Mr. Northman, won't you please come in?

** UPDATE: Well, the finale was really kind of meh, wasn't it?? Totally all over the place, and it was not at all helpful that I actually didn't care about half of the plotlines. As we left things, Sam may or may not have shot Tommy (can't say that it matters to me one way or another. His character doesn't actually exist in the books, so he's a throwaway character anyway.) Tara seems to be skipping town (nice to know ya, Thornton! Love the haircut!), Lafayette may or may not be going crazy and his new boyfriend is (gasp!) a witch ("you're a nurse? and a witch? and... a dude?")! I like Hoyt and Jessica and LOVE that he got her a house, but the fact that Maxine just got a gun in a shop with a life size cardboard cutout of Steve Newlin is not a good sign. Their happiness will not be lasting long, I fear. Arlene and Terry might be having a demon baby, Bill went completely nuts, Russell is not dead, Sookie's in disco fairyland (but she had some awesome zingers like "when am I not in trouble?" you got that right, sister. Now go find Eric! Or Alcide!), Jason is now in charge of inbred kittykat hick town (sure, that's gonna end well), and oh yeah, Eric saw visions of ghostly Godric and, even more disturbingly, paraded around in a velour track suit. Not even the hunkiest of Swedish hunks can pull off a velour track suit. And that guy? Is pretty hunk-tacular. Then Bill challenged the Queen (uh, why? Have you completely lost your marbles, Compton?).

To quote Pam, "I have ZERO patience for that shit!"

At the end of it all, Alan Ball thanked the audience for watching and being such loyal fans of the show. You're welcome. But listen, buddy, a word of advice here. The fourth book is very Eric-centric, and here's hoping that you know that when it ain't broke? You should NOT fix it.

boxing joyfully... c'mon! Vogue!

In the photo booth at Mark & Nicole's wedding...

it's patti!

Dishing on the book, the tony's and Women on the Verge...

Nicole & Mark's Wedding

The Bride & Groom!

Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding! I had to make last minute outfit changes though, since the dress I had picked out (to wear with some KILLER pumps) was too light and summery for the day and I would have frozen my butt off. I need to build another outfit around these shoes though, because believe me when I tell you they.are.awesome.

Nicole & Mark got married at Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago:

Gorgeous, right? It was even more spectacular on the inside. I thought it was kind of tacky to take pictures on the inside. I did it anyway, but they didn't really come out well. Random bit of trivia here, it is the highest point on the U of C campus, as stipulated in good old JDR's will. The ceremony was lovely and afterwards, we all congregated outside and took a big group picture (the photogs held up a camera over us all and took the picture that way. I would love to see how it turns out!).

The reception was in Schererville, IN, marking my 3rd official forray into Indiana (the first one was sort of a drive-thru thing, on my first choir tour as a junior in high school, so I don't know if that really counts). And... yeah, it's not really that exciting. We found out that there IS more than corn in Indiana - there are also TIRES. Lots and lots and lots of tire stores in Highland/Schererville. Like, a whole bunch of them grouped in a fairly small stretch of road. What's with all of the tires, Indiana?

The reception was lots of fun. There was even a photo booth where the guests could put on cute and funny hats and things and pose. The machine gave two copies - one for the group to keep and the other one to put in a memory book for the bride & groom. What a fun idea! Heidi, the reason we all know Nicole in the first place, was actually not able to attend (she was at a different wedding in a whole other state!) but she was with us in spirit and we drew her in to our first round of photo booth pictures (I'll try and post all of them - they will supposedly be on the photographer's website sometime this week)

We actually were seated with a guy (and his wife) who grew up in Morton Grove! He used to live down the street from Beth, he went to Park View like us (and had Mrs. Messerschmidt) and went to Niles West like us and he was all happy to be able to talk to people who knew where Morton Grove was (we generally say "You know Skokie? It's right near there." When I am somewhere out of state, I just say I'm from Chicago, because close enough, yes?). He's now a fancy teacher at U of C med school and we asked him what subject and he said gastroenterology... you all probably don't know what that is... and we all just laughed, because all of us actually have our own gastroenterologists (sadly. Damn, we're OLD).

The food was great and there was plenty of it. There was a dance floor and we all danced together AND Beth and I became the creators of the four person slow dance, because we crashed Jane & Brian's romantic slow dance to "I can't help falling in love with you." The photographers spotted us glomming onto them and started snapping away. It was hi-larious - before you all think we are terrible friends, we let Jane and Brian have the next slow dance to themselves. We almost went and danced with Nicole and Mark... I'm not sure why we didn't. That makes it into my all time top 3 dancing experiences. The first was getting down to Crocodile Rock with my mom at my cousin Mike's wedding (so.much.fun!) and my first Gala - it was towards the end of the night and the party was winding down. All of the staff members, myself included, had been working the event, and we finally had a moment to ourselves. The band was still playing, and so we just let loose and started dancing in a big group. It was loads of fun - until we noticed we were being watched by our board treasurer. He's such a cool guy though, he was just laughing at us.

Anyway, we sassed it up in the photo booth some more and decided to head on home. It was a great evening, and I could not be happier for Nicole & Mark! Congratulations (or possibly Best Wishes), guys!

Then (Rock Boat 2003)

(and now - September 4, 2010)

black swan

Who says everything is beautiful at the ballet??

give 'em the old razzle dazzle and shine!

Saturday afternoon, I took mom to see Billy Elliot. I was pretty sure she would love it, and I was not wrong. We had good seats (orchestra row J cuz that's how I roll!) and I brought a lot of kleenex, because the past two times I've seen the show, I've been a blubbing mess (more on this later).

We saw Tommy Batchelor as Billy - and he was great!! What a talented dancer and singer he is. He captured the essential "Billy-ness" for me, I don't know why. The rest of the cast was also outstanding - and I am now completely OBSESSED with Emily Skinner's voice (even though, full disclosure, I still didn't understand a whole lot of "Shine" - we were really close to the speakers though, so maybe it was just loud? I went home and listened to the OCR and I was like 'She said that? Really?')

And, yes, I cried (again). It started early this time, too. I would say I'm pretty emotional, but I don't cry easily at theater or movies. But this just really grabs me, maybe because of the struggles we are having now, economically, or maybe because I identify with the plight of the working man? (YEAH! SOLIDARITY, BABY!) I was only 6 years old in 1984, so I don't remember Margaret Thatcher (I was barely aware of our own president and politics!) so I don't know much about the situation in reality, but it all just seems so strange to me to shut down working mines and import coal from somewhere else just because you can, and put hundreds of thousands of your own people out of work. What did they do for a living after all this happened? I get especially misty when Mr. Elliot goes and BECOMES A SCAB to try and provide a better life, an opportunity, for Billy. It's just gutwrenching.

"Solidarity" remains my favorite number, it's really really well done, combining the clash of the miners and the riot police (we were so close, we could see the expressions of the police during the opening music to this number, and one of them was picking his nose. Hilarious.) and setting it against the innocence of the kids in their dance class. Life goes on, even amidst strikes and chaos. The show is also timed very well, just when there's a lot of sadness and angst, something funny happens - another powerful scene is when Billy receives his letter from the Royal Ballet School (Spolier Alert!!) The buildup to his opening the letter is pretty funny, but the celebration is cut short by the announcement that the strike has ended and the union has lost. He watches the miners go back down the shaft before he leaves for school, knowing when he comes back to town, everything he has known will be different, gone.

SUCH a good show. Go and see it, if you haven't already. And go before October, so you can see Emily Skinner as Mrs. Wilkinson. It is SO worth it...

broadway in chicago 2011 lineup

We've got lots of exciting things in store!

Here’s the full lineup (from today's Chicago Sun Times)

—“Les Miserables” (Feb. 2-27, 2011 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre): The “new” 25th anniversary production of this Boubil and Schonberg classic. (Classic it may be, but I will forever hear Patti's voice in my head exclaiming, "SHUT UPPPPP!! Work it OUT!!! Quit your WHINING!" I've seen it twice, and have no real desire to see it again, so "pull me a pint, mate, I've got a revolution to sit out!")

—“Working” (Feb. 15-May 8, 2011 at the Broadway Playhouse, Water Tower Place): A reworked version of the Stephen Schwartz musical inspired by Studs Terkel’s oral history, with new songs, including one by Tony Award-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of “In the Heights” fame. (How funny is this, by the way, a friend of mine LOVES this show and was recently wondering if it would come back around.)

—“Hair” (March 8-20, 2011 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre): The landmark peace-and-love rock musical of the 1960s is back. (YAY!!! Hippies at the Ford Center - peace and love, man! Can't wait for this one!)

—“Merchant of Venice” (March 15-27, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): Shakespeare at his most daring, with F. Murray Abraham taking on the role of Shylock (now being played on Broadway by Al Pacino).

—“Wishful Thinking” (April 5-17, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): Carrie Fisher performs her autobiographical solo show that deals with her famous parents, her role in “Star Wars” and her battles with the bottle and depression. (I thought this was called "Wishful Drinking"??)

—“Next to Normal” (April 26-May 8, 2011 at the Bank of America Theatre): More mental illness in this 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, with Broadway’s Alice Ripley reprising her starring role. (SO excited to see this!!!)

Off-Season Specials:

—“Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” ((Feb. 8-13, 2011): The “clones” of the Fab Four will return to sing all the greatest hits.

—“Spring Awakening” (May 3-8, 2011): The Tony Award-winning Duncan Sheik-Steven Sater musical about 19th century teens on the brink of calamity makes a return visit. (Am SO going to see this again - for the song "Totally Fucked" - maybe seats on the stage this time??)

—Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (June 28-July 10, 2011): Love the beast you’re near and he might just turn into a prince.

fall... already?

Where has the summer gone? Every year, I sit around kind of waiting for the signal that summer has started - there is no official summer vacation for the working stiff, and so by the time I started thinking summer's finally here, it is practically over. At least we have some fall things to look forward to: honey crisp apples and sweater and yes, darlings, boots!
J. Crew shows us how to get it done, and has some help from Katie Holmes and Josh Duhamel.

I love me some J. Crew - I got the catalogue yesterday. My favorite part, aside from the pix of Josh, Katie, and the cast of their movie The Romantics, was the ad on the back cover that said "Boot Up!" because fall is also the time where we can start wearing our boots! I also love me some boots (and that should come as no surprise).

So, yeah. J. Crew and Bono have decreed it to be so: Boot Up, Bitches.

the viking rumble...

Eric is getting ready to rumble... can't wait for this week's True Blood!

Justin Guarini Joins Broadway's Women on the Verge; Casting Complete - Playbill.com

This news made me gasp and giggle... LuPone and... Guarini? She is gonna have that boy for lunch!

Justin Guarini Joins Broadway's Women on the Verge; Casting Complete - Playbill.com

Thanks, Rolling Stone!

The September 2 issue of Rolling Stone will feature three True Blood cast members disporting in the altogether... since two of those three are Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) - who's complaining??? NOT ME.

(This is a pic from the article, I am guessing, but you get the idea, yes?)

I am officially all caught up on my TB Season 3 watching - last night, Heidi, Jane and I watched the episodes we had left to watch. Now we're up to speed on all of the batshit antics of our favorite vampiers, shifters and weres (oh my!) in Bon Temps. This is some crazy shit. But I LOVE it. Word on the street is that they are casting the witch Hallow for next season - can an arc with Amnesiac Eric be far behind?? I hope yes!

yes she can, yes she can!!

Whew, what a weekend! This was my big geekapalooza weekend, with back to back shows of Annie Get Your Gun at Ravinia. I'd never seen AGYG before, but I knew much of the music, and honestly, I would go listen to Patti LuPone sing the phone book, or rap, or do pretty much whatever the hell she wanted to do. I will be there.

AGYG is a sweet, old-school musical, with delightful music (even the sad songs sound kinda bouncy, like when Frank is breezily assuring the girls to stay away from him because he's a "bad, bad man" with a huge grin on his face, loveable cad that he is!) The cast was pretty delightful, too, aside from (the) Patti, we got Patrick Cassidy (even my mom was commenting about how cute he looked in those jeans!) and George Hearn. I didn't have any trouble believing in Patti as a pistol packin' mama (I read a quote somewhere from Lonny Price that said something to the effect of Patti's so good, you just kind of believe whatever she believes - and it's true. Patti says she's Annie, well, damn straight, she is!) The plot is also fairly old school - with the central conflict of the plot involving the best way to get (and keep) a man. Annie is pretty sure that you can't get one with a gun - and when she tries to impress Frank with a fancy new trick, he goes all crazy because (gasp!) she's a better shot than him! Oh no, I can't marry you now, you're a better shot than me! I just wanted to shake him - hello? Does it fit in her character at all that she would double cross you? No. If he hung around her long enough he'd notice that simple girl thing was not an act. And if she was double crossing you, why would she be all, 'Oooh, Frank, did you see that? Did you like it?' Frank and his wounded pride. Because god forbid a girl be better than you, right? Nah, it's just dumb luck. Sigh. And also, he would just have to get over his "A doll that I'll carry is the girl that I'll marry thing" because, dude, please. See what I mean? Old school.

Some of my favorite things from the weekend:
- On Saturday night, about 4 people with those sequined light up cowboy hats came into the pavilion and parked themselves in the front row, with the hats blinking perkily. I can't be sure of this, but I think that someone went down there and told them to turn them off during the show, lest someone catch a glimpse of merrily blinking cowboy hats and commence to lose her shit. Or maybe she would have liked them, hard to tell with her, sometimes. It would have come as a surprise, anyway, to come out on stage and see blinking cowboy hats.

- As further evidence that I am a magnet for strangeness, Sunday evening, I arrived at Ravinia, and parked myself on a bench with a book until it was time to go into the pavilion. A nice older couple approached and asked if they could share the bench and I said, of course. So they were talking amongst themselves, and the lady apologized to me for distracting me from my reading, but I didn't really mind, and I said as much. Then they started talking to me, and had apparently been in a nasty car crash on the toll way on their way to Ravinia. I asked if anyone had been hurt or anything like that, and where they had come from, etc. No one was hurt. Their car was banged up but driveable. The girl who crashed into them was not hurt but her car was wrecked. An unpleasant way to start a lovely Sunday evening, and we got to chatting some more - turns out the gentleman was a fan of theater and opera and liked to travel to New York, so we talked about that for a while. I am apparently nice and approachable, but why, why, why, why am I never approached by young, hot, available MEN?? I ask you.

- Sunday night, I was early to my seat and noticed Patti in the wings, checking out the audience.

- Sunday again, I had seats in row K in the center section. That is the closest I've been in a long while (the absolute closest I've been was row D left side for Gypsy. That was total luck, and I've never been that close since). I didn't take any curtain call pictures since I was so darned close because Patti would be sure to see me (and hey, she had a gun, okay? and I don't have a death wish).

- Patti rocked all of her big songs, but probably my very favorite moment was during "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" (no, but you could shoot them, which might come in handy when they're prattling on about being a doll they can carry.) and she blasted out "with a GuuuUUUUUnnnn!!! With a guuuuUUUnnn! No you can't get a man with a gun..." Oy, those notes! That voice! Enough to give me goosebumps.

- She was also super cute (I know that most people probably wouldn't call her cute, but she WAS, so there) in "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" and after the "Any note you can sing, I can sing higher" bit, she kind of screeched out a note, looked a little surprised at what had issued forth from her mouth, and burst into laughter. Also, was there ever any doubt over who could sing longer? Patti all the way, although I was worried she was going to fall backwards while she was sustaining the "IIIIIIIIII..... CAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNN!" bit.

- A whole seperate shout out is needed for Mr. Cassidy and, as I mentioned, his jeans. He was plenty cute, also.


- A sidebar here, the Ravinia magazine was identical to the one from a few weeks ago - different cover, but same stories. Same profile of Nathan Gunn (which, whatever, he's lovely and delightful, and I will happily read his interviews. In fact, in the future, I offer to GIVE these dinner with... interviews. How bout it, Ravinia?) Same story about the Merm, same exact content except for the program details in the back. This is the first time I have encountered that, and I wonder if it was a mistake or what.

- There was a signing on Saturday night, but I didn't stay. It was HOT, and I hadn't brought anything worth Patti signing, and I can never scrape enough brain cells together in her presence to say anything meaningful. Even though I've been curious to ask her if she's still doing the blood type diet thing, (because if yes, it is working for her!) and tell her that a colleague of mine makes smoothies using kale, so she could try that, if she was in need of creative ideas. Do you think I could actually say these things though?? No. So I didn't wait. And I didn't wait last night, either, because it was late and Sunday and I had to get up early for work this morning.

- I also think I saw Mandy Patinkin lurking around in the audience. I was waiting to leave on Sunday - one of the bad things about sitting close is that it took just about forever to leave. I was looking around, like you do, and peered down an aisle (for easier exit access) and I spotted someone who looked familiar. First I just saw him in profile, so I wasn't sure, so I kept (subtly) looking and he turned around... I am pretty sure it was him. If I'd had anyone with me, I would have done what Heidi did to me in NYC when she saw Constantine Maroulis hailing a cab, AKA, she grabbed me and went "Isn't that... somebody?? American Idol dude?" (It was. We were down the street from Rock of Ages at the time.) So that is unsubstantiated, but there you go. I never spot ANYBODY, so points for me there.

Ummm. I think that's all. For a while I had considered going to Lolla a few weeks ago, but really, it's not my scene. Give me a beautiful summer night at Ravinia, and amazing singers doing a charming musical and I will be happy.

start your friday off with a bite

This? Right here? Is why I parked my butt in front of the tv all of last weekend, watching True Blood. Fangtastic, yes? Real vampires don't sparkle!! Incidentally, I emailed this photo to a co-worker late yesterday afternoon, because who doesn't like to get pictures of hunks to get you through that last hour of the work day? Her response? "DAMN! OH MY. OH MY."

Pretty much.

patti, we loves ya back!

Patti and Peter singing "An Old Fashioned Wedding" from Annie Get Your Gun, which, happily I will be seeing many times this weekend. (Note to self: bring bug spray!)

Ow!!!!

Multi-tasking is the devil and all!!! I sat through a training session this morning and wanted to get some fresh air. I went to the Noodles & Co. on Michigan Avenue to get some lunch, reached for the door (that I thought was there) and walked into a big old glass panel - with the right side of my face. OW. What a klutzy dumbass I am sometimes.

There IS a door there, for the record, but it is to exit, not enter, and so I crashed into a glass window, knocked my glasses askew - had to run across the street - thankfully there is a Lens Crafters there and they fixed the damage pretty quickly. Went back to pick up my food and am sitting here with a bag of ice on my face. It hurts, too, I hope I didn't give myself a black eye!!

what? you want to see the paparazzi video?

Well, all right, if you all insist... the Man with the Eyepatch shows up towards the end of the video. Aside from that, this is a great song... I almost would have gone to see Lady Gaga at Lolla this past weekend but you know... I felt a little old for the rock and roll lifestyle.

time out ny: alexander skarsgard on the hot seat!

This is an oldie (from September) but a goodie brought to us by Time Out New York ...


True Blood fanatics insist that Alexander Skarsgård could floss his teeth with Robert Pattinson. As Eric Northman on HBO’s hit series, the actor spends most of his screen time brooding, biting and just barely concealing his dreamily undead bod. He’s come a long way since his small part in the 2001 flick Zoolander (“orange mocha Frappuccinos!”): He carried HBO’s critically acclaimed miniseries Generation Kill, scored a part in theforthcoming Lars von Trier film Melancholia and is set to tantalize True Blood fanatics everywhere when the show’s third season premieres on Sunday 13. We sat down with the smokin’ Swede to talk vampire fetishes and fraternal mix-ups.

Let’s start with a confession: Certain TONY staffers—and we’ll avoid using names here—are total fang bangers.
What’s that?

Oh, you know, people who want to make vampire babies.
That’s always good to know when you’re doing an interview.

Sadly, we haven’t happened across many fangs to bang.
You haven’t run into any vampires lately?

Do you think being a fang banger is edgier than being a Twihard?
What’s that?

A Twihard. Like a Twilight obsessive. Don’t you know what a Twihard is?
Uh, no.

We’re actually impressed. Speaking of deadly things—how did you end up playing Lady Gaga’s murderous, eye-patch-wearing boyfriend in her “Paparazzi” video?
The director, Jonas Åkerlund, is a friend and fellow Swede. He told me, “You push Lady Gaga off a balcony and try to kill her, then she comes back and poisons you.” It sounded like fun. With Jonas, you know it’s going to be edgy— it won’t be walking down the beach holding hands.

Which is the better accessory: an eye patch or retractable fangs?
I really dug the eye patch—I felt like a pirate. An updated version of Captain Hook.

The last season of True Blood asked a lot of Eric. In one episode you eviscerate a human prisoner; in another you’re wistful after the loss of your maker, Godric. Quite the range for a heartless vampire.
Yes. When we started the first season, people thought Eric was this businessman with zero feelings. It was nice during season two that—without losing Eric, without making him too soft—I could at least show that there’s another side to him.

It was also a very sexy season, full of vamp-on-human hookups. But while Eric was very flirtatious with Sookie—Anna Paquin’s character—he didn’t get much action.
Eric’s got plenty of time. No rush there. He’s, you know, enjoying the progress.

But the season-three previews show you topless and talking with Sookie. Please tell us they finally…fang bang.
There is a lot going on in season three. The attraction to Sookie will not subside—it’s strong and growing stronger. But of course I can’t tell you. That’d be a huge spoiler, wouldn’t it?

C’mon, just a little hint about what’s coming?
It’s about revenge for Eric. You find out that he lost a group of people 1,000 years ago that were very, very dear to him. Suddenly he’s presented with an opportunity to avenge them, and that’s something he’s been awaiting for a very long time.

We’ve seen some clips with werewolves, too. What was it like working with wolves?
Pretty amazing. When you’re up close, they’re so majestic and beautiful and powerful.

Any scary moments on set?
There were a lot of scary moments, but none involving wolves…

Intriguing. Now that True Blood is the most watched HBO show since The Sopranos, you probably get recognized a lot.
Yeah, a lot of people think I’m Peter Sarsgaard’s brother.

How do you feel about that?
He’s an amazing actor. So I always say, “Yes, we’re brothers.”

oh, sookie...

I spent this weekend in an air conditioned "hidey-hole" catching up on True Blood - Season 2. Yes, Season 2. I am a little behind. But now, I am pleased to say, I am caught up there - time to get up to speed on Season 3. So bring it, Bon Temps.

So - in a tip of the hat to the weekend - this video is hilarious. But might I suggest an "Oh, Eric..." With the refrain, "Ohhhh, Eric! Lemme get in your head, ohhhhhhhh Eric - who cares if you're dead??"

Niles West students to perform in Edinburgh :: News :: PIONEER PRESS :: Morton Grove Champion

Good job, Niles West Thespians! I hope your chaperones on this trip are a lot more conscientious than the ones I had when I traveled to London with a school group... although our parents were promised constant supervision, the chaperones pretty much buggered off and left us alone. Which, you know, cool. I got ditched by my group in Windsor (I found them and I don't think they even realized I was missing.) and also spent a day by myself, shopping and poking around Oxford Street. We were supposed to be in small (chaperoned) groups, but we all kind of split up and did our own thing. We met up for high tea. I was never worried about it, really, I had a tube card and I knew where the hotel was. If I ever got lost, I figured I'd go back to the hotel and start over again. Still, I don't think my parents would have taken the same view.

The evening bed check went something like this:

knock, knock, knock
My roommate: Yeah?
Chaperone (I'll call him "Mr. Johnson"): Are you all in there?
Roommate: Yeah!
Mr. Johnson: Okay, goodnight!

And he left. He never asked us to open the door, or verify that all of us were in the room, it was just "Yeah" and off he went. I am sure I have told this story before. One of my classmates snuck off and saw Sunset Boulevard (Patti was gone by then, this was with Betty Buckley) - he got his own ticket and when the time came, he took himself off to the theater.

Compare this with the choir trip I took as a senior. We went to Minnesota, of all places, to sing at the Mall of America. Not only were doors opened and heads counted at evening bed check, our choir director taped our doors shut so nocturnal wanderings to visit classmates would not occur. In the morning, she checked the tape to make sure it had not been broken.

Anyway, break a leg, Westies!!

Niles West students to perform in Edinburgh :: News :: PIONEER PRESS :: Morton Grove Champion

friday-friday-friday

I have the Friday warm-fuzzies - and what is warmer and fuzzier and happier and fridayer (?) than an adorable bulldog or two playing in the snow... splashing in a pool... eating watermelon... playing ball? I found these videos here. If you need a smile, go and check these guys out...

time to cool off!

Time for some cute. Lookit this big guy....

No apology from Ravinia after Sondheim show :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Music

Ooohhh, Ravinia. You've landed in the soup this time. Facebook is practically exploding with ticked off people. They are mad not just about the length of this concert, but the fact that you all started kicking people off the lawn. And this ticket offer does not help those of us who already have our tickets to see Annie Get Your Gun (and who have had them, in fact, for quite some time already).

Personally? I don't want my money back. To some extent, I knew what I was in for. But not everyone works in a non-profit and understands the way these gala things work. Point? YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD EVERYONE THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A SHORT SHOW. Then they could have decided for themselves if it was worth spending the money. Or done two concerts - had the gala evening and then done a seperate one for us riff-raff.

No apology from Ravinia after Sondheim show :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Music

come and see your good friend Sweeney...

I know I said move on, but I lied. Here's a video from Saturday night's performance. No, I didn't take it, but god bless you, You Tube.

Ravinia Review - Chicago Tribune

Sondheim%20at%20Ravinia%3A%20Anger%20on%20the%20North%20Shore%20at%20truncated%20birthday%20celebration

Well, ouch, Chris Jones. "Debacle on the north shore" is a bit strongly worded. I totally agree with you on the timing of this concert - what should have been a celebration of Sondheim by four remarkable interpreters of his music was timed, as you say, in a bit of a bone-headed way. I paid my money and didn't get to nob with the nobs afterwards either, but I went into it with the understanding that a gala concert is usually short - I had guessed an hour to an hour and a half. Maybe the tickets should come with a caveat? It would probably have been better if this concert had not been selected for the Gala event, so that we all could have basked in the celebration of Sondheim...

Moving on...

a little sondheim music

Last night, the stars aligned at Ravinia for a dazzling (yet brief) celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday. Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Michael Cerveris and George Hearn, singing Sondheim, with the CSO conducted by Paul Gemignani?? Yes, please! It also happened to be the Ravinia Women's Board's annual gala, so the people watching was even more excellent than usual. But on with the show - our seats were Center, LL, way the heck in the back of the pavilion, right next to the sound booth (or maybe it was the light booth? Not sure. Something technical was happening back there, at any rate). After the Star Spangled Banner, and some 'rah-rah, go us' speeches, our fabulous four stars made their first appearance, singing "Together Wherever We Go" - a little lyric shuffling was in order, since there were four of them, thus there was no "a duo" following "Whatever the boat I row, you row" and no "a trio" following "Whatever the row I hoe, you hoe" - although Patti spiritedly interjected "Who are you callin' a ho?"

The four of them took turns at a little podium, introducing the songs and taking us on a little trip down memory lane as they sang highlights from the Sondheim musicals that had graced the stage at Ravinia over the past several years. They promised surprises - Audra gushed that she'd finally get to sing something she'd always wanted to perform - "Epiphany" from Sweeney Todd. She'd thought since Michael and George were both there, deciding who would play Sweeney would be awkward. No, sez Patti, we've figured it out. Audra then asked who would be singing Sweeney - and both gentlemen raised their hands. Riiiight, she said, glad you've worked that all out, then. Looked like she'd have to save Epiphany for another evening...

Sunday in the Park with George was up first, with Michael singing "Finishing the Hat" joined by Audra for "Move On". What a gorgeous voice she has. I mean, seriously gorgeous. And she looked stunning, all in white, like a Greek goddess or something. It was nice to see Michael again, too, I don't think I've seen him in anything since Sweeney Todd.

Next up: A Little Night Music, with Patti introducing the first song - she and George as Desiree and Frederick, in her dressing room, for "You Must Meet My Wife" -- hilarity ensued later on as Patti went back over the script at the podium - something had been bugging her about the intro she'd read for that song, and it turned out the dressing room phrase had been put in there more than once. So naturally she told us about it and how it had been bothering her and it was best, really, just to get these things out. Hee hee. Hopefully, she was feeling festive and no heads rolled for that typo... I did however, want a head to roll a few rows ahead of me where a guy was READING A NEWSPAPER. During the concert. Really??? Really!??!?! Patti, over here!!! He's the one who called you a ho! Help me tell him where he can put his freaking newspaper!!!

Where was I? Oh, right, ALNM. Additional selections included "Everyday a Little Death" (Patti & Audra), "Glamorous Life" (Audra), "Send in the Clowns" (Patti), "It Would Have Been Wonderful" (Michael & George).

Patti sang "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy (yay!) which received a long and thunderous ovation. That took me on my own journey down memory lane - Gypsy nights at Ravinia with a group of great friends, Gypsy nights at City Center with some of those same friends, Gypsy nights on Broadway, including the performance right after that second Tony win... "What can you do after that?" wondered George as he introduced selections from Passion: "Happiness" (Audra & Michael) and "I Wish I Could Forget You" (Patti). That one is notable for having one of my favorite Sondheim lines in it "a love as pure as breath, as permanent as death, implacable as stone" - stunning, poetic.

I digress. Merrilly, we rolled along (ha!) with Anyone Can Whistle - a false start from Michael on "Everybody Says Don't" - he started over, noting "Everybody says don't... start a song like THAT." and then a sweet sounding "Anyone Can Whistle" from Audra.

The two Sweeneys took the stage as Sweeney and the judge for "Pretty Women" and then the two Sweeneys took turns with Patti as Mrs. Lovett for "A Little Priest". Well, oh my giddy god. I'd been dying for them to do that after I'd heard they'd sung it that way in New York for one of the big official Sondheim birthday concerts. Worth the price of admission, right there.

After the song was over, Audra was all like "Yeah, well, that was good, guys, but I still think I should have done Epiphany." Those four should have been the gala's masters of ceremony, I think that would have made the event really really lively! Although, I didn't get to go to the party, so for all I know, they may have!

They wrapped up with "Side by Side" from Company. And then it was over - after only an hour and fifteen minutes. I had thought it would be a fairly short concert, since most of the audience was there for the party, sort of gypping those of us who were there for the MUSIC, because I could have listened to those amazing voices singing Sondheim all night long. Come back soon, guys!

summer night city...

Ready to disco?? On Friday night, despite my horrific cold, Heidi and I were off to Summer Night City (AKA Ravinia - is that not perfect? ) for the music of ABBA, courtesy of our friends Arrival from Sweden. I love me some ABBA, and I guess lots of other people do, as well, because they were ALL jam packed into the parking lot and sprawled on the lawn at Ravinia that evening! Because really? This is perfect summer music - light and happy, singable, danceable and just plain clap your hands to the beat fun. The gift shop also got into the spirit of the event, displaying completely awesome sequined cowboy hats that had lights on their brims, in addition to jelly rings, bracelets and other assorted light up accessories.

We had seats in the pavilion, but I would wager that the real disco dance party was on the lawn. Everyone in the pavilion were strangely sedate, like aliens had descended into Highland Park and replaced all of the concert-goers with pod people - I mean, have you EVER been to a pop or rock music concert where everyone politely stays in their seats for the entire thing? At the U2 concert, as soon as the band hit the stage we were on our feet and we stayed there for the entire show.

Here, everyone sat calmly. The familiar strains of Mamma Mia got everyone going a little bit, and towards the end of the show, the crowd got up and danced to Take a Chance on Me (And I mean, everyone in the crowd which was like, huh? I didn't know that this song was that huge. I like it a lot, but I thought for sure some of the other songs would have been more of the crowd pleasers) and also Dancing Queen. But the rest of the time - everyone stayed in their seats. I don't usually attend pop music events at Ravinia, are they always like that?? Is it because donors snap up the tickets first and they tend to be older (and richer, with disposable income?) ? Is it because the original ABBA audience from back in the day is also considerably older now and less inclined to get up and boogie? Or what? Last year, they had a dance floor right in front of the stage, but they didn't do that this year (too bad!). Don't get me wrong, the audience was appreciative and all, it was just a little startling that everyone just sat there, stock still. I was dancing in my seat and clapping and singing along (as best I could. I'm losing my voice, thanks to my cold!) and I would totally have gotten up if everyone else had been doing that. Are people worried they will block the view of people behind them? That wouldn't be a problem if everybody was up and dancing! This isn't a Tony Bennett concert here, people!

Okay, sorry. Arrival from Sweden are lots of fun. There are four of them, playing Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Frieda (So really, they should be ABBF or maybe FABB) and they wear costumes identical to the ones ABBA really wore in their concerts. So naturally, they are completely awesome in a hilarious, 1970s kind of way. The group even sounds a lot like ABBA, and they filled their two hour concert with all of the group's greatest hits.

(This picture unfortunately does not do justice to the costumes, especially the crazy boots that everyone was wearing! Our "Benny" was sitting at the piano wearing high heeled sparkly boots! And the girls had on, at one point, above the knee white go-go boots - call me a boot bitch if you must, but they were adorable!) I have to say, I was devastated that I was not able to sing along with all of my favorites, but it was still a great night for this aging and rapidly decaying dancing queen. Just wait until next year...

friday night & the lights are low...

First, came Mammia Mia in NYC last month...

Tonight, our Swedish-style musical adventures continue, with the music of ABBA performed by Arrival from Sweden at Ravinia! Woo!

Get your disco on, ladies!!!! Jelly rings, check! Swedish fish, also check!

See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen! Unfortunately, the dancing queen has to bring along like an entire box of kleenex and bag of lozenges with her, as she has fallen a bit under the weather. Damn. The dancing queen has gotten kind of old. But neither rain nor sleet nor summer cold will keep her from dancing and singing up a storm tonight!

Stephen%20Sondheim's%2080th%20is%20the%20birthday%20party%20that%20just%20won't%20end

Celebrate early, celebrate often, has always been my birthday mantra, especially if there are gifts involved!!!!

Stephen%20Sondheim's%2080th%20is%20the%20birthday%20party%20that%20just%20won't%20end

ooohh... that was lovely...

In a tip of the hat to our lovely beach weather... even though it is not yet August bank holiday, I think a trip to the sea (well, lake) would be smashing...

stop worrying where you're going...

Look, I know this is cheating a little since she's not going to be at Ravinia on Saturday, but this is my celebration countdown and you can't talk SJS without mentioning Bernadette. So there. Enjoy. She is glorious!

look, he made a hat....

Continuing on my countdown to Super Sondheim Saturday, I give you two clips featuring Neil Patrick Harris.

Finishing the Hat


Not While I'm Around

despicable me

After Friday (ugh. work stuff. don't want to speak of it.) I needed a lift. I got several this weekend - listening to Renee Fleming and then getting a backstage hug, for starters, and then on Sunday, chilling with my friends, getting manis and pedis and then seeing Despicable Me (with $1 POPCORN! POPCORN!! I'M GONNA DIE!).

It was a supercute movie, really funny. The hard-hearted villain, Gru, is trying to get his status as most evil villain reinstated after an upstart steals one of the pyramids and replaces it with an inflatable copy (hee hee). He wants to get back at his new nemesis and hatches a plan to steal... the moon!! With the help of his minions and his elderly mad scientist sidekick. He adopts three orphaned girls to assist in his diabolical plot and then, well, can you see where this is going? It's lovable and sweet (and the littlest girl, Agnes, is SO CUTE and her voice is just adorable).

Favorite moments: "IT'S SO FLUFFY!" Agnes, seeing a big stuffed unicorn toy, and then "FLUFFY!!!!" after Gru wins it for her.

The boogie-bots and the fart gun were awesome and also the following exchange:
Agnes (about Gru): He's nice.
Edith: But scary.
Agnes (after some thought): Like Santa.

We didn't see it in 3D, but I totally want to. It was a great, fun, summer movie. I don't know if AMC does their $1 popcorn and $1 drink (any size. It's really cool, actually) every Sunday, but keep your eyes out for coupons!

isn't it rich?

I'm starting the countdown to Sondheim Saturday at Ravinia!!

ravinia...

My first visit to Ravinia this summer!! Naturally, it had to take place the day after the hottest day of the year so far. The forecast was hot and humid with a chance of storms. Lovely. But what is a little bit of weather when it comes to seeing Renee Fleming?? Nothing, that's what.

The park was beautiful, as always, with flowers blooming in such pretty bright colors. We also spotted a butterfly...

Well, it was plenty hot, but the rain had stopped. The lawn picnickers were out in force - in fact, there was some kind of contest going on, to see who could present the most impressive spread. People went all out - floral centerpieces, candelabra, really fancy looking food. My favorite? the group who brought a Renee Fleming cake. I don't know who won (or what they won) but that one would have been the winner if I'd been the judge.
The performance opened with the CSO playing Schumann, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach. I thought that was kind of sneaky of them, actually, because the advertisements were all about seeing Renee, not sitting through an entire first half that was diva-less. The music was nice and all, but they weren't the reason I bought the ticket (sorry guys!) and I was waiting for the Diva. Even though I strongly advocate people going to orchestra concerts and otherwise engaging in performing arts activities, I found the Schumann kind of boring, and I can understand why these kinds of concerts aren't everyone's thing. I like a lot of visuals, I like there to be action - someone dancing, someone singing, doing something, but watching a bunch of people playing instruments... yeah. The big screens helped a lot though - they showed close ups of the conductor, the players, the pianist, etc. In the intermission, I got another bottle of cold water (I think they were doing a brisk business...)

Finally, finally, it was time for Renee. She emerged, dressed in a stunning red strapless gown and a whole lotta Diva BLING! She sang Strauss's Four Last Songs. These are not my favorites out of Renee's repertoire, I will be honest, but they were beautifully sung. She is so natural when she sings in German, she made it sound so effortless. If the angels could sing, they would sound like Renee. She thanked us all for braving the elements to come out and see her, and she gave us two encores - Cacile by Strauss and Marietta's Lied by Korngold. Heavenly. Oh, you have to listen to her sing. Just gorgeous. I was on her backstage list and was ushered with a big group back to the green room so she could meet and greet her guests. It blows me away how extraordinary she is. She took the time to chat with each person waiting for her - taking a photo or singing a program as well. This is not a one time thing for Renee, every time I have seen her backstage, she does this. Even after she's sung a four hour opera, she takes the time to meet people and speak, even if it is just for a few minutes.

It has been awhile since I've seen her and I was feeling shy, but that's another thing about Renee, she puts people at their ease immediately. She saw me, gave me a hug and said that it had been awhile since she'd seen me last. I told her how wonderful it was to see her in Chicago again, and we talked about the fan group I started, The Beautiful Voice, eleven years ago, right after I saw her perform for the first time. She is well aware of the group and told me how much it means to her to have such a dedicated support group. She knows a number of the group members, and we all come to see her perform whenever she is in our corners of the world. She likes to see familiar faces in the audience, and visiting her backstage. In many cases, we've met up, and become friends, drawn together by the power of Renee. It's kind of awesome, when you think about it. She is so generous and kind, and has brought so much to all of us. It's a pleasure to support her. What an amazing, classy lady.

Anyway, it was a beautiful evening of opera under the stars. I'm looking forward to seeing Renee again sometime soon....

this afternoon's smile...

Just when I needed a smile, I got this newsletter from Ravinia... I am looking forward to this, of course, and naturally I will be there for all three (whee!)

But I said it once, and I will say it again, who thought it would be a good idea to give her a gun???

patti talks about her book...

I am totally looking forward to reading this...

friday!

I love Fridays very very very much (maybe because I love the weekends very very etc much). Even though today is going to be a hot one. I can hardly stand to think of what tomorrow night at Ravinia is going to be like, but it will not be the first time I have been there in extreme heat & humidity. It's summer, it's an outdoor venue, it's Chicago(land)in July, yeah, it's gonna be hot. At least I'm just sitting there, and I can have all the cold beverages I want, it's not like I'm up on stage playing or singing.

Anyway. TGIF everyone! I will come back later this weekend with a full report of Renée's concert.

EXCLUSIVE: "Great Performances" to Broadcast Sondheim: The Birthday Concert in November - Playbill.com

Happy birthday to me!! That's if our PBS station actually airs this on Novemebr 24th...

EXCLUSIVE: "Great Performances" to Broadcast Sondheim: The Birthday Concert in November - Playbill.com

monday already?

The weekends ALWAYS seem to go by too fast, but summer weekends seem to go by at twice the speed. Maybe because there's so much good stuff to do?

Saturday started early for me - had to bring diabetic kittykat to the vet to get a blood test- she was NOT a happy little camper! Went to breakfast, did a little grocery shopping then hopped the EL with Heidi so we could hit the sidewalk sale at
1154 Lill Studio because what we need in our lives? Are some more adorable, custom designed handbags. Yeah, totally. Came away with a darling Hadley bag (what? It's for work. And it was 50% off!) and a bag of really soft and fresh gummy bears (not from Lill, from somewhere else)and we were back on several EL trains back to the 'burbs for lunch with Jane. Burgers, wedding shower shopping, home, dinner, an episode of Bones, and the last half hour of the Vargathon on channel 20.4

Sunday - my first major forray into Indiana for Nicole and Mark's wedding shower in Valpo. I was up early (of course!! My annoying mental alarm clock makes it impossible to sleep in most of the time. And my meowing furry alarm clock doesn't help either!) and off to the gym. Back, made breakfast, did laundry, beautified for the shower.

Let me tell you, there is a reason I don't spend a lot of time in Indiana - it's BORING. And kind of smelly. There might be more than corn there, but I really can't be bothered to find out. The shower was lots of fun though. It was in this totally amazing restaurant Don Quijote. There were (seemingly bottomless) pitchers of sangria on the tables and platters heaped with delicious food - mixed vegetables, meatballs, potato salads, mushrooms, bread with this amazing garlic butter style spread, cheese (of some kind. really really tasty), and the main event was a gigantic vat of paella (no, seriously, it was huge. Two guys paraded it out from the kitchen so we could all admire it before they put it on a table and started plating it up) and some kind of pork and it was all really fresh and delicious. For dessert, we had a really amazing cinnamon apple crumb style cake with ice cream. It was all really fantastic, foodwise, and the shower was fun too. If you are in Valpo for any reason, go to this place. It was cute, the owners were there and really nice (they gave us all $15 gift certificates to come back!) and the food was, no kidding, totally amazing.

There were some games - one involving clothespins and forbidden words "bride" "dress" and "wedding" (if you hear someone saying those words, you can steal their pin. The person with the most pins at the end of the shower won a prize). Mine was lost fairly early because someone "innocently" asked what the forbidden words were, because she'd forgotten. And like a dope, I rattled them off. Busted.

There was a "price is right" kind of game where there was a "showcase" of stuff and we had to guess the price of it all and win a prize. You'd think for all the shopping I do, I would be better at stuff like this, but alas. I was like over 20 bucks off what the price was. There was also a game that involved breaking into teams of 5 and selecting a "bride" to craft a "dress" out of toilet paper and aluminum foil. Guess who ended up wearing toilet paper? That's right, it was me. And I didn't even win the contest, although all of the "brides" got a little prize. It was really really hilarious, actually. And I have pictures, but have to upload them, so keep your eyes on this space for my lovely "dress".

Gifts were opened (the four of us got Nicole and Mark a Wii - they had registered for one and we thought it would be a fun gift that they could enjoy together. Much more original than a toaster, yes?) and we were back on the road again. Got stuck in traffic snarl outside Chicago (grrrr) so it took a little bit longer to get home. Had a small dinner (really small), got things ready for work and then went to bed.

See? Too short!!!

a gala event for the ages

I'll be there on July 31 (and the 30th too, come to think of it. Maybe I can pitch a tent on the lawn? Just sleep over?)

From Ravinia's e-newsletter:

The Ravinia Women’s Board presents another star-studded evening for this year’s Gala, celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim. Be there on Saturday, July 31 for the performance featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Gemignani, vocalists Patti LuPone, Michael Cerveris, Audra McDonald and George Hearn and director Lonny Price.
“The genius of Sondheim can’t be questioned. The star power of Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, George Hearn and Michael Cerveris make them all without peer. The stage mastery of Lonny Price and Paul Gemignani is unimpeachable. Add all this magic to the natural beauty of Ravinia Festival, and you’ve got a Gala event for the ages,” said Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman. “In a season brimming with special anniversaries, what better way to celebrate Sondheim’s 80th birthday than by recreating the greatest hits Ravinia has had with his music and these stars over the past decade?”

Since 2001 Ravinia has assembled its own Sondheim repertory company that includes Broadway stars Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, George Hearn and Michael Cerveris along with director Lonny Price and conductor Paul Gemignani, who leads the orchestras on most Sondheim cast albums. In different combinations, these artists have given Ravinia highly lauded productions of Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music, Passion, Anyone Can Whistle and Gypsy, which Patti, in her role of Mama Rose, took to Broadway to earn a Tony Award. And Ravinia’s visions of Sweeney Todd and Passion both generated highly lauded telecast productions.

In celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday, these great artists are “putting it together,” weaving their favorite moments from Ravinia’s Sondheim shows into a musical celebration that will remain “Timeless”.

Tosca's on her way back to Chicago...

There was a tiny blurb in the Tribune yesterday, including this tantalizing tidbit: Also announced for 2011 at Ravinia is a Conlon-conducted concert performance of Puccini's "Tosca," starring Patricia Racette, Salvatore Licitra and Bryn Terfel

Exciting for several reasons: Tosca is one of my favorite operas and Bryn Terfel is one of my favorite singers who hasn't been in Chicago for a long time. Sign me up!

one week away!!

Let the countdown begin - I am heading to Ravinia next weekend to see the wonderful Renée Fleming sing Strauss's Four Last Songs. I hope it is not 9 million degrees outside, because as much as she likes the humidity for her voice, it's just killer sitting in the pavilion watching the performance while sweating your brains out. Still, I do it happily (and stickily) for you, Renée. My goodness, I haven't seen Renée in a REALLY LONG TIME. Time to remedy that!!

My next couple of weeks will be quite Ravinia-filled, since the weekend following Renée's concert I am seeing Arrival from Sweden on Friday the 30th (where I will be busting out my jelly glow rings!) and the Sondheim Gala concert on the 31st (where I will also be busting out my jelly glow rings - HA! Just kidding!).

Anyway, get ready for Renée by watching her discuss the Four Last Songs:

totally a-mahzing...

Seth Rudetsky's Deconstructing Broadway is coming to Chicago (well, Highland Park, whatever, close enough) in October at something called "The Music Theatre Company Space". I was so excited, my little nerd girl self squealed when I read this news on Theater Mania. On top of his deconstructions, Seth writes really great weekly columns on Playbill.com which I read religiously AND I've read his book "Broadway Nights"!! Most of the factoids I know about Broadway come from the Fountain of Seth. I already have my tickets- SO looking forward to it!

stay tuned...

When I got home last night, all I wanted to do was veg out in front of the tv. So there I was, surfing channels, looking for something to watch on tv after Rick Steves' Europe. I used to think Rick was the shit, with all of his practical tips and budget travel advice, but now I am not so sure. He is really big on local establishments, and meeting new people, to really get immersed in the culture and in Venice, we stayed with a crazy old lady in her non-air conditioned home b/c she rented out some rooms for guests. Yeah, that was a fun night. And how does he only get away with one tiny backpack?

Anyway. Surfing channels. I was on a random channel (it's called MHZ, I think, 20-4 on my tv) that broadcasts foreign language movies and shows. It's where I once found a German cop drama and I was following the subtitles and got really sucked into the action. Last night, there was a Norwegian series (I guess?) called Varg Veum about a private detective named, naturally enough, Varg Veum. The films are based on a series of books, and the story was kind of interesting, although I confess, I stayed tuned in mainly because the guy who plays Varg is a hunk and a half. See for yourself!


Lovely, no? Anyway, I found out that it's Varg week on this mysterious tv channel, which means I will likely be in front of the tv once again tonight, watching Varg battle the baddies.

U2 reschedules Soldier Field concert for July 2011 - chicagotribune.com

U2 reschedules Soldier Field concert for July 2011 - chicagotribune.com

See y'all next July 5!

"every child should have a chance to feel special..."

I got this in my daily "You've Cott Mail" post this morning:

(Originally Posted by Richard Kessler on his blog Dewey21C, July 7, 2010)
Painter/photographer Chuck Close, interviewed on PBS' News Hour: "Well, I think the problem with the arts in America is how unimportant it seems to be in our educational system. I grew up in a town that was a mill town, very poor, Appalachian-like, except that it was in the state of Washington. And we had as a guaranteed right from kindergarten through high school art and music every day of the week. Today that is considered to be far less important than the three R's. There is teaching for testing, and for those of us who, especially for us who are learning disabled or for those of us who learn differently, we had a chance to feel special. Every child should have a chance to feel special. If they are not good at math or science -- I can't memorize and I don't know the multiplication tables even today -- I had something that I could excel at. And that I think, that is the most troubling thing that's happened, especially with teaching through testing, that we are trying to get people to know the same thing as a kind of a litmus test to allow them to go to college or whatever. I'm a product of open enrollment. I went to a junior college that took every taxpayers son or daughter. And if I hadn't had that and hadn't had that exposure to art and music and something that I could excel at and something I could feel good about -- I've always said if I hadn't gone to Yale, I could've gone to jail. And it was a tossup. It could've gone either way."

the lady with the torch...

I promise you we did more in NYC than see shows and slurp down delicious chocolatey ice cream confections - bright and early on Tuesday morning, we also took the Staten Island Ferry nearish the Statue of Liberty. It was a beautiful day, and although it was a sticky slog through lower Manhattan, it was nice and cool on the water. After this, we took a walk around Wall Street and then visited another venerable NYC institution - Century 21.

brooklyn!

The last few times I've been in Brooklyn have been completely by accident. Usually I get on the subway, with the intent to go downtown. My problem is that I'm looking for Fulton Street, but the stop is actually called something else and so then I miss it completely and end up staring with dismay out the window as I see water and then coming to the conclusion, "Oh, crap, I'm in Brooklyn!" Twice, I've done this. But no, a week ago today, we went there on purpose via the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd never crossed it before and wanted to. So yeah. We did it!

Except it was kind of disappointing on the Brooklyn side. We'd intended to find a nice water taxi to take us back to Manhattan except you know what? THEY DON'T EXIST ON WEEKDAYS except during rush hour (we were there at 11:30). We'd been looking forward to the famous ice cream they've got over there, but the stand didn't open until 12:00. We had already gotten our exercise (plus we were hungry!) and didn't really want to cross the bridge on foot again. It looked like we were going to have to until I spotted a cab and flagged that sucker down. It took us back over the bridge to city hall which I have to say was the best 6 bucks we spent on the whole trip.

women on the verge...

Back to work. Ugh, ugh, ugh.... These pictures, taken in Shubert Alley, just about sum it up...

speaking of food...

We had lots of great food while we were in NYC. Just quickly, some of our food stops:

• Shake Shack on the UWS
• Crumbs for cupcakes. Panic attack moment when it appeared the UWS outpost had moved and wouldn't be open until July 1 - fortunately, old store a block or so away was still open and we were able to procure red velvet, vanilla, hostess, and cookie dough 'cakes without incident. Except later, when Heidi was eating her cookie dough cupcake and discovered this weird, chocolatey fudge center. "It's staring at me!!"
  
  
• Pigalle for dinner pre-Mamma Mia! Where the words "raspberry sorbet" escaped my lips completely on their own volition because I had meant to order lemon.


• Nice Matin for the Best Waffle in the Universe (they don't list them that way in the menu, but they should, I tell you. They should.)


• A Salt and Battery for fish and chips (and yes. We went there just for the name.) We had a bit of a Venice flashback here, because the guy behind the counter was so intent on the World Cup match he was watching, we had to wait to place our orders until there was a break in the action. The adorable English guys next door at Tea & Sympathy were also watching the game - but on a Spanish tv station. I guess soccer is a universal language.


• Bagels and lox and shmear at a place on the UWS (79th and Amsterdam, I think) because we thought that they would probably throw us out of Manhattan otherwise. Don't they check your blood-cream cheese levels at the airport now??


• Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar OMG, OMG, OMG. The man has his own chocolate philosophy and his own gift shop. How could I not love this place??
  

My "Eighties Milkshake" including vanilla rum ice cream, and chocolate and probably some other things too, with an artful chocolate shell (a milkshake with a shell!! Squee!) and served in the "Alice" glass (the other side says "Drink Me" Too right I will!) BEST. MILKSHAKE. EVER. I may or may not have purchased an Alice glass of my own to keep forever and ever.

Heidi's treat involved creating her own popsicle using the above shown vanilla ice cream bar and her own little assortment of fixings. We may or may not have used our spoons to just eat the chocolate in that little bowl.

• Dinner at Landmarc in the Time Warner building with Cara, my lovely former college roommate, now a high-powered New York attorney.