I Have Found

NEW BLOG!

2010-12-04T23:10:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all. Moving blog platforms over to Wordpress, hosted on my website. Kept all of the entries, just changing addresses.

http://blog.kerriebond.com

Sooo.... follow that one. :)

Love Happened Here

2010-10-06T22:51:00.002-04:00

I feel like I wouldn't be able to live with myself unless I documented this past amazing weekend somewhere. So here it is.

Friday

I made up the hours in the days leading up to Friday, and took the day off from work. I did not sleep in, however. I woke up at 7:30, did my usual routine, and was off to Chelsea to wait in line at the SVA Theatre for tickets for the New Yorker Festival. Unlike the people ahead of me in line, who all wanted multiple events, I was only interested in one: The Social Network. I already had tickets to the other events that interested me (and even if I didn't, I could only afford one event as it was). This was no ordinary screening of the film, though. It featured a talkback afterwards with Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, and Aaron Sorkin. I HAD to get tickets.

So I waited in line for 2 1/2 hours, in the rain. The box office opened, and as things sold out, they announced them. My stomach was churning. What if I'd just waited 2 1/2 hours for nothing?

Then it was my turn.

I got up to the counter and asked for 3 tickets. The guy smiled and told me they were the last 3 tickets left. A minute later, they announced that The Social Network had sold out. If that's not fate, I don't know what is.

The movie, as most of the country knows by now, is brilliant. Aaron Sorkin doesn't disappoint. Jesse Eisenberg gives the performance of his career, and I officially have a totally different opinion of Justin Timberlake. Oh, and Andrew Garfield is beautiful.

Anyway, and then the talkback came. We were front row. It was surreal. Jesse Eisenberg looked around the room nervously the whole time. Aaron Sorkin did 80% of the talking, not that anyone minded - he is completely engaging and genius to listen to. He put to bed all rumors that were circulating, said that he was in fact committed to the facts of the story. They talked about David Fincher's famoud 99 take opening scene. Jesse and Justin even got to talk a little! And afterwards, Aaron Sorkin stuck around on stage to sign a few autographs and shake some hands, including Gary's. It was a successful night.

Oh, and the Wafels & Dinges truck was outside afterwards. Perfection.

Saturday

I had a long day of flyering in Times Square ahead of me. But one fact made it easier: knowing that that night, I would be seeing Jake Gyllenhaal. In person. So I rushed home after flyering, changed into something a little nicer than my A Life in the Theatre t-shirt, got dinner with Alison, and was sitting 3rd row center before I knew it. And then there he was, in his (bearded) glory.

This night, A "Conversation" with Jake Gyllenhaal, was reminiscent of Inside the Actors Studio. The moderator discussed Jake's career, childhood, sister, parents, all that stuff. They showed clips from Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain (which made me sob), Zodiac, and his new movie Love and Other Drugs.

He was completely charming, interested, and really smart. They talked about his mustache in Brokeback Mountain quite a bit, and Jake said that he actually won an award for that mustache. (No, seriously, an online award given out every year to best mustache). We found out that Jason Schwartzman, a close friend of Jake's, was originally supposed to play Donnie Darko. (WHAATTT?) He talked about sex a lot, and we discovered that there is a lot of nudity in his new movie - probably the best advertisement ever.

It was over way to soon, and was completely surreal the whole time. He seems like a very cool guy who really doesn't comprehend how immensely talented he is. I wish I knew how to quit him. (How could I resist?)

Sunday

I'm not even going to bother with a preamble here - Sunday morning Mike and I sat front row and listened to Steve Carell talk for 2 hours. STEVE CARELL. No, but seriously, STEVE CARELL. I talk about things being surreal a lot, but this really tops the list. He was right in front of me. Steve Carell. Very different from his comedic persona, but still completely hilarious, he was totally captivating the whole time. He seems really down to earth and modest about his immense success. He talked a lot about his daughter and wife. Called Stephen Colbert an asshole (jokingly, of course), talked about his time at Second City, and his audition for Bruce Almighty - which was maybe his 3rd movie audition ever. Talked about the much rumored, and apparently ill-fated, Anchorman 2. And, get this, they all wanted to do it as a BROADWAY MUSICAL. But no one besides the actors seem to want to put it on its feet. (CAN YOU IMAGINE?!?!) He said that he generally needs to play a character, a more "interesting" version of himself, while doing interviews. Talked about The Office, and how he feels like his leaving at the end of this season will be good for the show, and that they can use a "change of tone". Whether this is his genuine opinion or not is hard to say. He can't very well come out and say they should end the show when he leaves without sounding like an egomaniac. (But if he'd just pass along my letter to NBC, I won't tell anyone).

It really was, and I really need a better word for this, completely and utterly surreal. He is one of the funniest comedic actors out there, not to mention one of my absolute favorite actors. The setting really did feel very intimate, and it was refreshing to really hear him talk about his career and the people he's worked with.

And then there was Sunday night. I may have said previously that seeing Billie Joe in American Idiot once was totally enough. But I knew I was lying. You knew I was lying. Not even 24 hours after that entry was posted, I bought a ticket for his final performance. And I have never been so grateful for a rash decision in my life.

His last show was completely electric - I won't go into too much detail, there really isn't much more that I can say that I haven't already said here, but he'd even gotten better since I saw him that night. You could tell he wanted his last show to be special. He'd added some things since he started - some really interesting moments in the background of scenes, when he wasn't the focus. (Not to mention singing a snippet of "It's Fuck Time", which he didn't do when I was there before). He sent this incredible energy across the theatre. It really was one of those experiences that I look back on and can barely believe that I was there.

At curtain call, before singing "Good Riddance", he performed a short song he composed for that occasion. I was sobbing. And I mean, face in my hands sobbing. It felt totally personal, you could tell how much he loved this experience and loved sharing it with us, and for the love of god - I WAS THERE.

I left my blood like bullets over Broadway.

The fire of the footlights at the St. James.

With broken legs and roses over New York.

These goodnight songs of long lost love and war.

But I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive like suicide.

So goodnight, goodnight, New York.

It's been a few days, and I honestly still can't stop thinking about the show, his performance, the experience. I still get choked up watching the video. I've seen a lot of amazing things in the 5 years that I've lived here, but this may actually be at the top of the list. For a lot of reasons. Phenomenal.

Only in New York.

St. Billie

2010-09-30T16:15:00.003-04:00

Reason #1,245 why I love living in New York City: Last night I was in the audience as Billie Joe Armstrong played St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the show he created. A role that he wrote. Music he wrote. He's on for one week only, and I was there. I was there.

It probably isn't a huge deal to most people. Hell, half of my friends don't even like Green Day. And that's fine. They're all crazy people, but I accept that. I, however, grew up listening to Green Day. My first Green Day album purchase was Nimrod, when I was in 7th grade. (Holy shit, that was 10 years ago). I remember being sprawled out on the floor in my room, feeling (or pretending to feel) angsty about something, with "Redundant" on repeat. Green Day shaped my angsty adolescence. Warning was released the same year, and I remain one of the only people who really loves that CD. (Whatever). Shortly following that, I purchased Dookie.

I went to my first Green Day concert (along with Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World) my freshman year of high school. They remain the best band I've ever seen live. Ever.

In 2004, American Idiot was released. I bought it the first weekend. I still think it's completely brilliant, and it was always one of my most played CDs on my iPod. So this year when it make the big leap to Broadway, I was one of the few "theatre folk" who wasn't completely skeptical and expecting a disaster. I knew how brilliant it already was, knew it was written for this kind of project in mind, and didn't even wait a week to see it. Mike and I saw the 4th preview.

This show is totally polarizing - people hate it or love. They get it or they don't get it. It's most definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and I understand why. I love it. Though would I still love it if I weren't a life-long Green Day fan? Hard to say. I see people's complaints - a very loose narrative is the biggest quip with the show. But looking at shows like Hair, I've never needed a totally structured piece of theatre. It tells it's story in a very different way. To me, everything is clear. It's not the most original story in the world, but it's the way that it's done. It connects to people in very different ways - it brings people back to that time, especially in my age group, even though it wasn't so long ago. Someone posed the question on BroadwayWorld - "were we really that angry?" Well, yeah. We really were. I remember being that angry. Are we still that angry? Not in the same ways. Is it still relevant? Absolutely - especially for the people it's talking to. In the same ways that Hair is more relevant than ever. Totally different time periods, same passion and same sentiment.

Anyway, I really love the show. That's the point of that.

So Billie Joe Armstrong stepped into the role of St. Jimmy for one week, and I was there. I burst into tears the minute he entered the stage. And, okay, let me explain this - people have different reactions to different emotions. But for me, I tend to have one gut reaction for every single emotion - sadness, happiness, excitement, anger, fear, anticipation, pride, disappointment, etc., etc. - I cry. When any of these emotions gets big enough and overwhelming enough, I just cry. That's just the way I am. I don't sob or go into hysterics, but I can't help it. My eyes well up. And this was definitely a big and overwhelming moment. I haven't seen him live since 2002. Big stuff.

But what he good? Yeah, he really really was. He energized the show in a completely new way. It wasn't a question of him being able to sing it - obviously he can. He wrote the damn music and still performs it all over the world. (And, btw, how does his voice still sound the same? And moreover, how does he still look 15? My theory: highlander). I was really surprised that he really came out as an actor. I'm not saying he's going to be playing Hamlet any time soon, but he wasn't just doing this for publicity or for shits and giggles. He really invested himself in it. And that's impressive. This guy tours with Green Day and plays in stadiums full of thousands and thousands of people. And this week he's in front of a (comparatively) small house and really putting his entire self into it. (Or is really good at faking it). His take on St. Jimmy was pretty different from Tony Vincent's. He was goofier, while still being menacing. He found a lot more laughs, in places I hadn't expected them. During his last exit, he sat up and smiled at the audience, waving himself off. He's clearly having a good time. Maybe even... the time... of his... LIFE?! Couldn't resist. But that's a nice transition...

And then there was, of course, the curtain call finale. And this is where I cried like a little schoolgirl. The minute he started playing Good Riddance, that was it. This song is nostalgic for anyone in my generation. It was really special to see him sing it live again, especially with the rest of the cast. Two worlds, and two of my favorite things, came together - musical theatre and Green Day. Did they get this idea from my subconscious or what?!

Didn't I say this was going to be a good fall?

Next this week: Jake Gyllenhaal Saturday night, Steve Carell Sunday morning. Hopefully Aaron Sorkin tomorrow night. (CAN YOU IMAGINE?!)

And, btw, my favorite TwitPic ever posted ever:

@GreenDay: Your favorite musical sucks. American Idiot rules! Fuck me hard! XXxxxxxxxxX st Jimmy"

A good fall.

2010-09-27T16:12:00.002-04:00

The first week of fall:

- I saw Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight in A Life in the Theatre. Twice. For free.

- I got a second job flyering for the above mentioned show.

- I had a fun photoshoot with Ashley Marinaccio. (See it, read the interview here: People Who Want Change).

- I started rehearsals for Co-Op Theatre East's Radio COTE play "Conference".

- I went to the VENDY AWARDS.

- Had my first Co-Op Theatre East ensemble meeting.

- Went to the BC/EFA Flea Market.

- DEXTER SEASON 5 PREMIERED.

Things that are happening soon:

- Seeing Billie Joe Armstrong in American Idiot on Wednesday.

- Seeing Jake Gyllenhaal in the New Yorker Festival on Saturday.

- Seeing Steve Carell in the New Yorker Festival on Sunday.

- Starting rehearsals for Co-Op Theatre East's production of Trojan Women.

- Seeing The Colbert Report. Twice.

- Going to Medieval Times.

Yeah, I think this is shaping up to be a pretty awesome fall. I can only hope that more amazing things are in store.

Oh, redesigned the blog. Much more simple.

Now I'm a year older.

2010-08-23T18:35:00.005-04:00

For all of you on the edge of your seat, my birthday was a smashing success! The trip to Maine, though not without some expected bumps, was one of the best I've had in a while.

It was nice to be there for 3 whole days - the longest I've spent in Bar Harbor in about 5 years. It was even nicer to have Anthony back in town, and to introduce Gary. And to have Mike there again. And to be together. In a happy group of awesomeness. Not to mention seeing all of the family I have in Maine.

My dad put together a big dinner/birthday party the night after my birthday, which was pretty cool. The coolest part, however, was THE CAKE.

Yes, friends. That is a GIANT WHOOPIE PIE. It weighed about a million pounds and was so completely epic. It was my dad's idea, and he had our head baker person at the restaurant make it. What more could I have possibly wanted???????

Present wise, I was nearly moved to tears when presented with a confirmation e-mail from Gary for 2 tickets to the freakin' VENDY AWARDS. THE VENDY AWARDS. (Educate yourself: www.streetvendor.org/vendys) I'll talk more about that in a second. And Mike, my love, drew me a picture of what was (apparently) the blackberry torch. *CRIES OF JOY* (The torch will be purchased... he didn't just draw me a picture...)

The best part of visiting Maine - BABIES EVERYWHERE. They just keep growing. I love them so.

It was exciting for Anthony to FINALLY meet all of the chillen's. It's been long enough.

Anyway, I really am hoping to get to Maine more often than once or twice a year. Access to free cars has recently entered my life, which will make things much easier.

Going back to the Vendy Awards - hopefully you know what that means now - I recently started a website/blog/awesome experiment: www.newyorkstreats.com. Because I am OBSESSED with food trucks, and as Mike said "why don't you write about it?" Why not indeed. Read and enjoy and tell all the humans you know!

Well, now I am 23 years old... so... that's... not interesting at all.

ONWARD.

23 Days.

2010-07-26T22:42:00.001-04:00

The time is nearing. This coming Sunday marks the beginning of my birth month. So, as is customary, I present to you my birthday wish list. Expect to see the possible, the impossible, and the completely ridiculous.

Birthday List

- New iPod - At least 80gb.

- Jamba Juice giftcards!!!!! For real. It is my life.

-. Trip to LA to visit the local lesbian!

- World peace.

- I can has Disney World/Universal???

- Money/gift cards for new clothing: H&M, American Eagle, Forever 21, Strawberry, GAP, JCPenny, Old Navy.

- TV Series on DVD: Mad About You, ER, Gilmore Girls (already have season 2), Dexter, The Office.

- Any Nick Hornby book from my list.

- Money. Seriously... just, money. I really need money.

More to come.

What came first - the music or the misery?

2010-07-21T23:02:00.000-04:00

This is what I love about my favorite book.

I can start it at any time, when I have no new books to read, and pick it up again months later. I'll know exactly where I am and what is happening, because I've read it 10 times before, and feel completely immersed in the story and the world instantly.

When I finish it that day, because I can't put it down yet again, I have no shame in just starting it over. And it somehow feels new every time.

High Fidelity, you are the perfect book.

"Some of my favorite songs: "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" by Neil Young; "Last Night I Dreamed That Somebody Loved Me" by the Smiths; "Call Me" by Aretha Franklin; "I Don't Want to Talk About It" by anybody. And then there's "Love Hurts" and "When Love Breaks Down" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" and "The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" and "She's Gone" and "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" and... some of these songs I have listened to around once a week, on average (three hundred times in the first month, every now and again there-after), since I was sixteen or nineteen or twenty-one. How can that not leave you bruised somewhere? How can that not turn you into the sort of person liable to break into little bits when your first love goes all wrong? What came first - the music or the misery? Did I listen to music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to music? Do all those records turn you into a melancholy person?

People worry about kids playing with guns, and teenagers watching violent videos; we are scared that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands - literally thousands- of songs about broken hearts and rejection and pain and misery and loss. The unhappiest people I know, romantically speaking, are the ones who like pop music the most; and I don't know whether pop music has caused this unhappiness, but I do know that they've been listening to the sad songs longer than they've been living the unhappy lives."

RE: Steve Carell Leaving The Office

2010-06-29T21:49:00.002-04:00

He's been hinting it for some time, but it hit the press today: Steve Carell has confirmed that the next season of The Office will be his last.

Give me minute here.

Okay.

If you know me, you know that I am a very passionate fan of this show. And I am here today to write an open letter to NBC.

Dear NBC,

Hi. Kerrie here. Long time fan, first time writer. First of all, it would seem unreasonable to start this letter without wildly thanking you for the joy you've provided me throughout my life. First of all, for Friends. The backbone of my existence. But also for Saturday Night Live, even in it's bad years. For the first 2 seasons of Heroes. For ER, Scrubs, Caroline in the City, Mad About You, Saved by the Bell, Punky Brewster, Wings, Will and Grace, The Golden Girls, any failed sitcom that I secretly watched, and more recently, Parenthood.

NBC, I forgave you for airing the Grease reality show and for canceling Freaks and Geeks.

We hit a rough spot recently throughout the Conan O'Brien/Jay Leno disaster. I have yet to fully forgive you. I'm not sure I can trust you to responsibly handle your programming ever again. But in this coming year, I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself.

Please, I am begging you, do not continue The Office without Steve Carell. I know what you're going to say. What about all the money? But is it worth it, NBC? The Office is still a great show. Don't you want to end it while it's still riding high? Do you really want to beat it to death the way Fox did with That 70's Show? Is that the network that you aspire to be, NBC? FOX?!?!

I know your next argument will be to quote Steve Carell himself...

"They've incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it'll continue as strong if not stronger than ever," Carell told E! on the red carpet.

Don't listen to him! He had to say that! He couldn't very well say, "The show can't live without me", now could he? He's a nice guy, that Steve Carell. But that's why I'm writing to tell you what's what.

NBC, do you remember when you were smart enough to let Scrubs go after its perfect ending? It wasn't your fault that ABC decided to air a following season with annoying new characters and no purpose. You did the right thing there! Please, do the right thing again. Don't follow in the footsteps of an Eric-less That 70's Show, or a John Ritter-less 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Because it is awkward, forced, and an inevitable failed experiment that fans will resent you for forever.

Your loyal fan,

Kerrie Bond

Give the Tonys Back to Broadway?

2010-06-18T15:21:00.002-04:00

The past two days I feel like I've had my heart broken by parts of the Broadway community I had grown to admire, love, and respect. A community that I have always thought to be warm, generous, and accepting.

Shortly following the Tonys, Hunter Foster (a past favorite of mine) created a Facebook page designed to "Give the TONYS Back to Broadway". At first glance, it could have had honorable intentions. It would be silly to deny that the Tonys haven't gone commercial in the last few years. They have focused more on getting good ratings than really showing this community for what it is. People have a right to be upset with that, and it is understandable.

However, this has taken a completely different turn.

It's impossible to pinpoint exactly what Hunter's intentions were now. Between him and his wife (Jen Cody) publicly BASHING Catherine Zeta-Jones' win, and Christopher Seiber (a talented, handsome, and extremely charming man) joining the bandwagon on his own Facebook page, going so far as to say that Catherine's Tony was "bought" for her, my eyes have been opened to how mean spirited jilted actors can really be.

There are multiple arguments to fight here.

The Tony Awards: Yes, this year was not a great showing. Sean Hayes, however, was a FANTASTIC host. People took issue with three things in particular: Green Day's performance, the Glee performances, and Mark Sanchez's appearance.

1. Green Day played for too long. I agree. They should have stuck to one song, or a cut of one song (as Christianne Noll was made to do), and it would have been just as good. That being said, the intentions were clear. CBS needs ratings. And again this year, the ratings are down. By 8%. By advertising the Tony Awards riding on Green Day and Glee, they were hoping to draw people in who wouldn't watch otherwise. It sucks, but its understandable. Its the way things are now. Of course I see the other side of the argument - let this be about celebrating Broadway and only that. And of course that's what I want. However, Green Day had a right to be there, having created one of this season's shows. Which brings me to...

2. The Glee performance. This is the area I had the most trouble with. I love Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele, I think they're both very talented and have given fantastic Broadway performances prior to this season. But they were not on Broadway this season, and as far as I'm concerned, their performances took away a slot that could have gone to a nominated musical that did not get to shine. And, in my humblest opinion, Lea Michele was not up to snuff.

3. Mark Sanchez. And I have one thing to say to this: SO WHAT?! A 10 second intro is causing all of this chaos? By someone who seems to genuinely love theatre? So sue the guy. No one else wanted to introduce Memphis, anyway. And for the record, every other "celebrity" presenter or performer had something to do with this season. (Please correct me if I've missed someone).

The problem is what this group has turned into: the outright bashing of Hollywood actors. This argument is old. It's tired. The labeling of every film/tv actor as "stunt casting" is ridiculous. Some of the greatest performances I've seen on Broadway have come from "celebrities". For people to claim that Broadway actors, and only Broadway actors, are worthy of appearing on the stage is ludicrous. Who's to say that these Hollywood actors didn't have Broadway aspirations, and they just managed to break into film and/or tv first? The most insane claim I've heard came from Natascia Diaz....

"Bubble, sir? it seems it is YOU who are in a bubble about this issue if you cannot see what hollywood shlock that masquerades as 'theater" has invaded our craft and community...and you wonder why we who trained and are poised and ready are removed from all possibility because we haven't paraded our tits and asses on the "big screen"...no....we were TRAINING and PERFORMING..."

Just the general claim that theater actors train more than film/tv actors is appalling to me. We all grew up with the same goals and worked just as hard - everyone seems to forget that not every "celebrity" rose to that status every night. They paid their dues just as this community does. We don't all pay the same dues, but we all hope to get the same places and work in the same mediums. For all of these stage actors to try and break into film/tv and then act as if it can't work the other way around is ridiculous. They are all, every single one of them, actors. Plain and simple.

To see this all happen after Scarlett Johansson gave a speech about being accepted into the community so warmly is sickening.

There isn't much more to say without beating an already well beaten dead horse. I just hope that Hunter ends this by taking down the group and apologizing for what it turned into. Anything he tries to do, any action he tries to take, at this point will just be laughed at. He and many others have painted a very ugly picture of themselves thus far.

You can find the facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102274489824156#!/group.php?gid=102274489824156&v=wall

And the BroadwayWorld thread discussion here: http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?page=1&thread=1017807&boardid=0

Things I Want.

2010-06-16T17:10:00.001-04:00

These are the things I want in a new place when our lease is up in 9 months:

- A bigger apartment. This is non-negotiable. I LOVE our current place, but after 2 years, we’ll need to upgrade. This has been great as a starter. Ideally, at least 500sqft. (This probably sounds like not a lot to most of you, but it’s twice as big as what we have now.)

- A kitchen that isn’t in a hallway.

- I want to either:
a. Pay less in rent. Which is probably not possible since I want a bigger place.
b. Be financially able to pay more. Which could happen if Mike pays off his debts and I... make more money. Even if we could just expand to $1,800, it would open things up so much more. So... I can dream.

- I would LOVE some kind of front door person so that getting packages becomes less of a pain in the ass. But that’s asking a lot.

- I can has elevator?!

- Location has become less specific. It is just important to me that we are in a reasonable distance of the subway, and are in a safe area that is quiet and interesting. Our area right now is really perfect, but if we can’t find a sizeable apartment in our price range (whatever that may be in 9 months), then I am more open to looking elsewhere. Everywhere we visit now, I am sure to really check out the neighborhood. I would live in the following areas:: Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown East (Flatiron, Murray Hill, etc), Downtown, East Village (the less sketchy parts, if I can find them), Lower East Side (also the less sketchy parts), West Village (though I’m not rich, so that’s pretty laughable), BROOKLYN: (yep.) Downtown Brooklyn (near Atlantic Ave, Ft. Greene, NOWHERE NEAR BED-STUY), Park Slope, Williamsburg (I guess), Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill (that’s my dream. I’m still not rich). I’m even semi-open to Long Island City, though that’s only if we get really desperate and the place is the most amazing apartment in the whole world.

Things I want for life in general at that point? To know what the hell I’m doing would be a start, but I don’t want to hope for too much. I want to be financially stable as my own person. I want to have paid off some of my credit card. In a perfect world... well, let’s just say, all I want are simple little things.

So I have 9 months to get ready for all of that. A nice start would be an evening job. Can anyone help? I want to secure an evening job and eventually transfer over to it after I’ve built up some savings. That way, I can go to open calls in the mornings, since I am unable to do that now. I applied for a merchandise job for Disney yesterday. The thought of working for Disney is only slightly terrifying. I’m sure I’m one of hundreds who applied, so I’m not really expecting a call. But we’ll see.

Oh, being skinny would be nice too.

*K

Tony Tony Tony Tony

2010-06-10T16:50:00.001-04:00

Okay, so the Tony Awards are on Sunday and this is my first mention of it. I know you all have been confused and losing sleep over my lack of opinions about this season. Well, the truth is... I don't... really... have any.

This season happened to come at a time where I had just graduated from college and was dirt poor. Therefore, I have seen almost nothing. I've seen ONE of the musicals nominated for Best Musical. I've seen ONE of the plays nominated for Best Play. I've seen none of the revivals. I really don't have any information to back up and predictions or opinions. And it's depressing as all hell. Recently I've been able to see a few things as I become not quite as poor, but still fairly poor, but it's not enough. I have no idea if Catherine Zeta-Jones is good in A Little Night Music. AND THIS CAUSES ME PHYSICAL PAIN.

Anyway, here is what I do think. I'm getting the impression that I didn't miss much this season. I'm sure I missed some things, and I'll be able to catch up on the things I'm missing that are still current, but in general, I don't feel too horrendous. Had this been last season, I would have been heartbroken. Last season was fairly exciting. This season there are 2 plays nominated in the Best Score category. One of them is Enron, an Enron did have musical numbers and some interesting background things. The other is Fences. And I'm sure the music is beautiful and great. But that really does say something about the musicals this season. Memphis almost wins by default. Though, really, if that score isn't any good, who knows what will happen.

As far as the plays go, I do feel like there's a great deal I should have seen and still need to see. I hear nothing but incredible things about Next Fall, and it's been at the top of my "must see next" list for months now. I'll never forgive myself for missing ...the Vibrator Play, as Sarah Ruhl might be my very favorite playwright. I'm glad to have seen Times Stands Still, and will probably see it again, and Brian d'Arcy James was absolutely ROBBED of a nomination.

As far as the acting nominations go, I really have no idea. I'd love to see Sherie Rene Scott upset all of them, but that's a long shot. And she's also the only one I saw, so who knows if I'd really feel that way?

I will say one thing I have a very strong opinion about - Michael Mayer's non-nomination. Say what you will about American Idiot, but he really took that piece and found new and interesting ways to bring it to life. Which I can imagine was no easy task to take on. He deserved to be recognized at the very least, and it's really a shame.

I'm excited to see the performances and presenters and all that. It's just a very bizarre experience for me to go into this whole thing blind. Usually I know what's goin' DOWN. I guess this is what the rest of the world feels like.

THINK POUND Took Chicago

2010-06-07T17:03:00.006-04:00

Things I learned this weekend:

1. When I say I'm going to use mobile blogging, I'm a liar.

2. Indiana looks a lot like Ohio.

3. Pennsylvania never ends.

4. New Jersey is still evil.

5. What life really means, because of deep dish pizza.

6. Other things.

I had every intention of blogging throughout the trip, but as it turns out, 2 days isn't a lot of time to see a giant city, so I didn't have much time to sit down at the computer. I did absolutely take advantage of the Twitter application, as is evident by the very up to date THINK POUND TWITTER ACCOUNT.

Anyway, the whole weekend, though long, was pretty fantastic. It's probably because I don't know how to drive, but I really enjoy road trips. Especially those in a giant fancy van full of people I like. The drive getting there was a little intense. We got off to a late start, and before we knew it we were lost in Jersey. Not that I was surprised by this. Mike and I have driven in Jersey before, it's a giant maze of one ways and no U-turns and clueless people and the smell of garbage. I was able to get directions from the manager at Fuddruckers, where we consumed consumables of the dinner variety, and we were back on the correct highway in no time.

This, of course, was not our only setback. We were on the correct highway for no more than 20 minutes before we were stopped in a man eating traffic jam that only New Jersey could create. About an hour later, we were flying free and into the night, 3 hours behind schedule, soundtrack provided to us by the all 90s alternative/grunge satellite radio station.

Anyway, long (long... long... LONG) trip short, we made some stops here and there, drove throughout the night, some went crazy, some slept, some didn't. I slept about an hour. We got to Chicago and were greeted happily by another massive traffic jam. And then, finally, arrived at the glorious Holiday Inn near O'Hare airport and nothing else.

Opted not to sleep upon arrival. It was nearly 2pm and we had a whole city to cover. Sleeping would have only robbed us of our day. So some of us took the L out to Wicker Park and ate some of the best BBQ I've ever had in a great neighborhood with the sun shining and the birds chirping, and my body screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN 31 HOURS!"

Afterwards we headed off to Navy Pier, which was a great spot to hang out and decompress after the adventure we had just had. Then three of us headed out to Wrigleyville to meet up with others. Wrigleyville may have been my favorite neighborhood of the few we had time to visit. I'm not a baseball fan, but it was still very cool to be outside Wrigley Field. Went to a great place with dueling pianos to end the night, and then dragged ourselves back to the hotel to get some well deserved sleep.

Saturday began with a trip out to Museum Campus, where all the (you guessed it) museums are located. Aside from that, it's a gorgeous park with really great views of the skyline, crazy art installations, and Soldier Field not too far away. Soldier Field is sort of insane in it's design and a little bit stunning to take in.

After that came THE Chicago experience. Deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. Yes. YES. It was everything I expected and still more. I'd never had deep dish before, and I'm glad I waited until I was actually in Chicago. (Because that was clearly intentional). Fantastic pizza that didn't rape our wallets. Can't complain there.

Between pizza and our Chicago debut, we swung by Steppenwolf theatre to satisfy my theatre nerd desires. And then headed to Second City to soak in as much comedy genius as we could... by standing in front of the theatre for about 45 minutes. THE SHOWS ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE.

Anyway, the main event: THINK POUND AT SNUBFEST. Chemically Imbalanced Theatre could not have been more welcoming to all of the out of town groups. Free pizza, beer, soda... BACKSTAGE SPACE. (Unreal to us). The first set we did in the showcase brought the damn house down. We had a really good crowd and we pleased them in all kinds of ways. (Ohhh yeah). The groups performing with us were all hilarious people, though we didn't get to see them do their things I can only assume they were all insanely talented. The second set we did for the competition also was fairly well received, and we got to meet more awesome and hilarious people who were pretty much all from the east coast. All in all, it was a really great night, and an experience I'm really glad we all had as a group.

The trip back was less eventful than the trip there. Shorter by 5 hours, though being down one driver took a little bit to adapt to. We unfortunately also did not think to account for the time change coming back. These elements all contributed to us not pulling into the city until midnight, which caused us to not be able to return the car on time, which means that it is now sitting in parking garage around the corner from our apartment waiting to be returned in an hour or so, which means we're being charged an extra day. Well... yeah. C'est la vie, I suppose. We just spent a whole weekend in one of America's great cities, so I find it hard to complain. If that's what had to happen, then so be it.

I would have liked just one more day in Chicago. There was still a lot I didn't get to see that I had really wanted to, especially Lincoln Park and the zoo. But that just gives me another reason to go back out there and visit. And when that time comes... I'll probably fly.

Check out pictures on OUR FACEBOOK. (Go to Photos. Obviously.)

Anyway. We have a car to return.

THINK POUND WEEKEND

2010-06-03T15:17:00.001-04:00

So for the next few days, this blog is going to be taken over by Think Pound content. What is Think Pound, you ask? Well first off, shame on you. I'm assuming if you're reading this, you're a friend of mine. And if you're a friend of mine, there's no excuse for you not to know that I'm in a sketch comedy group named Think Pound.

If, by some off chance, you're a reader who has found this blog by googling NEXT TO NORMAL BOOTLEG... well, you can learn all about Think Pound at the official website.

Anyway, in T-minus 4 hours, we will be jumping into our rented mini-van and driving 12-13 hours to CHICAGO. The comedy promise land. We're performing in the Chemically Imbalanced Theater's festival SNUBFEST on Saturday night.

So, on the overnight drive where I will not be driving because I don't have a license, I will be abusing my newfound mobile blogging capability. But not as much as I'll be abusing the Twitter for Blackberry app. Do yourself a favor and follow Think Pound on Twitter. You won't be sorry.

Anyway, be on the look out for pictures of people sleeping, pictures of the highway in the dead of night, and the delusional babblings of a girl trapped in a minivan for 13 hours.

Waiting for a surprise...

2010-05-11T20:29:00.002-04:00

Well, it's only been 2 months since my last post. :-\ I haven't been busy, per se... well, I guess maybe I have been. Work has been pretty busy. I'm actually writing to you now from the couch in my fancy hotel room at Boston's Seaport Hotel, because I'm a very important business traveler. Last week it was a fancy Hyatt hotel in Secaucus, NJ. Don't be jealous.

So, that's cool. It's sort of a surreal experience for me to be put up in a nice hotel (maybe the nicest place I've ever stayed), being flown in and out of Boston. It does remind me how much I love to travel. Unfortunately, I'm only here until Wednesday night, pretty much working the whole time. So I won't get to really SEE Boston. I was going to wander tonight, but I've been up since 4am, and that is starting to catch up to me. Maybe in the morning... though it's supposed to rain. Bah. Oh well. I can certainly enjoy this hotel room. Mmmm comfy bed.

Besides work, things are good. Think Pound is doing really well. We were accepted into a festival in Chicago in June, so we're having a big fundraising show to get us there on May 21st. Followed by a run in the Shortened Attention Span festival.

I'm going to be doing a production of Into the Woods in August, which I'm really excited about. It's being put together by a Pace student, with a cast of people I know from Pace. They needed someone to fill a roll, and my stellar friends recommended me. :) It'll be nice to work on a musical again, especially something as fantastic as Into the Woods.

Auditioning when I can, though it's getting frustrating not being able to go to the open calls because of work. But I have to pay rent. So I have to find a balance for now, until I have real money that I can actually hang onto. Someday, I swear. Someday I'll feel like a real adult. Even sitting here in my grown up hotel room thanks to my grown up job, I still can't actually see myself as a real adult. Until I can stop accepting financial help from my dad. I think that's the big thing. Once I can fully support myself I can feel less like a kid. This in between graduation and real life phase is really, really weird. I love it at the same time, but it's bizarre. I sort of feel like I'm in limbo, which I guess is exactly what it is. The space between preparation for the real world and actually joining it.

I cannot stop focusing on the future and what I want to happen. It's easy to feel a little stuck in this phase, though I don't stay in that mind set for long. I know if I did, I'd just regret not enjoying this time later down the road. And now I can look forward to getting married, moving into an apartment bigger than 300 square feet, having kids, having a career, performing, traveling, etc etc etc. I just have to wait.

Okay, back to enjoying this insane hotel room. Crashing, as I have now been awake for 15 hours. Watching Glee... because, well... because.

I want to be Maggie Gyllenhaal

2010-03-06T19:12:00.003-05:00

Even when she looks 20 years older than she really is. Or when she looks 15 years younger than she really is. (How old IS SHE?) Even when she makes movies that no one sees. (Because they're fantastic and under-rated). I want to be Maggie Gyllenhaal.

If Mo'Nique wasn't nominated this year, I'd give her the Oscar. Without even thinking about it. (You did know that I have the power to give out Oscars, didn't you?)

If anyone knows of any way I can become Maggie Gyllenhaal, I would really appreciate you letting me know. It's a hard thing to accomplish. And I'm not so keen on identity theft.

-----

Anyway. Tomorrow is the Oscars. I'm watching a really mediocre "Road to the Gold" special on ABC. So incredibly mediocre that they called The Dark Knight not being nominated last year a "travesty" - as an argument FOR the 10 nomination system, no less. I don't know why I've kept this on my TV.

I don't want to repeat all of the opinions I stated in this entry, especially since I'll be full of many more after the show. But I don't want Avatar to win and I want James Cameron knocked off of his high horse.

I was watching the Independent Spirit Awards last night because I do every year because I think it's a really important area of film making to support. Part of me wants to win an Independent Spirit Award more than an Oscar - the whole thing just feels a lot less political and so much more about actors and film making. It's refreshing and inspiring to watch.

I'd never thought much about film and TV acting until recently. Theatre has consumed my entire life for so long, I hadn't had the chance to think about other areas until I graduated and had my own time to do with what I wanted. I just took a commercial class and found that I don't hate being on camera, and that I'm actually fairly good at it. Theatre is always going to be my number one priority, but it's nice to know that I'm comfortable with the whole shebang, and not just because I would never turn down any acting work - but because I would WANT to.

I'm starting Sheri Sanders' Rock Audition class this coming week and am really, really excited to start singing again - somewhere other than my living room.

Man, ABC is losing credibility rapidly with this Oscars special, btw. Sandy Kenyon (seen in the back of taxis) is grating on my nerves.

Okay. I'm toying with the idea of live blogging during the Oscars - well, I guess not LIVE, but I'll blog as the award show goes on and then post. Though I might be too busy keeping up with my Twitter and Facebook... can I tackle 3 social networking mediums at once?!?!??$!@:!?!?#:?1$:14

Kbye.

Here I will subtly tackle all of the Google trends for today.

2010-02-09T17:31:00.002-05:00

I'm aware of what the kids are talking about today.

Bonnaroo 2010 line-up!

Today is an important day because I now know that Steve Martin makes music. The world feels perfect again. If I were to ever go to Bonnaroo, it would be to see him. Not even joking. I know this entire thing feels really sarcastic. But seriously. Steve Martin is the freaking man.

Also GWAR would be hysterical/badass.

And despite my lack of interest in rap music, I too am under Jay-Z's spell and wouldn't mind bearing witness to him being awesome in person.

People are also excited about Tokyo Police Club, Baabal Maal, Jimmy Cliff, and Monte Montgomery. I don't know who any of these people are, but I sure do like their names.

IN OTHER NEWS: Saints Parade in New Orleans. It's totally happening. I didn't watch the Super Bowl. I only watched the commercials. Oh, and the half-time show, which I thought was pretty badass even though then men on stage could have died of natural causes at any time during the performance. (Because they're OLD.) But I'm glad the Saints won. New Orleans definitely needed a win. So, they're gonna have a parade now!

What else? Gmail buzz. I have been on gmail all day and this is the first I'm hearing of it... but as soon as I figure out exactly what it is and how it works, I'm pretty certain I'll love it. Because Google can do no wrong. Well..... okay, there was Google Wave, but we can forgive that, can't we? Everyone who ever knew what it was has already forgotten about it anyway.

And lastly on my agenda for the evening, NYC schools closed due to snow. Also Mike's job. And probably one of my jobs. Snow, y'all.

I Have Found v2.75

2010-02-05T15:14:00.002-05:00

JUST RELEASED.

New blog template! All the fabulous credit goes to http://ericulous.com/. As if you actually believe I created this by myself. Pah.

It's going to take some time to get used to, but I think it's pretty spiffy. See where it says SIDEBAR? ---->

Click it.

Yeah, the side bar pops out. That's just how I roll now.

Links up top. Cute Twitter link in the top right corner. Pictures of some hot chick. Best blog layout ever.

That's all. Direct all questions elsewhere.

The Oscars: Avatar Sweep? I'll Hurt Your Locker.

2010-02-02T19:10:00.003-05:00

(I'm an Oscar Fish. The real mascot of the Oscars.)

Okay, kiddies. I've kept quiet about award season until now. I figured it didn't matter to whine about anything until the Oscar nominations were finally out. So what is the verdict?

Overall: okay, Academy. Okay.

Everything makes sense and was pretty easy to call - best actor noms, supporting actor and actress (why they even bothered nominating anyone besides Christoph Waltz and Mo'Nique...) Best Actress? Well, yes and no. We all know by now that Sandra Bullock is going to win, unless the Oscar angels grant me my one wish of Carey Mulligan walking away with the golden man. Helen Mirren, Gabourey Sidibe - makes sense. I haven't seen The Last Station, but it's Helen Mirren, so I'm willing to bet she's giving a Helen Mirren quality performance. Gabourey is fantastic in Precious, and were it any other year I think she'd have a serious shot. So, here comes the kicker. Meryl Streep for Julia and Julia.

Maybe it isn't a "kicker". Maybe I should have seen it coming. She's Meryl Streep. And she's nominated BECAUSE SHE'S MERYL STREEP. I would find it hard to take anyone seriously who could look at me and say that she deserves that nomination spot over Emily Blunt or Marion Cotillard. Julie & Julia was a really good movie. I loved it. I read the book the minute it was over. She was great, Amy Adams was great. They were both charming in a Nora Ephron penned feel good "chick flick". It is not - I WILL REPEAT - it is not an Oscar worthy role. And with so many other performances out there, I think it's embarrassing that the Academy felt the need to nominate her. And trust me, I think just as highly of Meryl as everyone else. But I'm realistic about it.

All of that aside, the winners are fairly easier to figure out.

But I'm here today to call shenanigans on the new NOMINATE EVERY MOVIE EVER rule.

Well, no. Not every movie ever. Because somehow A Single Man was overlooked for a sentimental, run of the mill movie like The Blind Side.

Why, dear Oscars, do you feel it's necessary to nominate TEN movies? I mean, TEN. Really? TEN? Is it really that difficult to make up your mind? I can't wrap my head around why this is a good or even relevant change. Did you feel, dear Oscars, you were leaving too many people out? Were you hurting feelings? Did someone complain to the teacher? But wait, this is HOLLYWOOD NOT KINDERGARTEN.

Movies get overlooked all the time, usually for lesser quality movies that sneak their way into the nominations. That sucks, it does, but that's how it works. If they were really concerned about this, maybe try to vote for quality movies, EH? We all know that five or ten nominees, the outcome will be the same. Let's be honest here.

Does this look right to you:

OSCAR NOMINATED THE BLIND SIDE.

UP, OSCAR NOMINATED FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE AND BEST PICTURE! BECAUSE WE LOVE TALKING DOGS!

I am, however, thrilled that this put An Education into the mix. But I would have understood had it not made it into the normal five movie list.

The whole change is just bizarre and I still can't understand the thought process. But, c'est la vie.

On that note, if Avatar wins best picture, I'll have lost faith in all humanity.

Not really.

But, well, a little bit. I'm not saying Avatar is bad, I'm really not. I did really enjoy it. I love Pocahontas. (HAH! I kid. Sort of). But it is NOT the best movie ever made. It is especially not the best movie of the year. Up against brilliant, original, WELL ACTED, finely crafted movies like The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds, Up in the Air, and An Education... I'd find it hard to be at peace if a movie mainly being praised for it's technical feats walked away with the big prize.

Same goes for James Cameron as director - win all the technical awards there are, dude. You deserve them. It's really a stunning movie to look at. But best director? No, no, no. Kathryn Bigelow better walk away with that award. The Hurt Locker is so engaging and difficult and thrilling, it would be so unjust for her not to win. And, yeah, I'm a little biased being a woman. She would be the first woman to win best director. THE FIRST. I'm thinking... yeah, it's time.

Who knows what the academy has in store for picture and director - I honestly can't predict it.

Leaving you now with the full list of nominees, my personal picks bolded. Because you care. Deeply. Also comments in bold. Because sometimes I comment on things.

(Categories not bolded are categories I have absolutely no clue about. That happens. Sometimes I don't know things. Sometimes. I'll put those first.)

Best Short Film (Animated)

'French Roast'

'Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty'

'The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)'

'Logorama'

'A Matter of Loaf and Death' (Is it bad that I want this to win based on title alone?)

Best Short Film (Live Action)

'The Door'

'Instead of Abracadabra'

'Kavi'

'Miracle Fish'

'The New Tenants'

Best Documentary Feature

'Bruma VJ'

'The Cove'

'Food, Inc'

'The Most Dangerour Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers'

'Which Way Home'

Best Sound Mixing

'Avatar' (Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson)

'The Hurt Locker' (Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett)

'Inglorious Basterds' (Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano)

'Star Trek' (Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin)

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' (Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson) (Though, it has to be said, part of me would LOVE a Transformers movie to win a freaking Oscar just for the mass quantities of LOLs that would ensue).

Best Sound Editing

'Avatar' (Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle)

'The Hurt Locker' (Paul N.J. Ottosson)

'Inglorious Basterds' (Wylie Stateman)

'Star Trek' (Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin)

'Up' (Michael Slivers and Tom Myers)

Best Visual Effects

'Avatar' (Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones)

'District 9' (Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken)

'Star Trek' (Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton)

Best Cinematography

'Avatar'

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

'The Hurt Locker'

'Inglorious Basterds'

'The White Ribbon'

Best Film Editing

'Avatar'

'District 9'

'The Hurt Locker'

'Inglorious Basterds'

'Precious'

Best Original Song

'Almost There' from 'The Princess and the Frog' (Music and Lyric by Randy Newman) (This was really hard. I really did love the 'Crazy Heart' theme, and I know it will win, but I can't betray my Disney).

'Down in New Orleans from 'The Princess and the Frog' (Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman)

'Loin de Paname' from 'Paris 36' (Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas)

'Take it All' from 'Nine' (Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston)

'The Weary Knd (Theme from Crazy Heart)' from 'Crazy Heart'

Music and Lyric by Ryan Bigham and T Bone Burnett

Best Original Score

'Avatar'

'Fantastic Mr. Fox'

'The Hurt Locker'

'Sherlock Holmes'

'Up'

Best Adapted Screenplay

Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell ('District 9')

Nick Hornby ('An Education') (Nick Hornby, who I talk about here, winning an Oscar would make things so, so right).

Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche ('In the Loop')

Geoffrey Fletcher ('Precious')

Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner ('Up in the Air')

Best Original Screenplay

Mark Boal ('The Hurt Locker')

Quentin Tarantino ('Inglorious Basterds') (Duhr.)

Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman ('The Messenger')

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen ('A Serious Man')

Peter Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy ('Up')

Best Animated Feature Film

'Coraline'

'Fantastic Mr. Fox'

'The Princess and the Frog'

'The Secret of Kells'

'Up'

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz ('Nine')

Vera Farmiga ('Up in the Air')

Maggie Gyllenhaal ('Crazy Heart')

Anna Kendrick ('Up in the Air')

Mo'nique ('Precious') (Any other year I would have said Maggie, because she's a beam of fantastic humble sunshine. But Mo'nique was out of this world.)

Best Supporting Actor

Matt Damon ('Invictus')

Woody Harrelson ('The Messenger')

Christopher Plummer ('The Last Station')

Stanley Tucci ('The Lovely Bones')

Christoph Waltz ('Inglorious Basterds')

Best Actress

Sandra Bullock ('The Blind Side')

Helen Mirren ('The Last Station')

Carey Mulligan ('An Education') (In a perfect world!!!!)

Gabourey Sidibe ('Precious')

Meryl Streep ('Julie and Julia')

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges ('Crazy Heart')

George Clooney ('Up in the Air')

Colin Firth ('A Single Man') (You will notice here I bolded two actors. Because either can win, and one will coughJeffBridgescough. But if anyone is competition for him, it's Colin Firth. He was really really fantastic in an overlooked movie. But all the hype about Jeff Bridges is totally true. So, I would be satisfied.)

Morgan Freeman ('Invictus')

Jeremy Renner ('The Hurt Locker')

Best Director

Kathryn Bigelow ('The Hurt Locker') (Girl power.)

James Cameron ('Avatar')

Lee Daniels ('Precious')

Jason Reitman ('Up in the Air')

Quentin Tarantino ('Inglorious Basterds')

Best Picture

'Avatar'

'The Blind Side'

'District 9'

'An Education'

'The Hurt Locker' (Wow, these ten nominees really make this easier. It's not like I'm overwhelmed with choices or anything. It's not like the voting is going to be more spread out now... this makes sense. Sense. (I'm being SARCASTIC.))

'Inglorious Basterds'

'Precious'

'A Serious Man'

'Up'

'Up in the Air'

CoCo

2010-01-23T14:29:00.002-05:00

"Before we bring this rodeo to a close, I think a couple things should be said.

There's been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC.

nd this isn't a joke.

To set the record straight, and this is true, tonight I'm allowed to say anything I want.

(Man laughs)

Um, and no it's not a joke, but thanks sir. Tonight I really am allowed to say whatever I want and what I want to say is this.

Between my time at "Saturday Night Live," "The Late Night Show," and my brief run here on "The Tonight Show," I've worked with NBC for over 20 years.

Yes, we have our differences right now, yes we're going our separate ways, but this company has been my home for most of my adult life.

I am enormously proud of the work we've done together. And I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

I really do.

(Audience applauds)

A lot of people have been asking me about my state of mind and I'll be honest with you, walking away from "The Tonight Show" is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Um, making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world.

I absolutely love doing it and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium.

I will fight anybody who says I don't, but noone would.

But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian...every comedian dreams of hosting "The Tonight Show" and for seven months, I got to do it.

And I did it my way with people I love. I do not regret one second of anything that we've done here.

(Audience applause)

And yeah.

And I encounter people when I walk on the street now who are just uh who give me sort of a sad look.

I have had more fortune than anybody I know.

And if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-Eleven Parking lot we will find a way to make it fine. We really will.

I have no problems. And, I don't want to do it on a 7-Eleven parking lot.

(Audience laughs)

But whatever, uh, finally I have something to say to our fans.

This massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming for me.

The rallies, the signs, all the goofy outrageous creativity on the Internet uh, the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain.

(Audience cheers)

It's pouring! It's been pouring for days and they're camping out to be in our audience.

Really, you...Here's what all of you have done.

You've made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

So to all the people watching I can never ever thank you enough for the kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life.

And all I ask is one thing...and this is...I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch...please do not be cynical.

I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality.

It doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.

But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you. Amazing things will happen. (Audience claps) I'm telling you.

It's just true.

As proof, let's make something amazing happen right now.

Here to close out our show are a few good friends, led by Mr. Will Ferrell."

:( Will miss him on The Tonight Show. A lot.

And you're still here.

2010-01-15T01:10:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I have a lot of doubts and questions about the experiences I've left myself out of, such as dating. I never dated, I only had exclusive relationships. So it's a weird thing for me to think about. Sometimes I wonder if I missed anything.

But I know I wouldn't have enjoyed it much anyway.

And I also know that even if I had, I would have ended up in the same place. Because this is where I belong.

I'm content with what I've experienced and how I've lived my life. Because I'm so happy where I am right now. Really, I'm just glad I didn't take any longer to get here.

-end sappy-

Keywords to bring unsuspecting people to this entry: Next to Normal Bootleg, Feeling Electric, Alice Ripley, Dexter. (My Dexter entry has been getting tons of traffic).

Oh, and if you don't mind, click on the ads.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T00:12:00.003-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This video is only one example of the spotty TV coverage we had going on... luckily got the final seconds of the countdown.

2010.... Don't suck.

Kerrie Bond: Stranded Traveler

2009-12-21T23:18:00.002-05:00

I come to you now with a story of a journey home.

Months ago Anthony and I booked our flight to Orlando for a friend's wedding. We were to leave at 7:43pm on December 19th to attend the wedding the next day. I would then be picked up by friends and driven home on the 21st. A perfect plan.

My story for you begins at 10:30am, Saturday December 19th, 2009.

We'd been hearing tales of the blizzard on the way. Talks of historical snow buzzing in the air, we tried to pay no attention. But I was not completely shocked when I woke up at 10:30 the morning of our departure to discover that my bus into Philly for 12:30pm that afternoon had been canceled. Treacherous driving conditions cited as the reason. Things seemed serious. I predicted flight delays to Anthony as I looked into making my trip to Philadelphia via the New Jersey Transit.

Our flight was already delayed one half hour.

I boarded the 12:14pm train to Trenton, which would then connect me to a train into Philadelphia, setting my arrival time at 2:45pm. Perfect! Plenty of time to relax before heading to the airport for our 7:43pm flight!

Just before 2:00pm, I checked our flight status. Canceled.

I informed my travel partner of this news, deciding to call the airline upon my arrival.

The train pulled in promptly at 2:45pm. I pulled up my hood, tightened my scarf, and ventured out into the blizzard to complete the 15 minute walk from 30th Street Station to Anthony's apartment.

The walk took 40 minutes.

Climbing hills of snow, dragging my suitcase through mounds, slipping and tripping, wheezing and coughing, my hair freezing to my forehead. This was a blizzard.

I arrived at the apartment, a little worse for wear, but not discouraged. I settled myself in a bit and we called the airline.

The connection kept dropping before we got a chance to speak to anyone. The website wasn't giving us any information and/or was speaking in code. We took a break from this shouldn't be but was frustrating task.

When we did finally get through to a human being, we were informed there was nothing into Orlando until late the next night, long after the wedding. Nothing into Tampa. No way to make it in time. Discouraged by this news, I gave up but was able to book a flight straight home to Fort Myers free of charge. Leaving at 6:51 the following evening. We were missing the wedding, but at least I could still get home free of charge. Anthony canceled his flight altogether, as he was to return right after the wedding for exams. This was not the way things were supposed to go, but at least we had found some sort of resolution.

We went about our night satisfied with this outcome, though clearly not thrilled. I was supposed to sing in this wedding ceremony.

10:00am, Sunday December 20th, 2009

We awoke freshened by sleep and ready to explore a Philadelphia covered in snow. The day was full of promise and hope.

Wanting to be prepared, I checked my flight status after showering, just in case.

My 6:51pm flight out of PHL into Ft. Myers was already delayed. 2 1/2 hours.

Normally, why would this matter? Well, this was not a non-stop flight. I had a connecting flight in Atlanta, Georgia. A delay this absurd meant that I would miss my connecting flight and would be trapped in Atlanta.

Naturally, I called the airline immediately.

Naturally, I sat on hold for 20 minutes and never spoke to a human.

Frustrated, I hung up and just decided to go to the airport as if there were no delay, and figure it out there. Get re-booked on a flight that made sense. A different connecting city, a different part of FL, anything that could just get me home.

We successfully discovered a snow covered Philadelphia, though that doesn't even begin to describe it. This, however, is another entry.

I received a call from my mother around 4pm saying there was an earlier flight to Atlanta running on time. If I left right away, maybe I could get on the flight! We called a cab for me and I was at the airport by 4:23pm.

This earlier flight to Atlanta was not only sold out, but extremely overbooked. I sighed, but went about finding another way to get home.

"What is the first flight you have to Ft. Myers tomorrow?" I asked.

There were none.

I inquired about Sarasota/Bradenton. There was a flight out of Atlanta at 9:50am the next morning. Having no choice in the matter, I booked it.

This was now my itinerary:

6:51pm flight PHL to ATL

DELAYED until 11:10pm

Arrive in ATL at 1:45am

9:50am flight ATL to SRQ

Arrive in SRQ at 11:29am.

So, as I was at the airport at 4:30pm, this was around 7 hours of waiting at the Philadelphia Airport (as the flight didn't end up taking off until around 11:30pm, after a lot of bouncing back and fourth between 10pm and 11pm), and an 8 hour overnight stay in the Atlanta airport.

I watched half of Dexter season 1 in an effort to make time pass quickly. I slept for about 3 hours between 2am and 5am on uncomfortable seats in the freezing Atlanta airport. I ate expensive airport food and I resented 2 things that were being forced on me:

1. The song "Let it Snow" kept playing. A lot. I mean, come on.

2. AirTrain's slogan: "Go. There's nothing stopping you." I think it was mocking me.

5:00am, Monday December 21st, 2009

Horridly groggy and exhausted, but unable to sleep in such uncomfortable conditions any longer, I continued to watch Dexter and ate a muffin, impatiently waiting my flight to Sarasota.

I am happy to say that there were no delays in boarding.

We did, however, sit on the plane for a half hour before taking off waiting for people to board.

We landed in Sarasota at 11:51am. My mom and I went to Friendly's, and then made the hour and a half drive home.

And then... I was home.

I began this journey officially at 12:14pm on Saturday the 19th. It ended at around 3pm Monday the 21st.

I learned a lot about traveling during a blizzard: Don't do it.

I was interviewed for Fox 29 in Pennsylvania. (See the picture at the beginning of the entry).

I have slept about 4 hours, including some sleeping on the plane.

I wore the exact same outfit for 3 days.

But I did eventually shower and change and in a very short amount of time, I will even sleep.

I really wish we didn't miss the wedding. Not only because I was supposed to sing in the ceremony, but because we were supposed to be there.

I'm sure I may have forgotten little details along the way. I highly recommend taking a look at my Twitter timeline: http://www.twitter.com/Kerrie09 I kept track of pretty much every single moment of this horrific trip. For entertainment.

This concludes the story of my journey. I rest now in my bed in my room in my home in Florida. With a very large Australian Shepard lying next to me. Snoring.

Mike flies in tomorrow. Luckily, there will be no blizzard to stop him.

Happy traveling to everyone, and very happy holidays. It'll all be worth it in the end.

It's already over.

2009-12-15T19:30:00.002-05:00

I cannot stay silent any longer.

That implies that I have been silent. I haven't. I haven't stopped thinking or talking about the Season 4 finale of Dexter since it aired 2 nights ago. I barely slept the night of, the final image burned into my mind.

I will say this once.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SEASON 4 FINALE OF DEXTER, DO NOT READ FURTHER. SPOILER ALERT IS A VAST UNDERSTATEMENT.

Okay.

Dexter is a class in how to keep a show interesting and shocking and complex without going completely overboard. (I'm talking to you, Grey's Anatomy). 4 seasons in, and it is still completely solid. Not only is it solid, it changes and evolves, while still staying true to the major theme: Dexter is a serial killer. Point blank. He has something that he cannot control, and he has manipulated it to his and the rest of the world's advantage.

Every season has had it's own focus, but it seems that the writers have always played with a common variable: Dexter's hope of connection. Rita is a constant. (Well, not anymore). But there was Brian Moser, his own biological brother, there was Lila, there was Miguel - all people who Dexter saw promise in. There was the promise of connection and acceptance. Clearly, it never worked out. And at the end of the day, as it turns out, it was Rita who accepted him. And even though she saw the very very VERY tip of the iceberg in terms of his darkness, she could look at him and tell him he wasn't crazy. Hold him when he said he wanted to be a better man.

And now Rita is gone. And this begs a million and a half questions. What does this do to Dexter, a man who already claims he doesn't feel things like normal people, but who also came just short of renouncing his "Dark Passenger" for the sake of his family. What does that guilt do to a person, even a person like Dexter? That despite all his efforts to protect his family, he failed. What doors are going to be opened, but more importantly: which will be shut?

This season, for me, is the best they've put out. The writers really found what they wanted to go for, and how to balance it all out. But most importantly, they introduced a character so complex and so thrilling and so absolutely despicable who, as it turns out, really got the last laugh.

What does THAT do to a man? How do you avenge a death when the killer is gone?

The writers were extremely brave in what they did here. To let someone else get the best of Dexter. That isn't supposed to happen. They played a lot with Dexter struggling to be on top of his game - even from the very episode, juggling his newborn with his darkness, not being able to find a body, killing an innocent man. The dust settles over all those things, and you think the worst has passed - but it never did. The minute that he decided to let Trinity live was the worst mistake he could have ever made, and will haunt him for the rest of his life.

The last scene between Dexter and Trinity... I've watched it more times than I care to admit. When the episode aired, I found myself feeling bad for Trinity. He seemed so sympathetic in that light - tied down to a table, accepting his fate, needing to see a toy train and hear a record. It was sad. This guy had issues.

But we had no idea what he had already done.

Re-watching that scene is absolutely brilliant. The things that John Lithgow is hiding - the smirks, the tiny laughs, the way he looks at Dexter when Dexter says he has a family. Nothing is more disturbing. Watching that scene again is almost more disturbing and heartbreaking than the last scene itself. Dexter having no idea what is already done.

But nothing can really compare to the image of Rita in the tub. The baby on the floor in his mother's blood. And I need to address this now - the critics out there who are saying it's too far fetched for Trinity to have known that was Dexter's beginning - he didn't. He didn't do it to mirror Dexter's own past. That would almost seem less cruel. Trinity put that baby in a pool of his mother's blood for no other reason than to put the baby in a pool of his mother's blood. I have no doubt that Harrison was in the room as he was killing Rita. Because that is the kind of monster that Trinity was. It was no tip of the hat to Dexter's childhood. It was pure evil.

John Lithgow did the best work I've ever seen of his. The subtleties in everything Trinity said and did were mind-blowing. But that's nothing compared to the absolute agony in his face every time he killed. He was so much a slave to these compulsions, and it really tortured him.

Goes without saying that Michael C. Hall must be one of the most underrated actors ever. He's brilliant, plain and simple. Jennifer Carpenter also deserves her due - I couldn't even go into her storyline throughout the season. I'd need a whole other entry. That girl is raw emotion every single episode, and never fails to blow my socks off.

So what now? No Dexter until September 27th, 2010. Let the speculating begin! What happens with the investigation of Rita's death? It's going to bring a whole slew of problems for Dexter - it's not like he can tell people where he was prior to finding her. And what about him being at Arthur's house when Miami Metro and the SWAT team burst in? It's all suspicious and will, of course, make for another great start to what I'm sure will be another impressive season.

The Season 4 finale of Dexter had 2.9 million viewers. More than anything Showtime has ever aired.

3 Golden Globe nominations (as of today), and I'm sure Emmy nominations quite soon. I say this every year, but really you guys - This HAS to be Dexter's year. I don't see how anything could have been better in terms of writing and performances. Can we finally do the right thing here, people? Come on.

You asked for it.

2009-12-10T19:23:00.003-05:00

So here's the weird thing: every time I posted a revised Christmas list (which is now one entry, instead of multiple, because I really didn't want my last 3242 entries to be the same list), I would have upwards of 25 hits on my blog in a day. Which is 5 times as many as I usually have.

So apparently in order to get people to read this thing, I need to post excessive/illogical/ridiculous/greedy lists of things that people will never give me.

Probably not a good thing.

But, well, in the meantime:

I want...

- A unicorn.

- Someone to knock down our wall into the next apartment and kick the people out so that our apartment can be twice as big. (That would make it 400 sqft. MAYBE 500).

- To own Broadway. Not the street. The idea.

- David Tutera to plan my wedding.

- ...a wedding.

- Jude Law to perform a private showing of Hamlet for me.

But, seriously, more sensibly... I just want world peace.

It's Christmas Now.

2009-12-04T12:05:00.005-05:00

In the interest of keeping everyone up to date. (Because you care). THERE IS MORE.

Bolded are the new items.

CHRISTMAS LIST v4.0 (Edited 12/8/09)

- $7,000. Or any portion of this, small or large. It will all be really helpful. So, really, money.

- The computer mentioned here.

- A new camera! Preferably this one or this one or this one.

- Gift cards from clothing stores such as Old Navy, GAP, JCPenny, or shoe stores such as DSW. Or Best Buy.

- 2 tickets to the Lady GaGa concert in NYC (Radio City Music Hall) or Camden, NJ.

- The Lady GaGa CD "The Fame Monster". Or, in December, there's a giant 2 CD fan pack being released. But it's like $100.

- UP! on DVD.

- Tickets to any of the following shows: A Little Night Music, A View From the Bridge (Starts 12/28), Ragtime, Race, The Miracle Worker (starts 2/12/10), or Billy Elliot.

- Any Nick Hornby book from the list supplied in this entry.

- The book "Cleaving" by Julie Powell.

- The David Sedaris books "Holidays on Ice", "Dress Your Family in Corduory and Denim", and "Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules".

- The Devil Wears Prada on DVD.

- The Office Clue

- Dexter Seasons 1, 2, or 3

- Any jewelry from this Etsy shop.

- THIS.

Zis is all. For now.

Experiments in Healthy Baking

2009-11-16T16:06:00.003-05:00

So here's the thing - I can't go to yoga by myself. I just want to start off saying that and get it out of the way. I just can't. Maybe soon. But in the meantime, to occupy myself...

The worst part of being home twice a week, especially without money to even go see a movie, is sitting around being hungry. I think that's been my major downfall. I've also sort of started becoming fascinated with baking. I enjoy it much more than making dinner type foods. It started with a blueberry oat cake one day when I had fresh blueberries. And then I made cakes and pies. Mike and I had always baked random desserts at odd hours in the past - but that was mostly me picking out a recipe and watching Mike cook it. Now that I've discovered that I can follow directions myself, things are different.

So in an effort to make my snacking more healthy and also satisfy this baked goods need, I'm going to tackle some healthier recipes on my days off. We will all gain from this. Watch out for boxes of cookies for Christmas presents....

So for my first recipe, I wanted to go for a cookie because I figured we had most of the ingredients here already. And I wanted to see different spins on a classic.

I found a great recipe for Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies from delish.com.

Each cookie with this recipe is only 80 calories. As compared to the standard Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie recipe that is 110 calories per cookie. These cookies are also only 4 grams in fat and have 1 gram of fiber. Obviously these aren't health-tastic is excess, but for the occasional craving, they're going to be really helpful.

If anyone has any healthy dessert recipes to pass my way, that'd be awesome. This weekend I'm going to test out a Weight Watchers recipe for peach crumb pie for a work Thanksgiving get together. If it goes well, I'll probably make it for real Thanksgiving and bring it along to PA. :)

Here we go again!

2009-11-12T22:23:00.003-05:00

Today I went to the doctor. They put me on a scale. My thought process? Something like this:

"MOTHERF****R! REALLY? REALLY NURSE LADY? IS THIS NECESSARY? OH FOR THE LOVE OF ************ING *****!!@#$@#%@$"

So, as you may recall, dear blog, what seems like an eon ago I got ambitious and did Weight Watchers for a few months. I lost around 10 lbs before stopping, due to financial constraints and feeling like I could keep it up on my own.

That was a lie. Because all 10 pounds of that weight is back.

Weight Watchers was good, because there was a whole website to track myself and make myself feel guilty when I went over the points. It worked. Well, without that (because it was costing me $20 a month), I don't really care. I'll eat a box of Nilla Wafers in 2 days, I'm not ashamed to say it. Well, I am. But that's not the point. Moving was tough, and being home 2 days a week with nothing to do is tough, and living with a boyfriend who eats enough for 5 people all the time is ESPECIALLY tough, because then what is there to stop me?

ENOUGH.

I don't have enough money to start Weight Watchers again. (Read: I have no money. Click on the ads after this entry). So I'm going to do a little experiment, just to see if it's effective at all.

THE SPECIAL K CHALLENGE.

(Which is also fitting because my name starts with the letter K).

These crazy cereal people claim that if you just replace 2 meals a day with Special K (be it the cereal, protein bars, waffles, etc). that you can lose "6 pounds in 2 weeks" (though the disclaimer at the bottom says the average weight loss is 4.8 pounds). So whatever. It'll sure as hell save me money on dinner.

Given that lunch is purchased for me at work, I'm not giving that up. So I'll eat Special K for breakfast and for dinner. Which will probably make Mike's life easier since I never know what I want to eat anyway. Now I only have one option. And that's really the best for me.

So I guess this means I have to start weighing myself again. (MOTHERF$#@%$ B#%#@ STUPID @#@***). So that'll be even more stuff that no one wants to read.

Oh and I'm going to (I am GOING TO) start going to yoga on Mondays and Fridays, so I don't spend my life wasting away on the couch watching the Food Network.

I'll watch the Food Network before and after yoga. (If I can force myself to go alone. Urrrggghhhhhhblleeehhhh).

That is all for now. Be on the look-out for a possibly exciting, but probably not very exciting, hopefully effective experiment.

LOLZ

2009-11-11T09:16:00.002-05:00

Just two things I need to LOL and O_o at before I go to work.

1. I have 15 followers. 15. I didn't even know I knew 15 people. They all are, in fact, people I know. I know 15 people! O_o

2. Someone recently found my blog by searching for "Nutella expiration date". HAH! I'm not the only lost soul in a sea of expired Nutella! LOL

Carry on.

The Perfect Christmas Present

2009-11-10T13:47:00.002-05:00

Because I'm electronically obsessed recently, and never really grew attached to my computer and would like to get a new one and sell this one, I present to you: WHAT YOU SHOULD GET ME FOR CHRISTMAS.

Dell Inspiron Mini 10v

COLOR	Passion Purple
PROCESSOR	Intel® Atom Processor® N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM	Genuine Windows® 7 Starter for Small Notebook PCs, 32bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE	Microsoft Works 9 DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
WARRANTY AND SERVICE	1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
HARD DRIVE	250G, 2.5inch, 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
BATTERY OPTIONS	24WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell)
EXTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE	Dell External Multi-Format CD/DVD USB Writer
WIRELESS CARDS	Wireless 802.11g (1397) Mini Card
MOBILE BROADBAND Just sayin'. *K	No Mobile Broadband Selected

Erm.

2009-11-06T12:20:00.003-05:00

I don't fit into normal social groups easy. I think this almost goes without saying. I've never been able to pinpoint the reason. I'm friendly and easy to get along with for the most part. I think I'm relatively interesting and funny. But I don't fall into the groups I should be falling into. Maybe it's because I'm not willing to pretend to be something I'm not. I'm not going to pretend that you're not a bitch just to keep the friends that you have. I'm not going to worship the ground anyone walks on under false pretenses. And no, I've never been particularly outgoing. This probably sounds weird to my close friends, because with them - I am. But I can't be until I comfortable with the people I'm with, but I'm never going to be comfortable with people if they don't stop expecting me to laugh at their jokes even if I don't think they're funny, or compliment them incessantly.

What I'm trying to say is that being a musical theatre major was really hard for me. I think there's a lot of pretense that goes on that I could just not commit to. And whether or not the majority of the people I was surrounded by would have really liked me doesn't really matter. I wasn't given much of a chance with most of them because I wasn't like them. But who wants to be friends with people who are replicas of themselves? I really did genuinely like the people in my class. And it's not that anyone was mean, most of the time. And really, I think I just consistently had the paranoid feeling that when I left a room, people made fun of me. Even though I couldn't really think of what they would possibly make fun of me for.

Clearly I went back to Pace the other night. And the minute I walked down the stairs to Shimmel, that same old feeling of being constantly judged revisited me all over again. It's not that I was miserable the whole 4 years. Because I found my niche, and I found the people that I could get along with and get close to without feeling like they hated me. And one person who I got close to without meaning to, and then regretted the rest of my time at Pace. But that's the past, thankfully, and we move on. Until we visit our old stomping grounds and wonder what we could have done differently. Of course there are people I wished I could have been better friends with. But there are always reasons that these things don't happen.

As a school and a program, I was happy to be at Pace. I think I learned a lot, and was able to grow with the program. Pace is a completely different place now than it was when I started. Which is amazing, but frustrating at the same time. The students now have a lot more resources than we had when we were there. But we saw it all happen, which is neat. But do I feel that I was ignored a lot of the time, in the shadow of the students the teacher obviously thought were superior? Absolutely. I made the most out of my education there on my own time. With the help of talented individuals, we found our own ways to perform and grow. Performances that I am still extremely proud of. Performances that staff never saw. That was the hardest thing to deal with.

I don't know how this turned into a giant complaint. It's not what I intended. I wanted to tread on the subject lightly, but that's hard to do. It is what it is. And I'll continue to go back and see shows at Pace as long as I can, because I want to continue to support where I spent 4 years of my life. And there are still people there who I really like and respect and who I think are super talented. And I can only hope to see them on Pace's stage before they leave.

You don't need to be a heroin addict or a performance poet to experience extremity. You just have to love someone.

2009-11-02T14:18:00.003-05:00

Last week I saw the movie An Education with Alison. I wanted to see it because 1. I like Peter Sarsgaard. 2. I like seeing little indie movies. Especially British ones. 3. NICK HORNBY IS GOD.

For those of you who didn't know Nick Hornby is God, you're welcome.

Do you not know who Nick Hornby is? (If this is true, you are clearly no friend of mine). He is a British author. A brilliant author. You may recognize some of his titles... High Fidelity, About A Boy, Fever Pitch... those ring any bells? Probably, since they've all been turned into high grossing, well received movies. (And one into a not so high grossing, very poorly received musical). Other books of his to check out? How to Be Good, Slam, and A Long Way Down. The latter is on it's way to becoming a movie - Johnny Depp purchased the rights to it right after it was released.

I've been a fan of his ever since my sophomore year of high school when I picked up his book High Fidelity at Sherman's Bookstore in Bar Harbor. I knew and liked the movie, and figured I might as well read the book. And then I read it 5 more times. And then I bought all the other books of his I could find.

Anyway, Nick Hornby penned the screenplay for An Education. His first screenplay, amazingly enough. I was curious not only because I love him, but to see how his style translated on screen. Given that almost all of his books have become movies, I figured this wouldn't be too big of a leap for him. And I was right. The movie is brilliant. And I highly recommend finding whatever little indie theater you have near you and watching it. Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard are picking up award nominations for this one, I can tell you that much. And hopefully so will Hornby.

But, here is my REAL point. There are a number of his books that I DO NOT OWN. Seriously.

And I now present to you The List. The List will be good to keep on hand if you ever need to purchase something for me for any gift giving holiday.

The List: Nick Hornby Publications I Do Not Own

Novels

Juliet, Naked (His latest novel)

Short Stories

Not a Star (Open Door) (For sure available on Amazon)

Faith (Not sure this is sold anywhere)

Otherwise Pandemonium (On Amazon through private sellers - wasn't sold in the US, I don't think)

Non-Fiction

Songbook (Collection of essays)

The Pollysyllabic Spree (Collection of columns)

Housekeeping Vs. The Dirt (Collection of columns)

Shakespeare Wrote for Money (Collection of columns)

31 Songs (Collection of essays)

Anthologies He Edited and Contributed To

Speaking with the Angel

My Favourite Year: A Collection of Football Writing

The Picador Book of Sportswriting

The United States of McSweeney's (I don't think is sold in the US)

Screenplays

An Education

...Yeah, I didn't say it was a short list. But it can provide you with gift ideas for YEARS to come! I will always be satisfied! Just... double check with other people who read this blog so I don't get 4 copies of Juliet, Naked. That would be weird.

Everything in the world is asking about you.

2009-10-22T23:25:00.002-04:00

Someone I was briefly acquainted with died today. A poet named Jack Wiler. He worked with an organization I was involved with at Pace at the end of my Junior year. I only spent a handful of evenings with him leading up to his performance. He was wildly interesting. Funny and a little abrasive, but filled with this really strong spirit that wouldn't quit. Living with AIDS, writing about AIDS, making fun of his disease but being openly scared of it. Still embracing it. Really inspiring to meet someone so talented and so humble, really living his life. I was always surprised at what seemed to be this eternal optimism for life, even if sometimes masked in sarcasm and cynicism. Only my impressions, of course. It was only a week.

I don't want to pretend that I knew him very well, or even at all. I knew what his poetry told me and the conversations we had. I knew he was good. Genuinely good. But still, even knowing just those things, it's a tough loss. Especially knowing that it's, oh, only a trillion times more tough for the people who really knew him and loved him and spent their time with him. His parents, his family, his partner. It's hard not to feel selfish when someone dies, feeling like you shouldn't be upset because you only knew them for a week. But really, every person who enters our lives, even if very briefly, makes some impact. So we can mourn the loss of a memory, I suppose. And emphasize for those who lost much more than that.

I just want to remember him and what I knew of him. And for a poet, it's just that much easier to keep that memory alive. Thankfully, we still have his own words.

I think every day I wake up that it's a blessing

I have today.

A blessing.

- From Jack Wiler's poem "The Poem Where I Say Thank You"

More of his work can be found on his website: http://www.jackwiler.com

RIP

Tales of Inappropriate Dinner Fail

2009-10-08T20:21:00.003-04:00

As detailed in my last entry, I was off to make a really awful for me dinner: peanut butter, fluff, and nutella sandwich.

2 slices of bread left. Just enough fluff left. Peanut butter, and what I thought was the only jar of nutella in the apartment...

Did you know that nutella can go bad? Because it can.

We have apparently been harboring a fugitive jar of nutella since before October 2008. Because that was the expiration date I found when I checked after tasting/smelling the curious hazelnut spread. We also have a new, good jar in the other cupboard. If only I'd gone there.

Last of the fluff gone, bread gone, dinner ruined. Stomach queasy. (Not helped by my eating 2 spoonfuls of fluff before throwing away the jar).

Maybe it was the universe telling me that an insane amount of sugar does not a dinner make.

So... what do I do for dinner now?

(Oh, by the way, click on the ads below this post).

PB&J&F&N

2009-10-08T19:52:00.003-04:00

In the past month or so, I've become completely addicted to the Food Network. Which is weird for a number of reasons. One, I used to despise the very thought of even hearing it in the background. My dad used to watch it for hours to find new recipes, and I always remember thinking how awful a whole channel about cooking sounded.

It's not awful.

Two, I can't cook. I just can't. I don't know what flavors would ever compliment each other or how to tell if water is boiling. I mean... is it when it starts bubbling? Does it have to start spattering everywhere before it's at a full boil? And why do I always get burnt? Do you have to wear long sleeves when cooking?

Three, cooking shows without live audiences freak me out. Just the thought of this random person cooking dinner for themselves and talking aloud the recipe without anyone being there to hear them. It's weird.

None of this matters anymore. On the weekdays I have off from work (Mondays and Fridays), I watch the Food Network from the time I wake up until Mike gets home. Unless, of course, I have plans. But that never happens. So I watch the Food Network, Mike gets home, I threaten to eat his arm.

Here lies the problem with my obsession with the Food Network: it doesn't make me want to cook, it doesn't make me want to learn about cooking. It just makes me hungry. Ravenous. Hungry for foods I don't even like. Foods I've never heard of. STARVING. As if I haven't eaten in years. (When really, it's just I haven't eaten anything but peanut butter and fluff all day.)

Luckily I've ended up with a dashing boyfriend who happens to be a whiz in the kitchen. Thankfully. I don't really remember what I ate in college - though I do often have flashbacks of our sophomore year dorm freezer filled from top to bottom with Hot Pockets. (I quickly suppress this memory, because now the very thought of Hot Pockets makes me sick.)

Well, anyway, Mike is out of town from now until Sunday night. So I'm watching Top Chef (not the Food Network, but might as well be) and getting ready to make a peanut butter, fluff, and nutella sandwich. And then maybe some ramen.

Mike goes away and I regress to an 18 year old.

I am no good at being alone. I used to be really good at it. I used to prefer it. But now that I've spent 2 1/2 years with this incredible person who is near me whenever I need and want him to be (which is always), it's hard to sit here alone and be content. I'll definitely be sleeping on the couch tonight with the TV on.

I'm taking offers for people to sleep on my couch so that I'm not in an empty apartment. Just tonight and tomorrow night. Conversation would be nice too, but mostly I'm just looking for someone to take on any burglars or ghosts. Or vampires. (They're not hot teenagers, guys, they're horrible creatures that SUCK YOUR BLOOD. Jesus.)

PB&J&F&N time.

(end long rambling post)

And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, To tell my story.

2009-10-02T13:29:00.006-04:00

"This amazing charater lives within an extraordinary context and he asks the questions we all ask: Why are we here? Who are w? Where do we go from here? And what is the point of it all?"

- Jude Law, Playbill Interview

"A couple of thoughts spring to mind about the meaning of the play. One is that one must suffer in order to gain wisdom, the second is that life is a journey, and it is the journey itself that matters, not arriving at your destination."

- Jude Law, Telegraph Interview

I saw Hamlet two nights ago. I've woken up the past two mornings still thinking about it. Tossing the play around in my head, remembering Michael Grandage's direction, loving Ophelia's madness. Mostly, however, hearing, observing, obsessing over Jude Law's Hamlet.

And, in coming to this gushing entry, it's important to preface that I was never Jude Law's poster girl before. Besides thinking he's dayum sexy (and not to mention fertile as hell), imagining him as Ewan McGregor's roommate, and loving movies like The Holiday. I haven't even seen his two Oscar nominated roles. I was excited to see him live admittedly only because of his status as a celebrity. There have been other cases of this: Julia Roberts, Daniel Radcliffe. In both cases I left the theater no more of a fan than I was before (And maybe in the Julia Roberts case, less of a fan). I left Hamlet in a crazy eye widening, mouth dropping rapture.

I do believe that Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's greatest works. If not the greatest. It's the most psychological of his plays, looking really deep into the human condition. And it is really difficult to play Hamlet as something more than an angsty boy. It's true. But Law's Hamlet was something more. Yes, he was completely capable of putting the angst of a son home from college to find his world turned completely upside down. It isn't real without that emotion. His love of his father was palpable, and the need for revenge. The feigned lunacy was funny and riveting all at the same time - he knew how to play with the audience to keep them with him, engaged and entertained. It was distinctly clear when his facade of being mad became real. It's so easy to turn against Hamlet, but he had me from beginning to end.

I really can't imagine what it must be like to take on a role so iconic, and at a status where everyone will be watching for slip ups, and comparing to greater actors. What I loved the most is how unafraid he was to be fully unattractive. To put every emotion out there, even hideous and horrifying. Unattractiveness is a hard thing to fully embrace on stage in front of hundreds of people. His posture was slumped, his eyes wide, upset and destroyed and motivated. (I'm fully aware that this may not be making any sense.)

The set has been criticized, but I found it just simple enough to showcase the story and the acting. The ensemble is so strong, challenging and supporting Law throughout the 3 hours.

It was really, really good.

Obviously.

I can't gush anymore.

See it.

(Most abrupt ending ever.)

Questionable Content!

2009-09-13T19:57:00.003-04:00

Hello, friends and random Next to Normal bootleg searchers who stumble upon my blog! You are in luck, my friends, for if you like theatre - you'll love QUESTIONABLE CONTENT - The 2nd annual one act festival presented by Co-Op Theatre East!

Questionable Content

Co-Op Theatre East's annual one-act festival Questionable Contentreturns with four new one-act plays about life in these modern times. Last year’s show included mysterious power brokers, children debating cultural tradition, and cats caught in their own mousetraps—check out what we have this time around:

– Steve Koppman's futuristic (prescient?) Homage to Catatoniaenvisions a world where we're all plugged in, and questions the cost. Directed by Ashley Marinaccio.
– Craig Abernethy's sharp comedy Do/Don't Do turns the playwright's incredible eye for social commentary on a (not so) ordinary street crossing. Directed by Robert A. K. Gonyo.
– In Reina Hardy's classic tale of truth versus fiction, Smooth Criminal, a writer of a fraudulent blog is forced to choose between integrity or a book deal. Directed by Casey Cleverly.
– And in COTE Artistic Director Robert A. K. Gonyo's Urinal Play, a young man must deal with his impertinent boss who has run out of toilet paper. Directed by Robert A. K. Gonyo.
The ensemble includes Kerrie Bond, Joseph Faranda, Ben Gooch, Stephen Hensel, Serena Miller, Veronique Ory, Nicole Perperas, Bethany Pollock, David Roberts, Adam Schneider, Jenny Stodd, and Michael Wetherbee.
September 17–19 @ 8 p.m.
September 20th @ 2 p.m.
The Kraine Theater, 85 E. 4th Street, New York
Tickets: $18, $15 students (reserve by e-mail, or available at the door)
See some still photos from rehearsals on the blog!

I'd love to see you there if you're free! Feel free to hit me up with questions!

*K

Analyze This!

2009-09-04T11:15:00.002-04:00

So I've recently installed Google Analytics into my blog, just to see if anyone is actually coming to read this thing.

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Well, I mean, I've had 49 views since I installed in about a week ago... and 16 of those are returning viewers! Score! Right?

The most amusing part is seeing the key words triggering my site to show up in Google. Mostly, people are coming across my modest little blog here while searching for a bootleg of Next to Normal. Which is because of this entry, where I get sappy and discuss at length my love of the show. I also happen to mention that I had a bootleg of Feeling Electric. So that explains why, when searching "bootleg of next to normal" on Google, I come up 5th.

This will probably gather a ton more hits. Maybe I'll just stick the phrase BOOTLEG OF NEXT TO NORMAL at the bottom of all my posts. Of course, the visitor immediately hits their backspace key, and that would be why my average page view is 34 seconds.

I implore you, visitor on a search for a bootleg of Next to Normal, stick around. Read some mundane stories, look at pictures of people you don't know. At least stick around for a full minute and bump up my average page view. Because then at least I'll think I'm creating content worth reading.

Bootleg of next to normal.

My birthday is tomorrow.

2009-08-18T13:17:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is my 22nd birthday. It's the first year that I haven't planned anything big. Last year was a week in Florida, the year before was a big party, the year before was the zoo... etc etc. And while on one hand it's nice to not have to plan my own birthday, on the other it's weird to not have anything extravagent happening to look forward to. (At least not to my knowledge.)

I've been feeling a little blue about the whole thing. Maybe because for the first time since I turned 16, Anthony isn't going to be with me. Or maybe just that it doesn't seem like a big deal this year. I was told that this is "growing up", but that just made me more sad. Is part of growing up really not being excited for your own birthday? Isn't that half the fun? Shouldn't we be happy about the day we were born and willing to celebrate it to the fullest extent? Shouldn't other people be excited too? I look forward to other people's birthdays just as much as my own. Maybe we're just all too busy. I just know that losing track of these kinds of celebrations will NOT be a part of my growing up. If anything, they should become more meaningful.

I know tomorrow will be special no matter what, it's just different this year. But everything is different now, I guess. I'll be going to lunch with the people I work with, who are all extremely awesome people (how lucky am I?) And then who knows what for the rest of the day. We'll see!

Proudest moment? Possibly.

2009-08-05T23:04:00.001-04:00

Yeah, Michael Ian Black answered my Twitter question.

Kerrie09@michaelianblack Will you watch my dog next weekend while I'm out of town?

Sure, if I can also go through your panty drawer.

Just sayin'.

Little does he know, he's entered into a binding agreement. I will prepare Seven for his arrival. And my panties.

Oh yeah, you all should watch Michael and Michael Have Issues on Comedy Central. Wednesday nights at 10:30.

OUT!

I eat the catfood...

2009-07-15T10:32:00.002-04:00

If only because I look really skinny in this video, I present to you now Think Pound's THE OATMEAL AND THE CAT FOOD!

Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

2009-07-11T18:02:00.007-04:00

I think this thing is about due for an update.

A normal person would say that after their week-long excursion in a foreign country, things settled down and life went about its usual pace. I, however, am not this normal person, and life has yet to regain its normality.

The Friday after we got back into the US, I jumped on a 6:30am flight into Fort Myers, Florida to surprise one of my best friends in the whole world for her wedding. I was home for literally 45 hours, 28 or so of those spent in secret. The only people who knew I was coming home at all were Ashton, Anthony, and my mom. It went off pretty well and I literally couldn't imagine not having been there. The three of us (me, Ashley, and Ashton) have been friends since we were 11. Well, since I was 11 and they were 12, since that's the way it's always been. ;)

It's funny, but everytime I'm home and I get to see both of them, it literally feels like nothing has changed.

We've gone from to . These pictures are 8 years apart - which is nuts.

I don't know what I'm babbling about. The point is being home for that short amount of time was actually really nice. Anthony was home the same weekend by crazy coincidence, which really made everything perfect. We even saw Barbara. My only complaint about the trip was that it was only 45 hours. (Oh, and I lost my wallet. That sucked.)

I took the 6:30am flight out of Fort Myers Sunday morning to get back into the city in time for Rose and Zach's engagement party, which was all kinds of fun. So, in summation, the weekend of the 26th was MARRIAGE WEEKEND.

The following weekend was, of course, my beloved 4th of July. My favorite holiday. We drove an 8 hour trip in an impressive 10 hours (hardee har har), pulled into my dad's place at 4:30am July 3rd. And we brought the sun with us. True story. It had been raining for at least 3 weeks prior to our arrival. Once we got there? Bam. Sunshine. All weekend. We work magic, people.

I love Bar Harbor, everyone who knows me knows that I spend most of my time missing it. It's beautiful and small and everyone knows me and I don't actually hate all of these people who know me, I like that they know me and I look forward to seeing them and I look forward to bumping into people I didn't even know were in town. It's all just GOOD.

Saw my dad, brother, sister in law, uncle, aunt, Noelle, and most importantly? BABIES! My brother has a 1 and a half year old girl named Willa, and my uncle has a 16 month year old name Griffin. They are both just the cutest things in the entire world.

And this is Willa smacking Griffin on the back of the head. They love each other.

The whole weekend was great, and the rain held off on the 4th until just as the fireworks were ending, which was perfect. And even then, it really didn't rain much. Everything was great.

Took my annual visit to the top of Cadillac Mountain, which is, and you'll know this if you know me at all, where I want to get married. Right on top of the mountain. May have even been subconsciously scouting locations while we were up there. Only not subconsciously.

Anyway, we're home now for a pretty substantial amount of time, despite my flirting with the idea of taking a bus to DC to see Jake Epstein in Spring Awakening. But that probably won't happen. Unfortuantely. We'll be in Seattle for a weekend in August for Mike's sister's wedding, but no big travel plans until then.

Other exciting news? I've officially signed with Maude Kaplan Management as of Wednesday. Which is just all kinds of exciting. She's really cool and I felt instantly that it would be a really good match. So hopefully my instincts are right. Had my first audition under her representation yesterday for a one lined part in a new HBO Series, which was pretty cool. So I feel like that part of my life is finally starting to go somewhere. My job at Levan Real Estate is still pretty much the best job I could have possibly found. I pretty much make my own hours and I work with really really great people. Couldn't have asked for much more than that.

Financially, things have been pretty tight for Mike and me, but I'm really not worried. We're just lucky to both have steady jobs, especially with Mike making $65,000 yearly he brings in enough to pay off debts and bills and survive. I do too, at least for the time being.

I love where we live more and more every day. I love the way we set everything up and I love coming home and I love the neighborhood and have recently found a new love for the bus, which will get us crosstown a hell of a lot faster than the subway will. So that's good.

Mike has been gone since 9:30 this morning and my laziness has taken new meaning. I'm not even lazy about big things. I get the big important things done almost instantly. I'm lazy about... moving. Or entertianing myself. I've been telling myself to write this blog since I woke up at 10:30, and am just now getting around to it. I'm lazy about finding something I want to watch on TV, and in turn spent about an hour watching Lifetime because it was on. I'm lazy about deciding what to eat, or getting dressed, or plugging in my computer. All of the arbitrary stuff. I cleaned the kitchen and took the trash out and went over my money status right away. Now I just need to make it about 3 more hours.

I won't keep typing that long, though.

Anyway, I am watching Role Models and I paid $4.99 for it, so I should probably pay attention. Especially seeing as how I spent 20 minutes on the phone with Time Warner tech support trying to get the movies on demand feature to work.

Ta!

LONDON: Day 7

2009-06-21T18:05:00.007-04:00

Ah, last day across the pond... was a great day, though. :)

We successfully got up with our alarm this morning to grab breakfast. We then came back to the room where I proceeded to fall asleep again for another hour or so. (My body needs 8 hours of sleep!)

...I've just been distracted for literally 15 minutes because Minority Report is on our TV...

Anyway.

We took a bus out to the south bank side of the Thames River to pay a little visit to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. :)

Took a walk along the bank side to get to the theater, came across yet another crime warning sign:

We were lucky to get tickets - the show was completey sold out, but as we stood in the queue for returns, a woman came up to the line asking if anyone minded standing because she had extra yard tickets. Ah, I was a groundling at last! (Read a book, people.)

The theater is insanely gorgeous. Pictures don't even capture it. We were lucky to, yet again, have an absolutely gorgeous and sunny day. (In fact, the only rain we've had the whole trip was about a minute or so of light sprinkling. We're the luckiest travelers ever.)

The show was Romeo & Juliet, because I am destined to never see any other Shakespeare play... despite me being completely sick of seeing this play, it was really fantastic. But what else would you expect at Shakespeare's Globe? :)

After the show, we took a boat on the Thames up a bit to a tube station to connect to where we needed to be.

Stopped at a bookstore up near Charing Cross to grab a book someone asked Mike to buy for them, and then headed back to the Tower of London to take the "Grim Reaper" walking tour.

It was much shorter than the other walking tours we'd been on, but interesting nonetheless. It covered all of the hauntings and murders and the plague and the general "poor" area of London - the East End. We also followed the "trail" of Jack the Ripper, which was really freakin' cool.

Where one of the Ripper's victims was found:

The pub he used to hang around, where he'd find his various prostitute victims:

And, the clock tower the prostitutes would use to time their customers:

PLAGUE PIT:

Accidentally took a picture while walking, but thought it was kind of cool:

A man playing a piano in the middle of the street:

HAH:

Oh, and one other important thing to mention... our tour guide was a gorgeous british guy:

And, I'd seen this a million times on the back of ice cream trucks - or, rather, "super soft ice" trucks:

The tour happened to end around the corner from Brick Lane, home to ten or so of what we were told are the best Indian curry houses outside of India. And, having stated earlier in the week I wanted to try Indian food for the first time, it was pretty convenient. So we strolled over there and found a place to eat. The verdict? I LOVE Indian food, but I definitely need to have milk because water in not effective when your mouth is burning off. Right off.

Back at the hotel now... watching Minority Report, as I'd said before, and packing. Our flight takes off at noon tomorrow. The tube line near us goes right out to Heathrow, so we're going to take advantage of that. Eat some breakfast in the morning and then head out. Admittedly, I'm pretty sad to be going back. I really like it here and would love to spend another week or so. I definitely want to come back at some point in the future... it's a pretty remarkable city. And it's also, of course, made me want to travel pretty much everywhere else. But that's nothing new.

Okay, to sleep perchance to dream.

LONDON: Day 6

2009-06-20T18:37:00.007-04:00

Day six in London, and I feel like we just got here yesterday... my how time flies.

Today was quite pleasant. We actually managed to get down to breakfast in the morning, though not without sleeping through the 7am alarm. TOMORROW we'll wake up with it. (She says as it slowly turns into midnight...) We then accomplished one of the highest items on my London list... Notting Hill. Just because of the movie? Possibly. But it's also a great spot to hit when visiting here. And I can vouch for it. The Portabello Road Market is GIANT and AMAZING. We didn't even get through the entire thing. Its all antiques and art and clothing and lots of really interesting little knick knacks. I got a great dress for only 5 pounds.

One of the first things we saw after getting off the tube at Notting Hill Gate. Very cool.

And, my attempt to recreate a picture of Hugh Grant from Notting Hill without even remotely remembering what it looked like except that he had his jacked swung over his shoulder and was at the flower stand...

Me:

Actual picture:

At least I'm 90% certain it's the same flower booth. So that's something. Anyway.

Had lunch at a cute place called Uncle's...

Spent a good hour or two just walking though part of the market. And then made the venture onto Abbey Road...

Similarity between the London Tube and the NYC Subways: Track work on the weekends. So that made our little trip out to Abbey Road just a *bit* more difficult. We had to take one line to another line to a bus at a bus stop which we could not find so we ended up at another that fortunately had a bus that took us to where we needed to go.

Anyway, we did finally arrive there to see the famous crosswalk and Abbey Road Studios.

The studio:

And then, of course...

Close enough.

Okay, so I've been meaning to take pictures of something and post them since I've been here, and was finally able to snap a couple.

Everywhere you go, and I mean everywhere, there are warnings about pick pockets and theives. It's a little unnerving to see them, but really I've felt pretty safe since we've been here. So either the signs are working, or the pick pockets are just as polite as the rest of the people here and you can't pick them out of a crowd.

There was a sign on the back of a bathroom door yesterday in a restaurant warning about bag theives. Unfortunately, I don't tend to bring my camera along with me to the loo. So I couldn't get a photo of that one.

After that fun jaunt, we successfully made it onto the bus back to our hotel to get ready to see X-MEN THE PLAY. Otherwise known as Waiting for Godot starring Professor X and Magneto. Or Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Whatever.

I hate Samuel Becket a lot, especially this play, but you know what- whatever. I'd watch the two of them read the dictionary. They're both completely astonishing on stage. I'd seen Jean-Luc Picard once before, but never Gandalf. It was pretty cool.

OH, and to give proof that they sell ice cream during intermission...

Okay, I really need to go to sleep so we actually wake up in the morning. Hopefully catching a show at the Globe. Yeah!

LONDON: Day 5

2009-06-19T18:01:00.007-04:00

Hellooooooo. It's just before midnight here in foggy (but not foggy at all because we're the luckiest tourists ever) Londontown!

Today included jaunts to all parts of London, starting with another trip to the TKTS booth to purchase tickets for We Will Rock You. But... more on that show later.

After successfully obtaining tickets, we went over to Covent Garden to eat some lunch and see what it's all about. The verdict? I <3>very reminiscient of Boston - or, well, I guess that'd be the other way around. Either way, it reminded me a lot of the Quincy Market area in Boston.

We walked around the different kiosks a bit, where I'll be returning tomorrow to purchase an adorable dress for my niece, Willa.

While on the quest to find somewhere to eat, we walked into the middle of a street performance that caught our attention, so we stopped to watch it.

This guy:

He was a comedian/general juggling escape artist performer.

Mike being told to raise his hand... but why...?

To be a selected volunteer of course! (Coincidence that him and the other guy match.)

'Twas a fun little show.

Afterwards, we found a restaurant nearby and grabbed lunch there:

And our desert was a waffle...

After Covent Garden, we made the journey out to East London to see the Tower of London, which is not so much a tower as it is a castle...

Oh, and the London Bridge...

We didn't end up going inside the castle, because it would have cost 17 pounds each... and really, it was quite nice from the outside.

After that excursion, we went out to Camden Market in... uh... Camden. It was pretty much London's St. Marks Place, only with more street shops. Same general tone though. Which is AWESOME.

Looked around a bit there, and then tore myself away before I bought every pretty funky dress there was. (Which was a lot).

Got back on the tube and went out to the area where the theater for We Will Rock You is, and ate at a really cool pizzaria called Italian Grafitti.

The pizza was amazing, and I've now decided that our next worldwide trip must be to Italy.

And then we ventured over to the Dominion Theatre to take in some Queen music. The show was really pretty bad. It was fun to hear Queen songs sung by insanely talented people, but overall it was a pretty ridiculous story with pretty bad writing. But they performed Bohemian Rhapsody at the end, so I can be pretty forgiving. :)

Now we are back in the hotel room, getting ready to sleep. We did not make the goal of waking up early this morning to catch breakfast, unfortunately. Mainly because we were up at 5am because the carbon monoxide alarm was going off in the apartment in New York, and Mariah contacted us. Thankfully it was just the batteries going dead and no actual carbon monoxide. And now the fire department knows our place. ;-)

But TOMORROW - we vow to get up early to finally take advantage of the hotel breakfast, and then start knocking off the last of our sight seeing. Left on my list: Notting Hill, Abbey Road, Fleet Street, back to Covent Garden. And then we have tickets for Waiting for Godot tomorrow night. Sunday we'll be going out to Shakespeare's Globe to catch a show for 5 pounds. I thought it was a nice match for our last day. :)

Sleep now. More tomorrow!

LONDON: Day 4

2009-06-18T18:14:00.006-04:00

Tonight's blog entry is going to be rather short! Due to the fact that we did much less running around today, and much more SEEING THEATER.

It seems to me that London has matinees not just Wednesdays, Saturdays, and sometimes Sundays... but everyday. So we let ourselves sleep in this morning, and took off to TKTS just after noon. Snagged tickets for the matinee of Carousel and the evening show of Les Miserables.

The TKTS booth is located in Leicester Square, which I've mysteriously been pronouncing incorrectly my entire life. You've been pronouncing it Ly-chester as well, yes? YOU'RE WRONG. It's Lester. Yeah. Forget everything you learned about reading. Leicester = Lester.

Anyway.

The Donmar. :-D This theater is currently showing Hamlet starring a little known man named Jude Law. I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear that its completely sold out and impossible to get tickets to.

London TKTS booth! Which gave us AMAZING seats. London TKTS FTW.

The faces of Mike during lunch in Leicester Square.

The Savoy Theatre, where Carousel is playing, managed to escape my visit with no photographic evidence that it really exists or that I was even there. Mostly because the entire theater is covered in scaffolding at the moment, and there was literally nothing I could have taken a picture of on the outside, and wasn't allowed to take pictures on the inside. So... c'est la vie.

But I can give this:

A pictures of the two stars of Carousel. Not taken by me... obviously. But found on Google!

I was overjoyed to find out that Carousel was playing out here. I've never seen a production of it, but I have some of my fondest memories after being in the show last fall. TKTS gave us seats in the SECOND ROW - for around 36 pounds. Yeah. Suck it, NYC. ;-)

The show was beautiful. The cast was great. It made me teary and sappy and "You'll Never Walk Alone" was a sobfest. The end.

After the show, which ran just under 3 hours, we made our way out to Picadilly Circus. And no, not a circus with elephants. Unfortunately. Just a location. Sort of the "Times Square" of London, I'd say.

Pictures of the Picadilly Circus area:

And London's Chinatown:

We grabbed dinner at a really cute Italian place down the street from the Queens Theatre, where Les Mis plays.

A desert called The Godfather. Lots of ice cream and brownie and whipped cream and general yummyness.

And then we saw Les Mis. Our TKTS seats were in the Dress Circle (their mezzanine), third row. Great seat. The show was fantastic - the entire cast was insanely talented, especially their Jean Valjean. Out of this world good.

Observations about theater in London:

1. You'll notice that in my short blurbs on these shows, I have not singled out any actors. This is because their version of a Playbill is not given to you upon entrance. It is sold. And being cheap, I did not purchase.

2. London theatergoers are FAR more picky about giving standing ovations. American audiences leap to their feets almost instantly. London audiences seem a bit more difficult to please. Which I appreciate.

3. FOOD. Before Carousel began, they were selling pringles, trail mix, bottles of water and tiny bottles of wine in the aisles. But here is the BEST PART - at intermission, they sell ICE CREAM. Yes, ice cream. Little containers of ice cream with little spoons. Seriously, you guys, London theater for. the. win.

I'm sure I'll notice more things when we see more shows. We definitely plan to see We Will Rock You, and we already have tickets to see Waiting for Godot starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. No, I'm not lying.

Tomorrow's plan is sketchy at best, but we WILL be setting an alarm for 7am to hopefully catch the hotel's breakfast. So now is the time to sleep, since it is soon to be midnight.

'Nite!

LONDON: Day 3, Also known as PARIS FOR THE DAY.

2009-06-17T18:12:00.012-04:00

Bonjour! The time here now is 11:13pm, and not too long ago we returned from our day trip to the wonderful city of Paris.

I had a hell of a time selecting pictures to post in here, only because I very honestly believe Paris to be the most beautiful place I've ever been. There is really nothing like walking the streets of Paris, no matter what section. Even the roads of the Red Light District are gorgeous in all their smutty glory.

So, as usual, I'll urge you to visit the Facebook album - HERE - for all of my pictures.

Our day started at 4:00am, reluctantly waking up to both of our alarms. This was after getting to bed at midnight, so it was especially unpleasant. I perked up pretty quickly after a minor OMGI'MGOINGTOTHROWUPI'MSOTIRED on the train. Luckily that passed.

Mike looking pensive on the Eurostar train into Paris:

The train got in around 9:30 or so, and we did our best to figure out the Metro quickly. In this case, quickly equaled about a half hour, due to the billets (tickets) machines not taking kindly to our debit cards. After standing in queue for the information window, however, we obtained day passes for the metro and were on our way!

It must come with living in NYC with the subway, but I'm finding metro maps easier to figure out. It's really all about color coding and... you know... reading. Much different from the last time I was in Paris when I was all like "DUHHRRR WHAT'S A METRO DUUHHRR I'M 16."

Waiting on the track for the train:

We made it to our first destination safely - Place Saint-Michel in the Laitn Quarter. Here we waited for another FREE walking tour, courtesy of the same company who ran the London tour we took yesterday - SANDEMANs (look 'em up if you're ever abroad, they have tours all over Europe).

Pictures while waiting in the Latin Quarter:

The tour started just around 11:10am. It was 4 HOURS long, which is A LOT of walking. But I think it's safe to say we covered probably a week of sight seeing in a day. We saw every big site there is to see in Paris.

SELECTED PHOTOS OF THE WALKING TOUR:

I'm assuming we all know what this is, but for the Disney movie challenged, it's Notre Dame!

The River Scene - one of my many pictures. Very pretty. Splits Paris into two sections - one is where the rich live, the other is where you can find the Bohemian starving artist types.

Our VERY enthusiastic tour guide. She had a lot of energy.

Just some little place some people call The Louvre.

A piece of modern art put up in 2000 to celebrate the anniversary of the Metro station it covers. It is supposed to represent night and day. Obviously.

Where the French Revolution ACTUALLY started.

The cafe/sandwich shop where we had lunch. Obvious, but it was the most amazing bread ever. And boy do they love to put random shit on their sandwiches... I ate one with mozzerella, lettuce, tomato, tuna, egg, and onion. Was delicious, though.

Apparently the 2nd most expensive street in the world.

Some of the statues in the Tuileries Gardens.

Some tower... Eiffel I think?

You guys... this is the fountain that Anne Hathaway throws her phone in at the end of The Devil Wears Prada!

Arc de Triomphe!

After the tour ended we were exhausted, our feet hurt, and we'd been walking for 4 hours. So we took a short half hour stroll to the Eiffel Tower so we could actually go up. The tour guide made it sound like it was a lot closer to where we ended than it really was. But no harm. Mostly.

The line to get tickets was slightly obscene as hell. Though we didn't wait nearly as long as I thought we would, probably only just under an hour. And then up we went!

Waiting:

From the top:

Oh, and also this:

Yeah... we didn't know either.

After the wonder that is the top of the Eiffel Tower - and I say that in complete and utter seriousness, it really is fantastic - we took the elevator down to the first floor, and I said - "Why don't we take the stairs the rest of the way down? I can do down, that's no problem." Well, 124232435232 stairs later, my legs were very unhappy with me.

So we kept walking. ;)

Found the nearest metro station and headed out to Monmartre, home of the Sacre Couer, the Red Light District, and a certain red windmill. :)

In front of the Sacre Couer. Sad to say, we did not make the trek up a hundred more stairs to the top. We were insanely crunched for time if we wanted to make it back to the train station on time, and we also just could not have possibly walked up anymore stairs. But, we WERE accosted by men who made lovely (but unwanted) friendship bracelets on our arms and were pretty much forced to pay for them... one of these men can be seen next to me in this picture. So that was pretty weird. But I have a new bracelet now...!...?

Streets of Monmartre.

GETTING CREPES. (So so so delicious).

The HEAVENS shine on the Moulin Rouge. (But not really because the Heavens probably don't appreciate topless women or the streets of the Red Light District...)

Everyone knows how beyond ecastic this make me. :-D

And that, my friends, is the end of my pictures. After our visit to the Moulin Rouge, we got right on the Metro, to the train station, on the train, and to sleep until we got back to London.

Tomorrow we have no solid plans. I know we are NOT setting an alarm so that we can catch up on some sleep, and I know that we WILL be going to the London TKTS booth and seeing something. So... I can't wait!

Until tomorrow!

LONDON: Day 2

2009-06-16T17:19:00.013-04:00

Greetings! Time here is 10:17pm and we've just gotten back into the room from a pretty full day. I'll do my best to recap in some sort of orderly fashion...

We were up at 8 so we could grab some breakfast in the breakfast room. Unfortunately, we got there just before its end and it was too full for us to sit down. But no matter - we went to Pret A Manger, which was just down the street. I was happy to purchase a organic strawberry jam and butter sandwich. VERY British and very yummy!

Seen here:

After eating, we found a FREE walking tour that started at 11am. This was the "Royal London" tour, which covered sights such as Buckingham Palace and West Minster Abbey.

So, we took the good ol' tube to our destination. The station just happens to be down the street from our hotel, cleverly planned if I do say so myself:

And while waiting for the tour to begin...

The tour guide was the most adorable British girl ever and I love her.

And now I present you with... SELECT PICTURES FROM THE WALKING TOUR:

Buckingham Palace:

Parliament / Westminster Abbey / Big Ben:

Trafalgar Square:

The walking tour was about 3 hours long. Afterwards, our adorable tour guide took us to a restaurant where we were able to get 25% off - I paid 4 pounds for my sandwich. Not too shabby!

After eating, Mike and I found a supermarket where we bought the correct plug adapter (we had the wrong one with us), came back to the hotel for an hour or so to regroup, and then headed back out to the South Bank of London to eat and take a ride on the London Eye.

I *loved* South Bank. We didn't get to see quite all of it, but what we did see was fantastic. South Bank is located on the Thames River, across the water from where we'd spent our day on the walking tour.

The London Eye. It's pretty big:

This is an upside down cow:

Pictures from water side:

Grabbed dinner at a little cafe, and then walked up and down the water until our scheduled Eye ticket time.

Being introspective at dinner:

The London Eye was a fun little trip. Nice to see all of London from a high point. I can't believe how big this city is. I really had no idea in coming here.

Pictures from atop the Eye:

Believe it or not (most likely believe it since it's me), these are not all of the pictures that have been taken. If I tried to upload every single picture I've taken, I'd be here all night.

LUCKILY, if you are interested in all of the photos taken, they can be seen in the ever growing Facebook album:

CLICK ME FOR FULL PHOTO ALBUM

So, with that, I believe that is all for today.

TOMORROW: We're taking a 5:25am train into Paris for the day... so expect another epic blog upon our return!

LONDON: Day 1

2009-06-15T18:44:00.004-04:00

Chip chip cheerio! We have arrived safely in London after nearly 10 hours of travel! The time now is midnight. About ready to pass out, but keeping my vow to update daily during our trip.

The trip went very smoothly - the flight had 7 movies to choose from, so I watched He's Just Not That Into You (obv) and Coraline. The latter which scared the crap out of me and is not a kid's movie. Just saying.

I can't figure out an attractive way to post a lot of pictures in a clump, so I'm just going to stick them onto the end of this and figure out a better way later.

Waiting at JFK / Dulles International:

In the air:

Waiting in the gigantic line at customs:

OMG LOOK AT THE TAXI:

Our tiny London hotel room:

So that's about it for now. Tomorrow is our first day out in the big city, so I'll be more interesting tomorrow night... promise.

CHEERS!

London Calling!

2009-06-14T23:45:00.001-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we are OFF! In just about 7 hours, we will be London Bound!

Keeping up my illusion that anyone reads this thing, I'm here to let you all know that I am making a commitment: I will update this blog at the end of every day with pictures from that day's adventures. Which means that even after our neverending flight tomorrow, I will update this blog before getting my (what I'm sure will be) much needed sleep. Scout's honor.

So, LOOK FORWARD TO IT. DO IT.

:-D

Oh, and obviously - imagine all of this being read in a British accent. Because that's how I roll.

Until tomorrow!

It's like that there's some music playing in your ear. But the music is impossible, impossible to hear...

2009-06-08T18:35:00.009-04:00

I'm not even totally sure how to begin this entry. I'm still ridiculously emotional from the whole night. (Which may possibly be because I'm hormonal this week, but either way...)

Well, to start off, Mike and I watched it all from the big screen in Times Square, which was actually pretty cool. Tovah Feldshuh was there for a hot minute and said some things. They broadcast the Creative Arts awards as well, which was very cool.

I'm really not sure what to say. For the first time in a while, I really have no big issue with the way things went down. I think the only thing that disappointed me was Hunter Bell not winning for Best Book. But, at the same time, I wasn't surprised by this. Had just been hopeful that the voters would jump off the Billy Elliot boat to award Hunter.

But where they did jump off the boat was the most surprising and one of the most joyous moments of the night for me. When they announced Tom Kitt for best score, I screamed, and then cried, and then sat in shock. I love Billy Elliot's score, I'm not saying I don't. But nothing has affected me the way the Next to Normal's score has. Not since I saw it as Feeling Electric back in 2005. I could not have been more ecstatic for Tom Kitt (who also took home Best Orchestrations, tying with Billy Elliot's Martin Koch).

The crowd, by the way, in Times Square was amazing. When Mike and I got there, we were 2 of maybe 30 people. But by the time the 8pm telecast came around, it was packed with eager people.

Anyway. Performance wise, the opening number was amazing. I cried from the minute I saw the Billy boys until the end. And Liza? What a crazy bitch. I love her. All of the performances were great - was so happy to see Angry Dance, though was a little put off by only having Trent dance it. Next to Normal was beautiful, Hair was inspiring (as always), and Rock of Ages was fucking badass. I couldn't get on board with West Side Story's choice... of all the show stopping numbers, why did they choose that? Found Shrek's to be lackluster as well... wish they had showcased the other cast members more.

Neil Patrick Harris was adorable, hysterical, divine, and my husband. All of that is true except for the last part. Anyway.

I was thrilled with Hair's win for Best Revival - it is one of the most invigorating things I've ever seen. I don't think anything else could resonate so powerfully 40 years later. Alice Ripley's win was a long time coming, so deserved, but holy shit did her speech scare me. (LOL) I haven't seen West Side Story, and was expecting Haydn Gwynne to take home Featured Actress, but Karen Olivo's speech absolutely broke my heart, and I was overjoyed for her like I knew her personally.

The minute Featured Actor in a Musical started, I stopped breathing. I held my head in my hands. And then they said Gregory Jbara, and I just burst into tears and screamed and kept crying and then cried some more. I know I seem biased. Maybe I am. Admittedly, I didn't see all of the nominees. (I was a serious slacker this year.) I saw Greg and David and I saw Will Swenson. Despite my love of the current production of Hair, I really disliked Swenson. I thought he was playing a caricature. Greg's performance in Billy Elliot was so subtly riveting and emotional. He managed to fight against some weak writing for his character and bring Billy's dad on a full journey. Not to mention he's been doing this for 25 years, and this was his first nomination. And now his first win. I honestly can't think of anyone I know who deserved it more. He's one of the most genuinely good guys I've ever met. I'm so happy to have him as a friend, to have him in my life at all. It's a huge blessing. He's immensely talented. His speech was classy to the max, especially bringing his wife up there with him. I couldn't be any happier if I tried.

And, of course, seeing the three boys win for Billy was a beautiful moment. What that must have felt like for them... I can't even imagine. And I whole heartedly believe that Billy Elliot deserved Best Musical. I love Next to Normal, but I don't think anything on Broadway really compared to Billy Elliot this year. It is completely groundbreaking and epic and gorgeous. Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's underserving (for once).

It was a really great night. Being surrounded by the hundreds of hundreds of people in Times Square was inspiring. The Tonys were, and always are, inspiring. One day I'll be there. Somehow.

That's the end of my sappy talk.

Congrats to everyone involved.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius...

2009-05-27T21:01:00.002-04:00

A little over a week ago, I attended a rally in Midtown for marriage equality. It was inspiring and motivating, and sad and powerful. I wrote the following e-mail the my district senator the next day:

Senator Krueger,

I know you've probably been flooded with e-mails and phone calls concerning this issue. If not, I hope to be the first. Or, at least the first e-mail that is PRO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

Yesterday, May 17th, a rally was held on 6th avenue for Marriage Equality. Thousands of people flooded the streets in support. Speakers included our Governor Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, stars such as Cynthia Nixon and David Hyde Pierce, and the "every day" people - individuals in long-term, committed, loving, same sex relationships.

They all had one things to say: it is TIME for Marriage Equality in New York. Marriage should not be a privilege, it should not be something that has to be earned. It is a RIGHT that is due to all citizens.

I've read past articles and statements from you saying you are pro-marriage equality. And for that, I am so grateful. I just want to convince you that now is the time. If not now, then when?

I am not gay. I am a straight female living in New York city who is appalled time and time again by the discrimination my friends and family have seen. I know there are some people who will never be for same-sex marriage. And for some of those people, there is nothing we can do, as hard as we may try. I can also only hope that you will persuade others to make the right vote. We're not asking for much. We're only asking for what is due, finally. We've stayed quiet long enough.

I'm not asking for you to respond to this e-mail, though you are obviously welcome to.

Thank you for taking out the time to read this. Thank you for listening, understanding, and thank you for your support.

Maybe we'll see you in celebration come June.

All the best,

Kerrie Bond

I recieved this reply:

May 20, 2009

Dear Ms. Bond,

Thank you for writing to express your support for marriage equality in New York. I wholeheartedly agree with you, and have been and continue to be an avid supporter of efforts to legalize marriage between couples of the same sex. I have co-sponsored same-sex marriage legislation each year there has been a bill introduced in the Senate.

I will continue to push for passage of this important legislation, and look forward to working with Governor Paterson to build support for the same sex marriage legislation he recently introduced. Particularly in the wake of both Vermont and Iowa's passage of such legislation, I believe the state’s recognition of same-sex marriage will be the only way to create true legal, social, and fiscal equity for the LGBT community. The State of New York should be ensuring equal protections for all New York couples—regardless of the sex of the two partners.

Thank you for writing, and please feel free to contact me at any time in the future regarding this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

This is encouraging, absolutely. But this is the city. This is not where our struggle is. I know many of my friends and people reading my blog are from Long Island, or boroughs outside of Manhattan. Please, I beg you, CALL OR EMAIL YOUR SENATOR. You can go to www.broadwayimpact.com to find out who it is. These are the people we need to convice - ESPECIALLY in Astoria and much of Queens. We have 24 days until the NY Senate votes on the gay marriage bill that was passed in the NY Assembly. Let us hold up equality when CA cannot.

Let the sunshine in.

2009-05-22T18:37:00.003-04:00

As posted on March 3rd:

"My goals for the coming year are as follows:

- Graduate
- Nail my senior showcase
- Find a great place to move
- Sell half of me and Mike's stuff
- Save money (which will hopefully come from graduation presents) to buy stuff for new apartment
- Go to London
- Get a job, between $10 - $12 an hour
- Find a voice teacher and acting classes I can afford after getting on my feet and saving money.
- Audition my ass off
- Be happy"

So, I need to make some new goals for the whole year, because half of these are completed.

- Graduate: Completed as of 2 days ago.

- Nail my senior showcase: Not that I'm ever one to compliment my own performance, but I could not possibly be happier with how it went. Everything involved was perfect, even if I tripped over and almost fell off of the box. ;-)

- Find a great place to move: Done and done. So excited.

- Sell half of me and Mike's stuff: Safe to say that almost half is being donated, a bunch was thrown away, and the rest will hopefully be sold tomorrow. So - almost.

- Save money to buy stuff for the apartment: Did the IKEA thing already, so that was taken care of in advance. In terms of money, I just deposited $3,115 in my account from graduation and getting paid.

- Go to London: Will be completed June 15-22.

- Get a job, between $10-$12 an hour: DONE! Working as an assistant at a real estate company for $12 an hour. Super flexible, part time, totally laid back. I love it.

- Find a voice teacher and acting classes I can afford after getting on my feet and saving money: Obviously not yet... I graduated 3 days ago. ;-) Though Beth wants her graduated students to go back to her every 6 months for a tune-up at a discounted rate. So there's that!

- Audition my ass off: I repeat, I graduated 3 days ago!

- Be happy: Definitely there.

I'm going a little crazy currently trying to get everything organized to make the final move. Having the moving sale tomorrow - need to hang the flyers and put 'FORE SALE' things on stuff being sold and clean the living room and my room and price things and set up a time for Salvation Army to pick up our donation boxes start packing and get paint to paint the walls and fix holes and cabinets and clean the bathroom and figure out what to do with stuff that doesn't sell and pack and pack and clean and pack and barely have time to breathe. Had to have Mike call the carpet cleaning places because I just didn't have enough time... though I have literally been doing everything else to prepare for the move... which can explain why I'm going so nuts. So having him do one thing is really fine.

Graduation was great and surreal. Saw Hair with my mom and Mike and was totally blown away. It's so fantastic. And I MUST play Sheila someday. (Not to mention that Cassie Levy has the career I want - Sheila, Penny, and Elphaba. Screw her!)

I'm going to go crash until the THINK POUND show tonight! 11pm at The People's Improv Theater! $10! Funny times!

And then I'll start running around again.

Picture of the Week

2009-05-18T12:17:00.003-04:00

My favorite sign at the Action = Marriage Equality rally in NYC yesterday, 5/17/09.

Go to www.BroadwayImpact.com to find our who YOUR senator is and CALL OR EMAIL him for Marriage Equality! Only 33 days left until the senate meets to vote on the bill for New York! Let us be the 6th!

Let's start at the very beginning...

2009-05-05T15:16:00.002-04:00

This, my friends, is effing CRAZY. This is the first picture ever taken of Mike and I as a couple... this is no more than 4 days after we first started dating. For some reason it's just totally blowing my mind.

So that was me 2 years ago. I was 19. My hair was still brown. And I can tell you right now that I was fantastically nervous in this picture just sitting next to a new boy who might actually like me.

Mike looks silly. :)

I'm like ecstatically happy that this picture was posted on facebook. It captures so much.

It's a great picture for an engagement party slideshow or invitation. (She plans things that probably will not be happening very soon at all...)

Yay memories.

*K

Tony Awards Widget

2009-05-05T09:25:00.001-04:00

Tony, Tony, Tony...

2009-05-05T09:01:00.005-04:00

I am up at 9am, have been up since 8:30am, for one reason and one reason only...

TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS!!!

It's an exciting day... some really interesting nominations, including the complete shut-out of 9 to 5 for Best Musical. They really went out of their way to let 9 to 5 know they did not like them... giving Rock of Ages a Best Musical nod and Leading Actor (Constantine Maroulis) - among other things. Rock of Ages even leads 9 to 5 with their number of nominations - 5 to 4. Jeez.

I'm thrilled about Billy Elliot's 15 nominations. That's tying with the record. Including Greg Jbara for Feautured Actor in a Musical. I admittedly burst into tears at the announcement. I could not be happier for him, and I think it's so deserved - not only through this performance, but just through his whole career. There could not be a nicer, more talented man. I really have no idea if he'll win - he's up against another actor in BE - David Bologna, and also Christopher Seiber for Shrek, Will Swenson for Hair, and Mark Kudisch for 9 to 5. So we'll see...

Raul Esparza is nominated for Leading Actor in a Play. Anyone who knows me knows exactly how I feel about him, and the extreme intensity of my feelings. ;-) When he didn't win the Tony for Company in 2007, it was beyond devestating. And get this - Raul has now been nominated for a Tony in every male acting category. Featured Actor in a Musical for Taboo, Leading Actor in a Musical for Company, Featured Actor in a Play for The Homecoming, and now Leading Actor in a Play for Speed-The-Plow. I would normally get on my soap box and preach about how it is finally his year! But ever since his loss in 2007, I wouldn't dare. Anything can happen. I haven't seen any of the other nominees in his category (Jeff Daniels, James Gandolfini, Geoffrey Rush, and Thomas Sadoski), so I really can't say. I can only hope like hell.

Those are my 2 strongest convictions this year, I think. I'm overwealmed by the 11 nominations for Next to Normal, and it's all just very poetic for me. I think Alice Ripley has a lock on the win - and I'm so happy for J. Robert Spencer and Jennifer Damiano's nominations.

Posting the full list now. Will probably have more thoughts as time progresses.... I want to figure out how to be a seat filler so I can finally see all of this unfold live. ;-)

_________________________________________________________

Best Play
Dividing the Estate
Author: Horton Foote
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, Bernard Gersten, Andre Bishop, Primary Stages

God of Carnage
Author: Yasmina Reza
Producers: Robert Fox, David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, Stuart Thompson, Scott Rudin, Jon B. Platt, The Weinstein Company, The Shubert Organization

Reasons to Be Pretty
Author: Neil LaBute
Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, MCC Theater, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Ted Snowdon, Doug Nevin/Erica Lynn Schwartz, Ronald Frankel/Bat-Barry Productions, Kathleen Seidel, Kelpie Arts, LLC, Jam Theatricals, Rachel Helson/Heather Provost

33 Variations
Author: Moises Kaufman
Producers: David Binder, Ruth Hendel, Goldberg/Mills, Latitude Link, Arielle Tepper Madover, Bill Resnick, Eric Schnall, Jayne Baron Sherman, Wills/True Love Productions, Tectonic Theater Project, Greg Reiner, Dominick Balletta, Jeffrey LaHoste

Best Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Producers: Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions, Weinstein Live Entertainment
Next to Normal
Producers: David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Second Stage Theatre, Carole Rothman, Ellen Richard
Rock of Ages
Producers: Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, Relativity Media, Corner Store Fund, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Paula Davis, Simon and Stefany Bergson/Jennifer Maloney, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Sara Katz/Jayson Raitt, Max Gottlieb/John Butler, David Kaufman/Jay Franks, Mike Wittlin, Prospect Pictures, Laura Smith/Bill Bodnar, Happy Walters, Michele Caro, The Araca Group
Shrek The Musical
Producers: Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions

Best Book of a Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Lee Hall
Next to Normal
Brian Yorkey
Shrek The Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire
[Title of Show]
Hunter Bell

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Lee Hall

Next to Normal
Music: Tom Kitt
Lyrics: Brian Yorkey

9 to 5: The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton

Shrek The Musical
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

Best Revival of a Play

Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, Andre Bishop, Bernard Gersten

Mary Stuart
New Version: Peter Oswald
Producers: Arielle Tepper Madover, Debra Black, Neal Street Productions/Matthew Byam Shaw, Scott Delman, Barbara Whitman, Jean Doumanian/Ruth Hendel, David Binder/CarlWend Productions/Spring Sirkin, Daryl Roth/James L. Nederlander/Chase Mishkin, The Donmar Warehouse

The Norman Conquests
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Dede Harris, Tulchin/Bartner/Lauren Doll, Jamie deRoy, Eric Falkenstein, Harriet Newman Leve, Probo Productions, Douglas G. Smith, Michael Filerman/Jennifer Manocherian, Richard Winkler, Dan Frishwasser, Pam Laudenslager/Remmel T. Dickinson, Jane Dubin/True Love Productions, Barbara Manocherian/Jennifer Isaacson, The Old Vic Theatre Company

Waiting for Godot
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Elizabeth Ireland McCann

Best Revival of a Musical

Guys and Dolls
Producers: Howard Panter and Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner, Bill Kenwright, Northwater Entertainment, Darren Bagert, Tom Gregory, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., David Mirvish, Michael Jenkins/Dallas Summer Musicals, Independent Presenters Network, Olympus Theatricals, Sonia Friedman Productions

Hair
Producers: The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Andrew D. Hamingson, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/Wencarlar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Company/Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes, Elizabeth Ireland McCann

Pal Joey
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Marc Platt

West Side Story
Producers: Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller, Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman/Jill Furman Willis, Freddy DeMann, Robyn Goodman/Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller, The Weinstein Company, Broadway Across America

Best Special Theatrical Event

Liza's at The Palace
Producers: John Scher and Metropolitan Talent Presents, LLC; Jubilee Time Productions, LLC

Slava's Snowshow
Producers: David J. Foster, Jared Geller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Marinoff Cohn, John Pinckard

Soul of Shaolin
Producers: Nederlander Worldwide Productions, LLC; Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film & Television Group; China on Broadway

You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
Producer: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Home Box Office Inc., Gary Sanchez Productions, Bat-Barry Productions, Ken Davenport, Ergo Entertainment, Ronald Frankel, Jon B. Platt, James D. Stern, The Weinstein Company, Tara Smith/b. Swibel, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, Arny Granat

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play

Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini, God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to Be Pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play

Hope Davis, God of Carnage
Jane Fonda, 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage
Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish ‚ Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel, Hair
Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley, Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play

John Glover, Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier, 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play

Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland, Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson, Hair

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo, West Side Story
Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey
Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane, 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask, Pal Joey
Mark Wendland, Next to Normal

Best Costume Design of a Play

Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald, Hair

Best Lighting Design of a Play

David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play

Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal

Best Direction of a Play

Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical

Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair

Best Choreography

Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin's White Christmas

Best Orchestrations

Larry Blank, Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

* * *

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Jerry Herman

Regional Theatre Tony Award
Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Phyllis Newman

Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
Shirley Herz

* * *

Tony Nominations by Production

Billy Elliot, The Musical - 15
Next to Normal - 11
Hair - 8
Shrek The Musical - 8
Mary Stuart - 7
The Norman Conquests - 7
God of Carnage - 6
Joe Turner's Come and Gone - 6
Rock of Ages - 5
33 Variations - 5
Exit the King - 4
9 to 5: The Musical - 4
Pal Joey - 4
West Side Story - 4
Reasons to Be Pretty - 3
Waiting for Godot - 3
Blithe Spirit - 2
Dividing the Estate - 2
Equus - 2
Guys and Dolls - 2
Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 2
Liza's at The Palace - 1
Slava's Snowshow - 1
Soul of Shaolin - 1
Speed-the-Plow - 1
[Title of Show] - 1
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush - 1

___________________________________

Picture of the Week

2009-05-04T11:23:00.002-04:00

This is Mariah, my roommate. At IKEA 4/25. All together now: LOL!

Picture of the Week

2009-04-27T10:49:00.001-04:00

Taken 4/22 from the Top of the Rock (Rockafeller Center), for me and Mike's anniversary.

Something good

2009-04-22T17:53:00.000-04:00

Celebrating 2 years with this goofball. :-)
Life is good.

Picture of the Week

2009-04-20T10:33:00.000-04:00

Taken 4/16/09. The door to our new apartment building. :)

Next to Normal

2009-04-19T19:13:00.010-04:00

About a month or so before I moved to the city for school, I read an article on BroadwayWorld about a new musical that would be playing at the New York Musical Theatre Festival that September. Seeing that the cast contained Anthony Rapp and Amy Spanger, I immediately e-mailed Kadey, who I'd met at orientation, asking if she'd go with me. She said yes. And that is where this began.

I moved to New York on September 3rd, 2005. September 24th, 2005 I saw Feeling Electric at NYMF with Kadey, and another girl named Amanda. Time after time I can be quoted as having said the show changed my life. I remember every minute of the show, which at the time ran just under 3 hours. I cried for all but 20 minutes. It was new, exciting, emotional, powerful, and it blew me away. Even then. With no sets and scripts in hand. The cast for NYMF was, along with Amy Spanger as Diana and Anthony Rapp as Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden, Joe Cassidy as Dan, Annaleigh Ashford as Natalaie, and Benjamin Schrader as Gabe. (The character of Henry didn't even exist at this point.)

I'm still unable to really communicate as to how the show supposedly "changed my life." It was a tremendous performance to see my third week of living in the big bad city. I think it really did a lot to let me know it was where I belonged in a way. I was still finding my way around, still wondering if picking my life up from the people I loved and moving to this giant place was a good idea... and then I sat down in the theater, and was reminded exactly why I did it. Because theater can be that powerful and that real, and can make every hair on your body stand on end. I connected with the show on such a deeply human level, which is why I think it's so incredible. Mental illness aside, it's about a struggling family. It's about growing up. It's about letting go and moving on. Just seeing that theater like this can still be created only made me excited to be a part of it, more than I'd already been. Maybe it didn't change my life in any gigatic way, but it did help to reaffirm everything I was wavering on.

The show is now called Next to Normal. It now stars Alice Ripley, J. Robert Specer, Aaron, Tveit, Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat, and Louis Hobson. It's tighter, the plot flows more, the characters are more developed, the performances are all extraordinary, and the new music is just as good as the old and the cut. (Though, I have to say, I really miss what was once the title song, 'Feeling Electric'. But that just may be because I've listened to the bootleg of the NYMF performance so many times, I can't hear Act One ending any other way.)

Feeling Electric was one of the first things I saw when I started college. Next to Normal is now one of the last things I'll see why still in college. I could be ultra cheesy and say that the growth of the show parallels my own. But I won't, because that really doesn't make much sense if you pay any attention to it. But if I have to define any bookends for my college career, I'm happy that this show provides them. Because it always stayed with me, even in the gap between it's NYMF production in September of 2005 and it's 2ST production last January. I had the bootleg, I had every image of the show etched into my brain from the minute I left the theater. And, can't forget to mention, I'm singing 'I Miss the Mountains' for showcase... and it's so fitting.

I'm ecstatic to see the following the show has gathered since then. And part of me almost feels connected to the show on some other level than just being a fan. Maybe because I've always held it so close to me. I feel like I watched it grow. And I'm really happy with the final product. It's beautiful and heart wrenching, and Alice Ripley is a total revelation. (TONY. Please. Thank you.)

I think that's all the mumbo jumbo I'll type for now. I'm still trying to compose all my thoughts after seeing it this afternoon. It still hits me like a bus. Only with less physical pain... and less.... y'know, death.

And with that eloquent ending, I am finished.

True Life: Apartment Hunting

2009-04-15T16:55:00.002-04:00

All things considered, Mike and I can consider ourselves very lucky. We began the great search about 2 weeks ago. We started early. We went into it bright eyed and hopeful. We started running. We were stopped in our tracks... several times. But did we fall? No! Did we falter? No! Did one of us get frustrated and paranoid? Maybe! But we prevailed.

I am writing to you now as a changed woman. I am a woman with a new home! That's right! After only a mere two weeks of searching, we signed a lease today and I pick up the keys tomorrow. Upper East Side, get ready for the Kerrie and Michael STORM. I have no idea what that means.

We'll be living on East 85th between 3rd and Lexington. Which is perfect for multiple reasons:

The newly formed dream was to reside on the UES. (Because Brooklyn Heights is for rich people.)
It is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER from the subway. We'd both been anticipating at least a 10 minute walk. But no, fate has been kind.
It's on the 2nd floor: only one flight of stairs!
It's PRETTY. And SHINY. And SPACIOUS ENOUGH TO FIT MY GRANDMA'S TABLE!
We'll be paying $1675 a month. So, about $837 for each of us, which is less than what we're paying now. Not A LOT less, but still less, and less is bess . . . t.
It will be our first real home together. Just us and the dog.

I'll be sure to take pictures soon. The place is ours immediately... which is nice, but kind of weird because we're still in our current apartment until June 1st. It does give us plenty of time to get moved and figure ourselves out, though, which is nice. I figure we'll move all the stuff we don't need the weekend after next, and everything else the last weekend of May. And then to IKEA! Hurrah!

My day was essentially torn apart to go up to the office to sign the lease... I had to miss class and was an hour and a half late to work... but hey, we have a place to live. It's all worth it in the end.

So with excitement and happiness I sign off to memorize lines so I can be funny at the UCB on Friday!

*K

Picture of the Week

2009-04-13T11:16:00.001-04:00

This is a picture of Eddie Izzard, taken 4/8/09 at his Twitter advertised show at the Bleecker Street Theatre.

I must have done something good

2009-04-11T22:26:00.005-04:00

At the risk of outing myself as a complete nerd (though, who are we kidding, that's already been done) I think I've found my wedding song.

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood

Perhaps I had a miserable youth

But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past

There must have been a moment of truth.

For here you are, standing there, loving me

Whether or not you should

So somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing

Nothing ever could

So somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good.

For here you are, standing there, loving me

Whether or not you should.

So somewhere in my youth or childhood

I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing

Nothing ever could.

So somewhere in my youth

Or childhood

I must have done something...

Something good.

Yeah... I love The Sound of Music.

I'll wear your sandwich board!

2009-04-09T15:33:00.003-04:00

Moving on from promoting myself and my website that is located at www.kerriebond.com, I will now be promoting friends.

AND I PRESENT TO YOU NOW:

The Brew Yorker

"Our mission is to bring you information about beer and bar culture, focusing on New York (duh). We’re never going to take ourselves too seriously, and you shouldn’t either. Beer is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Smooth, tasty, and infinitely complex, it can be sipped or chugged, tasted or toasted, observed or enjoyed. There are games involved with it, organizations promoting it, and best of all, everybody can get in on the action. Brew it. Drink it. Do it. Buy local. Buy corporate. Buy organic. Buy non-organic. Buy Zombie Beer, if re-dead flesh-tasting brew really strikes your fancy. And if you ever have a question about what’s going on, give the Brew Yorker a head’s up and we’ll do what we can to sort you out."

Click the link to check out their temporary home at Wordpress. They just lauched 5 videos today, all very funny and informative. And since this is coming from someone who doesn't drink alcohol, it's fun for the whole family!

One of BY's creators is a former Think Pound member who we all still love and support despite his abandonment. :-D I kid, of course.

So check it out!! My live-in boyfriend and website maker person is working on their official website currently, so be on the look-out for that!

And I think it's safe to say that if anyone wants free promotion, I'm clearly the person to come to. Because my audience is obviously vast. I have 5 followers, guys. FIVE.

E-mail my heart

2009-04-08T15:54:00.003-04:00

Continuing the trend of self-promotion, today I am here to announce the official announcement of the announcement of my very own website.

Behold: www.kerriebond.com

::oooh... ahhh::

Where, you may ask, did this beautiful piece of web design come from?

Well! As fate would have it, my live-in boyfriend is ALSO a live-in website maker person. (That's the official job title.)

If you like the site a lot, you can do one (or all) of the following things:

Pass on the link the people you like.
Hire me.
Leave an awesome hope inspiring comment in my guest book.
Hire Mike to make your very own website! (Comment on here if you're seriously interested and I can give you his info.)

If you don't like the site a lot, you can do one (or all) of the following things:

Pass on the link to people you hate.
Hire me.
Leave a crazy comment in the guest book that I will later delete, but will also be amused by.
Hire Mike to make a website the complete opposite of this one! (Comment on here if you're seriously interested and I can give you his info.)

But, really, my point is hire me.

*K

For anyone who loves looking at shots of my head

2009-04-07T16:15:00.003-04:00

Got the retouched final 2 back! AND HERE IS THE BIG REVEAL!!!!!

And that is literally my only reason for posting.

::end narcissism::

Picture of the Week

2009-04-06T11:29:00.003-04:00

Taken 3/21/09 at Virgin Megastore in Times Square (RIP). This was 9 days before they closed, and they were selling everything in the store - including these mannequins.

Maybe this time

2009-04-02T18:27:00.002-04:00

So I've changed the picture on the sidebar. Why? Because I'm a movie star. Obviously.

But no. It's a "behind the scenes" shot from my recent headshots. I'd love to indulge ~~you~~ myself and post all the shots here, but that'd be ridiculous and unnecessary. And I'll wait until my 2 retouched shots come in. That's reasonable. For all the people reading and needing to know what a shot of my head looks like.

I've decided that apartment hunting is actually really exciting. At least, right at the start. If this continues for another couple weeks, I'll definitely be singing a different tune. But I feel hopeful about what we're going to see tomorrow... so hopefully it's as amazing as the pictures on Craigslist look. IT'S POSSIBLE.

Oh and money is a problem. But hey... I'm YOUNG! And free! And I don't NEED no MONEY! Who needs to be RESPONSIBLE?! Some good advice I've taken.

That's all.

Brooklyn has been crossed

2009-03-30T16:18:00.003-04:00

So, Crossing Brooklyn came and went this weekend. Thanks to those of you who came out to see it. It was a really great experience, over all. The material (that is still changing and growing even as I type) is so grounded and emotional, it was amazing to work on. Everyone who came to see it seemed to like it and had great, constructive things to say.

I was given so many amazing compliments and words about my performance, it was so humbling. Words like "beautiful, brilliant, and magnetic." Who knew, right? I miss it already.

But now life continues as normal! Whatever that means. I got so over-excited about having my nights free that I pretty much booked every night this week aside from tonight. Whoops. Oh well. My week will be full of shows, Think Pound meetings, and Jason Robert Brown at Birdland. I'm okay with that.

Oh, I graduate in about 7 weeks or so. So... okay.

Picture of the Week

2009-03-30T16:16:00.002-04:00

Another picture from Anthony's visit, because there were so many good ones. Another MoMA shot from 3/12.

Let the wild rumpus start!

2009-03-25T15:53:00.003-04:00

I haven't even watched this with sound yet (because I'm at work), but I got teary eyed anyway. I feel like I've been waiting for this for years. Which actually might be the case, since it's been postponed so many times. It's my favorite book from the childhood, without a doubt. Maybe one of my favorite books period. (Don't judge me.) It's being released on my mom's birthday, which is amazing because loving this book is one of those things we share.

By the way, I'm kind of over the blog prompts. Probably should have seen that coming. None of them interest me anymore.

Excited for CB to open this weekend... really hoping everyone can make it out. The material is amazing, and it comes through even in our minimal production. I'm really happy with everything we've done with it.

I guess that's all... I'm going to watch this trailer 100 more times without sound.

*K

A man in a window...

2009-03-24T15:03:00.006-04:00

Not that anyone who isn't already coming reads this blog... but why not.

If you're in the NYC area this weekend.....
_________________________________________________________________

Crossing Brooklyn
a new musical

Music by Jenny Giering
Book & Lyrics by Laura Harrington

Set in New York City in 2002, following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, "Crossing Brooklyn" tells the story of Des and AJ, young, idealistic public school teachers bent on changing the world, one kid at a time. Life is full of promise and endless possibility until Des begins to unravel under the weight of her fears, ignited that fateful September day. Splitting apart under the strain, Des and AJ struggle to find their way back to each other.

CAST:
Kerrie Bond, Chris Giordano, Dylan Bustamante, Purvi Parmar, Stephon Pettway, Kelly Reader, Krystina Salcedo, Megan Smith, Benvolio Tomaiuolo.

Directed by: Steven McCasland
Musical Director/Assistant Director: Shannon Agnew
Jesse Wiener at the piano!
Stage Managed by: Samantha Mercdo

Pace University
1 Pace Plaza
NY, NY 10038

Friday March 27th, 8pm: Mainframe (2nd floor)
Saturday and Sunday, 2:30pm: Mainframe (2nd floor)
Saturday and Sunday, 8pm: Layton (B level)

Tickets are $8. All proceeds will go to benefit ASTEP.
E-Mail grouptherapyproductions@gmail.com for reservations!

**Show artwork by Erica Zingaro**

_________________________________________________________________

This is the show I've been working on this month, and I'm really excited for people to see it. It's a very minimal workshop of the material, so the writers can see their work on its feet with changes that they've made. I'd love it if people could make it out. Feel free to message for more details.

*K

I'm fine, I'm fine

2009-03-24T14:54:00.002-04:00

What is your favorite poem?

______________________________________________________

One Art

The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

- Elizabeth Bishop
______________________________________________________

I love love this poem. I first read it last year in my English 201 class, and it's stuck with me ever since. I'm familiar with themes of denial and hiding and pretending, I think we all are. Because the truth is, losing sucks - only no one wants to admit it.

*K

Spring and Summer every other day...

2009-03-23T10:58:00.002-04:00

My favorite season...

This seems like an appropriate question for today. Since it's supposed to be "Spring" and it's 20 DEGREES outside.

My favorite season depends on where I am. In Florida... it was Winter, because that's when it was less hot. In Maine, it's definitely Summer. I honestly believe there is no place I'd rather be in the Summer than Bar Harbor. It's the most beautiful place in the world. In New York, it's definitely Fall or Spring.

Will someone please refresh me, though... what is Spring like?

Last time I checked, Spring was not random snow and 20 degrees with a wind chill. Spring was in the 60s... with sun and flowers and happy warm fuzzies in the air. WHAT IS GOING ON??

I've officially lost hope that it'll ever be warm again.

Picture of the Week

2009-03-23T10:38:00.001-04:00

Taken 3/11/09 (Anthony's birthday) at The Hummus Kitchen before seeing Billy Elliot.

I think about it all the time

2009-03-19T18:04:00.003-04:00

My 10 favorite movies

I already have a solid top 5, but I've never gone as far as 10... so we'll see what comes out.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2. Moulin Rouge

3. Lost in Translation

4. Garden State

5. Donnie Darko

6. Almost Famous

7. The Reader

8. Jerry Maguire

9. Philadelphia

10. Guys and Dolls

6 - 10 were really just whatever came to me first, so are subject to change...

This was lame, I know. But my eyes are literally having trouble staying open... long rehearsal today. Strawhat audition tomorrow. *dead*

The perfect Christmas tree

2009-03-16T17:00:00.004-04:00

Describe getting a Christmas tree with your family as a child. How did you decorate it? When did you put it up?

For a while, we consistently had our Christmases in CT with my grandparents. (My mom's parents.) Until I was 8 or 9, I want to say... but it's hard to be sure.

I remember my grandpa driving us all out to big snowy places with lots of big trees, and it was our job to pick one and cut it down. I remember it being really exciting.

When I was younger, one of my favorite books was called 'The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree'. My mom would read it to me every Christmas, and sometimes just at night before going to bed. So I remember running around in the snow looking for the perfect tree. "On top of the rocky craig."

We would set it up in the living room of my grandparents' house... star on top.

That's about all I remember.

Picture of the Week

2009-03-16T16:57:00.004-04:00

This was taken at MoMA on 3/12. I don't know either of these people. This is probably the most romantic picture they'll ever have taken of them that they'll never know exists.

I'm alive

2009-03-15T18:10:00.003-04:00

The lack of daily blogging since Tuesday was due to the fact that Anthony came to visit NY!

(For anyone who doesn't know, Anthony is the best friend.)

Much fun was had - complete with Billy Elliot, MoMA, Build-A-Bear, The Museum of Sex, many specialty food places, our Think Pound show at The PIT, etc etc etc. It definitely went by way too fast... he left this morning, and I feel like he'd just gotten here yesterday. I wish I knew what my summer was looking like so I knew when I'd be home or if I'll be home and when I'll see people again. It's frustrating.

Today has been spent watching the 3rd season of Dexter, since I missed it completely when it was aired. (Thank you, Showtime On Demand!) And also making key lime pie and tacos with Mike. Because, why not? I love Sundays for this reason... nothing to do, nothing we have to do, just being together. Mariah is also out of town, so it's a nice sneak peek into when we'll be living alone in the near future.

Speaking of which, OMG, I want to start looking for a new apartment. We can't start for 2 months or so. We may start mid-April and see if we can find one of the places offering one month of free rent. That would be ideal. That way, we can secure a May 1st move in date and move SLOWLY. Save the big stuff for moving company. It'd alleviate a lot of the stress.

I'm also memorizing Crossing Brooklyn lines in preperation for rehearsal madness begininng tomorrow. I'm really excited... it's a great show, and I think it can be really great. We spent last week learning the music with Shannon, we just really need to run it with a piano. But I think it's pretty solid.

Luckily this week is Spring Break, so we'll be rehearsing during the day and I'll have my nights free! :) Totes awesome.

Anyway, food, Dexter, and lines resume now.

Everything's changing when I turn around, all out of my control, I'm a mobile

2009-03-10T09:33:00.005-04:00

10 places I have lived, in order.

1. With my grandparents in Connecticut.

2. In a little house in Connecticut.

3. Northeast Harbor, ME (house)

4. Northeast Harbor, ME (Apartment)

5. Cape Coral, FL (House #1)

6. Cape Coral, FL (House #2)

7. Maine summer homes:

a. Motor home

b. House in Hulls Cove

c. Apartment on Cottage St.

d. House on School St.

8. Maria's Tower

9. The Clark

10. 33 Gold St

We moved a lot.

Because crazy people don't sit around wondering if they're nuts

2009-03-09T11:37:00.002-04:00

Do you keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results?

This is interesting. It's also Albert Einstein's definition of insanity.

Of course the ideal answer would be no. That's crazy! But I have a sneaking suspicion that somewhere down the line, I've done exactly that. I'd like to say I make an effort not to do the same thing over and over and expect something different, but that almost seems like human nature. To an extent. Try and make a pie and it doesn't work. So you try again, expecting it to work this time. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. But why stop from attempting it again? Is that insane? Is re-taking the SATs insane? Maybe he should have been more clear.

Or maybe by saying "over AND over again", he's implying it's trying more than twice? Even so, it would probably take me at least 4 times to get a pie right. Would have taken me more than twice to improve my SAT score, since I went down the second time. (Though that's a different result, even if it's not the better result.)

Maybe we're all insane. I wouldn't be shocked.