun. It's a "hot spot" in NY. Check out their website at www.bedny.com
Cheers!
Today's goal was an exploration of the Upper East Side. I almost think I went a bit too upper.
I started off at 5th Ave. and 104th Street, which is where the Museum of NY History is. I didn't actually go in (whereas this was mainly a theatre trip, having seen 6 shows, my next trip here will be a museum trip), but instead walked down 5th, which borders Central Park. Unfortunately Cedar St. Sinai is there, and where there is a hospital, there are crazy people lurking.
I was wandering down 5th, minding my own business, when this crazy lady comes up behind me. She looked rough and like her crack had recently worn off and she was wanting more. Anyway, she comes up behind me and proceeds to walk aside me, telling me that her daughter needs formula and that her apartment burned down and they put her up in a hotel and that she can't afford formula for her sick child and she's unfamiliar with this area, and the hospitals in this area don't have the formula she needs and she's not asking for money but for help with formula (preferrably two cans). I didn't believe her at all (seriously, she looked like she was on crack), and she wouldn't leave me alone - she kept following me despite the fact I wasn't very polite to her. She made me feel terribly uncomfortable (especially since I was unfamiliar with my background) and she wouldn't take no for an answer. And there was no police officer around (surprising, since I see oodles of them daily). I honestly thought she was going to snatch my purse and run if I was rude to her.
Luckily, there was a drug store nearby and I went into it with her, planning on losing her there in public. I told her inside that I couldn't help her. She was not happy with me at all, but left. After she left, I stayed behind. The lady behind the counter came up to me and asked about the crazy woman. I told her that she wouldn't leave me alone and I thought she was going to mug me. She told me that the lady comes in at least once a week with someone new, convincing them to buy her formula and that's she's a scam artist. If it works, she's smart, because baby formula is expensive. If she gets people to buy it for her (2 or 3 cans at a time) and returns it for cash, she can rake in around $60 a person. The lady at the drugstore and two guys who worked with her looked outside for the crazy woman - I was not leaving that store until I was sure she was nowhere in sight.
After I was sure she was gone, I went about my merry way. My ankle held up just fine for the 5 miles or so I walked today.
Here's some things I saw:
1) The Plaza (no longer a hotel). But, being the geek that I am, I took a picture of the side where Carrie told Big "You're girl's lovely" in the season 2 finale.
2) The Russian Tea Room. Closed down.
3) Designer shops that blew my mind (and would blow my pocketbook).
4) Serendipity 3 - home of the famous frozen hot chocolate and sundaes.
I stopped at Serendipity. I've wanted to for a while, so I treated myself to a frozen hot chocolate which was YUMMY. I took a picture of it.
Then I continued to walk around, dodge thunderstorms and people.
I ended up at Carnegie Deli (thanks Donna!). Wow. The wait was long, but when I was finally seated, they brought me a bowl of pickles! Home-made pickles! (Andy, you never would've survived there). Then I ordered a corned beef sandwhich (when in NY...). I kid you not, it was 6 inches high. I realized I'd only eat half of it, so I just focused on that half. And I had to remove meat and eat it separately before I could even tackle the sandwich! Sorry, Donna, I didn't have room for cheesecake. But I will before I leave!
Then a thunderstorm started to loom, so I headed back to the apartment. Now I'm doing my nails and plan on showering soon to get ready for tonight. Christine and I are going to Bed, which looks fun. It's a "hot spot" in NY. Check out their website at www.bedny.com
Cheers!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
An Anchorwoman, an Italian Man, and a Pickle Guy
So began day... hold on, I have to count... day 6.
I woke up bright and early to be apart of the studio audience of Good Morning America. The cameras are deceiving. First of all, the studio is tiny. Second of all, the area with the news desk is on the second floor. Third of all, they interview the stars (like today was Uma Thurman) on the second floor. The audience is on the first floor. So what do we do? We're there for the weather shots and the special segments (today was on beauty spas and picnics). It wasn't all that bad, but I wanted to watch the news part.
Anyway, Diane Sawyer was on vacation (darn it), but we got to see Robin and some guy who's on 20/20. They all took pictures with us (yes, I have a picture with myself and Robin, and myself and the hot weatherman)and autographed our posters, if we had one.
So, if anyone taped it, I was shown mostly towards the end (which is just because of where I was standing). Looking at the tv, I was towards the right in the front. I held up many signs, showing each of them.
Afterwards, I decided to explore Greenwich Village. The problem is that I didn't have a tour book, so I didn't know exactly what to look for. I just wandered around and found myself in SoHo again. After consulting my map, I decided that today would be an excellent time to go to the Pickle Guy, so I trudged along southeast.
By the way: here's an update on my trip thus far...
My ankle: feels much better. I'm not going to run for a while, but at least I can walk.
# of pizza slices consumed: 2
# of hot dogs consumed: 1
# of Tasty-D-Lites consumed: 2 (with a possible third this evening - I'm eating my way through Manhattan today).
# of alcoholic beverages: 1
# of Broadway plays/musicals seen: 4
# of off-Broadway plays seen: 2
# of celebrities seen: many
Also, I'd like to point out the plethora of police officers in this city. I'm impressed and they're very helpful to us lost people.
Anyway, I digress. Let me get back to today.
After going through SoHo again (and finally buying some clothes), I went east on Grand and somehow went smack through Little Italy. And since I was there.... I decided to eat some pasta. Wow! I love Little Italy. Not only are there a million Italian restaurants (duh), but there are a huge number of people who speak Italian there. I'm not stupid, but I thought that the name was just a throwback - I didn't realize that Italian was spoken that much there. But an Italian guy (with a very strong Italian accent), hustled me into his restaurant and I enjoyed some outstanding penne pasta with ricotta and buffalo mozzarella. Wow! Mmmm.... If I had the time (and stomach capacity) I would've finished with some tirimisu and an espresso, but I had to trudge on.
Little Italy is bordered by Chinatown (not the scarey touristy part I fled from Monday, but a more calmer one, one with no caucasians). I browsed through some of the markets, and was quite disturbed by some of the seafood and meat selection that they had on the sidewalks. What does one do with dried sardines? Dried scallops? And there was some unidentified meat soaking in blood. The smell wasn't the best, but at least I wasn't scared.
Right after Chinatown, I found the world-famous Pickle Guy (well, I didn't even know he existed until I got the request on Monday to buy some). It's a small shop that is known (and they ship!) and it's full of barrels of pickles, olives, marinated mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, etc. YUMMMMMM. Andrew/Kenny asked me to get a jar of half-sours, which are pickles that are, duh, not very sour. So I picked up a quart (they'll still be good when I get back to Houston, the Pickly Guy promised) and then I also got a pint of garlic-stuffed green olives. MMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Afterwards, I went back to the apartment. Now I'm here and contemplating a nap. The lottery for "Avenue Q" doesn't start for another 2.5 hours, so I might either sleep or pop into a coffee shop with "Crime and Punishment", which I've been reading.
Cheers!
I woke up bright and early to be apart of the studio audience of Good Morning America. The cameras are deceiving. First of all, the studio is tiny. Second of all, the area with the news desk is on the second floor. Third of all, they interview the stars (like today was Uma Thurman) on the second floor. The audience is on the first floor. So what do we do? We're there for the weather shots and the special segments (today was on beauty spas and picnics). It wasn't all that bad, but I wanted to watch the news part.
Anyway, Diane Sawyer was on vacation (darn it), but we got to see Robin and some guy who's on 20/20. They all took pictures with us (yes, I have a picture with myself and Robin, and myself and the hot weatherman)and autographed our posters, if we had one.
So, if anyone taped it, I was shown mostly towards the end (which is just because of where I was standing). Looking at the tv, I was towards the right in the front. I held up many signs, showing each of them.
Afterwards, I decided to explore Greenwich Village. The problem is that I didn't have a tour book, so I didn't know exactly what to look for. I just wandered around and found myself in SoHo again. After consulting my map, I decided that today would be an excellent time to go to the Pickle Guy, so I trudged along southeast.
By the way: here's an update on my trip thus far...
My ankle: feels much better. I'm not going to run for a while, but at least I can walk.
# of pizza slices consumed: 2
# of hot dogs consumed: 1
# of Tasty-D-Lites consumed: 2 (with a possible third this evening - I'm eating my way through Manhattan today).
# of alcoholic beverages: 1
# of Broadway plays/musicals seen: 4
# of off-Broadway plays seen: 2
# of celebrities seen: many
Also, I'd like to point out the plethora of police officers in this city. I'm impressed and they're very helpful to us lost people.
Anyway, I digress. Let me get back to today.
After going through SoHo again (and finally buying some clothes), I went east on Grand and somehow went smack through Little Italy. And since I was there.... I decided to eat some pasta. Wow! I love Little Italy. Not only are there a million Italian restaurants (duh), but there are a huge number of people who speak Italian there. I'm not stupid, but I thought that the name was just a throwback - I didn't realize that Italian was spoken that much there. But an Italian guy (with a very strong Italian accent), hustled me into his restaurant and I enjoyed some outstanding penne pasta with ricotta and buffalo mozzarella. Wow! Mmmm.... If I had the time (and stomach capacity) I would've finished with some tirimisu and an espresso, but I had to trudge on.
Little Italy is bordered by Chinatown (not the scarey touristy part I fled from Monday, but a more calmer one, one with no caucasians). I browsed through some of the markets, and was quite disturbed by some of the seafood and meat selection that they had on the sidewalks. What does one do with dried sardines? Dried scallops? And there was some unidentified meat soaking in blood. The smell wasn't the best, but at least I wasn't scared.
Right after Chinatown, I found the world-famous Pickle Guy (well, I didn't even know he existed until I got the request on Monday to buy some). It's a small shop that is known (and they ship!) and it's full of barrels of pickles, olives, marinated mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, etc. YUMMMMMM. Andrew/Kenny asked me to get a jar of half-sours, which are pickles that are, duh, not very sour. So I picked up a quart (they'll still be good when I get back to Houston, the Pickly Guy promised) and then I also got a pint of garlic-stuffed green olives. MMMMMMMMMMMMM.
Afterwards, I went back to the apartment. Now I'm here and contemplating a nap. The lottery for "Avenue Q" doesn't start for another 2.5 hours, so I might either sleep or pop into a coffee shop with "Crime and Punishment", which I've been reading.
Cheers!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
And thus, continues day 5... (it started when I wrote about yesterday).
After finishing my blog, I decided to roam around Times Square today, since I was aiming for those tickets.
Drum roll please... I got front row tickets to the matinee of "Rent"!!! The show was fantastic. I'd seen it once, about 4-5 years ago when I was living in Baton Rouge, and then I saw the movie last year, but I love the music so much I wanted to see it again. And the cast didn't let me down. I want to do musical theatre again. I am auditioning for COS's "Godspell" this year, if it doesn't conflict with any prior engagements (please, don't conflict!).
After that, I tried to get front row tickets to "Avenue Q." No such luck, but while I was there I did have a celebrity citing - Jessica Simpson. Dear lord does that woman have an entourage/supply of bodyguards. She even had bodyguards on bicycles next to her SUV for a block or two (until she got away from the crowd - she was leaving MTV, I think).
So now I'm back at the apartment. I told Christine that if I didn't get tickets for tonight, that I'd go see her play. I have just enough time to take a quick shower before that happens, so...
Cheers!
After finishing my blog, I decided to roam around Times Square today, since I was aiming for those tickets.
Drum roll please... I got front row tickets to the matinee of "Rent"!!! The show was fantastic. I'd seen it once, about 4-5 years ago when I was living in Baton Rouge, and then I saw the movie last year, but I love the music so much I wanted to see it again. And the cast didn't let me down. I want to do musical theatre again. I am auditioning for COS's "Godspell" this year, if it doesn't conflict with any prior engagements (please, don't conflict!).
After that, I tried to get front row tickets to "Avenue Q." No such luck, but while I was there I did have a celebrity citing - Jessica Simpson. Dear lord does that woman have an entourage/supply of bodyguards. She even had bodyguards on bicycles next to her SUV for a block or two (until she got away from the crowd - she was leaving MTV, I think).
So now I'm back at the apartment. I told Christine that if I didn't get tickets for tonight, that I'd go see her play. I have just enough time to take a quick shower before that happens, so...
Cheers!
Something Bad is Happening in Oz
It was a good day, it was a boring day; it was a day of wonderment, it was a day of nothingness; it was a day of surprises, it was a day of predictability; it was a day of Broadway, it was a day of reading.
And so begins Day 4 of New York.
I woke up later than usual (actually enjoying sleeping in for once) and then had to figure out what I wanted to do. Obviously, I didn't want to do much. Bearing weight on my ankle was not a pleasing idea, so my choices were limited. I decided to stay inside the apartment (as some of you online figured out) and read in the morning, if nothing else than to help my ankle heal so that I can an explorer later on in the week.
But first, I was hungry. I decided to venture outside to the corner to pick up a NY Times and a bagel. That was an extremely painful experience and I almost turned around. Hunger, however, prevailed and I hobbled on with my mission.
Then nothing interesting happened for the next hours. I read the NY Times, updated my blog, e-mailed people, chatted online, read my friends' blogs, read a book. I was just waiting for 3:30.
You see, in NY many plays/musicals have a lottery system. A couple of hours before the show, you can line up and put your name in a basket. If they draw your name, you can purchase either front row seats or box seats for $20-$26, depending on the show (I think I mentioned this the other day with "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"). Many shows offer lotteries at the same time, and you have to be present to win, so you must attack this lottery system with strategy. I did my research and found three lotteries an hour apart from each other - "Wicked" at 4:30, "Avenue Q" at 5:30 and "The Drowsy Chaperone" at 6:30. "Avenue Q" is one of my must-see shows while I'm here, while the others I would just go because of opportunity.
Anyway, off I went to the first lottery. There must've been about 200 people there and "Wicked" only allotted 25 tickets. And I was chosen!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I had front-row tickets to "Wicked" for $25. I've never seen the show, but I have the cast recording so I was excited.
I had two hours to kill in between the lottery and the show so I went to a Starbucks on Broadway and 51st to read and people watch. As I was people-watching, who do I see walk by, but one of my freshmen. Seriously. One of my students is in NY (knowing my students, that surprised the hell out of me). He's a good student, so I went out there to say hello. He said he was on a field trip with some youth group. I didn't recognize the other students he was with, so it must've been church-related.
Then off to "Wicked"! It was amazing. The guy playing Fiyero - I've seen him before so I'm going to look his name up. And Carol Kane (from "The Princess Bride" and others) was in it! The show was wonderful. It was fun to see how they tied everything from "The Wizard of Oz" in; it was very cleverly written. It's coming to Houston in the early spring, and I recommend seeing it. Actually, I might read the book because it might be a good book to teach the kids on perspective. This is the story of Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West and East from their perspectives and the cleverness is really quite apparent. Hmm. Maybe I'll go to The Strand bookstore and pick up a copy (along with "A Tale of Two Cities").
Today I'm going to stay put until the lotteries for the matinee. I'm going to put my name in the hat for "Rent." If I get it, it's only $20. If I don't, I'll go to the bookstore and go on mission #2 (people keep giving me missions. One is to find a specific blue coffee cup, another is to get a jar of half-sours from the Pickle Guy and the third is to eat a Nathan's hotdog). And then tonight I'll try to get front-row seats to "Avenue Q."
Oh, and I want to figure out how to see "The Late Show With David Letterman."
Cheers!
And so begins Day 4 of New York.
I woke up later than usual (actually enjoying sleeping in for once) and then had to figure out what I wanted to do. Obviously, I didn't want to do much. Bearing weight on my ankle was not a pleasing idea, so my choices were limited. I decided to stay inside the apartment (as some of you online figured out) and read in the morning, if nothing else than to help my ankle heal so that I can an explorer later on in the week.
But first, I was hungry. I decided to venture outside to the corner to pick up a NY Times and a bagel. That was an extremely painful experience and I almost turned around. Hunger, however, prevailed and I hobbled on with my mission.
Then nothing interesting happened for the next hours. I read the NY Times, updated my blog, e-mailed people, chatted online, read my friends' blogs, read a book. I was just waiting for 3:30.
You see, in NY many plays/musicals have a lottery system. A couple of hours before the show, you can line up and put your name in a basket. If they draw your name, you can purchase either front row seats or box seats for $20-$26, depending on the show (I think I mentioned this the other day with "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"). Many shows offer lotteries at the same time, and you have to be present to win, so you must attack this lottery system with strategy. I did my research and found three lotteries an hour apart from each other - "Wicked" at 4:30, "Avenue Q" at 5:30 and "The Drowsy Chaperone" at 6:30. "Avenue Q" is one of my must-see shows while I'm here, while the others I would just go because of opportunity.
Anyway, off I went to the first lottery. There must've been about 200 people there and "Wicked" only allotted 25 tickets. And I was chosen!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I had front-row tickets to "Wicked" for $25. I've never seen the show, but I have the cast recording so I was excited.
I had two hours to kill in between the lottery and the show so I went to a Starbucks on Broadway and 51st to read and people watch. As I was people-watching, who do I see walk by, but one of my freshmen. Seriously. One of my students is in NY (knowing my students, that surprised the hell out of me). He's a good student, so I went out there to say hello. He said he was on a field trip with some youth group. I didn't recognize the other students he was with, so it must've been church-related.
Then off to "Wicked"! It was amazing. The guy playing Fiyero - I've seen him before so I'm going to look his name up. And Carol Kane (from "The Princess Bride" and others) was in it! The show was wonderful. It was fun to see how they tied everything from "The Wizard of Oz" in; it was very cleverly written. It's coming to Houston in the early spring, and I recommend seeing it. Actually, I might read the book because it might be a good book to teach the kids on perspective. This is the story of Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West and East from their perspectives and the cleverness is really quite apparent. Hmm. Maybe I'll go to The Strand bookstore and pick up a copy (along with "A Tale of Two Cities").
Today I'm going to stay put until the lotteries for the matinee. I'm going to put my name in the hat for "Rent." If I get it, it's only $20. If I don't, I'll go to the bookstore and go on mission #2 (people keep giving me missions. One is to find a specific blue coffee cup, another is to get a jar of half-sours from the Pickle Guy and the third is to eat a Nathan's hotdog). And then tonight I'll try to get front-row seats to "Avenue Q."
Oh, and I want to figure out how to see "The Late Show With David Letterman."
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Happy Birthday to Me
Well, I'm 28. And, despite flaws in the system, I had a pretty good birthday. But my birthday is also known as :
NEW YORK: DAY 2
I woke up nice and early to get in a long run (little did I know that it would be my last long run for a while). I realized that I walked about 8-10 miles the day before, so when I woke up yesterday my ankles and feet were sore. But it was my birthday, dammit, and I wanted to run. So I did.
I strapped on my Garmin, ignored the ankle and foot pain, and headed off towards the Hudson. 10.5 miles later, I was home and my legs, ankles and feet were very sore, so I soaked in a tub.
Afterwards, my day really began. I decided to master the subway system today. I was lost today for about 2 hours because I kept getting on the wrong trains! I somehow ended up in Chinatown (which freaked me out so bad that I immediately went back into the subway), somehow ended up at the World Trade Center, found another train line and accidentally took an express to Harlem. I didn't get out there, either.
But in between getting lost, I found SoHo, which is an area FULL of boutiques and clothing stores. I found Bloomingdales (out of my price range), and best of all - I found a shop that I went in last time. I couldn't remember the name of it, nor where it was, but I knew I wanted to go back to get another shirt. I stumbled across it and took advantage.
The trip to Harlem was at the end, so after Harlem I went back to the Upper West Side to go to Crumbs bakery for a birthday cupcake (they are quite large and tasty). I walked by the Musuem of Natural History and they were getting ready for a film premiere of "The Lady in the Water" - people were dressed up and the papparazzi were there (but the stars and director weren't supposed to show up for a while and I didn't have time).
Finally, at 5:30, I made it home from my daily adventure (not knowing that it would be my last for a couple of days). I changed clothes and met up with Blake and we walked very fast to get "Phantom of the Opera" tickets. They were sold out (birthday disappointment #1). Darn. Instead, he and I decided to go out to dinner and then meet up with Christine and go to a movie. On the way to dinner, though, I, wearing heels, took a bad step and my ankle didn't go with me. Yep, I have a mild sprain (birthday disappointment #2). Mild enough that I'm not going to the doctor, but strong enough that I can't walk very well. At the time, though, since I fell in the streets, I laughed the fall off and made jokes about leaving my pride back there. I limped on it, thinking that I needed to just walk it off. It twinged, but allowed me to. After dinner, Christine met us and we saw "Pirates of the Caribbean", which was WAY too long. My attention, however, was diverted to my ankle. It was swelling and I couldn't put it on the floor comfortably. I spent 2.5 hours shifting around, trying to alleviate the pain, unsuccessfully. After the theatre, I couldn't put weight on it, so I hobbled to light and we looked at my swollen and slightly bruised foot/ankle. Shit. And it was still 4 blocks back to her apartment. I limped, hopped, etc. just to get back and then we applied ice and elevated it.
So, today I'm staying inside the apartment for most of the day. I need to leave shortly to get breakfast and amusement fo the day (a selection of newspaper), but then I'm coming right back and elevating it. I might, depending on how it feels, try to get theatre tickets for tonight later on, but I'll have to see because the theatre is many blocks away.
Oh, well. At least I get to work on "Crime and Punishment." And if a day or two of rest will insure me a good trip in the latter of the week, then I guess I'm going to do it.
Cheers!
NEW YORK: DAY 2
I woke up nice and early to get in a long run (little did I know that it would be my last long run for a while). I realized that I walked about 8-10 miles the day before, so when I woke up yesterday my ankles and feet were sore. But it was my birthday, dammit, and I wanted to run. So I did.
I strapped on my Garmin, ignored the ankle and foot pain, and headed off towards the Hudson. 10.5 miles later, I was home and my legs, ankles and feet were very sore, so I soaked in a tub.
Afterwards, my day really began. I decided to master the subway system today. I was lost today for about 2 hours because I kept getting on the wrong trains! I somehow ended up in Chinatown (which freaked me out so bad that I immediately went back into the subway), somehow ended up at the World Trade Center, found another train line and accidentally took an express to Harlem. I didn't get out there, either.
But in between getting lost, I found SoHo, which is an area FULL of boutiques and clothing stores. I found Bloomingdales (out of my price range), and best of all - I found a shop that I went in last time. I couldn't remember the name of it, nor where it was, but I knew I wanted to go back to get another shirt. I stumbled across it and took advantage.
The trip to Harlem was at the end, so after Harlem I went back to the Upper West Side to go to Crumbs bakery for a birthday cupcake (they are quite large and tasty). I walked by the Musuem of Natural History and they were getting ready for a film premiere of "The Lady in the Water" - people were dressed up and the papparazzi were there (but the stars and director weren't supposed to show up for a while and I didn't have time).
Finally, at 5:30, I made it home from my daily adventure (not knowing that it would be my last for a couple of days). I changed clothes and met up with Blake and we walked very fast to get "Phantom of the Opera" tickets. They were sold out (birthday disappointment #1). Darn. Instead, he and I decided to go out to dinner and then meet up with Christine and go to a movie. On the way to dinner, though, I, wearing heels, took a bad step and my ankle didn't go with me. Yep, I have a mild sprain (birthday disappointment #2). Mild enough that I'm not going to the doctor, but strong enough that I can't walk very well. At the time, though, since I fell in the streets, I laughed the fall off and made jokes about leaving my pride back there. I limped on it, thinking that I needed to just walk it off. It twinged, but allowed me to. After dinner, Christine met us and we saw "Pirates of the Caribbean", which was WAY too long. My attention, however, was diverted to my ankle. It was swelling and I couldn't put it on the floor comfortably. I spent 2.5 hours shifting around, trying to alleviate the pain, unsuccessfully. After the theatre, I couldn't put weight on it, so I hobbled to light and we looked at my swollen and slightly bruised foot/ankle. Shit. And it was still 4 blocks back to her apartment. I limped, hopped, etc. just to get back and then we applied ice and elevated it.
So, today I'm staying inside the apartment for most of the day. I need to leave shortly to get breakfast and amusement fo the day (a selection of newspaper), but then I'm coming right back and elevating it. I might, depending on how it feels, try to get theatre tickets for tonight later on, but I'll have to see because the theatre is many blocks away.
Oh, well. At least I get to work on "Crime and Punishment." And if a day or two of rest will insure me a good trip in the latter of the week, then I guess I'm going to do it.
Cheers!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Hello From NY
Hello from Yankee territory! Luckily, Christine has a laptop and is letting me to use it so that I can update everyone on my adventures. And for those of you who don't know me, I love adventures.
Yesterday's trip up here was pretty mild. I was disappointed in that there was no movie on my flight! There were no music channels! I've flown shorter distances than to NY and have gotten movies before. I was also exhausted out of my mind, but since I can't sleep on planes I stayed awake and grumpy.
I landed early yesterday afternoon at JFK, which was a new airport for me. Whereas Laguardia bored the crap out of me, JFK actually is a rather nice airport (but I guess that's like comparing Hobby to IAH/Bush). After I landed, I took a shuttle into Manhattan and arrived at Christine's apartment. We sauntered around town, tried to get tickets to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", but instead I ended up with a ticket to "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" and she ended up going back to work (she'd already seen the play).
So, off I went to the first of my many play/musicals for the trip. I've been wanting to see this play since watching the Tonys, but I was not at all prepared for it. Christine, having seen it, told me that it was very dark and that it was the bloodiest play she'd ever seen. Wow, was she not kidding. I loved it, but it was disturbing on so many levels - I can't believe I laughed at some of the things I did. People were shot on stage and blood spewed. The lights went on at a scene in which two people were cutting up bodies. It wasn't the violence that I laughed at, but the characters were head-shakingly humorous and there was so much irony in there, that one has to laugh (especially the very end).
Today was my first full day in NY. I've decided to tackle one specific part of NY each day. Being that today is Sunday, I wanted bagels and lox for breakfast, so I walked 50 blocks up to the Upper West Side and went to Zabars. Afterwards, I continued to walk around the Upper West Side and Central Park. I found a triathalon in motion, I found a flea market (where I purchased a pretty table decoration-cloth type embroidered thing), many Starbucks, etc.
Around noon, I had to start heading back to Times Square, where I tried once again to get tickets to "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (I was trying to get the $26 box seats that they offer in a lottery system). On my way back to Times Square, I saw the Naked Cowboy (this random hot guy wearing nothing but tighty-whities, boots, and a cowboy hat). Apparently he hangs out on various street corners and tourists pose with him for pictures. I did get a photo of him, but not with him. It was an interesting sight. I also watched 8 NYC cops arrest two men infront of a store that I was in yesterday, I walked into the HUGE Toys-R-Us (the one with the ferris wheel inside) and then went to the theatre. Again, my name was not drawn for the wonderful tickets. But I went ahead to the discount ticket place and threw down (somewhat reluctantly) $60 for a ticket to this afternoon peformance (and that's at 50% off).
After the show, I knew that my money was well spent. Hell, during the show, I knew it was well spent. I wanted to see this show when I was here in October, but didn't get the chance. John Lithgow was replaced by Jonathan Pryce (of "Ronin", "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Evita" fame); Sherry Rene Scott, who was in the original cast and went away, came back to play her role; Norbert Leo Butz was still in his role as well - he won the Tony for it last year and was the original Fiyero in "Wicked." Anyway, I shelled out the money because this was to be Jonathan Pryce's and Norbert Leo Butz's last performance. The show was FANTASTIC. I'm familiar with the songs (I have the cast recording), but I was in stitches the entire time. Norbert and Jonathan were both adding bits to make each other break character onstage, Norbert was way over-the-top (it was his last show; actors do that), and afterwards a special presentation for the two guys was given. Normally, cameras are not allowe during the show, but many of us were flashing away during the presentation.
Afterwards, being the theatre geek that I am, I rushed to the stage entrance for the actors to come out and sign my playbill. I got the autographs of Norbert, Jonathan, and Lucie Arnez. Plus, Norbert and Jonathan took photos with me!!! My new celebrity crush is Norbert. And the best part is: Norbert is leaving because he signed on for the national tour!!!!!!!!!!! He'll be perfoming the role in Houston this year!!!!! I am so there in the front row.
By the way, I'll post photos when I return to Houston next week.
Afterwards, Christine and I went to see some friends of hers in a version of "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Yes, I've been here a bit over 24 hours and I've already seen 3 shows.
Tomorrow is my birthday, so I am celebrating by running 10-11 miles in the morning, going to Crumb to get a birthday cupcake, and then going to see "Phantom of the Opera"!!! "Phantom" is one of my favorite shows - I've seen two touring productions, including last year's, which fell on my birthday. So for two years in a row, I've seen "Phantom of the Opera." Christine is lending me her gay friend/director so that I won't have to go by myself. After the show, Christine and I are going to some trendy club.
Oh - and Saturday we're going to either Bed or Bungalow 8! How exciting!
Ok, I need sleep for tomorrow's adventure. I'll update you tomorrow!
Cheers!
Yesterday's trip up here was pretty mild. I was disappointed in that there was no movie on my flight! There were no music channels! I've flown shorter distances than to NY and have gotten movies before. I was also exhausted out of my mind, but since I can't sleep on planes I stayed awake and grumpy.
I landed early yesterday afternoon at JFK, which was a new airport for me. Whereas Laguardia bored the crap out of me, JFK actually is a rather nice airport (but I guess that's like comparing Hobby to IAH/Bush). After I landed, I took a shuttle into Manhattan and arrived at Christine's apartment. We sauntered around town, tried to get tickets to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", but instead I ended up with a ticket to "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" and she ended up going back to work (she'd already seen the play).
So, off I went to the first of my many play/musicals for the trip. I've been wanting to see this play since watching the Tonys, but I was not at all prepared for it. Christine, having seen it, told me that it was very dark and that it was the bloodiest play she'd ever seen. Wow, was she not kidding. I loved it, but it was disturbing on so many levels - I can't believe I laughed at some of the things I did. People were shot on stage and blood spewed. The lights went on at a scene in which two people were cutting up bodies. It wasn't the violence that I laughed at, but the characters were head-shakingly humorous and there was so much irony in there, that one has to laugh (especially the very end).
Today was my first full day in NY. I've decided to tackle one specific part of NY each day. Being that today is Sunday, I wanted bagels and lox for breakfast, so I walked 50 blocks up to the Upper West Side and went to Zabars. Afterwards, I continued to walk around the Upper West Side and Central Park. I found a triathalon in motion, I found a flea market (where I purchased a pretty table decoration-cloth type embroidered thing), many Starbucks, etc.
Around noon, I had to start heading back to Times Square, where I tried once again to get tickets to "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (I was trying to get the $26 box seats that they offer in a lottery system). On my way back to Times Square, I saw the Naked Cowboy (this random hot guy wearing nothing but tighty-whities, boots, and a cowboy hat). Apparently he hangs out on various street corners and tourists pose with him for pictures. I did get a photo of him, but not with him. It was an interesting sight. I also watched 8 NYC cops arrest two men infront of a store that I was in yesterday, I walked into the HUGE Toys-R-Us (the one with the ferris wheel inside) and then went to the theatre. Again, my name was not drawn for the wonderful tickets. But I went ahead to the discount ticket place and threw down (somewhat reluctantly) $60 for a ticket to this afternoon peformance (and that's at 50% off).
After the show, I knew that my money was well spent. Hell, during the show, I knew it was well spent. I wanted to see this show when I was here in October, but didn't get the chance. John Lithgow was replaced by Jonathan Pryce (of "Ronin", "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Evita" fame); Sherry Rene Scott, who was in the original cast and went away, came back to play her role; Norbert Leo Butz was still in his role as well - he won the Tony for it last year and was the original Fiyero in "Wicked." Anyway, I shelled out the money because this was to be Jonathan Pryce's and Norbert Leo Butz's last performance. The show was FANTASTIC. I'm familiar with the songs (I have the cast recording), but I was in stitches the entire time. Norbert and Jonathan were both adding bits to make each other break character onstage, Norbert was way over-the-top (it was his last show; actors do that), and afterwards a special presentation for the two guys was given. Normally, cameras are not allowe during the show, but many of us were flashing away during the presentation.
Afterwards, being the theatre geek that I am, I rushed to the stage entrance for the actors to come out and sign my playbill. I got the autographs of Norbert, Jonathan, and Lucie Arnez. Plus, Norbert and Jonathan took photos with me!!! My new celebrity crush is Norbert. And the best part is: Norbert is leaving because he signed on for the national tour!!!!!!!!!!! He'll be perfoming the role in Houston this year!!!!! I am so there in the front row.
By the way, I'll post photos when I return to Houston next week.
Afterwards, Christine and I went to see some friends of hers in a version of "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Yes, I've been here a bit over 24 hours and I've already seen 3 shows.
Tomorrow is my birthday, so I am celebrating by running 10-11 miles in the morning, going to Crumb to get a birthday cupcake, and then going to see "Phantom of the Opera"!!! "Phantom" is one of my favorite shows - I've seen two touring productions, including last year's, which fell on my birthday. So for two years in a row, I've seen "Phantom of the Opera." Christine is lending me her gay friend/director so that I won't have to go by myself. After the show, Christine and I are going to some trendy club.
Oh - and Saturday we're going to either Bed or Bungalow 8! How exciting!
Ok, I need sleep for tomorrow's adventure. I'll update you tomorrow!
Cheers!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Poetry
I've been at Rice University all this week for professional development. One thing our leader had us do was disect a specified poem. Until then I hadn't read this one before, and yet it has become my favorite.
So, to do a very Junebug thing, I'm going to pass on this inspirational poem. It's for the women out there who has ever loved and man that she tried desperately to please and be loved by, only to be met by rejection. (By the way, I'm not in this situation right now, but it just makes a girl feel good to read the end.)
Woman, by Nikki Giovanni
"she wanted to be a blade
of grass amid the fileds
but he wouldn't agree
to be the dandelion
she wanted to be a robin singing
through the leaves
but he refused to be
her tree
she spun herself into a web
and looking for a place to rest
turned to him
but he stood straight
declining to be her corner
she tried to be a book
but he wouldn't read
she turned herself into a bulb
but he wouldn't let her grow
she decided to become
a woman
and though he still refused
to be a man
she decided it was all
right"
I have one more day at Rice, and then I leave for NY!!!
Cheers!
So, to do a very Junebug thing, I'm going to pass on this inspirational poem. It's for the women out there who has ever loved and man that she tried desperately to please and be loved by, only to be met by rejection. (By the way, I'm not in this situation right now, but it just makes a girl feel good to read the end.)
Woman, by Nikki Giovanni
"she wanted to be a blade
of grass amid the fileds
but he wouldn't agree
to be the dandelion
she wanted to be a robin singing
through the leaves
but he refused to be
her tree
she spun herself into a web
and looking for a place to rest
turned to him
but he stood straight
declining to be her corner
she tried to be a book
but he wouldn't read
she turned herself into a bulb
but he wouldn't let her grow
she decided to become
a woman
and though he still refused
to be a man
she decided it was all
right"
I have one more day at Rice, and then I leave for NY!!!
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The Horror!!
The problem:
The solution:
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the top picture is a gray hair. I cannot tell you how traumatized I was when my sister discovered it at the Astros game. Of course, it didn't help any when Andrew looked over and said, "You never noticed it before? It was shining like a beacon!" Thanks, smart guy.
Sigh. I have inherited many of my mother's good genes - I don't have acne, my cholesterol is scaringly perfect, I am healthy as a horse, and I have her eye color. I hoped to also inherit the non-gray hair; she just got gray hair within the past couple of years (she's 57!), and my maternal grandmother didn't get gray hair until she was in her 70s. Nope, I've inherited my father's hair - he was gray by 30.
Needless to say, as quickly as I could, I abandoned letting my hair go back to its natural color. I've been coloring it for years for fun; not it's a necessity.
Oh, I haven't been running - I've been house-sitting in Webster and the heat has been so horrible (and I've been staying up past my bedtime too many times). I'll get back on the ball when I get back from NY, I hope. I do plan on running a lot while I'm there, if the weather cooperates. If nothing else, there's a 4-miler next Saturday in Central Park that I'm signing up for.
Cheers!
The solution:
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the top picture is a gray hair. I cannot tell you how traumatized I was when my sister discovered it at the Astros game. Of course, it didn't help any when Andrew looked over and said, "You never noticed it before? It was shining like a beacon!" Thanks, smart guy.
Sigh. I have inherited many of my mother's good genes - I don't have acne, my cholesterol is scaringly perfect, I am healthy as a horse, and I have her eye color. I hoped to also inherit the non-gray hair; she just got gray hair within the past couple of years (she's 57!), and my maternal grandmother didn't get gray hair until she was in her 70s. Nope, I've inherited my father's hair - he was gray by 30.
Needless to say, as quickly as I could, I abandoned letting my hair go back to its natural color. I've been coloring it for years for fun; not it's a necessity.
Oh, I haven't been running - I've been house-sitting in Webster and the heat has been so horrible (and I've been staying up past my bedtime too many times). I'll get back on the ball when I get back from NY, I hope. I do plan on running a lot while I'm there, if the weather cooperates. If nothing else, there's a 4-miler next Saturday in Central Park that I'm signing up for.
Cheers!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Dangers in NY
Hmm.
In 2001, I bought a ticket to Washington DC in August (my trip was for November). Then, two weeks later, September 11 occurred and of course, besides the Twin Towers, the Pentagon was hit. I still went to DC, and it was being policed by the National Guard. I might not have bought my ticket after September 11, but since I did it before, I went to DC. And have been back many many times and will go again twice in the next couple of months.
I bought my ticket to NY last week, despite a homeless man going crazy in the NY subway and stabbing two people (one a Houstonian). Today, on Good Morning America, the terror bomb plot was announced for NY. Then, on CNN.com, they have a news story about a crazy man who went into the NY subway with a chain saw and hurt a 64-year old man.
Lesson to be learned: stay out of the subway. :) Seriously, Christine lives two blocks away from Times Square, so it's pretty central and the island isn't too large to walk around the good parts. I only went on the subway two or three times last time (and truth be told, I'm confused by that system, whereas DC is easy).
Cheers!
In 2001, I bought a ticket to Washington DC in August (my trip was for November). Then, two weeks later, September 11 occurred and of course, besides the Twin Towers, the Pentagon was hit. I still went to DC, and it was being policed by the National Guard. I might not have bought my ticket after September 11, but since I did it before, I went to DC. And have been back many many times and will go again twice in the next couple of months.
I bought my ticket to NY last week, despite a homeless man going crazy in the NY subway and stabbing two people (one a Houstonian). Today, on Good Morning America, the terror bomb plot was announced for NY. Then, on CNN.com, they have a news story about a crazy man who went into the NY subway with a chain saw and hurt a 64-year old man.
Lesson to be learned: stay out of the subway. :) Seriously, Christine lives two blocks away from Times Square, so it's pretty central and the island isn't too large to walk around the good parts. I only went on the subway two or three times last time (and truth be told, I'm confused by that system, whereas DC is easy).
Cheers!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Good Morning America!
A few weeks ago, I requested tickets to be a member of various studio audiences, despite the warning that most need 6 months in advance.
And today, I got a confirmation. I'm going to be in the audience of "Good Morning America" on Thursday, July 20! Woo-hoo! Yes, I'm bringing my camera. Yes, there are photo ops with the hosts (Diane Sawyer!) and yes, I will be carrying a colorful sign giving shout-outs to various people.
I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!
And today, I got a confirmation. I'm going to be in the audience of "Good Morning America" on Thursday, July 20! Woo-hoo! Yes, I'm bringing my camera. Yes, there are photo ops with the hosts (Diane Sawyer!) and yes, I will be carrying a colorful sign giving shout-outs to various people.
I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Kodak Moments
I wish I had a camera yesterday and today.
Yesterday I went to the zoo. As we were rounding the large cats exhibits, we noticed one of the cages/fences had a huge gaping hole in it with a sign saying, "Please excuse us, we're having difficulties with this exhibit" next to the gaping hole. I'm serious.
And then, at the alligator exhibit, the alligator decided to walk over to the fence and try to have a snack. He couldn't break it, so he just sat there with his mouth open on the fence. The zookeepers came over with some extra barricade to protect the toddlers who wanted to pet the alligator. Mmm. Alligator.
And then today, as Sean was killing us in the humid air near Buffalo Bayou, the top of our hill had a sign close by saying, "Alligator habitat." He should've told us about that from the get-go - that would for sure get us running faster on the fast interval.
Cheers!
Yesterday I went to the zoo. As we were rounding the large cats exhibits, we noticed one of the cages/fences had a huge gaping hole in it with a sign saying, "Please excuse us, we're having difficulties with this exhibit" next to the gaping hole. I'm serious.
And then, at the alligator exhibit, the alligator decided to walk over to the fence and try to have a snack. He couldn't break it, so he just sat there with his mouth open on the fence. The zookeepers came over with some extra barricade to protect the toddlers who wanted to pet the alligator. Mmm. Alligator.
And then today, as Sean was killing us in the humid air near Buffalo Bayou, the top of our hill had a sign close by saying, "Alligator habitat." He should've told us about that from the get-go - that would for sure get us running faster on the fast interval.
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
I Feel Gross
June and I were going to run this morning. She was to do 3, so I said I'd do 6-8 (starting before her, meeting up with her, and then maybe doing an extra 2 miles if I felt good). While running solo in the beginning (first three miles averaged out a 13-minute pace), I started to feel guilty about not doing my planned long run of 11 miles this weekend. I started to debate against myself whether or not to do it (the main argument against it is tomorrow's Kenyan Night). June joined me, and she decided to make me work hard since I bailed on last night's Kenyan Nights - our first mile was a 10:29, our second was an 11:01, and then our third was 13 and some change (we both got tired). By the time we were done, I figured I'd run two miles out of the park and back to make 10 miles. Well, once I got out of the park, I was feeling great. Not really hurting, not as hot as expected, sort of tired, sort of hungry, but nothing too horrible.
I ran 13 miles total. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I did a really long run (long in the sense that I'm training for a half marathon that's still almost two months away). Unfortunately, I don't feel all that great now because I did none of the preparations for a double-digit run.
I did not:
1) Eat a Hooah or Power Bar before starting (instead I ate a cup of dry cereal).
2) Apply Body Glide (although the chafing is minimal and is around my bra line - I'm wearing a new sports bra anyway).
3) Wear my double-layer socks.
4) Slather my feet with vaseline (although I've had worse blisters)
5) Put Gatorade in my fuel belt.
In fact, the only good things I did do was take two salt packets during the run and have a gu at mile 6.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to soak in the tub and drink Gatorade.
Cheers!
I ran 13 miles total. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I did a really long run (long in the sense that I'm training for a half marathon that's still almost two months away). Unfortunately, I don't feel all that great now because I did none of the preparations for a double-digit run.
I did not:
1) Eat a Hooah or Power Bar before starting (instead I ate a cup of dry cereal).
2) Apply Body Glide (although the chafing is minimal and is around my bra line - I'm wearing a new sports bra anyway).
3) Wear my double-layer socks.
4) Slather my feet with vaseline (although I've had worse blisters)
5) Put Gatorade in my fuel belt.
In fact, the only good things I did do was take two salt packets during the run and have a gu at mile 6.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to soak in the tub and drink Gatorade.
Cheers!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Barbeque, Gym, Movies
No running for me since Saturday's failed attempt. I'm just not that enthused about getting up before dawn and running in the still heat and humidity. Sigh. But I have to get back on the ball this week. Instead, since Saturday, I've been a gym rat, spending 1.5-2 hours a day there.
Movie review!! I saw "The Devil Wears Prada" Friday. The book was much better. Hollywood softened the evilness of Miranda, probably so as to still have favor with the Vogue editor (since it's loosely based on her), but it took away a lot. The ending is different, some of the characters are different. In fact, I'd say that the movie is loosely based on the book.
Last night my family had our traditional 4th of July barbeque, but on the 2nd because my police officer brother-in-law was supposed to work on the 4th, only to find out last night he is actually off on the 4th. But we had the huge Texan-style barbeque (mesquite) and we had enough food to feed 20, but there were only 7 of us. It was actually a very pleasant evening with very pleasant company. And it gave me a great excuse to declutter my bedroom (since my office is finished). Now, both of those rooms look wonderful and I can finally strike those off of my summer "to-do" list. Now if I only have the inspiration to work on my screenplays.
Nothing major today. Kenyan Nights tonight.
Cheers!
Movie review!! I saw "The Devil Wears Prada" Friday. The book was much better. Hollywood softened the evilness of Miranda, probably so as to still have favor with the Vogue editor (since it's loosely based on her), but it took away a lot. The ending is different, some of the characters are different. In fact, I'd say that the movie is loosely based on the book.
Last night my family had our traditional 4th of July barbeque, but on the 2nd because my police officer brother-in-law was supposed to work on the 4th, only to find out last night he is actually off on the 4th. But we had the huge Texan-style barbeque (mesquite) and we had enough food to feed 20, but there were only 7 of us. It was actually a very pleasant evening with very pleasant company. And it gave me a great excuse to declutter my bedroom (since my office is finished). Now, both of those rooms look wonderful and I can finally strike those off of my summer "to-do" list. Now if I only have the inspiration to work on my screenplays.
Nothing major today. Kenyan Nights tonight.
Cheers!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
If At First You Don't Succeed...
Try again tomorrow!
Thursday evening I donated blood and plasma (my sister works for the Blood Center AND I have O+ blood, so she has me donate often). They told me not to run for at least 12 hours. Ok, so I didn't run yesterday. I thought, however, that I could tackle 11 miles today.
Nope. I started at 5am (and when Bill, Emily and Beverly found me they fussed at me for running alone out there), and made it three miles before giving up. I had to meet June, because I was going to join her for her 7 mile, to add to mine, and tell her I felt like crap. I think it was the combination of the massive humidity and the blood loss. So I went back home and went straight back to bed and slept for an extra 3 hours. I'm going to hit the gym later and then tomorrow morning (not at 5, so as to not get yelled at) and try again for 8-11 miles. I e-mailed Christine, because I realized I need to do two 11-12 mile runs while in NY for 10 days, because I cannot get behind! My half-marathon is two months away and I need to get my miles back up, comfortably.
Oh, well. I'll worry about that later. Tomorrow I WILL do 11 miles, although it'll be hot. I will hydrate oodles today.
Oh, and the bright side: my cholesterol was 132! Woo-hoo! My arteries aren't clogging... yet.
Cheers!
Thursday evening I donated blood and plasma (my sister works for the Blood Center AND I have O+ blood, so she has me donate often). They told me not to run for at least 12 hours. Ok, so I didn't run yesterday. I thought, however, that I could tackle 11 miles today.
Nope. I started at 5am (and when Bill, Emily and Beverly found me they fussed at me for running alone out there), and made it three miles before giving up. I had to meet June, because I was going to join her for her 7 mile, to add to mine, and tell her I felt like crap. I think it was the combination of the massive humidity and the blood loss. So I went back home and went straight back to bed and slept for an extra 3 hours. I'm going to hit the gym later and then tomorrow morning (not at 5, so as to not get yelled at) and try again for 8-11 miles. I e-mailed Christine, because I realized I need to do two 11-12 mile runs while in NY for 10 days, because I cannot get behind! My half-marathon is two months away and I need to get my miles back up, comfortably.
Oh, well. I'll worry about that later. Tomorrow I WILL do 11 miles, although it'll be hot. I will hydrate oodles today.
Oh, and the bright side: my cholesterol was 132! Woo-hoo! My arteries aren't clogging... yet.
Cheers!
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