Day 11
Gypsy Quote: "We have so much in common, it's a phenomenon..."
Weather report: 97 degrees. Hot, humid. The air conditioner blew its circuit earlier.... Help!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Shock and Awe
I am in total shock about Sweeney closing. I an sitting here on the verge of tears. I can't even begin to describe how I feel about this show.
I first saw it back in April. I made the trip to see Renee in Manon, and to meet up with Maureen and Iris, group friends from London. In addition to the opera, Sarah told me that I just had to see Sweeney. She had been several times and loved it. I had seen the show before, at Lyric Opera of Chicago with Bryn Terfel in the title role, but didn't remember much about it. All I knew about the production on Broadway was that it starred Patti LuPone, who I knew about in some distant reaches of my brain. It's funny, I knew who she was, but now I can't for the life of me think how I would have been familiar with her. I knew she was a Broadway legend though, and I was excited to see her.
I remember the exact moment during that first time seeing the show that I was hooked - the second Michael Cerveris as Sweeney emerged from the coffin and sang his first lines "Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd." Chills just ran up and down my spine. So much fierce intensity, and that voice. I was engaged from that point on, and just tried to take everything in - the story (which I had completely forgotten), the music, the action, even more unique because of the structure of the new production. The cast was made up of 10 people - they were the actors, the singers, and the orchestra. I'd never seen anything like it before.
I mentioned Patti LuPone (The Patti) before - yes, I'd heard of her, but actually being able to see her on the stage - completely amazing. ___________________ just fill in your own adjective, I can't come up with a superlative dazzling enough to describe her. I just tried - and nope, I still can't do it. The more I think about it, the more amazed I am that I had the chance to see this great artist on the Broadway stage. Why didn't anyone tell me about her sooner? Would I have listened?? Maybe I wasn't ready for her before now... Who knows? Naturally, after that first time, I wanted to visit the stage door. This was an entirely new phenomenon for me. I knew people did it after operas, but I didn't know that you could do it after broadway shows, too! I got a picture with Michael Cerveris after that first meeting (that sound was me swooning over the keyboard! I think I am better now though) and got The Patti's autograph (was too nervous to get a picture with her though....).
When I got home, I got the broadway cast recording and started adding (The) Patti's recordings to my library. The transformation was complete - I became a devotee of the show's and of Patti's. I lived and died with them at the Tony's - I knew more shows and more Tony scoop than I did about this year's Oscars.
When we heard that her last show was going to be July 2nd, I knew I had to be there. We were hoping that she would be renewing her contract, but who could tell for sure??In fact, I got a ticket for July 1 as well. I mean really. What if it was her last one? I couldn't miss that. We found out later that the contract had been extended - for Patti and Michael both, so July 2nd (and July 3rd actually...) was not our last time seeing her. Each time I saw it was better than the night before. Since I knew the show better, I could watch for different things. Each time I saw it differently, and each time, I loved it a little bit more.
We made plans to reconvene in November to see that last show. I know it's not that far away, but it gave us time to prepare. To accept. Now, it's going to close in about a month from this Thursday. Like before, I know I need to be there.
I first saw it back in April. I made the trip to see Renee in Manon, and to meet up with Maureen and Iris, group friends from London. In addition to the opera, Sarah told me that I just had to see Sweeney. She had been several times and loved it. I had seen the show before, at Lyric Opera of Chicago with Bryn Terfel in the title role, but didn't remember much about it. All I knew about the production on Broadway was that it starred Patti LuPone, who I knew about in some distant reaches of my brain. It's funny, I knew who she was, but now I can't for the life of me think how I would have been familiar with her. I knew she was a Broadway legend though, and I was excited to see her.
I remember the exact moment during that first time seeing the show that I was hooked - the second Michael Cerveris as Sweeney emerged from the coffin and sang his first lines "Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd." Chills just ran up and down my spine. So much fierce intensity, and that voice. I was engaged from that point on, and just tried to take everything in - the story (which I had completely forgotten), the music, the action, even more unique because of the structure of the new production. The cast was made up of 10 people - they were the actors, the singers, and the orchestra. I'd never seen anything like it before.
I mentioned Patti LuPone (The Patti) before - yes, I'd heard of her, but actually being able to see her on the stage - completely amazing. ___________________ just fill in your own adjective, I can't come up with a superlative dazzling enough to describe her. I just tried - and nope, I still can't do it. The more I think about it, the more amazed I am that I had the chance to see this great artist on the Broadway stage. Why didn't anyone tell me about her sooner? Would I have listened?? Maybe I wasn't ready for her before now... Who knows? Naturally, after that first time, I wanted to visit the stage door. This was an entirely new phenomenon for me. I knew people did it after operas, but I didn't know that you could do it after broadway shows, too! I got a picture with Michael Cerveris after that first meeting (that sound was me swooning over the keyboard! I think I am better now though) and got The Patti's autograph (was too nervous to get a picture with her though....).
When I got home, I got the broadway cast recording and started adding (The) Patti's recordings to my library. The transformation was complete - I became a devotee of the show's and of Patti's. I lived and died with them at the Tony's - I knew more shows and more Tony scoop than I did about this year's Oscars.
When we heard that her last show was going to be July 2nd, I knew I had to be there. We were hoping that she would be renewing her contract, but who could tell for sure??In fact, I got a ticket for July 1 as well. I mean really. What if it was her last one? I couldn't miss that. We found out later that the contract had been extended - for Patti and Michael both, so July 2nd (and July 3rd actually...) was not our last time seeing her. Each time I saw it was better than the night before. Since I knew the show better, I could watch for different things. Each time I saw it differently, and each time, I loved it a little bit more.
We made plans to reconvene in November to see that last show. I know it's not that far away, but it gave us time to prepare. To accept. Now, it's going to close in about a month from this Thursday. Like before, I know I need to be there.
Say It Isn't So!
Broadway's Sweeney Todd Closes Shop On 9/3; Tour set for '07
by BWW News Desk
The producers of Sweene Todd announced today that the acclaimed revival will play its final performance on Sunday, September 3, 2006 after 349 performances and 35 previews. Sweeney Todd began previews on October 3, 2005 and opened on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at the Eugene ONeill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). A national tour is scheduled to begin at the end of next summer 2007. This production of Sweeney Todd, innovatively staged by director John Doyle with 10 talented actor/musicians, won the Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and was awarded a Special Citation by the New York Drama Critics Circle. It arrived on Broadway from a London engagement originally staged by the Watermill Theatre. The Broadway production recouped its entire $3.5 million investment just 19 weeks after opening. This revival of "the greatest musical of the past half century" (Wall Street Journal) features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond. The production is directed and designed by John Doyle, who was awarded the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for his direction. Music Supervision and Orchestrations were done by Sarah Travis, who was awarded a 2006 Tony and Drama Desk award for her work with the classic Sondheim score. Sweeney Todd stars Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett and Michael Cerveris in the title role. Both were nominated for Tony Awards for their performances as was Manoel Felciano as Tobias. he ten member ensemble also includes: Mark Jacoby (Judge Turpin), Donna Lynne Champlin (Pirelli), Alexander Gemignani (The Beadle), John Arbo (Jonas Fogg), Diana DiMarzio (Beggar Woman), Benjamin Magnuson (Anthony) and Lauren Molina (Johanna). "Without question, this production has been one of the richest and most satisfying endeavors of our professional careers. We are all deeply indebted to everyone who made such an extraordinary show a reality on Broadway. I know that I speak on behalf of all of the producing partners when I say that we will miss this company very much but look forward to working again soon with all of them. They are simply -- the best," said Tom Viertel, producer of the show. The producing team also includes Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and the Ambassador Theatre Group, Adam Kenwright & Tulchin/Bartner/Bagert. The new Sweeney Todd Broadway cast recording, produced by Tommy Krasker, was released on Nonesuch records on Tuesday, January 31st. Tickets are available at the Eugene ONeill Box Office or at Telecharge.com/(212) 239-6200. The performance schedule is: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm.
by BWW News Desk
The producers of Sweene Todd announced today that the acclaimed revival will play its final performance on Sunday, September 3, 2006 after 349 performances and 35 previews. Sweeney Todd began previews on October 3, 2005 and opened on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at the Eugene ONeill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). A national tour is scheduled to begin at the end of next summer 2007. This production of Sweeney Todd, innovatively staged by director John Doyle with 10 talented actor/musicians, won the Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and was awarded a Special Citation by the New York Drama Critics Circle. It arrived on Broadway from a London engagement originally staged by the Watermill Theatre. The Broadway production recouped its entire $3.5 million investment just 19 weeks after opening. This revival of "the greatest musical of the past half century" (Wall Street Journal) features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond. The production is directed and designed by John Doyle, who was awarded the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for his direction. Music Supervision and Orchestrations were done by Sarah Travis, who was awarded a 2006 Tony and Drama Desk award for her work with the classic Sondheim score. Sweeney Todd stars Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett and Michael Cerveris in the title role. Both were nominated for Tony Awards for their performances as was Manoel Felciano as Tobias. he ten member ensemble also includes: Mark Jacoby (Judge Turpin), Donna Lynne Champlin (Pirelli), Alexander Gemignani (The Beadle), John Arbo (Jonas Fogg), Diana DiMarzio (Beggar Woman), Benjamin Magnuson (Anthony) and Lauren Molina (Johanna). "Without question, this production has been one of the richest and most satisfying endeavors of our professional careers. We are all deeply indebted to everyone who made such an extraordinary show a reality on Broadway. I know that I speak on behalf of all of the producing partners when I say that we will miss this company very much but look forward to working again soon with all of them. They are simply -- the best," said Tom Viertel, producer of the show. The producing team also includes Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and the Ambassador Theatre Group, Adam Kenwright & Tulchin/Bartner/Bagert. The new Sweeney Todd Broadway cast recording, produced by Tommy Krasker, was released on Nonesuch records on Tuesday, January 31st. Tickets are available at the Eugene ONeill Box Office or at Telecharge.com/(212) 239-6200. The performance schedule is: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm.
Gypsy Quote of the Day (Day 12)
"Some people can be content,
playing bingo and paying rent -
That's peachy for some people,
For some humdrum people
To be,
but some people ain't me!"
(I promise these won't all be Rose quotes...)
playing bingo and paying rent -
That's peachy for some people,
For some humdrum people
To be,
but some people ain't me!"
(I promise these won't all be Rose quotes...)
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Gypsy Quote of the Day (Day 13)
I am going to have Gypsy quotes every day until The Event.... (see what happens when I am bored/caffeinated/hibernating? More fun things for the blog! Being outside in the heat is overrated...)
"Sing out, Louise! Sing out!"
"Sing out, Louise! Sing out!"
RAVINIA COUNTDOWN
How do I love Ravinia? Let me countdown the ways...
The Divine Renee Fleming in one short week! (August 5! I hope it's cooler then!)
The "highlight of the summer and perhaps of the entire decade" - Patti LuPone's first Mama Rose in Gypsy - in 2 short weeks... August 11, 12 and 13th. I really hope it's cooler then, but even if it's not, who cares??
The Divine Renee Fleming in one short week! (August 5! I hope it's cooler then!)
The "highlight of the summer and perhaps of the entire decade" - Patti LuPone's first Mama Rose in Gypsy - in 2 short weeks... August 11, 12 and 13th. I really hope it's cooler then, but even if it's not, who cares??
We're Havin' a Heatwave...
In the 90s all weekend and into next week as well. It really does suck to be us. I went shopping this afternoon, thinking that some retail therapy would help keep my mind off the oppressive heat, but no. There is a street festival that I wanted to check out (because of very hot, talented musician named Will Hoge - I think it is www.willhoge.com Not too coordinated yet with the linking thing.... Too busy/lazy/hot/etc to bother.) but nothing doing. It is too damn hot to be hanging out on the street with hot sweaty (drunk) strangers all for an hour or so of music. I love Will and I haven't seen him in AGES, but there are only about 3 people I am willing to sit around in the heat for: Renee Fleming, Patti LuPone, and George Hearn (made our hot trip to Millennium Park all worth it... so was the appearance by SJS...)
I plan to hide in the house for the rest of the weekend. We all know what my office is like (creepy meatlocker) so during the week should be all good. I might foray out briefly to wash the car - I couldn't see out the back window yesterday, never a good sign. Other than that, fuhgeddaboutit...
I plan to hide in the house for the rest of the weekend. We all know what my office is like (creepy meatlocker) so during the week should be all good. I might foray out briefly to wash the car - I couldn't see out the back window yesterday, never a good sign. Other than that, fuhgeddaboutit...
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Courtroom Drama!
Since all of the experience I have had with a courtroom comes from watching a whole lot of Law and Order and The Practice, and even for a while, Boston Legal, I had NO idea what to expect this morning. I had a picture in my head - the oak paneled room, a bored looking jury in the jury box, fans blowing (because suddenly it has turned into a courtroom in the Old South, with no ventilation, and everyone in the room is fanning themselves), and Sam Watterston's Jack McCoy pacing the floor firing off questions at the cowering witness, while a no-nonsense, berobed and bearded white haired judge presides, gavel in hand. Occasionally, the other lawyer, played here by creepy Bill Smitrovich of Life Goes On and The Practice fame jumps to his feet and yells "Objection!"
So, yeah. This is what I am thinking, so it's not really a surprise that when I actually get to court, it's nothing like I expect. I'd expected the place to look like a federal building, marble floors, maybe a rotunda... But it looked like a school building. Very institutional. Went through the metal detectors without incident, and found my courtroom, again, without incident. My parents had come with me, and we kind of wandered around. I honestly would rather have been just about anywhere else. It's not like I wanted this other driver to get off, but I was really not looking forward to doing this. We got let in - the courtroom, again, was not what I was expecting. No oak paneling, or jury in the box, and it was cold in there, so there were no fans. Instead, it was a smallish room, lined with what looked like pews in a church, filled with vaguely delinquent-looking type people. There were cops, but nobody had guns. The judge was even not what I was expecting. It was a lady judge, and she had long blond hair and I don't remember seeing a gavel. Oh, my shattered illusions...
Court was in session at 10:30 and the names were called fast. Many of the people in front of me had their tickets dismissed. One lady had that happen and we could hear her whooping with joy after the event. The Other Driver's name was called and we went up there. They asked how she pleaded and she said "Not Guilty."
Excuse me? I object!
Now the fun starts. We had to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and anything but the truth, so help us Gawd. We raised our right hands and swore on the air. (No Bible, either. There's another mental courtroom mainstay just tossed aside). I recounted what happened, and then The Other Driver (TOD, that's almost TOAD, hahaha) said that she had not seen the light because of a tree. That was her whole defense. She had pictures of the intersection and everything (and I happened to see one of them, and the light was perfectly visible in it....)
Well, the judge didn't buy it, either, and made the TOAD pay her tickets. $50 for each of them, hardly seems like enough, does it? You can run a red light and drive at excessive speeds, hit somebody and all but total her car, and just walk away paying $100?
So that was my court experience. I went right to the office afterwards, by way of Starbucks where I got a celebratory marble mocha macchiato (chocolate coffee? these people are geniuses!)
Now I can get on with my life and start focusing on the fun stuff:
Renee's concert in just about a week, and Gypsy in 2 weeks!
So, yeah. This is what I am thinking, so it's not really a surprise that when I actually get to court, it's nothing like I expect. I'd expected the place to look like a federal building, marble floors, maybe a rotunda... But it looked like a school building. Very institutional. Went through the metal detectors without incident, and found my courtroom, again, without incident. My parents had come with me, and we kind of wandered around. I honestly would rather have been just about anywhere else. It's not like I wanted this other driver to get off, but I was really not looking forward to doing this. We got let in - the courtroom, again, was not what I was expecting. No oak paneling, or jury in the box, and it was cold in there, so there were no fans. Instead, it was a smallish room, lined with what looked like pews in a church, filled with vaguely delinquent-looking type people. There were cops, but nobody had guns. The judge was even not what I was expecting. It was a lady judge, and she had long blond hair and I don't remember seeing a gavel. Oh, my shattered illusions...
Court was in session at 10:30 and the names were called fast. Many of the people in front of me had their tickets dismissed. One lady had that happen and we could hear her whooping with joy after the event. The Other Driver's name was called and we went up there. They asked how she pleaded and she said "Not Guilty."
Excuse me? I object!
Now the fun starts. We had to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and anything but the truth, so help us Gawd. We raised our right hands and swore on the air. (No Bible, either. There's another mental courtroom mainstay just tossed aside). I recounted what happened, and then The Other Driver (TOD, that's almost TOAD, hahaha) said that she had not seen the light because of a tree. That was her whole defense. She had pictures of the intersection and everything (and I happened to see one of them, and the light was perfectly visible in it....)
Well, the judge didn't buy it, either, and made the TOAD pay her tickets. $50 for each of them, hardly seems like enough, does it? You can run a red light and drive at excessive speeds, hit somebody and all but total her car, and just walk away paying $100?
So that was my court experience. I went right to the office afterwards, by way of Starbucks where I got a celebratory marble mocha macchiato (chocolate coffee? these people are geniuses!)
Now I can get on with my life and start focusing on the fun stuff:
Renee's concert in just about a week, and Gypsy in 2 weeks!
How Do They Know?
Today's Tribune horoscope says:
"Today is a 7. Looks like you could be called to account. Hopefully, you've kept records. Make sure to have hunting and fishing licenses ready, too."
I'm going to traffic court this morning, because of my accident. I have no idea what the part about the hunting and fishing licenses has to do with anything, but the rest is totally right.
Watch this space...
"Today is a 7. Looks like you could be called to account. Hopefully, you've kept records. Make sure to have hunting and fishing licenses ready, too."
I'm going to traffic court this morning, because of my accident. I have no idea what the part about the hunting and fishing licenses has to do with anything, but the rest is totally right.
Watch this space...
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Early Warning Detection System
The Tribune horoscope says today is a 6, but I think 6 is the new 4. It has not been a terrific day for me. It started off okay, I woke up early and went to workout (first time I have been able to have a proper workout, rather than just a soak in the whirlpool since my accident), and then had a fabulous breakfast with Heidi (hazelnut coffee and lemon bread french toast at Egg Harbor. How I love that place!). From there, it kind of went downhill. I got strangely ambitious and started cleaning in my room (proper dusting and drawer organization and everything, rather than the generic, let's cram this into this drawer/under the bed/in the closet until I can see surfaces cleaning I usually go for). I am doing some minor redecorating - I have to do something with all the playbills I have been buying off ebay, so as soon as the !@#%^*$ frames come from Playbill.com (couldn't be easy to DIY, could it??) I am going to display them. The shelves needed cleaning off though, so I started doing that. Wow, surfaces!! And clean ones!
Then for some reason, I thought I would do the dresser as well, and klutzishly knocked over my ringstand, sending my one of the rings I wear all the time into the depths of the hidden world Behind the Dresser. I can't really see back there, because there's not a lot of space between the dresser and the wall (enough space for a ring to fall, though). I made a few futile attempts at sending the troops in for a recovery mission, but it was unsuccessful. Moving the dresser is possible, but would be a gigantic pain in the butt, so I decided to let it go for now. If my left hand feels naked this week, without that particular ring, I might have to just suck it up and empty the drawers, pull them out and move it...
Anyway. I wanted to go to Archiver's to get some things to keep the scrapbooking clutter under control, and make some copies and photographs (part of the continuing effort to update my decor). The trip was okay. I kind of dithered around with the copier, because it kept cutting my picture off... Very frustrating. And I want to work on this layout, but I don't know exactly how I want to do it, so finding supplies for it was kind of tough, too. I had lots of fun asking Heidi for help though, after first asking if they had any bassoon stickers. I finally settled on some stuff, was miffed over the lack of black cardstock for some other projects I want to start on, but what can I do? Went back home to work on the framing projects - killed 2 of the copies I made because I can't operate the paper cutter or cut with scissors to save my life (but at least I've still got all my fingers!)
I just feel very cranky and think it is best to just sit quietly and not try any other projects for today. Time for some chocolate ice cream (shout out to my 2 favorite men, Ben and Jerry!) and some 'me' time. I am also reading Joe Volpe's book "The Toughest Show on Earth." More on that later...
Then for some reason, I thought I would do the dresser as well, and klutzishly knocked over my ringstand, sending my one of the rings I wear all the time into the depths of the hidden world Behind the Dresser. I can't really see back there, because there's not a lot of space between the dresser and the wall (enough space for a ring to fall, though). I made a few futile attempts at sending the troops in for a recovery mission, but it was unsuccessful. Moving the dresser is possible, but would be a gigantic pain in the butt, so I decided to let it go for now. If my left hand feels naked this week, without that particular ring, I might have to just suck it up and empty the drawers, pull them out and move it...
Anyway. I wanted to go to Archiver's to get some things to keep the scrapbooking clutter under control, and make some copies and photographs (part of the continuing effort to update my decor). The trip was okay. I kind of dithered around with the copier, because it kept cutting my picture off... Very frustrating. And I want to work on this layout, but I don't know exactly how I want to do it, so finding supplies for it was kind of tough, too. I had lots of fun asking Heidi for help though, after first asking if they had any bassoon stickers. I finally settled on some stuff, was miffed over the lack of black cardstock for some other projects I want to start on, but what can I do? Went back home to work on the framing projects - killed 2 of the copies I made because I can't operate the paper cutter or cut with scissors to save my life (but at least I've still got all my fingers!)
I just feel very cranky and think it is best to just sit quietly and not try any other projects for today. Time for some chocolate ice cream (shout out to my 2 favorite men, Ben and Jerry!) and some 'me' time. I am also reading Joe Volpe's book "The Toughest Show on Earth." More on that later...
Saturday, July 22, 2006
I Love a Parade...
Earlier in the week, I had an email from Heidi reminding me about the Disability Pride parade on Saturday the 22nd, asking me if I was "in." Since it was not supposed to be disgusting and meltingly hot, I agreed. Friday night, I realized I had no idea what exactly I'd signed up for, but agreed to be ready to roll at 9:30 Saturday morning.
As we traveled downtown on the Red Line (cheaper than driving, to be sure, but neither fast nor especially convenient), I asked, 'So, are we watching, or marching, or what?' As it transpired, Heidi and I were to march under the National Louis University banner - at least in theory, since we didn't actually have a banner, and were annouced as "Um... three really nice people!" as we passed the reviewing stand (three because somewhere along the line, we picked up this lady who'd been selling parade shirts and stuff, and she asked if she could walk with us.). Jane was serving as the marshal of our section (or the "mini-marshall" or as I called her, the "mini-marshmallow" and so was not walking with us, even though she was the sole one among us who actually goes to National Louis. We walked along Dearborn - from the Harold Washington Library to Daley Plaza, and there were all of about 3 people watching the parade. We were waving to tourists and traffic cops. Still, I'd only been in one other parade before, and it was kind of fun.
After the actual marching, we went and helped Jane in her duties at the Children's Tent. There were pictures to color, and bubbles, and face painting... so the kids around could have a little fun in the plaza. The face painting proved to be immensely popular, although none of the three of us are exceptional artists. I didn't even try - I can't draw to save my life with paper and pencil, imagine if my canvas was somebody's face! Heidi and Jane did a great job, and Heidi's clown representation was immensely popular (hey, do I sense another tattoo for you coming on??). We stuck around for a little bit before I dragged Heidi off to Old Navy. Completely and totally against her will, because she hates shopping, and she definitely hates mammoth stores that sell great clothes and shoes and bags. We also took a walk to Millennium Park (with only minimal whining from me along the lines of "Why couldn't we have had this weather last weekend?") and stopped off at Starbucks before another looooooonnnnngggg trip home on the red line...
For the record, parade grand marshal Robert David Hall from CSI was apparently there although we didn't get to see him... bummer...
As we traveled downtown on the Red Line (cheaper than driving, to be sure, but neither fast nor especially convenient), I asked, 'So, are we watching, or marching, or what?' As it transpired, Heidi and I were to march under the National Louis University banner - at least in theory, since we didn't actually have a banner, and were annouced as "Um... three really nice people!" as we passed the reviewing stand (three because somewhere along the line, we picked up this lady who'd been selling parade shirts and stuff, and she asked if she could walk with us.). Jane was serving as the marshal of our section (or the "mini-marshall" or as I called her, the "mini-marshmallow" and so was not walking with us, even though she was the sole one among us who actually goes to National Louis. We walked along Dearborn - from the Harold Washington Library to Daley Plaza, and there were all of about 3 people watching the parade. We were waving to tourists and traffic cops. Still, I'd only been in one other parade before, and it was kind of fun.
After the actual marching, we went and helped Jane in her duties at the Children's Tent. There were pictures to color, and bubbles, and face painting... so the kids around could have a little fun in the plaza. The face painting proved to be immensely popular, although none of the three of us are exceptional artists. I didn't even try - I can't draw to save my life with paper and pencil, imagine if my canvas was somebody's face! Heidi and Jane did a great job, and Heidi's clown representation was immensely popular (hey, do I sense another tattoo for you coming on??). We stuck around for a little bit before I dragged Heidi off to Old Navy. Completely and totally against her will, because she hates shopping, and she definitely hates mammoth stores that sell great clothes and shoes and bags. We also took a walk to Millennium Park (with only minimal whining from me along the lines of "Why couldn't we have had this weather last weekend?") and stopped off at Starbucks before another looooooonnnnngggg trip home on the red line...
For the record, parade grand marshal Robert David Hall from CSI was apparently there although we didn't get to see him... bummer...
Friday, July 21, 2006
Say Whaaaat??
You still haven't gotten your Gypsy tickets yet????(www.ravinia.org) Time Out Chicago is having a contest. If you ask nice, I will give you the answer. Just get the tickets, okay?? And while you're at it, pick up some tickets to see this lady.
Just heard that Renee has taken ill and won't be performing in Napa tomorrow. Speedy recovery, Renee! Get lots of rest and come to us at Ravinia! August is gonna be a great month!!
Baby, It's Cold (Indside)
That's right, it's as cold as a creepy meat locker in here today. Not that I am complaining (too much) because I would much rather be too cold than too hot... but when you have to go and buy tights and keep spare pants/shoes/sweaters/blankets in the office, there is definitely something wrong. It's always cold in here, and some of the conference rooms are positively arctic. Brrrrrr......
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
My Heart Belongs to Patti...
Gypsy in 24 more days!!! See what the man from the New York Times says? Highlight of the entire decade!! Rock on, brother! There is something seriously wrong with you if you miss this. I'm not even joking. Go now! www.ravinia.org (eventually, I will get the hang of this linking thing. Really I will.)
A Much Better Morning
Despite the fact that the Tribune horoscope says today is only a 5, it started out much better than yesterday. I was walking from the parking garage (otherwise known in these parts as "the poverty lot" because of its distance from the office building) and a lady who works with the parking company chased me down, pressed some trinkets into my hand and said that it was customer appreciation day, and invited me into the garage office for donuts and free coffee. Hello!!
Is it really that easy to buy my devotion and parking loyalty? By giving me some free stuff, and my morning sugar rush? Apparently, the answer is yes. I think that is worth the day being at least a 6, don't you?
And as long as I am chatting, can I just give a shout out to the inventor of microfiber?? As soon as I stepped foot into the office, in another very cute skirt (although thankfully not cute enough to warrant any commentary from anyone on the street!) and t-shirt, as it is to be about 9 million degrees outside today, I knew I was just going to freeze my butt off... So I hopped it over to my favorite store, the CVS, for some emergency microfiber tights. Along with the sweater I keep here for emergency climate control, I am now completely comfortable.
Is it really that easy to buy my devotion and parking loyalty? By giving me some free stuff, and my morning sugar rush? Apparently, the answer is yes. I think that is worth the day being at least a 6, don't you?
And as long as I am chatting, can I just give a shout out to the inventor of microfiber?? As soon as I stepped foot into the office, in another very cute skirt (although thankfully not cute enough to warrant any commentary from anyone on the street!) and t-shirt, as it is to be about 9 million degrees outside today, I knew I was just going to freeze my butt off... So I hopped it over to my favorite store, the CVS, for some emergency microfiber tights. Along with the sweater I keep here for emergency climate control, I am now completely comfortable.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
What do I look like?
A nice person? I mean, I must. Round, trusting face, blonde hair. Innocent, wholesome... Nice midwestern girl, n'est pas? To that end, people are always stopping me on the street, asking for directions, good places to go for breakfast, etc etc etc. Just the other day, someone asked me how to get to Kresge Hall - being in Evanston, there are a lot of students around, and I can only assume this Kresge Hall was connected in someway to Northwestern. I had no idea. I just work here, okay? So I look like a nice, trusting person who goes to Northwestern.
Yes, people on the street like to talk to me. There is a homeless guy who stands outside my Starbucks and talks to the passersby. He never directly asks for anything, that I have noticed, but he says things like 'God bless you' and 'You've got a great smile, ma'am' or 'Have a nice day, ma'am', or, my personal favorite, 'Great pedicure, ma'am!' Some guys usually hang outside the CVS across the street from the Starbucks, rattling coins in a cup.... So I was not surprised this morning, as I approached the CVS before work, on a run for some miscellaneous things, to see one of the abovementioned guys sitting there. I started to go into the store, when another guy approached and said, "I like your skirt, it reminds me of a scarf." I was wearing this really pretty skirt, patterned with pinks and blacks.... I always get compliments on it - and this was not the first time someone on the street had stopped me to comment on it. I said thank you and commenced into the store.
I was dithering around in the cosmetics section of the store and looked up to see the guy from outside had followed me into the store. He asked me if I liked poetry - he was selling some poems he had written to raise money to buy medication (so he claimed). He told me he was a homeless vet. He had been wounded in Vietnam. Do you know how I know that? He showed me his Agent Orange scar! Now keep in mind, I had not had my coffee yet, and I was like, "What the hell is this??" In the end I told him how sorry I was and went on my way. Not to seem heartless or anything - I care about the treatment of veterans in our country, especially since there are guys younger than me coming home from Iraq all messed up. We need to take care of these guys! But the place to pull on the heartstrings (and the purse strings) was not in the middle of the CVS after having followed me in there. Honestly.
I thought for sure that would forshadow the rest of the kind of day I would have, but I went through work with nothing extraordinarily weird happened other than that....
And here is my question - if I look like such a nice person, why don't nice guys come and talk to me?? Noooooo! The only guys who talk to me are the homeless guys, and, in the case of my undergraduate days, priests - okay, seminary students, but same difference. Will somebody please explain this to me???
Yes, people on the street like to talk to me. There is a homeless guy who stands outside my Starbucks and talks to the passersby. He never directly asks for anything, that I have noticed, but he says things like 'God bless you' and 'You've got a great smile, ma'am' or 'Have a nice day, ma'am', or, my personal favorite, 'Great pedicure, ma'am!' Some guys usually hang outside the CVS across the street from the Starbucks, rattling coins in a cup.... So I was not surprised this morning, as I approached the CVS before work, on a run for some miscellaneous things, to see one of the abovementioned guys sitting there. I started to go into the store, when another guy approached and said, "I like your skirt, it reminds me of a scarf." I was wearing this really pretty skirt, patterned with pinks and blacks.... I always get compliments on it - and this was not the first time someone on the street had stopped me to comment on it. I said thank you and commenced into the store.
I was dithering around in the cosmetics section of the store and looked up to see the guy from outside had followed me into the store. He asked me if I liked poetry - he was selling some poems he had written to raise money to buy medication (so he claimed). He told me he was a homeless vet. He had been wounded in Vietnam. Do you know how I know that? He showed me his Agent Orange scar! Now keep in mind, I had not had my coffee yet, and I was like, "What the hell is this??" In the end I told him how sorry I was and went on my way. Not to seem heartless or anything - I care about the treatment of veterans in our country, especially since there are guys younger than me coming home from Iraq all messed up. We need to take care of these guys! But the place to pull on the heartstrings (and the purse strings) was not in the middle of the CVS after having followed me in there. Honestly.
I thought for sure that would forshadow the rest of the kind of day I would have, but I went through work with nothing extraordinarily weird happened other than that....
And here is my question - if I look like such a nice person, why don't nice guys come and talk to me?? Noooooo! The only guys who talk to me are the homeless guys, and, in the case of my undergraduate days, priests - okay, seminary students, but same difference. Will somebody please explain this to me???
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Confessions of a Deadbeat Blogger
Since Sarah accused me of being almost as bad as Khaleem in terms of blogging (if I was really slick, I would have hyperlinked his name to his blog, but I still haven't gotten the hang of that yet, so let's just say you can find him at http://ofthekosmos.blogspot.com) I am giving all y'all two posts for the price of one!! If you are looking for Sarah, you can find her at http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com - I will get the hang of this and eventually post a bunch of my favorite spots. Eventually. I swear!
Confessions of a Deadbeat Blogger
We hold these truths to be self-evident: Reflections on My Weekend (SS and SS)
Confessions of a Deadbeat Blogger
We hold these truths to be self-evident: Reflections on My Weekend (SS and SS)
- Kari (http://litwit.typepad.com) is the Hostess with the Mostess (thank you, thank you, thank you!!)
- Stephen Sondheim is a GENIUS. Period, exclamation point. Any chance to see anyone perform his work is not to be missed, but particularly if that group of performers includes the talented Judy Kaye, George Hearn, Liz Calloway and Mary Elizabeth Mastrioantonio.
- Meryl Streep is a total rock star. Amazing, truly fabulous actress. If you don't believe me, check out her excellent performances in A Prairie Home Companion and The Devil Wears Prada.
- Sondheim Festival in the Park - brilliant idea, but I think we need to take a cue from New York and get us some walls! And some AC! It was just too hot to spend all weekend outside wandering the park.
- Chicago in July SUCKS.
- If you're not gonna enjoy the show, do us all a favor and just stay home already!!
- Learning can be fun - especially if the subject is broadway divas and musical theater and Kari and Sarah are your teachers!
- Grown ups can have slumber parties too, just add some pizza, a few cold beers, good friends (who understand) and The Patti singing Being Alive.
- Bless the industrious purveyors of archival footage (if you get my drift... no?)
- (the) Patti Lu rocks my face off.
That's all!!
Sondheim Soiree and Slumber Spectacular
I am back home after the BEST SLUMBER PARTY EVER! Apparently this is the summer for regressing back to childhood - first Dave and Buster's and, this weekend, the first slumber party I have had as a "grown up" person. The reason for the occasion was the Sondheim in the Park celebration held in Millennium Park. This was Chicago's version of NYC's Wall to Wall Sondheim, with free concerts in the Jay Pritzker pavillion, and smaller ensembles all paying tribute to SJS. Sarah came in from NYC, and she and I crashed at Kari's place. Oh, it was fabulous. Concerts under the stars, pizza, beer, and lots of videos, featuring, of course, our Broadway Divas. My education continues....
Since it is so unbelievably !(#%@$** hot this weekend, we didn't spend a lot of time in Millennium Park - just the concerts in the JPP, which had performances by Judy Kaye, George Hearn, Liz Calloway, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrioantonio. Instead, we hit old orchard for a little movie watching, meals, hanging out, gossip, and chat.
Now, it is back to sweltering reality.... At least we have Gypsy to look forward to next month! I hope and pray that it is not a million degrees!
Since it is so unbelievably !(#%@$** hot this weekend, we didn't spend a lot of time in Millennium Park - just the concerts in the JPP, which had performances by Judy Kaye, George Hearn, Liz Calloway, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrioantonio. Instead, we hit old orchard for a little movie watching, meals, hanging out, gossip, and chat.
Now, it is back to sweltering reality.... At least we have Gypsy to look forward to next month! I hope and pray that it is not a million degrees!
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