Bench Buddy asked me to DJ the hip hop portion of his loft party last night, as I have a fairly decent and deep collection of hip hop on l'Ipod. DJ-ing this party was extremely gratifying because when I played obscure stuff it did not fall upon deaf ears. It fell upon mainly deaf ears, but it was appreciated by a few, which is really all you can ask for.
Sadly, I did not have time to play "Drop It Like It's Hot" even once!!!
But I did get to dance all night in a loft in New York City to obscure hip hop selected by me.
I am madly in love with New York right now.
Sung to the tune of "Happiness" from the Peanuts:
Happiness is
Hip hop dance parties,
Seeing the Pixies,
Writing your blog.
Happiness is
Having quarters,
Fuzzy pink mittens,
And a Bendy Snoop Dogg!
Happiness is
Drinking Hawaiian Punch with Vodka,
And Happiness is
A cute boy in your bed.
Happiness is
Finished shopping,
All-night talking,
And not worrying...
Happiness is
Going home and
Seeing your family
While missing New York!
Happiness is
Knowing you've found where you're supposed to be...
And happiness is
Apparently ok with me.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
The Pixies: a Review (or Adult Rock Show)
My ears are ringing right now but I don't particularly care, because wow.
My friend BL from Boston wrote me two weeks ago and said "I thought of you at The Pixies because it was an adult rock show." She was right. The average age of the people at the show was 35. And we rocked, but in a very polite, non-pushy, non-teenager sort of way.
This show was a religious experience.
Wow.
Yeah.
We were lacking words afterwards because wow.
Legends.
Flawless.
Amazing.
Perfect.
My only complaint is that, similar to the They Might Be Giants show, I literally couldn't see a thing. Every so often I'd see Frank Black's bald head floating around, but other than that, I saw the drummer twice. I wondered why they don't just build the stage a few feet higher.
They played everything. It is remarkable when a band can play a long set and not play any songs you don't like. Again, perfect.
Wow.
I am wondering if this show is the best show I've seen. Or, more appropriately, the best show I've ever heard. I think if I'd been able to see, I'd put it at number 1. But you have to consider the entire experience when making this sort of statement.
It's much easier to pick the five worst shows you've ever seen than the five best, but if I had to pick my five best right this minute they would be:
1. Radiohead at the Tweeter Center (8/03) (also a religious, literally life-changing experience)
2. The Pixies at Hammerstein Ballroom (12/04)
3. Blur at Avalon (7/03)
4. Jay Z at the Worcester Palladium (9/01) (right after 9/11, therefore a memorable and intense experience but also just flawless hip hop)
5. Jump, Little Children at the Paradise (5/01)
I'm not sure about 5. I can't remember which Jump, Little Children show was the show where they performed "Where She Lies" without amplification. But that show was amazing. Outkast was also amazing at Smokin Grooves in summer '02, as was Eminem that summer at Anger Management. And LL Cool J was amazing at Avalon, as was Aimee Mann. And Travis. And others. And the first J5 show I saw at Lupo's was phenomenol as well. And Sunny Day Real Estate at Axis in '99. They were awesome. That could be 5 depending on which day you ask me, as could Incubus in September '01. Hmmm... and Ben Folds always puts on a good show.
Best show I didn't see was Elliott Smith at Avalon. Not attending is on my list of biggest regrets in life.
And the 5 Worst Shows (not in order, because they were just terrible and you can't quantitate bad as accurately):
1. Smashing Pumpkins (college - don't remember when? Mo?)
2. Death Cab For Cutie (summer '04)
3. Pinback (10/04)
4. Liz Phair (2003 at some point)
5. Grandaddy (no idea when)
My ears are ringing.
Ringing ears are a sign of fun had.
Wow.
My friend BL from Boston wrote me two weeks ago and said "I thought of you at The Pixies because it was an adult rock show." She was right. The average age of the people at the show was 35. And we rocked, but in a very polite, non-pushy, non-teenager sort of way.
This show was a religious experience.
Wow.
Yeah.
We were lacking words afterwards because wow.
Legends.
Flawless.
Amazing.
Perfect.
My only complaint is that, similar to the They Might Be Giants show, I literally couldn't see a thing. Every so often I'd see Frank Black's bald head floating around, but other than that, I saw the drummer twice. I wondered why they don't just build the stage a few feet higher.
They played everything. It is remarkable when a band can play a long set and not play any songs you don't like. Again, perfect.
Wow.
I am wondering if this show is the best show I've seen. Or, more appropriately, the best show I've ever heard. I think if I'd been able to see, I'd put it at number 1. But you have to consider the entire experience when making this sort of statement.
It's much easier to pick the five worst shows you've ever seen than the five best, but if I had to pick my five best right this minute they would be:
1. Radiohead at the Tweeter Center (8/03) (also a religious, literally life-changing experience)
2. The Pixies at Hammerstein Ballroom (12/04)
3. Blur at Avalon (7/03)
4. Jay Z at the Worcester Palladium (9/01) (right after 9/11, therefore a memorable and intense experience but also just flawless hip hop)
5. Jump, Little Children at the Paradise (5/01)
I'm not sure about 5. I can't remember which Jump, Little Children show was the show where they performed "Where She Lies" without amplification. But that show was amazing. Outkast was also amazing at Smokin Grooves in summer '02, as was Eminem that summer at Anger Management. And LL Cool J was amazing at Avalon, as was Aimee Mann. And Travis. And others. And the first J5 show I saw at Lupo's was phenomenol as well. And Sunny Day Real Estate at Axis in '99. They were awesome. That could be 5 depending on which day you ask me, as could Incubus in September '01. Hmmm... and Ben Folds always puts on a good show.
Best show I didn't see was Elliott Smith at Avalon. Not attending is on my list of biggest regrets in life.
And the 5 Worst Shows (not in order, because they were just terrible and you can't quantitate bad as accurately):
1. Smashing Pumpkins (college - don't remember when? Mo?)
2. Death Cab For Cutie (summer '04)
3. Pinback (10/04)
4. Liz Phair (2003 at some point)
5. Grandaddy (no idea when)
My ears are ringing.
Ringing ears are a sign of fun had.
Wow.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Chocolate Martini
Apparently drinking chocolate martinis is a bad idea when you'd like to sleep after drinking them.
But they taste really good.
Right now I am on hold with my health insurance company in order to inform them that I did not ever receive a cleaning at that god awful dentist's office near Times Square. It pains me that my insurance company gave them $65 for a cleaning I never had.
Yesterday was a good day. My mother's cousin P is in the restaurant business and is, bizarrely enough, involved in the opening of a bunch of Anna's-like-restaurants in NYC! He invited me and some friends to a free preview event at their newest location yesterday. Eating that burrito for lunch was bliss. It was as good as Anna's! And free! And the even better news is that they're opening one a block away from my company!!! Free burritos! All the time!!! AHHHH!!!!!
He met us out last night for drinks, which was lovely. P bears a striking resemblance to my mother's mother and aunts. It felt nice to look at something so familiar. It's also nice, at a time when my family is going through something very sad, to be able to share my feelings with someone who understands.
The operator just told me that they will have to call me back due to high call volume. How frustrating.
I didn't really sleep last night. It was probably because of chocolate martinis and family and happiness and sadness and Christmas presents in the mail and dentists and those lovely 8th-grade butterflies again. I feel like ass today, which is unfortunate because today is the departmental lunch at a fancy secret location, not to mention Bench Buddy's indie rock listening / hip hop dance party is this evening. I am responsible for the hip hop dance party portion of the festivities. I will be playing Drop It Like It's Hot on repeat. Hopefully I'll have time for playlist-making and napping tonight before I head to his loft, and hopefully my stomach will be appeased by whatever secret food I'll be eating within the next hour.
I am going to spend some quality time with my lab notebook now before we embark on our secret journey.
Until next time...
But they taste really good.
Right now I am on hold with my health insurance company in order to inform them that I did not ever receive a cleaning at that god awful dentist's office near Times Square. It pains me that my insurance company gave them $65 for a cleaning I never had.
Yesterday was a good day. My mother's cousin P is in the restaurant business and is, bizarrely enough, involved in the opening of a bunch of Anna's-like-restaurants in NYC! He invited me and some friends to a free preview event at their newest location yesterday. Eating that burrito for lunch was bliss. It was as good as Anna's! And free! And the even better news is that they're opening one a block away from my company!!! Free burritos! All the time!!! AHHHH!!!!!
He met us out last night for drinks, which was lovely. P bears a striking resemblance to my mother's mother and aunts. It felt nice to look at something so familiar. It's also nice, at a time when my family is going through something very sad, to be able to share my feelings with someone who understands.
The operator just told me that they will have to call me back due to high call volume. How frustrating.
I didn't really sleep last night. It was probably because of chocolate martinis and family and happiness and sadness and Christmas presents in the mail and dentists and those lovely 8th-grade butterflies again. I feel like ass today, which is unfortunate because today is the departmental lunch at a fancy secret location, not to mention Bench Buddy's indie rock listening / hip hop dance party is this evening. I am responsible for the hip hop dance party portion of the festivities. I will be playing Drop It Like It's Hot on repeat. Hopefully I'll have time for playlist-making and napping tonight before I head to his loft, and hopefully my stomach will be appeased by whatever secret food I'll be eating within the next hour.
I am going to spend some quality time with my lab notebook now before we embark on our secret journey.
Until next time...
Thursday, December 16, 2004
W
I've been listening to the "W" songs on my IPod this week. There are a lot of them. And they are, for the most part, really good songs. Much better than a random sampling of shuffled songs on my IPod. Maybe alphabetical is the way to go. I am thinking of staging a competition between all of the letters. It would be interesting. I think "W" has a good chance of Winning.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Obligatory Snoop Dogg Post Of The Week
Last night at the holiday party there was a spurt of time during which songs such as "Brown Eyed Girl" and "December '63" or "Oh, What A Night!" or whatever that god awful song is called were being played. Needless to say I immediately slipped into a snobby mood and exclaimed "What is this guy doing?!?!"
Bench Buddy said "It's as though he can only play a good song every third song. He's going between dance hall and bad wedding without remorse!"
I said "I am going to request some hip hop."
Bench Buddy said "Since the odds of him playing indie pop are pretty slim, I think that's a great idea."
I ran up the stairs and basically ran into the DJ booth and said "So... what do I have to do to get you to play 'Drop It Like It's Hot?'"
He started at me and said, slowly, "Thank you."
"What?"
"Thank you. You have no idea how big the aching in my soul has gotten having to play this music."
Awshummmm.
I then asked him if he could follow it with "Nuthin But A G Thang" and then "Hypnotize," but he was convinced the crowd wouldn't be able to deal.
So he played one verse of "Drop It Like It's Hot" about two hours after my request was made and after I'd been dropped on my face.
Apparently it is 23 degrees outside right now. Might be time for the winter hat. Which reminds me that I should probably go to work.
Until next time...
Bench Buddy said "It's as though he can only play a good song every third song. He's going between dance hall and bad wedding without remorse!"
I said "I am going to request some hip hop."
Bench Buddy said "Since the odds of him playing indie pop are pretty slim, I think that's a great idea."
I ran up the stairs and basically ran into the DJ booth and said "So... what do I have to do to get you to play 'Drop It Like It's Hot?'"
He started at me and said, slowly, "Thank you."
"What?"
"Thank you. You have no idea how big the aching in my soul has gotten having to play this music."
Awshummmm.
I then asked him if he could follow it with "Nuthin But A G Thang" and then "Hypnotize," but he was convinced the crowd wouldn't be able to deal.
So he played one verse of "Drop It Like It's Hot" about two hours after my request was made and after I'd been dropped on my face.
Apparently it is 23 degrees outside right now. Might be time for the winter hat. Which reminds me that I should probably go to work.
Until next time...
Bless You, Holiday Party
Tee hee. The butterflies were reciprocated at the holiday party.
Also at the holiday party was drunken R again, who slurred things such as "Yerrrr the bessssht.... yerrrr the coolessst person at the companeee.... man, yerrrr my bessssht friend...."
He was also grabbing girls and twirling them around and grinding on whoever was around.
When you're my size, oftentimes people feel the compulsion to pick you up off of the ground. Which wouldn't be a bad thing if I didn't have this totally neurotic fear of being lifted off the ground. I'm not sure from where it stems. I just hate being picked up - I feel really helpless, and god forbid if someone tilts me upside down. Total freak out.
The first time R picked me up tonight he picked me up wedding-day-over-the-threshold style and spun me around. I, of course, thought I was going to die. Luckily he stopped before I died, but not before my shirt was basically lifted up over my head, which was awsshummmm because I was bra-less. Mortified. I don't think anyone saw, and if they did, they were too drunk to remember.
The second time R picked me up tonight he tried the same maneuver, except this time it was about an hour and therefore four more drinks or shots or whatever later. He started spinning me around, but my head was tilted towards the ground - I was like "Dude, fucking STOP!" and he was just out of control with the spinning, and unable to control his body, which resulted in his dropping me, face first, onto the ground.
The whole scene was in slow motion. I was scared from the start, because somehow I knew the ending would not be pretty. I basically dropped (or was thrown, actually) a few feet and slammed my jaw on the ground, which then slammed upwards in my mouth. Luckily I didn't lose any teeth, which I could have. But man. The drop was at such a fierce velocity that I couldn't even get up afterwards.
I sort of sat there, dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. Because I couldn't get up, I didn't punch R in the face.
I'm sitting there, and people run over and are like "Oh my god!" "Are you alright?" "What happened?" etc.
I was like "I am going to fucking kill R" and then "Oh man, my chin hurts..."
M said "Here's my drink - its cold - why don't you put it on your chin," so I did.
Then this woman comes rushing over and takes the drink out of my hand and says "No more drinking for you!"
And I was like "EXCUSE ME!??!"
She said "I saw what just happened" and is literally trying to pull the drink out of my hand but I won't let her "And you are CUT OFF!"
I was like "You listen to me..."
And she's like "NO, YOU listen to me... you're totally drunk... I am the VP of *** and I know what's going on..."
And I was like "Clearly you don't, and you listen to ME, because that drink isn't even mine and I am completely sober and that drunk asshole over there just picked me up and dropped me on my head, and I was using that drink, provided to me kindly by M, to ice my chin, which is in massive amounts of pain."
VP of *** kissed my ass all night, as did R, who felt really really bad and kept saying "Leah, you know how much I lufffff you and you know I'd never hurt you cuz yer the besssssssht....."
I'd never had the thought "I would exchange my left arm for an ice pack" before tonight.
My chin is awesomely swollen right now.
I had ice cubes on it all night. It was a million degrees in the club so they melted instantly all over my purple pants.
But I don't really care, because Source Of Butterflies came over having missed the entire scene and said "You still look beautiful" and smiled awkwardly and made it all better.
Karma got R, though. After the company party we headed to an after party at some stupid bar that didn't have karaoke, because the karaoke plan got squashed due to various drama, people not showing, and my chin being my priority. R was sad about this, and upon arriving at the after party bar, said to the bouncer "So... like.... can we sing Bon Jovi here?" except somehow managed to slur it and offend the bouncer in the process. The bouncer said "He can't come in," and we were all "Why?" and he said "I am making a judgment call," assumingly based on his sobriety, but really he was just being snotty because R said something about karaoke, which apparently isn't cool enough.
We were outside for a while trying to decide what to do - ditch R and hang out with the rest of the crew - or take off and do karaoke somewhere else. While this was happening, A came out and said to R "Dude, how long have you lived in this city?" and R said "Two years." A said "Haven't you learned not to ask stupid questions like that? You deserve it!" and then marched away all high and mighty.
I wish I'd said "Haven't YOU learned not to go to snotty bars where bouncers flag people for arbitrary things?"
What a stupid poser lame ass thing to do.
Some woman from work took care of things (this drama went on for about half an hour, during which some of us just went inside, others rotated to hang out with R outside, etc.) by telling the bouncer that R was her boss and a very important VP. Who has a mohawk. Heh. R had to drink water for the remainder of the evening. (I think right now he and 50 other people are eating pancakes, but I didn't want any. Well, I want (ed) some but it didn't seem like a good idea. Now I really wish I'd had some. I thought I was tired, but again - the caffeine, alcohol and butterflies have gotten the best of me!)
Then we were all together and it was lovely, and I wasn't at all mad at R because I felt very sorry for his being flagged. I felt like it was us against the man! Or, us against snotty karaoke-haters.
Stupid bar.
Other than the chin fiasco and the lovely bruise it will leave on my face, the holiday party was great fun. Lots of dancing. Fabulous food this time. Cute boys from the New Jersey facility. Converse instead of pink boots because you can't be cold and have feet in agony at the same time - only one ridiculous clothes item per outing, so the tank top won over the boots. It didn't matter.
Things worked out exactly as I'd hoped without the pink boots. My horoscope today said "Don't be surprised if today actually turns out to be the red letter day you're hoping for." I thought "Not me, nope, no siree!!! There's no way life will let me have the day I am hoping for today," but, even without pink boots, I got it.
Tee hee.
Also at the holiday party was drunken R again, who slurred things such as "Yerrrr the bessssht.... yerrrr the coolessst person at the companeee.... man, yerrrr my bessssht friend...."
He was also grabbing girls and twirling them around and grinding on whoever was around.
When you're my size, oftentimes people feel the compulsion to pick you up off of the ground. Which wouldn't be a bad thing if I didn't have this totally neurotic fear of being lifted off the ground. I'm not sure from where it stems. I just hate being picked up - I feel really helpless, and god forbid if someone tilts me upside down. Total freak out.
The first time R picked me up tonight he picked me up wedding-day-over-the-threshold style and spun me around. I, of course, thought I was going to die. Luckily he stopped before I died, but not before my shirt was basically lifted up over my head, which was awsshummmm because I was bra-less. Mortified. I don't think anyone saw, and if they did, they were too drunk to remember.
The second time R picked me up tonight he tried the same maneuver, except this time it was about an hour and therefore four more drinks or shots or whatever later. He started spinning me around, but my head was tilted towards the ground - I was like "Dude, fucking STOP!" and he was just out of control with the spinning, and unable to control his body, which resulted in his dropping me, face first, onto the ground.
The whole scene was in slow motion. I was scared from the start, because somehow I knew the ending would not be pretty. I basically dropped (or was thrown, actually) a few feet and slammed my jaw on the ground, which then slammed upwards in my mouth. Luckily I didn't lose any teeth, which I could have. But man. The drop was at such a fierce velocity that I couldn't even get up afterwards.
I sort of sat there, dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. Because I couldn't get up, I didn't punch R in the face.
I'm sitting there, and people run over and are like "Oh my god!" "Are you alright?" "What happened?" etc.
I was like "I am going to fucking kill R" and then "Oh man, my chin hurts..."
M said "Here's my drink - its cold - why don't you put it on your chin," so I did.
Then this woman comes rushing over and takes the drink out of my hand and says "No more drinking for you!"
And I was like "EXCUSE ME!??!"
She said "I saw what just happened" and is literally trying to pull the drink out of my hand but I won't let her "And you are CUT OFF!"
I was like "You listen to me..."
And she's like "NO, YOU listen to me... you're totally drunk... I am the VP of *** and I know what's going on..."
And I was like "Clearly you don't, and you listen to ME, because that drink isn't even mine and I am completely sober and that drunk asshole over there just picked me up and dropped me on my head, and I was using that drink, provided to me kindly by M, to ice my chin, which is in massive amounts of pain."
VP of *** kissed my ass all night, as did R, who felt really really bad and kept saying "Leah, you know how much I lufffff you and you know I'd never hurt you cuz yer the besssssssht....."
I'd never had the thought "I would exchange my left arm for an ice pack" before tonight.
My chin is awesomely swollen right now.
I had ice cubes on it all night. It was a million degrees in the club so they melted instantly all over my purple pants.
But I don't really care, because Source Of Butterflies came over having missed the entire scene and said "You still look beautiful" and smiled awkwardly and made it all better.
Karma got R, though. After the company party we headed to an after party at some stupid bar that didn't have karaoke, because the karaoke plan got squashed due to various drama, people not showing, and my chin being my priority. R was sad about this, and upon arriving at the after party bar, said to the bouncer "So... like.... can we sing Bon Jovi here?" except somehow managed to slur it and offend the bouncer in the process. The bouncer said "He can't come in," and we were all "Why?" and he said "I am making a judgment call," assumingly based on his sobriety, but really he was just being snotty because R said something about karaoke, which apparently isn't cool enough.
We were outside for a while trying to decide what to do - ditch R and hang out with the rest of the crew - or take off and do karaoke somewhere else. While this was happening, A came out and said to R "Dude, how long have you lived in this city?" and R said "Two years." A said "Haven't you learned not to ask stupid questions like that? You deserve it!" and then marched away all high and mighty.
I wish I'd said "Haven't YOU learned not to go to snotty bars where bouncers flag people for arbitrary things?"
What a stupid poser lame ass thing to do.
Some woman from work took care of things (this drama went on for about half an hour, during which some of us just went inside, others rotated to hang out with R outside, etc.) by telling the bouncer that R was her boss and a very important VP. Who has a mohawk. Heh. R had to drink water for the remainder of the evening. (I think right now he and 50 other people are eating pancakes, but I didn't want any. Well, I want (ed) some but it didn't seem like a good idea. Now I really wish I'd had some. I thought I was tired, but again - the caffeine, alcohol and butterflies have gotten the best of me!)
Then we were all together and it was lovely, and I wasn't at all mad at R because I felt very sorry for his being flagged. I felt like it was us against the man! Or, us against snotty karaoke-haters.
Stupid bar.
Other than the chin fiasco and the lovely bruise it will leave on my face, the holiday party was great fun. Lots of dancing. Fabulous food this time. Cute boys from the New Jersey facility. Converse instead of pink boots because you can't be cold and have feet in agony at the same time - only one ridiculous clothes item per outing, so the tank top won over the boots. It didn't matter.
Things worked out exactly as I'd hoped without the pink boots. My horoscope today said "Don't be surprised if today actually turns out to be the red letter day you're hoping for." I thought "Not me, nope, no siree!!! There's no way life will let me have the day I am hoping for today," but, even without pink boots, I got it.
Tee hee.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
If You'd Told Me Ten Years Ago....
... that I'd be meeting a friend from high school for dinner in New York City, during which we'd discuss her having just received a verbal offer from a major record label to do A & R, I'd have thought you were completely insane.
But I did just this last night! My friend N from high school, who lies on the correct side of the gay marriange debate, was in town yesterday for a job interview. I haven't seen N in over a year and a half, so I was thrilled to not only see her but to celebrate with her!
Barring any paperwork or political fiascos, N will have one of the coolest jobs on the planet. Her job will be to listen to music. She will have the ability to change the lives of artists and to change all of our lives by discovering the next big thing.
It was lovely to see her, and to see just how far we've both come. We talked a lot about how many of the people we attended high school with are in my home town, drinking at the only bar in town with people they've known for a million years, making babies with each other, living a life of familiarity and comfort. There's nothing wrong with babies and houses and security and lawns and living a block from your parents.
It would, however, be entirely wrong for me, and I wonder why, given the same upbringing as these people, I chose a life so different from their lives, from my parents' lives, from the rural suburban dream. Granted, I just left my comfort zone of Boston, but I left. I wonder if it ever occurred to the kids from my graduating class to leave. Did they want to and just couldn't? Or did they stay because they really didn't want anything else?
I guess its just hard to shake the suburban dream. Like I said, if you told me when I was 15 that I'd be working in New York City, I probably would have collapsed into a fit of anxiety. Back then, Boston was too large to comprehend.
And now I am hanging out in NYC with old friends. We're so different now in our city clothes and better hair. We still talk about music but its different now because we're in it. We no longer look at it, and the rest of life, from a distance. I am so psyched I triumped over my suburban upbringing!!! But, I do miss trees and soft surfaces.
Nevertheless, being a grownup rules. As does hanging out with N.
Trivia question: Does anyone who isn't N, without looking it up, know what A & R stands for? I thought I knew, but apparently never did, because when she told me it was completely and utterly foreign.
But I did just this last night! My friend N from high school, who lies on the correct side of the gay marriange debate, was in town yesterday for a job interview. I haven't seen N in over a year and a half, so I was thrilled to not only see her but to celebrate with her!
Barring any paperwork or political fiascos, N will have one of the coolest jobs on the planet. Her job will be to listen to music. She will have the ability to change the lives of artists and to change all of our lives by discovering the next big thing.
It was lovely to see her, and to see just how far we've both come. We talked a lot about how many of the people we attended high school with are in my home town, drinking at the only bar in town with people they've known for a million years, making babies with each other, living a life of familiarity and comfort. There's nothing wrong with babies and houses and security and lawns and living a block from your parents.
It would, however, be entirely wrong for me, and I wonder why, given the same upbringing as these people, I chose a life so different from their lives, from my parents' lives, from the rural suburban dream. Granted, I just left my comfort zone of Boston, but I left. I wonder if it ever occurred to the kids from my graduating class to leave. Did they want to and just couldn't? Or did they stay because they really didn't want anything else?
I guess its just hard to shake the suburban dream. Like I said, if you told me when I was 15 that I'd be working in New York City, I probably would have collapsed into a fit of anxiety. Back then, Boston was too large to comprehend.
And now I am hanging out in NYC with old friends. We're so different now in our city clothes and better hair. We still talk about music but its different now because we're in it. We no longer look at it, and the rest of life, from a distance. I am so psyched I triumped over my suburban upbringing!!! But, I do miss trees and soft surfaces.
Nevertheless, being a grownup rules. As does hanging out with N.
Trivia question: Does anyone who isn't N, without looking it up, know what A & R stands for? I thought I knew, but apparently never did, because when she told me it was completely and utterly foreign.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The trailer has been released!!!!!! Johnny Depp's face looks weird.
http://chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com/#
Good luck getting "Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka...." out of your head.
http://chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com/#
Good luck getting "Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka...." out of your head.
Monday, December 13, 2004
$10 Boots
Had a lovely weekend with M and A, who came down to NY all the way from Worcester for yet another fabulous weekend!
We started off having the best bagels in the world, which happen to be in Williamsburg. I won't even attempt to describe the cream cheese, because I won't do it justice.
We then went to the island to see People Are Wrong, a new musical starring John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, who M would most likely stalk if given the opportunity. It was playing at the same theater at which Avenue Q originally debuted. It's about a couple who relocates from the big city to the country. They want to start a garden in their yard because their wedding will be hosted at their new home. Because they are city people, they have absolutely no idea how to garden (they probably don't know what a Cuisinart is, either!), so they hire a local company to help them. The company, as it turns out, is a cult, headed by a dude with a ponytail who thinks he's from outerspace. After receiving a vision from space, the cult leader decides to use the money from the city people to build a space ship in their garden to send him back to his home dimension.
Yeah.
It was awesome. It appeals to a particular sense of humor, but if you have that sense of humor, you'll love it. The talent level was impressive, and it was great to laugh consistently throughout the entire show. It was also just nice to be at a musical. It's been a long time. M and I decided that if we were rich we'd go to musicals and plays all the time. And shop lots. She said "I'd get bored with the shopping." I never would. Not here, anyway.
Afterwards, we found a fantastic Italian restaurant south of Union Square where M ordered a special that, unbeknownst to her, contained caviar. Luckily it didn't cost an obscene amount of money. I got risotto with peas and artichokes. Yum. And then we had dessert. Also yum.
We then headed uptown and battled the tourists for a glimpse of the tree in Rockefeller Center, which was quite beautiful and extremely romantic and apparently not a disappointment. Seeing it made me feel like a tourist. I think I felt that way because it was very romantic, and very New York, and I had that feeling of awe that I experience only in response to New York City. It's nice to know I can still feel it. I'm sure I'll feel that way again in Central Park this summer. Ah, New York.
On Sunday we had breakfast at Relish, where I ordered french toast and onion rings, because Relish has the second-best onion rings in the world. It is nice to live walking distance from the second-best onion rings in the world. I also live walking distance from the world's best bagels, and the world's second-best creme brulee. Instead of talking about shoes at breakfast, we discussed glasses for like half an hour. A is so patient with us. I am so happy that M found A.
We then headed back to the island for some shopping and shoe-gazing in SoHo. On our way from SoHo to Union Square, there was a man on the street shouting "$5 shoes! $10 boots!" It was some sketchy weird outlet-y place with random clothes thrown about and tons of strange shoes. I found a pair of snakeskin-ish pinkish purple knee high boots for $10!!! $10 for tall boots!!!! I had to have them after A gave me his approval, because A's approving of anything shoe-related is noteworthy. They don't quite fit and aren't the most comfortable shoes, but $10!!!!
After more shopping at the fantastic Union Square Christmas Market Thing, we headed back and had more bagels and amazing little desserts to celebrate A's 29th birthday!
It was a great visit.
For the first time since I moved here, I found myself confronted with free time last night! I sat on the couch and was actually afraid of the lack of something to do. I felt unproductive and wasteful and useless and moody for about an hour, and then thought "Wait, I can just... relax!"
So I did.
And it was nice.
I watched Arrested Development, which is an amazing show. Every line on that show is hilarious, so I end up missing every other line while I am laughing like an idiot.
After Desperate Housewives I was feeling a bit useless again, but after the source of butterflies called to see how my weekend went and to tell me about something of note that's happening on Wednesday, I felt better and recorded another cover song on the real piano because Roommate was out of town!!! It came out well. Well, the audio is crap, but the cover is good and I think it might be almost ready to debut at an open mic. Yes, I will attend and play at a non-sketchy open mic after the holidays! Watch out, New York, and prepare yourself for the coming of the Lollysphere!
We started off having the best bagels in the world, which happen to be in Williamsburg. I won't even attempt to describe the cream cheese, because I won't do it justice.
We then went to the island to see People Are Wrong, a new musical starring John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, who M would most likely stalk if given the opportunity. It was playing at the same theater at which Avenue Q originally debuted. It's about a couple who relocates from the big city to the country. They want to start a garden in their yard because their wedding will be hosted at their new home. Because they are city people, they have absolutely no idea how to garden (they probably don't know what a Cuisinart is, either!), so they hire a local company to help them. The company, as it turns out, is a cult, headed by a dude with a ponytail who thinks he's from outerspace. After receiving a vision from space, the cult leader decides to use the money from the city people to build a space ship in their garden to send him back to his home dimension.
Yeah.
It was awesome. It appeals to a particular sense of humor, but if you have that sense of humor, you'll love it. The talent level was impressive, and it was great to laugh consistently throughout the entire show. It was also just nice to be at a musical. It's been a long time. M and I decided that if we were rich we'd go to musicals and plays all the time. And shop lots. She said "I'd get bored with the shopping." I never would. Not here, anyway.
Afterwards, we found a fantastic Italian restaurant south of Union Square where M ordered a special that, unbeknownst to her, contained caviar. Luckily it didn't cost an obscene amount of money. I got risotto with peas and artichokes. Yum. And then we had dessert. Also yum.
We then headed uptown and battled the tourists for a glimpse of the tree in Rockefeller Center, which was quite beautiful and extremely romantic and apparently not a disappointment. Seeing it made me feel like a tourist. I think I felt that way because it was very romantic, and very New York, and I had that feeling of awe that I experience only in response to New York City. It's nice to know I can still feel it. I'm sure I'll feel that way again in Central Park this summer. Ah, New York.
On Sunday we had breakfast at Relish, where I ordered french toast and onion rings, because Relish has the second-best onion rings in the world. It is nice to live walking distance from the second-best onion rings in the world. I also live walking distance from the world's best bagels, and the world's second-best creme brulee. Instead of talking about shoes at breakfast, we discussed glasses for like half an hour. A is so patient with us. I am so happy that M found A.
We then headed back to the island for some shopping and shoe-gazing in SoHo. On our way from SoHo to Union Square, there was a man on the street shouting "$5 shoes! $10 boots!" It was some sketchy weird outlet-y place with random clothes thrown about and tons of strange shoes. I found a pair of snakeskin-ish pinkish purple knee high boots for $10!!! $10 for tall boots!!!! I had to have them after A gave me his approval, because A's approving of anything shoe-related is noteworthy. They don't quite fit and aren't the most comfortable shoes, but $10!!!!
After more shopping at the fantastic Union Square Christmas Market Thing, we headed back and had more bagels and amazing little desserts to celebrate A's 29th birthday!
It was a great visit.
For the first time since I moved here, I found myself confronted with free time last night! I sat on the couch and was actually afraid of the lack of something to do. I felt unproductive and wasteful and useless and moody for about an hour, and then thought "Wait, I can just... relax!"
So I did.
And it was nice.
I watched Arrested Development, which is an amazing show. Every line on that show is hilarious, so I end up missing every other line while I am laughing like an idiot.
After Desperate Housewives I was feeling a bit useless again, but after the source of butterflies called to see how my weekend went and to tell me about something of note that's happening on Wednesday, I felt better and recorded another cover song on the real piano because Roommate was out of town!!! It came out well. Well, the audio is crap, but the cover is good and I think it might be almost ready to debut at an open mic. Yes, I will attend and play at a non-sketchy open mic after the holidays! Watch out, New York, and prepare yourself for the coming of the Lollysphere!
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