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!