Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Opening Night
Last night, I attended Shakespeare in the Park's opening night performance of "Winter's Tale," to see my wonderful boyfriend, Happy, as the Mariner. The show is truly magical, and I was moved to tears by the sheer beauty and power of the ending.
Everything was incredible; from the staging to the music to the astonishing performances from the likes of Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Linda Emond, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Jesse L. Martin, and the brilliant comedic timing of Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Max Wright (the Dad from Alf!).
The company is doing rep and their other show is "Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino. OMG.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/29/arts/1247468150463/the-merchant-of-venice.html
Everything was incredible; from the staging to the music to the astonishing performances from the likes of Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Linda Emond, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Jesse L. Martin, and the brilliant comedic timing of Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Max Wright (the Dad from Alf!).
The company is doing rep and their other show is "Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino. OMG.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/29/arts/1247468150463/the-merchant-of-venice.html
Monday, June 28, 2010
Where the...?
Sorry for the long absence. It's summer now. Thank God, we made it.
I made myself so busy and got through the darkest, rainiest months of Spring: We moved into an awesome new apartment; I helped organize the white-tie Spring Waltz for City Opera; We adopted the most beautiful and hilarious Russian Blue kitty and named him after country music legend Waylon Jennings; I met Al Pacino; I started teaching improv classes at The PIT; I "won" a trip to Cancun.
The summer just officially began and already it's packed to the brim with classes, shows, showcases, rehearsals, working part-time for Jewish Partisans, anniversaries, a temporary gym membership, more Al Pacino, wonderful visits from Happy's family, making videos, working in the Hamptons again, and the eager anticipation of the newest member of the Griffiths-DeChant clan. When will He/She arrive? And, how quickly will Boy/Girl think I am my twin sister, Her/Him's mommy?
So many questions to be answered...and so many cat videos to be posted...
I made myself so busy and got through the darkest, rainiest months of Spring: We moved into an awesome new apartment; I helped organize the white-tie Spring Waltz for City Opera; We adopted the most beautiful and hilarious Russian Blue kitty and named him after country music legend Waylon Jennings; I met Al Pacino; I started teaching improv classes at The PIT; I "won" a trip to Cancun.
The summer just officially began and already it's packed to the brim with classes, shows, showcases, rehearsals, working part-time for Jewish Partisans, anniversaries, a temporary gym membership, more Al Pacino, wonderful visits from Happy's family, making videos, working in the Hamptons again, and the eager anticipation of the newest member of the Griffiths-DeChant clan. When will He/She arrive? And, how quickly will Boy/Girl think I am my twin sister, Her/Him's mommy?
So many questions to be answered...and so many cat videos to be posted...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
And He Was
Last night, some Baldwins and I were sitting around trading New York celebrity run-in stories when Griggs www.chrisgriggscomedy.com suggested that I share my story with the interwebs. So, here goes...
The summer I moved to New York, I scored a part-time job working at the box office at Joe's Pub, one of the city's best music venues (see blog post July 2007). The Pub got a lot of famous people coming to see shows, but one run-in is particularly memorable to me.
One night, the wonderful Brazilian musician Bebel Gilberto was performing. And who should walk into the box office in hopes of catching the show, but champion and lover of Brazilian music, David Byrne!
Now, I love the Talking Heads, so this was very exciting for me. But, David Bryne is a liiiiittle jarring to meet in person. His is already very tall frame was accentuated by his spiky, bright white hair (that he freed once he removed his 80s bike helmet), an all-white shirt, all-white shorts, all-white socks pulled up to his calves, and all-white sneakers.
He awkwardly floated towards the counter and in his soft rhythmic way, asked for a ticket. I happily told him that he could go right in, compliments of the house. He expressed his gratitude, but insisted on paying for his ticket. After a little back and forth, I told him of course I would sell him a ticket.
But, as reached his hand into the pocket of his bike shorts to retrieve his money, his hand got stuck. So, he tugged harder to release his trapped appendag and suddenly, the pocket loosened its grip, his hand gave way, and hundred dollar bills and pennies came flying across the counter at me. Embarrassed, David Byrne leaped to the floor to begin picking up the scattered cash. I joined him on the ground, but he immediately handed me a crumpled hundred, so I made change and handed him his ticket.
Then, he stole into the show.
The End
The summer I moved to New York, I scored a part-time job working at the box office at Joe's Pub, one of the city's best music venues (see blog post July 2007). The Pub got a lot of famous people coming to see shows, but one run-in is particularly memorable to me.
One night, the wonderful Brazilian musician Bebel Gilberto was performing. And who should walk into the box office in hopes of catching the show, but champion and lover of Brazilian music, David Byrne!
Now, I love the Talking Heads, so this was very exciting for me. But, David Bryne is a liiiiittle jarring to meet in person. His is already very tall frame was accentuated by his spiky, bright white hair (that he freed once he removed his 80s bike helmet), an all-white shirt, all-white shorts, all-white socks pulled up to his calves, and all-white sneakers.
He awkwardly floated towards the counter and in his soft rhythmic way, asked for a ticket. I happily told him that he could go right in, compliments of the house. He expressed his gratitude, but insisted on paying for his ticket. After a little back and forth, I told him of course I would sell him a ticket.
But, as reached his hand into the pocket of his bike shorts to retrieve his money, his hand got stuck. So, he tugged harder to release his trapped appendag and suddenly, the pocket loosened its grip, his hand gave way, and hundred dollar bills and pennies came flying across the counter at me. Embarrassed, David Byrne leaped to the floor to begin picking up the scattered cash. I joined him on the ground, but he immediately handed me a crumpled hundred, so I made change and handed him his ticket.
Then, he stole into the show.
The End
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pre-Super Bowl Wii Boxing: An Amazing Match-Up
Happy (33 years old) vs. Thomas (7 years old).
A room full of people are laughing hysterically, while James (off-screen) warns, "Watch the mantle, watch the mantle!"
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Zip It Up and Zip It Out
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.
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.
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 (including: don't panic, carry a pen, and eat something...anything, really) is that I have Situational Awareness. Which makes sense since heading into an event feels on par to heading into battle.
Wikipedia describes Situational Awareness 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 "the 'You can be my wingman anytime,' factor"
Someone even dorkier than me made a chart which describes, quite accurately I suppose, the SA process. I love charts!
Situational Awareness allows one to see their environment in its entirety and understand exactly how their actions will affect it. Although, this aspect of one's personality can only be accessed while they are immersed in a deeply stressful environment.
Like when I shoot bad guys in war or operate the air traffic control tower...or hold a guest list.
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 (including: don't panic, carry a pen, and eat something...anything, really) is that I have Situational Awareness. Which makes sense since heading into an event feels on par to heading into battle.
Wikipedia describes Situational Awareness 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 "the 'You can be my wingman anytime,' factor"
Someone even dorkier than me made a chart which describes, quite accurately I suppose, the SA process. I love charts!
Situational Awareness allows one to see their environment in its entirety and understand exactly how their actions will affect it. Although, this aspect of one's personality can only be accessed while they are immersed in a deeply stressful environment.
Like when I shoot bad guys in war or operate the air traffic control tower...or hold a guest list
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.
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