Owner: Becoming a New Yorker URL:http://becoming-a-new-yorker.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:56:15 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: From NC to NYC, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly - and even the Boring - of becoming a New Yorker, in my own words and others Site statistics:Click here
Phone Photo Ops - Juilliard & Lincoln Center 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Overlooking LincolnCenter
from The Juilliard SchoolAlumni news at Juilliard reads like a "who's who" of arts and entertainmentJamie Foxx, Kevin Kline, Anthony Mackie, Christopher Reeve,Kevin Spacey, Robin Williams, to name a fewHalls of greatness Read more:Photo
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Better Than Chocolate 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Tokii really wanted me to see a play called "Better Than Chocolate
," a production by the Second Year (Group 38) students in The Juilliard Drama Division. So I went back to Lincoln Center this afternoon to catch the 5 p.m. show. "The Greeks," in which Tokii portrays several roles, was showing again at 8 p.m. and she had already seen "Better Than Chocolate" this weekend so I attended alone."I really want you to see this play by the Second Years," she had said. "So try to make it."She knows me. When she says I'll like something, I believe her. And I loved it.She had just seen a play today in the 2007 Playwright Project Schedule by another group of Second Years at 1:30 p.m. called "Farragut North," and according to a text message I received as I was walking to the train: "... a juilliard playwright wrote it & now 2 big hollywood studios r fighting over the script. George Clooney and Leo DiCaprio want it bad! Not to mention they're tryn 2 get it done on b'way."I am always blown away by t
Midweek Recap 1970-01-01 00:59:59 What I did yesterday:Had a good day at work; attended a cardio kickboxing class at Equinox with one of my bosses; sat in the steam room even though I forgot my flip flops (I hope I didn't catch plantar warts); watched "Sex and the City" on TBS; received photos of my cousin's wedding in the Philippines and wished I could have been there; drank a glass of wine; got in bed by 11 p.m. and began a new book: Tales from the Bed: On Living, Dying and Having It All, a memoir by Jenifer Estess as told to Valerie Estess.What I did today:Woke up before my alarm went off at 6 a.m.; fell in a man's lap when the train lurched on the tracks; read the newest issue of one of our company's magazines, which doesn't hit newsstands until March; stepped out of the office for lunch for the first time in two weeks; attended mass for Ash Wednesday and walked around the city with black ashes on my forehead; decided that I am going to give up Starbursts for Lent; returned home to receive my groceries from Fr Read more:Midweek
, Recap
More Reasons to Love New York 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Today I thought of more reasons that I love New York.So I added them to what is now a running list.More reasons sure to come. Read more:Reasons
Phone Photo Op - To Be Necessary 1970-01-01 00:59:59 ... Or not to be necessary ... it's not really a question.Just when you think there are no separate products left to fuse into one, I walk into a Duane Reade and find earTunes, a hat with built in head phones.When a winter hat and iPod earbuds are just too much, simply plug your portable player up to your tobaggan, and you can listen to music and keep your head warm at the same time.I used to be cynical about the fusion of cameras and cell phones, but look at me now. Perhaps one day I'll wonder how I ever got by without my earTunes. Read more:Photo
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Leaving Las Vegas 1970-01-01 00:59:59 What happens in Vegas
stays in Vegas, but you have to get there before something can happen and before you can leave it.Terrence arrived in Las Vegas last night after over 12 hours of traveling standby between Oklahoma and Salt Lake City. He had met Kev in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, and they planned to reunite in Vegas on Thursday afternoon after separate flight plans.Joining them for NBA All-Star Weekend 2007 in Vegas are a few cousins and friends for a sort of "boys' road trip." I hate to admit that I get slightly anxious about the city-hopping excursions that Terrence takes with Kev. Nothing against the NBA or Kev; it's the random women associated with the lifestyle.And nothing against Terrence because he gives me no reason to doubt him, especially on trips like these. He calls me from the games, clubs and parties, sends me camera pics of cool or interesting things and tries to make me feel involved without imposing on the "man time" with his boys. He calls from his hotel room at Read more:Leaving
Juilliard Drama Division - Group 36 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Every year, two thousand students audition for twenty places in the freshman class in The Juilliard School's Drama Division
. In 2003, my best friend was one of those two thousand students to audition. In 2007, she will be one of the 15 members of Group
36 at Juilliard to successfully complete the intense, four-year program.Last night I went to see her in her final production of the 4th Year Drama Division Season 2006-07. As I waited for the play to begin on a stage on the fourth floor of the world-renowned school, I flipped through The Juilliard Journal. The interesting thing about the school's newspaper is that their alumni news section is sprinkled with the news of famous actors, dancers, directors, musicians, playwrights and composers. With notable alumni like Val Kilmer (Group 10), Kevin Kline (Group 1), Anthony Mackie (Group 30), it's easy to wonder what the future holds in store for Group 36.The play "THE GREEKS Part One: The War," which runs through Monday, was interesting an
Top 10 Favorite Cullowhee Memories 1970-01-01 00:59:59 One week from today I will be leaving for New York City! Here, in random order, are my Top 10 Favorite
Memories from college and the place I will be leaving behind:The Battle for the Old Mountain JugSome question whether or not the mountain rivalry between Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University is a true collegiate football tradition or a clever 1970's marketing ploy, but for those of us who took down the goal posts in Whitmire Stadium in 1998 following Western's first win over ASU in 13 years and subsequently left one of them on the Chancellor's front yard, it will always be a favorite, genuine and unscripted college moment. Sheer joy. True bliss. Solidarity among thousands.Summer in Park PlaceAs much as we hated it at the time, we love to laugh about it now. The summer that me, Jessica, Daphne, Shameika, Dominique and Travis all lived in a two-bedroom (single-wide) trailer in Park Place will always be one of my most unforgettable and vivid memories. This was
The Feeling of Life 1970-01-01 00:59:59 "It's not the meaning of life, Alfred, it's the feeling of life. Look at that park down there! Just think of how many loves lost and found in it, how many first kisses kissed, how many Frisbees lost, and just remember that is your park, my friend. And you've got your whole life to walk though it"~ Zak Orth to Freddie Prinze Jr. referring to Central Park in Down to You (2000), aired this morning on FX at 9 o'clockI added a new quotation to the Quotable NYC sidebar. No one expects cutesy, toothless movies about light teen romances to inspire you, but sometimes they have Hallmark-card moments of greatness that provide a glimpse into your own heart.That's the moment I had this morning when I came across this movie while laying on my couch, flipping channels, frustrated at being awake too early on a Saturday morning.It's not the meaning of life, it's the feeling of life. If that's not a myspace headline, I don't know what is. But it's going to be my new personal motto.I've Read more:Feeling
Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, Terrence, Me ... Six Degrees 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Yesterday, Terrence called me to say that Kevin
(his best friend in college) wanted Terrence to meet him in New York City. So I asked, "When?"And Terrence answered, "Tonight."Terrence's mom works for Delta Airlines so it really "ain't nothing" for him to get on a plane and meet Kevin in any corner of the nation. The two of them are becoming quite the travelers. So when I asked T if he was coming, I was surprised when he said no. Apparently Terrence had better things to do this weekend in Atlanta than fly to New York and hang out with Kev and Ron Artest
at this weekend's fashion shows and after-parties. Riiiiiight.Kevin is in the city for a few days to play in Ron Artest's charity game (in which I heard Kev scored 45 points tonight); both of them play for the Sacramento Kings, but the latter is from Queens. Kevin, Terrence and I attended the same college in North Carolina, which is where T and I met and began dating after I graduated; Mr. Artest has no idea I'm alive. This morning, Read more:Martin
, Degrees
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In Common with Jay-Z 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I learned today that, in addition to a certifiably traceable six degrees of separation to Jay-Z, we also have something in common. What does this mean for me? Absolutely nothing. He's Terrence's favorite musical artist, but other than that ... hmm ... nope, nothing. I was just watching Jay-Z's interview on CenterStage this afternoon, where Michael Kay talked with him about his rise to fame as a hip-hop superstar and as a successful businessman and Nets part-owner, his charitable work, and his affiliations with the likes of Bill Clinton and Gweneth Paltrow.During the hit-and-run portion of the show (similar to the Inside the Actor's Studio's trivia), I learned that Jay Z's favorite late night snack is peanuts and raisins. Me, too, Jay! Me, too.I also liked Jay-Z's answers to questions regarding hard work and success. When Michael asked the entertainment and sports mogul if he had fear of becoming poor again, he responded: "I have more a fear of going back ... back to, you know, I Read more:Common
Saturday in the City 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It took me an hour and a half to get home from West 23rd Street. Ninety minutes. But before I recount that part of my day, let me back up.I met Eileen, Annisha and Gina B. for brunch in Soho at noon. We stayed there for four hours. I love how conversation at brunch has no rules. We talk about anything and everything. It's so refreshing, frequently hilarious and always a good time. The bartender, a friend of Annisha's and obviously entrigued by our incessant laughter, pulled up a chair for awhile. I learned that he lives just five blocks from me. The waitress brought out a pitcher of sangria on the house, and suddenly it was 4 p.m.After brunch Annisha dropped Gina off on Houston and me at West 23rd, and then she and Eileen drove back over the river to Hoboken. I had my eyebrows threaded at Unique Threading Salon and then went to The Container Store on West 19th Street - my haven. I find a sense of meaning and purpose in there that I should find in a church. It's the immaculate organi Read more:Saturday
Center Stage 1970-01-01 00:59:59 My life is beginning to feel more centered. As a military brat dealing with constant and inevitable change, my life often felt left or right of center. Not in a bad way. I just never felt grounded because I knew that most situations were temporary. But that can also be a good way. I don't rely on permanence, and as a result, change is not as frightening to me as an adult. It doesn't mean that I don't hate the fact that nothing lasts. I absolutely despise that the greatest things in my life won't last forever, and I think I grip moments more than others do because of it.The big picture of my life contrasts sharply with the finer details. I am a creature of habit, creating structure in whatever environment I have been placed, or - as with New York - have finally chosen. And I have created my own structure in becoming a New Yorker.My apartment is coming together. Still slowly. But there is a personal gratification that comes with labored progress. And I'm creating new goals instead o Read more:Center
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Odd One Out 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Last night I went to a single's party at Stitch, a bar in the Fashion District, to celebrate Valentine's Day. I'm assuming that I was probably the only person in a relationship in the bar, but I'll never know because I spent the evening drinking Apple Martinis and chatting with Eileen and about two dozen of her female coworkers, friends and friends-of-friends.Eileen had forwarded me the following evite last week, and she informed me yesterday that my Valentine's evening would not be best spent in the spinning class at my gym.Host: Some good looking single peopleLocation: Stitch Bar & Lounge, 247 W 37th Street (b/w 7th & 8th Ave)When : Wednesday, February 14, 6:00pmBring on the single and the booze. t is Valentine's Day and Wednesday so what better to do then gather with like minded singles post-work to lift up some drinks and get your party on. Pass on to other single people you know and maybe you might just get lucky on Vday. Thursday mornings are great for a walk of shame.S
Phone Photo Op - Bald Britney Cut-Out 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I don't believe in making jokes about one's stints in rehab. We are essentially witnessing the deterioration of a human being in a fishbowl, and it's very sad. However, bald jokes following the sudden, careless whim to shave one's head (when one is not undergoing chemotheraphy, preparing for a role in G.I. Jane, or Patrick Stewart) ... that's fair game.Yesterday at work, I received an email from Eileen featuring an exciting opportunity to make my own bald Britney
doll.Today I printed and cut out the template, pasted it together and left it by my boss's computer for Monday. She's gonna love it. Read more:Photo
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Close Encounters of the Heroic Kind 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Wesley Autry -the man who risked his own life to save that of another in the path of an oncoming train and whose young daughters live in my building - called me "Dimples" in passing at a crosswalk this evening.You're not somebody until you are defined by Wikipedia. It's a small world, especially when you live on the same block.One of my bosses lives in the same neighborhood as the Olsen Twins. Read more:Close
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I Love New York 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Despite my cynicism of the commercialization of Valentine's Day, I reflected a lot today on the things I love. In particular, the things I love about my new life in New York. I've lived here for a little over six months, and there is so much that I love - that I knew I would love. I made a list of a few things that came to mind.Things I love about living in New York City:- the Manhattan skyline- walking to work- how almost every culture in the world exists within the five boroughs- weekend brunches- after-work cocktails- Bleecker Street- Broadway- the liberation of anonymity in the city (trip in the middle of the street, and no one will know it happened by the time you reach the next block)- lunch in Bryant Park (when it's warm)- turning the key(s) in the door of my Manhattan apartment- cobblestone streets in the Meatpacking District- the city from the back seat of a taxi- the energy of the city at any hour- the steam room after an intense spinning class at Equinox- riding in a near
BloggerChicks 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In honor of American Heart Month, I'd like to give a shout out to Izzy's BloggerChicks, which highlights the women bloggers of cyberspace.From heartforwomen.org:Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in this country, claiming over 349,000 American women each year. Raising awareness and improving treatment and screening can save many lives. Congress introduced the HEART for Women Act, legislation that would improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease and stroke.To make sure that the HEART for Women Act is passed swiftly, we need your help. Please urge your Members of Congress to support this lifesaving legislation.Send a letter to your congressman here.
Phone Photo Op - HBO's Life Support 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I was walking along 42nd Street after work this evening when I noticed a poster on the side of a newsstand for a new HBO movie Life Support
, in which Tokii's friend - and a Juilliard School alum - plays the daughter of Queen Latifah's lead character.Filming ended months ago and we've been waiting patiently for the move to premiere. And though I'm not close with Rachel, as she moved to Los Angeles soon after I moved to New York, I couldn't help but feel an increased anticipation and excitement for her. I snapped this camera phone photo and sent it to Tokii, Candice and Gina (Rachel's old roommate Gina C. - not Gina B.).Down in the train station, I viewed the photo on my cell phone screen again. I don't know if it was intuition or if my emotions were simply feeding off seeing this poster for the first time, but I felt like Tokii's time is coming soon. I gave myself chills thinking about it. Read more:Photo
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Always Something to Miss 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In New York City, there is always something to do, and that means that there is also always something to miss.Last week I missed a chance to see the actual Oscar statuettes up close and personal in Times Square before they were presented at The 79th Academy Awards. Not that it was really in my top 100 - or even my top 43 things - that I want to do (in fact, I don't actually have a list of 43), but it would have been interesting to see a real Oscar: http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2007/02/morning-view-meet-oscar.html; however, anyone with an Internet connection can meet Oscar here.And over the weekend I missed the 2007 annual pillow fight in Union Square, but Joe.My.God - who misses much less than I do and through whom I often live vicariously (minus the gay man thing) - happened across it after his Saturday brunch: http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2007/02/brunch-stroll.htmlI think I will plan to participate in the annual pillow fight next year. Maybe I'll make a list of 43 things for 2007.
Phone Photo Op - Inappropriate Gingerbread 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This afternoon my coworkers exchanged a few more Christmas gifts. Julie, an avid yoga enthusiast, handed out gingerbread men in a variety of yoga positions. Our sales manager looked at my cookie and then paused when she saw the cookie of one of the sales associates."You know," she said, "Your cookie and his cookie should be together."So we tested her theory.Our founder and former CEO would certainly not approve of these highly inappropriate photos of sugar, flour and water.Disclaimer: This photo is not necessarily indicative of the type of people with whom I work in advertising sales. Though as I snapped this phone photo op, I said to our sales manager, "So when people ask me what I did at work today ...""Yes," she said. "These are the people you work with." Read more:Photo
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No Reason 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I saw Stephen Colbert today at the corner of Hudson Street and St Marks Place.Ok. I didn't see Stephen Colbert today, and I don't think Hudson even crosses St Marks. But it would have been cool if I did and if such an intersection existed.Speaking of which, if you want to attend the best cardio kickboxing class in the city, find the instructor who teaches classes at several Equinox locations in Manhattan. You'll know it's him because his voice sounds like DMX. I keep expecting him to bark after each set of roundhouse kicks.After leaving the gym, I was walking along West 43rd Street to catch the train in Times Square, and I overheard about three seconds of a conversation. One man said to another, "There's something about New York that is ..."I didn't hear the end of the sentence because I continued walking and was quickly out of range, but between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, I thought of ways to end that sentence. The one I thought of that I liked the most was, "There's something Read more:Reason
Super NYC Woman 2007-03-03 04:04:00 Before I go to bed early in preparation for the Hoboken Saint Patrick's Day, I wanted to mention that I lugged a 22-pound ready-to-assemble Deluxe Laptop Reading Cart (which was delivered to my office since FedEx was being disagreeable and insisted on attempting delivery when I continually told them I would be working), a gym tote, a handbag and a plastic bag with empty Tupperware for my lunch ... while navigating the tunnels, stairways and trains of the subway ... from midtown to my uptown apartment ... all while wearing stilettos. Read more:Super
Nikki Baby's Birthday 2007-03-03 02:45:00 Yesterday I went to the gym after work, took a kick-ass cardio boot camp class followed by a 30-min abdominal class, showered and got ready to go out for a night on the town. I didn't return uptown last night. I was staying at Nikki
's apartment in midtown since we had late-night plans. She has an amazing panoramic view that includes the East River on one side and an unobstructed view of the Empire State Building on the other, and she lives in the same building as Vanessa Minnillo and even sees Nick Lachay around from time to time. I saw neither last night.I joined Nikki and her boyfriend and several of their friends at her apartment for some pre-party shots, and then we went out to celebrate her night on the town. She wore a pretty dress and a tiara, which we made her boyfriend where for a random photo in the bar later that night. I don't remember what time we got back to her place, but I do remember that me, Nikki and her boyfriend were huddled around scream birthday cake in her ki Read more:Birthday
Why I Love My Coworkers 2007-03-01 04:08:00 My coworkers in digital advertising are such an amazing group.The president of our division had a baby recently, and before she went on maternity leave, our entire team - approximately 70 of us - conspired to throw her a surprise baby shower and created fun gifts based on inside jokes around the office.Our senior marketing manager recently collapsed in the gym and was hospitalized due to a genetic blood disorder that she didn't know she had. We immediately swooped into action with a gourmet fruit basket (she was on a strict diet) and sent a box of our company's various magazines for her nurses. And Jenny, one of my favorite coworkers, went to Build-A-Bear and created a teddy bear based roughly on Amie's likeness (blond hair and trendy outfit). The funniest thing about the bear is that when you press the bear's paw, you hear a message from one of our sales associates: "Hi, Amie. It's Sam. We're working on an advertising proposal with print. We're thinking of doing a sweepstakes.
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