I just don't even know what to say, really. I've been keeping track of the views to this site, and well, every so often one of you will check to see if I've said anything. How? Why? Why would you keep coming back after eleven months of despair? I don't have the answer. But I'm glad you did.
Maybe, just maybe, this might be worth keeping around.
Oh, and I'm not reading LIFE OF PI anymore. I finished it last year sometime.
I mean, I'm not going to lie to you in my second post of the year, so, that means I guess I have to tell the truth. Which, well, to tell the truth, is not going to make me seem like the best person in the world. On the other hand, telling the truth will raise my level of self-importance because, simply, I am telling the truth which so many people don't do nowadays. And quite frankly, telling the truth about this topic is really no big deal at all, really, when you come right down to it. So, to sum it up, I'm not sure why I said "it's not going to make me seem like the best person in the world." Perhaps it will make you scoff at me, or turn your nose up, or turn the other cheek (what?), but ... nah, it's no big deal. So, here goes nothing:
I liked P.S. I LOVE YOU.
Sorry. I know. I couldn't believe it either. I didn't want to. I didn't choose to. It's a romcom (wow, that's a new cool phrase I learned from reading a blog of a friend of a friend who is in the know and inside the industry, and I liked it ... plus, it makes me feel like I'm writing for Variety, or rather, it makes you feel like you're reading Variety, which many of you probably have never read anyway because it's not so important to you). So, a romantic-comedy it is. But, it's not your standard Julia Roberts romcom, no. It's funny and quirky. It offers a small who's who of Broadway/NYC theatre people (Susan Blackwell and Sherie Renee Scott, and of course the incredibly strange yet really cool Nellie McKay) and made me laugh. Out loud in fact.
That said, I have no idea why I'm writing more about this movie than another movie that I truly LOVED but only gave a mention the other day. JUNO is HYsterical, brilliant, lovely, cute, charming, and perfect. It's wonderful. I mean, come on, who doesn't love a good story about teenage pregnancy?
With the dawning of a new year upon us, we take a mo' to pause and consider...
I had one official resolution for 2007, and I failed - miserably. All I asked was that I learn the guitar. Alas, I picked up a guitar maybe three or four days in the entire year. So, in 2008, I will once again make the attempt, although, maybe if I don't make it an official resolution, I won't be pressured, and then I'll be able to actually do it. So, it's a "back burner resolution" if you will (and if you won't, then poop to you).
My official resolution? Officially? What about only eating fast food as many times I can count on my fingers or less. That sounds good. I had an egregious amount of it last night before our sold-out performance (the only such performance of the whole run down here in Sunny Land), and I felt poopy. Literally and figuratively. So, yes, that's it. Okay. Maybe make it twelve times at the most, which would give me a double quarter pounder with cheese once a month this year... that sounds reasonable for a guy who was eating it a WAY LOT more than that in years past.
I'm also going to
- drink more water
- do more crunches
- take a dance class
- get a voice teacher
- do a fringe/festival show this summer instead of doing crappy stock jobs
- invite an agent to said fringe/festival show
- sign with agent
- keep my "chords of steel" healthy and in shape
- not be depressed* (i.e. not drink alone in excess)
- travel/visit/spend time with my friends, even if it costs money, because there's no time to waste
- blog more often (i.e. at least once a week. at least.)
* 2007 was the Year of Small Audiences and Depressing Days. I refuse to let both of those things happen again. I basically have zero control over the size of the audiences I perform for, [and no, I don't care that I use dangling modifiers] so I won't harp on it. Which means I MUST control the depressing days, and that just means being happy and positive and getting up on the right side of the bed -- which could technically be the left side, depending on whether I'm at home or in a hotel or on vacation or ... well, you get the point. So far, 2008 has started out better than many many past years, which I am grateful for.
You Better Believe It!
So, here I am (Yes, JJ), back. For good? Well, maybe for bad. But, back at least for the time being temporarily. It's tough writing a column all the time. I mean, think about it. Not only do I have to live my life, but write to my Dear Diary each evening and then fill all y'all in on it? No wonder I'm writing this post at quarter past three in the morning in the middle of my busy work week.
That's right folks - just because you're on a weekend doesn't mean we all are. I get Mondays and Tuesdays off - but not this Monday because of the holiday, I have to get up and put on a damn show Monday night. So, while most of the world is sitting on their easy chairs on Saturdays and Sundays, I'm waking up at the crack of eleven to warm up la voce so I can sing a song for the nineteen of you who choose to come to any of our two shows either day. Of course there's also a Friday evening, and this week a Monday evening, so whatever, life gets busy.
But, I'm less busy than I would be if I weren't on this job. Were I back in the Big Apple, I'd probably be pulling my hair out from balancing two or three jobs, and covering upwards of 50 hours a week. Down here on the beach, I'm working an easy 20 hours a week, and feeling grand.
Love to my homies.
Today, I simply applaud the prose of my buddy JJ over at As Little As Possible from December 12. Yours truly was also raised Catholic, and having gone through a few angry years is coming back again... but it is sh*t like this, this intolerance, that makes me (and so many others) so angry. I hope JJ is not upset by my reposting here... have an equal opportunity day everyone.
Same-sex relationships — like nuclear arms proliferation and environmental pollution — constitute "an objective obstacle on the road to peace," wrote Pope Benedict XVI in a statement released by the Vatican yesterday.
This from the man who wears Gucci sunglasses and red Prada loafers. Did I mention he's also calling for an "equitable distribution of wealth" throughout the world?
Your Holiness:
Surely you've already sold your couture wardrobe and given the proceeds to the poor, so let's not waste time on that. As someone who was raised Catholic, I must politely register my displeasure over the first part of your statement. You are in a remarkable position; a great number of people listen closely to and follow what you say. You advocate peace, but you do so at the expense of a vast sector of society that includes not only the GLBT community but also the straight people who stand with it. You, as the leader of a religion that calls for loving one's neighbor as one's self, have the power to very bravely say, "Love manifests itself in many forms, and its power or worth does not diminish as it shape-shifts. We are finished with senseless discrimination and effrontery. It is beneath us. We welcome all people who choose to believe that life is better lived with and for others rather than above and apart. A love for God and the espousal of the altruistic tenets of Jesus Christ are all we ask for — we do not care about your race, sexual orientation or any other personal aspect over which you have no control. We only care about the part you can control: the manner in which you conduct your life. Conduct it peacefully, with an open heart."
Instead of leading us into the future, Your Holiness, you have chosen to remain rigidly anchored to dusty, antiquated prejudice. You have chosen to inculcate intolerance. You are tilling the soil of society so it remains fertile for the seeds of hate. I look forward to the day when you realize your mistake — your sin — and I pray that time comes soon, on this Earth, rather than in the afterlife, when your god will no doubt purse his lips, shake his head and break the news that you were very, very wrong.
With love and in hope,
J.J.
One month ago, when I wrote my last post, I never imagined it would have taken me so long to have something to say again. Well, perhaps I did have things to say, I just didn't have the time (or the internet connection) to say them. And now, perhaps I don't have anything relevant to say either, but here goes nothin'.
1. Spending the winter in Florida is like swimming in the desert: it doesn't make sense. Sure, it's lovely weather... I mean, come on, I spent Christmas Day in shorts and a tshirt, and I didn't have to shovel any gd snow, but, it's just wacko.
2. Reality TV now offers programming showcasing real people with drug addictions, and we watch them shoot up, dance around high and then come down. Wow, gimme more o' that!
3. The special features on the BORAT dvd are brilliant. Just watch him go to the supermarket. You'll never frown again.
4. Candy cane martinis are too milky to drink a lot of. I prefer a chianti [insert Hannibal Lector slurp here].
5. JUNO is a really wonderful movie - lots of fun, very sweet and lovely.
6. SWEENEY TODD should not be remade without singers.
There's nothing quite like this week of Thanksgiving. Seriously.
It begins with anticipation - the eagerness for fun, family, food, friends, and naps. I start getting excited on Monday or Tuesday. Then, one has to worry about traveling, and getting those activities in order: plane tickets, cab fare, putting all your shampoo into little tiny bottles and then into plastic bags, getting to the airport exceedingly early, only for there to be no line and then you have to sit at the gate for over two hours before they even board your darn plane...
Then comes Wednesday, the biggest bar night of the year. We've been celebrating Big Wednesday for a few years now. This was certainly a good one - our friends stayed out with us instead of running home to the comfort of their blankies.
Thursday is the day of the turkey, of course. It's fun to watch relatives with hangovers deal with their little cousins. Muhahahaha.
And then just the days of meeting friends, having a good time...
I'm realizing this is a rambling, lousy post, so I'll stop. At least I won about $40 playing poker last night.
Steve: "I'm fricking starving."This is my last day in New York for a while. I'm going home for Thanksgiving, and then I've taken a job out of town for a couple months, so I'm savoring my last moments here. Savoring, as in, I'm spending all day cooped up in a former vault answering telephones.
Greg: "Go get some food, a$$hole."
What hasn't happened since last we spoke?
Everyone's on strike, which is really throwing a wrench in the gears around here. Pretty soon we won't be seeing any new episodes of Grey's or 30 Rock, or worse, Gossip Girl. I don't think the writers are coming back to work anytime soon. And, the word on the street that the stagehands would come back tomorrow is definitely a false hope. They've cancelled just about everything all week already. That's going to put this strike at at least 17 days or so... not good for business. Good thing I saw those plays before they all went dark... my guess is that a lot of them won't even be returning. IS HE DEAD? has only played two previews (I saw the second) and hasn't really been publicized, so I doubt it's going to get any legs to come back. And the real winner of the season, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, had great word of mouth, but is missing its opening night now and who the hell knows. I think if any of the shows will pull out of this okay, it's gonna be that one. FARNSWORTH's Hank Azaria is not going to sit around twiddling his thumbs (like one writer noted last week) waiting for the strikers to come to terms, and it's going to close that show.
Too bad for Broadway. Good for off-Broadway. Keeps me busy at work anyway.
Remember when life sucked? Well, I've been pretending that I'm happy, and things have been working out actually. I've met some interesting people, created laughter, had tea parties and made dinner in costume. After, I danced with tigers, took a rifle class, had lifeguard training and splashed in the puddles I created in my bathroom because the toilet was broken and so I just emptied a bucket of water on the ground. And then just now, I talked in a fun-Godfather-Italian-accent with coworkers.*
I'm coming home for Thanksgiving, spending some time on the couch, and then shipping out to the sunny skies of Florida for a couple of months. Wowza: you're excited I can tell. I look forward to seeing you and/or hearing from you. Write comments, show me the love...
*Some of the above mentioned events have been fabricated.
No worries. I am okay. And writing (almost) stream-of-consciousness today:
I realized the last post was crazy and haphazard and made some of you worried or conerned for me and my life. Well, almost immediately after I wrote it, my apartment was burglarized while I was there. I'm not going to rehash the thing, but don't worry - I'm okay. I was pretty shaken up about the whole thing, and ready to just get the hell out of dodge (i.e.: New York City), but I thought that might have been a little rash looking back on it.
I'm better and calmer now. I am also less streessed out and less depressed about life in general. I guess you just have to turn lemons into lemonade, and who doesn't like lemonade? So, I'm making efforts to consciously turn my attitude around and crawl out of that darkest corner of the dark place. No more dark place, instead, I'm actively searching the happy place.
So, I'm working a lot this week, seeing a couple different plays, putting money in the bank, and eating what I want (yep, I broke down forom my no-McDonalds-until-Thanksgiving-binge and had quarter pounder meal yesterday, it was delicious). I'm happier and that's what counts.
I've also just started working on my new project which will keep me busy in my downtime (that's right - I'm gonna write a book!). So, don't fret my pets. Just send me emails and comments so I have something to do during the 50+ hours I'll be at work sitting in front of a computer this week.
Thanks!
Beedow
So, I'm a lazy ass. I often wonder if all people are like this. Or, would they be if they could be? I mean, I am basically just scraping by. I don't work enough hours to pay the bills, but I always seem constantly busy. I think it's because I sleep most of the time. I'm lazy. And I make up excuses.
Last night was Halloween (or, if you'd prefer Hallowe'en) and what did this guy do? Well, I sold a ticket to a Hollywood celeb (think, The Illusionist, Death to Smoochy) and then took the train home, ran on an elliptical for thirty minutes before chickening out and not doing the rest of my workout. I came home and reheated some chili I made Monday night, tried to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm season one, disc one, but the Netflix disc was cracked. So I went to bed. And slept about ten hours.
Then, today, I should have gone to an audition. But I talked myself out of it because, well, I'm really not right for the role anyway. So I made a sandwich and started to catch up on The Office. It was mid-afternoon by the time I took a shower.
Goodness. This is ridiculous. Tomorrow's going to be similar. I'm going to talk myself out of an audition that I'm not right for, go in for an audition later, only because I have an appointment, and well, probably sit around some more.
I'm just getting by. I'm making up excuses so I don't have to go and see people - why? Why don't I actually just go and see them? I don't have anything better to do with my time. I should see my friends.
I feel like I need some sort of thing, some motivation, to keep going. What is making me tick? What's exciting in life? What is going to make me really excited about getting up and doing something? More importantly, what can I actually DO? If I don't get scheduled at work, then I have all this time off and nothing to do...
I have so much time, I should at least blog every day and I don't even do that. Nor do I have a witty closing to this post.
It's fun to live in New York when good things happen. I was lucky enough last weekend to score passes to two movie screenings. I will divulge a little here; not a lot, but enough to make you wish you were me (if you didn't already).
AMERCIAN GANGSTER
Yeah, this comes out in a week or so, but it was nice to see the foreign press screening of it here in the city. I guess I hadn't been reading up on it, so I had know idea it was about drug trafficking, but, okay. Once I woke up (after the first very slow twenty minutes), I really enjoyed it. Do I recommend? Yes if you want to see a good film in the long line of standard/middle-of-the-road gangster, mafia, shoot 'em ups.
BABY MAMA
This one isn't scheduled for release until April 2008, but I got to sit in and be a test audience for it. It's another comedy from Tina Fey, but it's essentially pretty sappy. I wanted it to be like Wedding Crashers, but it wasn't. I don't know why I wanted that, though, because I should have said, "oh, it'll probably be a morality play like Mean Girls." And it was. But it was a funny morality play nonetheless. With the likes of the UHMAZING Amy Poehler, Steve Martin and Sigourney Weaver, this has some really brilliant moments. I won't spoil my favorite, but remember this: it's when Amy offers to pay Tina for gas money.
Also, I finished the second season of WEEDS at three in the morning. I love it. And what an ending. That's good, because it was sort of getting lazy and sloppy I thought, but they sure pulled out the big guns (pun intended).
While I go spend the rest of my day off catching up on network television (Brothers and Sisters, 30 Rock, The Office and maybe Private Practice), I want to know what have you been watching?
I am at the end of my first real weekend in so long - two entire days off without other obligations, plans, activities, events, or other things to suck up my time. Instead, I slept in, watched some TV, had a vocal coaching, ate, bought some new music, called people, went out for a lovely (and higher-than-i-really-should-have-paid) dinner where i ordered (gasp!) a glass of wine. And so now, some thoughts:
1. I love Joni Mitchell. Go purchase her new album, SHINE. And then, consider the new Herbie Hancock album, RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS.
2. I still love red wine. Mmm. I haven't had a glass since before summer, but it was so tasty last night, and so perfect with the chicken and spinach dinner special I ordered. O! Perfection.
3. WEEDS is a brilliant show! I have watched all of the first season and am just beginning the second season. Mary Louise Parker is beautiful and lovely, and I found a new favorite song (Cotton) on the soundtrack.
4. THE CAINE MUTINY is a wonderful novel. It's my second Herman Wouk, and so darn good. He's an excellent storyteller, good for me as I haven't had a book I wanted to really read since the end of the HP series. I highly recommend it.
5. I miss my friends and will be happy to see them on Big Wednesday.
Last night, I was walking with a friend of mine (we'll call him Tim) through Times Square after a really great (!) masterclass, which I should write about because it was amazing, but then this happened, which took the cake:
EXT. NIGHT. CORNER OF 42ND STREET AND BROADWAY.
Tim: Watch out!
Me: What?
WE HEAR A SPRAYING SOUND, LIKE IF SOMEONE WAS WASHING THE SIDE OF THEIR HOUSE, SPRAYING WATER AT IT FROM A HOSE.
Me: Oh shit.
THE TWO GUYS MOVE TO THE SIDE AS A PUDDLE CONTINUES TO FORM UNDERNEATH THE HORSE WHO IS DRAWING THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE.
Tim (in a Southern drawl): Well, I can sure tell when a horse is pissing on my boots.
Me (in a Southern drawl): Hey, have ya ever seen a horse piss before?
Tim: Yep. In the middle of Times Square.
Oh! It is so wonderful. Mom and Dad drove up (down?) this weekend and brought my stuff. I feel like I'm at home again, now. Instead of being a guest living on an aerobed on the floor (which, remind me, I still have to get my $10 rebate on), I now am the proud owner of a real live boxspring. I have a chair, a rug, a desk, tv, blinds: the works! I want nothing more than to go home, sit down and read, sit on the floor and play marbles, take a nap on my bed, clean the windows again or rearrange my closet. I'm walking on air! This is what people feel like in real life, isn't it? They're really here, really alive - I am happy.
Of course, I've been scheduled off from work Monday and Tuesday, so I'll have a lot of time to sit in my room and think about how much money I'm not making. Although, it's sort of like real life, because this week, for the first time in a very long time, I have a weekend. Which is fantastic. Sure it's during the week, but I have two days off in a row with nothing to do except buy a plant, order some prints online, gossip with the girls, and get my nails done. Woohoo!
I moved into a new apartment about a month ago. Of course, as the world-weary traveler I am, I move from place to place with a large suitcase and a couple of duffle bags - not much. Definitely not enough to furnish a room, let alone an entire apartment.
So, my parents are driving in today, bed in tow. Last night was the final time (for the forseeable [?] future) that I will sleep on my air mattress. However, I want to take a second to expound on the virtues of the air mattress: compact. multi-faceted. fun. semi-comfortable. easy. breezy. beautiful. covergirl.
I am excited, because I will finally be able to arrange this bedroom into something that looks like a human actually lives here, and not some strange hobbit who needs everything close to or on the floor - what things we take for granted! I never knew how appealing shelves were until I didn't have anything except the floor on which to put everything I own. (Notice how I avoided the dangling modifier.)
The other morning I was standing on the subway platform waiting for the train, which took FOREVER. Like that kid from The Sandlot, you know, "for-ev-er." Anyway, there was a little old lady with a pen in her hand in front of a Chase billboard. She looked around to make sure noone was watching, which, of course, I was. Anyway, she drew a large swastika on the person in the ad. Then, she drew two smaller ones near the bottom of the sign.
What? Not the image of graffiti artists that I had in mind, but, to each her own I guess. Either way, what was I supposed to do? Stop her? Nah, she might have been wielding a sharp kitchen knife under that floral-print blouse.
I am not going to discuss this past weekend except to say I think it was probably a good time.
It's been a very crazy busy time, but I was able to spend a few minutes out with some friends last night. Because I have no clean clothes left (thank goodness I have the afternoon off today to get it done, along with some shopping for items for my new bedroom!), I wore flipflops since my socks are all dirty. But it started to aggrivate the skin on the underside of my big toe on my left foot. What is the deal? Now, today, wearing my last pair of clean socks and a dirty shirt, I sit with a bothersome flap of skin on my toe.
Also, I watched this season's GREY'S premiere online last night. Since I don't have a TV, I am relegated to watching after the fact a few days later. (Hurry, TV, hurry!) Anyway, I was sort of not excited about it... but then there was George and Izzy. I love them. They're fantastic. I'm so happy. I can't wait until Thursday... well, Friday or Saturday when I watch it online.
There's some days that being in a big city is fun. Like today. The new mega-expensive musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is loading in currently. So, I walked by the loading dock this morning and saw lots of sets, costumes, etc. Woohoo, said I. Then, I had to let Bill Pullman into the building, and Judy Ivey came by to drop off some stuff, and Dallas Roberts walked out for a smoke break. Ah!
On the other hand, there's some things that aren't fun. Like this guy I work with. He just answered the phone "Yep, yep?" Are you serious? "Yep, yep." Oh for crying out loud. We all think he's going to kill himself, or someone near him. Which basically means I need to watch out for number one, or else I might be running around with my head cut off. Of course, the weirdo leaves this weekend to go back home to "figure some things out." Yeah, we've heard that one before. Go get a pickup and a dog and drive around or something, that usually seems to work, Bucko.
Julie and the Beatles
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE has its moments, but in all, I guess I just didn't like it. Don't get me wrong, FRIDA is one of my favorites, but this one just doesn't have that same spark. Of course, it would have been better after a few magical brownies ("reefer madness, reefer madness!")... Some very touching scenes, neat colors and spectacle, but overall rather blah.
I Was Going to Go Anyway
...even if I didn't get a free pass. ENCHANTED, first of all, is narrated by none other than that glorious voice of voices, Ms Disney herself, Julie Andrews. Also a venerable who's who of Broadway (including Tonya Pinkins in a hysterical scene or two), this new flick from the Mouse is ... well, enchanting. Amy Adams is beautiful and does a brilliant job. I guess I just had a big smile on the whole time - sure, it's for the kids, but hey, I'm still a kid.
