Actor Columbus Short, star of the new Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels' rip-off flick, Armored, was on Wendy "How You Doin'?" Williams tonight and quoted one of my favorite Dave Chappelle lines of all time. IN FACT, just two days ago, I said the exact same line to my Wonderful Boyfriend.
And now, I am going to go Stomp The Yards.
Here is the incredible Dave Chappelle in the classic Killing Them Softly, describing how his racists lawyers have no idea what the hell Dave Chappelle or any non-white person is talking about.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Ask and You Shall Receive
Dear Readers,
As the two of you might remember, on July 21st, I posted about my family's infamous BETA "Kid's Tape" favorite, Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" video and my magnificant inability to name any of the 80s celebs who appeared there-in. Lucky for us, Mom is one of the other readers! Here's her massively informative email (thanks, Mom):
From: Mom
Date: Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Subject: ghostbusters
The "mysterious" celebrities are:
Chevy Chase
Irene Cara, starred in original "Fame" and had a hot career at the time
John Candy
Melissa Gilbert, from "Little House on the Prairie"
Rick James, a funk rock star
Jeffrey Tambor, Al Franken
Danny DeVito
Carly Simon
Peter Falk
Terri Garr
Talk to you later, love, Mom
As the two of you might remember, on July 21st, I posted about my family's infamous BETA "Kid's Tape" favorite, Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" video and my magnificant inability to name any of the 80s celebs who appeared there-in. Lucky for us, Mom is one of the other readers! Here's her massively informative email (thanks, Mom):
From: Mom
Date: Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Subject: ghostbusters
The "mysterious" celebrities are:
Chevy Chase
Irene Cara, starred in original "Fame" and had a hot career at the time
John Candy
Melissa Gilbert, from "Little House on the Prairie"
Rick James, a funk rock star
Jeffrey Tambor, Al Franken
Danny DeVito
Carly Simon
Peter Falk
Terri Garr
Talk to you later, love, Mom
Sunday, November 8, 2009
New York City Opera and Me: Battle Tested
3 weeks ago I started a job at the New York City Opera.
I was hired to help them execute last Thursday's Theater Debut Celebration, a black-tie Gala event that raised $2.5 million dollars to celebrate the re-opening of its theater and re-starting of its season for the first time in 18 months.
1) Listen to NPR's report about the much-anticipated Opening Night.
2) View a video from NY1's society reporter, George Whipple.
3) Read the New York Times' review of the show and check out picture slideshow.
One of the many things I've learned in my 6 years as a professional Event Planner (asides from acquiring the same skills that will help me when hitchhiking across the galaxy: don't panic and always carry a pen) is that I have Situational Awareness, or SA. Which makes sense, since I like to think that when I head into an event, I'm heading into battle. Or, into the air-traffic control tower.
Wikipedia describes SA as:
"the perception of environmental elements within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future. It is also a field of study concerned with perception of the environment critical to decision-makers in complex, dynamic areas from aviation, air traffic control, power plant operations, military command and control — to more ordinary but nevertheless complex tasks such as driving an automobile or motorcycle."
aka "the ace factor"
aka "knowing what is going on so you can figure out what to do"
aka "figuring shit out right quick and getting how to not eff it up"
This gnarly chart from Wikipedia describes, quite accurately, the SA process, for those who love charts!
Basically, when the shit hits the fan, I am cool, calm, and collected. I am a Zen master. I am Michael Clayton. I see my environment in its entirety and understand exactly how my actions will affect it. I have come to understand, respect, and attempt to get paid for this aspect of my personality--which can only be accessed while I am immersed in a deeply stressful environment, like the Opera's Gala last week. I mean, ok, sure, I've never attempted to do my job while being shot at, but I've certainly been deep in the trenches. Of sorts.
My SA-self is kind of funny, especially since it exists inside the same person who, when little life-things go awry (like missing a subway connection or running out of orange juice in the morning), just about looses it. But, put me in charge and under extreme duress and I am the Matrix.
My hope is that one day, I'll be able to remain as cucumber-like with little things and great-big things alike. Until then, I'll try to keep a healthy amount of Tropicana in the fridge and pens in my pocket.
I was hired to help them execute last Thursday's Theater Debut Celebration, a black-tie Gala event that raised $2.5 million dollars to celebrate the re-opening of its theater and re-starting of its season for the first time in 18 months.
1) Listen to NPR's report about the much-anticipated Opening Night.
2) View a video from NY1's society reporter, George Whipple.
3) Read the New York Times' review of the show and check out picture slideshow.
One of the many things I've learned in my 6 years as a professional Event Planner (asides from acquiring the same skills that will help me when hitchhiking across the galaxy: don't panic and always carry a pen) is that I have Situational Awareness, or SA. Which makes sense, since I like to think that when I head into an event, I'm heading into battle. Or, into the air-traffic control tower.
Wikipedia describes SA as:
"the perception of environmental elements within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future. It is also a field of study concerned with perception of the environment critical to decision-makers in complex, dynamic areas from aviation, air traffic control, power plant operations, military command and control — to more ordinary but nevertheless complex tasks such as driving an automobile or motorcycle."
aka "the ace factor"
aka "knowing what is going on so you can figure out what to do"
aka "figuring shit out right quick and getting how to not eff it up"
This gnarly chart from Wikipedia describes, quite accurately, the SA process, for those who love charts!
Basically, when the shit hits the fan, I am cool, calm, and collected. I am a Zen master. I am Michael Clayton. I see my environment in its entirety and understand exactly how my actions will affect it. I have come to understand, respect, and attempt to get paid for this aspect of my personality--which can only be accessed while I am immersed in a deeply stressful environment, like the Opera's Gala last week. I mean, ok, sure, I've never attempted to do my job while being shot at, but I've certainly been deep in the trenches. Of sorts.
My SA-self is kind of funny, especially since it exists inside the same person who, when little life-things go awry (like missing a subway connection or running out of orange juice in the morning), just about looses it. But, put me in charge and under extreme duress and I am the Matrix.
My hope is that one day, I'll be able to remain as cucumber-like with little things and great-big things alike. Until then, I'll try to keep a healthy amount of Tropicana in the fridge and pens in my pocket.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Oh Yeah, Election Day. Whoopsie!
Election results from just over 1.03 million New Yorkers (that's only 1/8th of the 8.3 million New Yorkers!):
WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN projects Independent candidate Michael Bloomberg will be elected to a third term as New York City mayor.
This humble blogger is embarrassed to admit that I was one of the 6.07 million who didn't vote. I overslept and had to run to work. I swear!
Sigh.
I know, I know. That's pathetic. Especially knowing that citizens of other countries put their life in danger just to have the right. Well. Here's to another term, Bloomy!
WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN projects Independent candidate Michael Bloomberg will be elected to a third term as New York City mayor.
This humble blogger is embarrassed to admit that I was one of the 6.07 million who didn't vote. I overslept and had to run to work. I swear!
Sigh.
I know, I know. That's pathetic. Especially knowing that citizens of other countries put their life in danger just to have the right. Well. Here's to another term, Bloomy!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
My Tribute to the NYC Marathon
I am one of 330 million people watching from the comfort of my living room the 2 million New Yorkers lining the streets and cheering the over 42,000 racers in the 40th annual New York City Marathon. In honor of this exciting day, I did as many push-ups as I could (1) and am going to the gym today. Sure, maybe one day I'll be out there myself, cheering on those runners.
In light of today's fesitivies, I can't help but reflect on where I was exactly a year ago and how far I've come (one push-up ain't lookin' so bad right now): I had just spent 5 hours in NYU Medical Center's ER having been treated for an unexpected asthma attack on Halloween. So, in the last year, I have worked hard to make sure I never return to that ER: I joined the gym, I actually go, I finally listened to my primary care doctor and switched inhalers (from my beloved MaxAir to the reliable Advair).
Big strides, one baby step at a time.
In light of today's fesitivies, I can't help but reflect on where I was exactly a year ago and how far I've come (one push-up ain't lookin' so bad right now): I had just spent 5 hours in NYU Medical Center's ER having been treated for an unexpected asthma attack on Halloween. So, in the last year, I have worked hard to make sure I never return to that ER: I joined the gym, I actually go, I finally listened to my primary care doctor and switched inhalers (from my beloved MaxAir to the reliable Advair).
Big strides, one baby step at a time.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
World's Largest Feral Hog: Shot
At work today, I was been asked to cold call some of New York's big game hunters (I ain't talkin' about the ones who try to bag a wealthy Upper East Side widow) in order to garner interest in a lot in our Fall Gala Live Auction, Boar Hunting in Friedrichsruh, Germany. Part of my research included the perusing of Boar Hunting Magazine for possible rich hunters. It was in this fine, fine online publication where I stumbled upon this equally horrifying and fascinating article.
WORLD'S LARGEST FERAL HOG TAKEN
WORLD'S LARGEST FERAL HOG TAKEN
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tea Bag Me, Please!
The guy ahead of me at Starbuck's this morning ordered a "2 bag Awake." I wonder when he realized 1 bag just wouldn't do anymore. Maybe it was the same day irony died.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Kamelya & Co.
This past weekend I visited one of my best friends, Aylin, and her amazingbeautifulsmarthilarioustalented baby, Kamelya.
http://kamelya-ellen.blogspot.com/
http://kamelya-ellen.blogspot.com/
Monday, October 26, 2009
Heroine's Journey, Our Jouney, Nana's Journey
A document from my boyfriend's Nana that we found while unpacking his boxes.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sis Con '09
In July, my sisters and I conveened in Washington State for a week to camp and roadtrip: from Seattle to Spokane to Glacier National Park to Billings, MT.
In 2 days, we hoofed from Seattle to Glacier, picking up sisters, nibbling on cherries, sipping on Buffalo coffee, and reveling in the beautiful mountainscape along the way. After a weekend in Glacier hiking, breathing in the crisp clean (windy) mountain air, smelling the Painted Ladies and Arctic Lillies, playing shadows on million-year-old glacier rocks, and counting shooting stars at night, we headed East out of the Park through the Crow Reservation into the mid-July heat of the flats of Central Montana. By days' end, we arrived in Billings, took in the culture (coughcoughHarryPotter) and laid our heads with fellow travelers at the Louis & Clark Motel. The next morning we said good-bye to one another and the mountains as we hopped flights back to Chicago and New York.
In 2 days, we hoofed from Seattle to Glacier, picking up sisters, nibbling on cherries, sipping on Buffalo coffee, and reveling in the beautiful mountainscape along the way. After a weekend in Glacier hiking, breathing in the crisp clean (windy) mountain air, smelling the Painted Ladies and Arctic Lillies, playing shadows on million-year-old glacier rocks, and counting shooting stars at night, we headed East out of the Park through the Crow Reservation into the mid-July heat of the flats of Central Montana. By days' end, we arrived in Billings, took in the culture (coughcoughHarryPotter) and laid our heads with fellow travelers at the Louis & Clark Motel. The next morning we said good-bye to one another and the mountains as we hopped flights back to Chicago and New York.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Ubiquitous Football Season Post About The Bears of Yesteryear
25 years ago, I had just celebrated my 4th birthday when Walter "Sweetness" Payton flew over the Saints defense to make his 126th straight start and break Jim Brown's record for career rushing yards with 12,400 yards. From last week's Sports Illustrated.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
"Comedy Night" THANK YOU
Last night's Comedy Night at BAMcafe was a rousing success!
We had 346 people in attendance, 5 totally hilarious comics, and hundreds and hundreds of laughs.
For full details, wrap-up, video, and pics please head to:
www.comedynightatbamcafe.tumblr.com
I can't wait to start working on our NEXT show...!
We had 346 people in attendance, 5 totally hilarious comics, and hundreds and hundreds of laughs.
For full details, wrap-up, video, and pics please head to:
www.comedynightatbamcafe.tumblr.com
I can't wait to start working on our NEXT show...!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"Comedy Night" website
Check out the website for the comedy show I'm co-producing at BAM, Saturday, October 10th: www.comedynightatbamcafe.tumblr.com
It's free, it's fun and it's time to laugh!
It's free, it's fun and it's time to laugh!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Welcome to Ferret Town
This was shot on Saturday in Glacier National Park, Montana, on the Hidden Lake hiking trail (which runs along the eastern edge of the Continental Divide). As my sisters and I were scouting a place to stop for lunch, I noticed a flurry of activity just off the path. Closer examination was fruitful and I captured what my extremely-reliable-and-brainy-biologist-older-sister said was a rare moment: a flurry of gutsy juvenile arctic ferrets darting about their burrow system, excitedly waiting for their mom to come home and feed them a vole.
No editing done on video, just a little Beethoven "Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Opus 55" remix.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bustin' Makes Me Feel Good
I was raised in a household that was very technologically advanced for the 80s: we had a BETA machine and an Atari (cable wouldn't show up until 1993). My two sisters and I were not allowed to touch either high-tech device without the immediate physical presence of my dad, and even then, it was always a smarter move to steer clear of poking tiny fingers and pressing buttons in/on said devices, unless we wanted a stern talking to. And by talking to, I mean yelling at.
Mom and Dad neatly filled the bottom drawer of the TV stand with the BETA's smallish tapes which were filled with episodes of Dr. Who, Inspector Clueso, Twilight Zone, and Dad's military shows. There was one tape, however, that didn't contain boring/adultish/stupefying shows and was set aside as the "Kid's Tape." We were allowed to watch it as much as we liked. And we did. Constantly. Thanks to its precious cargo: the network airings of 3 popular music videos.
24 years in the making, here is a countdown of my favorite videos on the "Kid's Tape":
3. Van Halen's "Jump"
For whatever reason, this video didn't make me want to listen to more hair bands, instead it launched my love of spandex and desire to wear zebra jackets. Go fig.
2. Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters"
Neon furniture + Ray Parker, Jr. apparating inappropriately + a hot blonde with teased hair + celebrity lip-syncing. Pretty sure that's the Dogma 95 of 80s music videos. Confession: even tonight as I watch this video I am stumped as to who some of the celebs are and why they were chosen to appear in the video. Where they Second City alums? Former co-stars of Bill Murray? Stars of then-popular TV shows that appeared on the network that aired the video? The answer might as hard to answer as that grey jumpsuit was to put on.
1. Huey Lewis & The News' "I Want A New Drug"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3thtzaEyZg
This song was suck in my head all day long today, but for whatever reason EMI has requested that YouTube disable the embedding device. Yeah, I can see that. Huey Lewis is suffering from way too much over exposure these days...achem.
Mom and Dad neatly filled the bottom drawer of the TV stand with the BETA's smallish tapes which were filled with episodes of Dr. Who, Inspector Clueso, Twilight Zone, and Dad's military shows. There was one tape, however, that didn't contain boring/adultish/stupefying shows and was set aside as the "Kid's Tape." We were allowed to watch it as much as we liked. And we did. Constantly. Thanks to its precious cargo: the network airings of 3 popular music videos.
24 years in the making, here is a countdown of my favorite videos on the "Kid's Tape":
3. Van Halen's "Jump"
For whatever reason, this video didn't make me want to listen to more hair bands, instead it launched my love of spandex and desire to wear zebra jackets. Go fig.
2. Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters"
Neon furniture + Ray Parker, Jr. apparating inappropriately + a hot blonde with teased hair + celebrity lip-syncing. Pretty sure that's the Dogma 95 of 80s music videos. Confession: even tonight as I watch this video I am stumped as to who some of the celebs are and why they were chosen to appear in the video. Where they Second City alums? Former co-stars of Bill Murray? Stars of then-popular TV shows that appeared on the network that aired the video? The answer might as hard to answer as that grey jumpsuit was to put on.
1. Huey Lewis & The News' "I Want A New Drug"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3thtzaEyZg
This song was suck in my head all day long today, but for whatever reason EMI has requested that YouTube disable the embedding device. Yeah, I can see that. Huey Lewis is suffering from way too much over exposure these days...achem.
http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.Nsf/lnames-nf/Lewis+Huey
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