Thursday, April 15, 2010

It's official. I'm back home and back at my old blog.

http://laceandlilac.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

There are my last few days in New York. My regrets are not doing as much as I could of and not writing as much as I should of.

With that said, this is most likely my last entry here. I'm sure you won't be too disappointed.

Unfortunately, the teachers here don't like me very much because I was sarcastic in one of my journals about The Fairy Queen - a four hour semi-opera. I literally couldn't care less.

Why?

Because I'm going to New Zealand! And not living at home this summer! Cheers for finally moving on with your life and doing what you love. Can't wait for graduation.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

plans we make

I've had a lot of time to think over the past few days. Mostly about random things, but also some good stuff too. New Zealand is just a few days away, it seems. I'm going to have to start a new chapter of this blog. I may even change the name. (Granted, I don't know who is bringing a computer to NZ or if I'll even have the internet to update.)

Speaking on New Zealand, I will be traveling an unbelievable amount. Here's what I have to do just to get there:

1. Baltimore to Chicago.
2. Chicago to Iowa.
3. Iowa to Chicago.
4. Chicago to Los Angeles.
5. Los Angeles to New Zealand.

And then, of course, it'll be the same thing coming home. Fortunately, I'll be living in Cedar Rapids this summer so I don't have to fly all the way to Baltimore!

Other things I've been thinking about? I'm just a little behind in my journals. I feel much more confident about them, though. I've heard that I've been doing well with my writing - which apparently not everyone is. Unfortunately, I have to make up what I've missed today (wandering 57th St. galleries) and that's going to be a bitch.)

In other news, I recently updated the classes I have remaining to graduate. I'm going to post them for no reason other than I'm bored.

For Gen. Ed-
1. lab science (Anatomy and Physiology)
2. non-western perspective

For Theatre Major-
1. history of theatre and drama 2
2. technical lab 4

For the WC-
1. topics in composition 4

For Creative Writing-
1. literature class 315 or above
2. fiction 3 or poetry 2
3. manuscript

Fortunately, this isn't much at all. 4 classes per semester, and two of the classes are only once a week. I'm only hoping that I can fit everything in without any overlapping classes or other such problems. Cross your fingers for me!

Anyways, since I have the night free, I'm going to work on catching up with my journals. Off I go.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

i'm blogging because my dad wants me to

Hey there. It's been a long time since I last wrote. This is mostly because I haven't done anything that's worthy of talking about. Until today.

In case you don't know, it's been BEAUTIFUL here for the last couple of days. Today was a stunning 60 degrees, which means that I took off of work early, went home to change and pick up John and then the two of us went for the longest walk. First we went to Riverside Park, which is unbelievable. It was exactly what I needed. Then we walked to Times Square, 45th Street and attempted to win lottery tickets to see Hair for 25 bucks. We both lost, therefore we had the night free to walk around more. Stopped at Macy's, which John hated, and then walked home to have dinner (John's treat since I'm paying for Hair when we see it) at Manhattan Diner. Yummy!

In other news, I went to the Banff Mountain Film Festival and got to watch a few short films. Most had to do with extreme sports, traveling and adventure. It inspired me to chose exciting things for my life. Unlike the boring things I've been up to lately. As soon as I graduate, I'm finding a true love, hittin' the road, and making friends. I will celebrate and take no moment for granted. Cheers.

Tomorrow we go to the Symphay. My least favorite. (Also, I'm behind in my journals and I don't even mind because I know what I want from life and don't need anyone's permission or support.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

stand by your man

Haven't written in a long time because I've been super busy. At HERE I've made some good friends so going to work is a little easier. It started snowing today which is horrible. We went to the Met (for far too long) and by the time we got out, it was disgusting out. I mean, uberslush. We missed the first cross-town bus that came along and had to wait for the next one. When we got on that one, none of the traffic through the park was moving so we got off and decided to trek it through the park home. It was cold and very wet. Part way into the park we saw the first cross-town bus (the one we missed) completely sideways in the road and up on the curb and therefore holding up the traffic. Anyways, SO many people were walking through the park because traffic was so horrible.

It's supposed to snow until Saturday. I'm hoping for no work tomorrow so that I can finally sleep in.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

cat whiskers and cookie paws

Went to see Fela! tonight on Broadway. Mick Jagger was there. In the audience.

That is all I have to say about that.

In other news, I wish it weren't so cold. Or that this trip was a fall thing because wandering around NYC right now is like running in giant wind tunnels. It's exhausted. And yes, I am writing this at 3 in the morning. That's what I get for napping I suppose.

Tomorrow we are heading to Astoria (Woohoo!) to the Museum of Moving Images. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, however our film teacher Alan is awesome. He used to go to Coe and actually went on the NY Term as well!

More news: I applied to work in the Writing Center over the summer. After New Zealand of course. This would mean free housing on campus and $1500 in my pocket. I'd have to buy food but after NY, I certainly know the way to save. I could easily walk to Hyvee on 1st Avenue. I could also get a job at one of the local restaurants or cafes! This is probably a pipe dream. I don't even have the job yet secured and am not sure I'll be the lucky consultant to get it. (I would DIE to write the Writing Center summer news letter!)

I suppose I should sleep.

Monday, February 15, 2010

transform like optimus prime

I officially only have THREE journals left to write! Which sounds like a lot, but earlier today I had SIX more to write. Which means that I wrote THREE today...which is why I took the day off. I also wrote a couple words on my novel, which felt great. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with every better from now on.

I also wrote a check for New Zealand which made me very nervous. I will send it to Coe tomorrow. Soon I must fill out the FAFSA.

So perhaps I will make a list of things to do tomorrow or other such upcoming days:
  1. Fill out the FAFSA.
  2. Finish journals.
  3. Print manuscript and send it to see if I can get into the Iowa Poetry Workshop. Find out how much the workshop it.
  4. Find out how to apply to work in the Writing Center over the summer. Which would make the workshop that much more a possibility. After New Zealand.
  5. Figure out how much money I owe for New Zealand. I'm thinking $900 and if I'm correct, that would be grand.
  6. Find a way to correct the driving situation.
  7. Find a way to budget the rest of NYC so that I will have spending money in NZ.

Looking at that list makes me ill.

A little about the past few days, I suppose? Yesterday was Valentine's Day. John and I went to Urban Outfitters. We found this AMAZING leather jacket that had a woolen lining and it looked so good on him, I almost had to buy it. In the end, we both realized that we have no money and didn't get it. I also didn't get the record I wanted, the shirt I wanted, dress I wanted or awesome hat I wanted. He didn't get the shoes he wanted but probably will. This is getting boring to talk about so I'll talk about what we did next. Went to Barnes & Noble where he bought a book of poetry by Lorca and I parused the postcards. In the end, i didn't get any. Then we bought tickets for the movie Valentine's Day and went to eat at McDonalds where we decided to go Vegan. Now I am vegitarian and he's nothing. Surprise. The movie was good. The theatre was so big it had a mezzanine.

I can't remember what else I've been up to, which most likely means not much.

I'd like to work on another journal now. Until next time!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

president's ball was last night

Last night was the best night of events yet! We got to watch a flamenco troupe perform and it was amazing. I want nothing more to take classes now.

Today John, Dylan and I ordered pizza. It will be my breakfast and lunch. Later I am going to HERE to see Too Little Too Late with Jeanne, a French exchange student and fellow intern.

I am excited!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

smoky rolls down

I don't have much to say about the day. It snowed like it was supposed to and I barely got anything done. Just typed up one and a half journals. Which, I suppose, is one and a half more than I would have done on any other day.

Went to see Dear John and liked it as far as sappy romances go. John disliked it, which wasn't a surprise.

Stayed inside and watched the snow for the rest of the day. Until, that is, it got too dark to see.

Took a lot of pictures of nothing.

All-in-all, it was worth not going to work.

Tomorrow we head to another museum. Hopefully I am feeling well enough to enjoy it.

Now, to bed.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

snowpocolyps

I almost forgot! Everyone is panicking about the snow that we're supposed to get overnight. I mean, flipping out about it. In fact, all of the public schools are already closed for tomorrow. And, on the 1 train tonight, John and I overheard a straight up fight between a native New Yorker and a guy from Cincinnati/Canada. In brief, New Yorker told quasi-Canadian to, "Go back to where [he] came from!" It was epic.

postcards from italy

It has officially been one month since we've moved to New York and I must say, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Some days it's as if we've been here forever. For example, when you're riding on the subway in major traffic at 9:30 in the morning and all you want is to not be touching several people or overhearing very loud music through everyone's headphones at once. Although, some days it feels like we just got here. For example, when you're wandering around Bowery lost and alone in the cold, without anywhere to go or anyone to see. You could wander and wander forever. Right now, I have the feeling we just got here.

I've been looking into other internships - most at literary agencies. I've been hoping to change internships for awhile. When I moved here and began working at HERE, I realized that it's not what I'm cut out for. So I figured why not give literature a go. I've only emailed one place thus far because everywhere else is looking for summer interns, which I'm just not capable of doing. Reasons why I can't intern over the summer: 1. too poor, 2. going to New Zealand, therefore making me more poor, 3. very very poor. New York City is ridiculously expensive. And by that, I mean every object of food costs 3 dollars more than it should. Which adds up and pisses me off.

I also looked into apartments, and let me tell you, the experience was mindblowing. The majority of apartments (the cheap ones in Brooklyn, even) were close to 1,000 dollars...for one bedroom or just a studio apartment. That means two people living in one bedroom would each pay 500 a month PLUS utilities. PLUS food and travel expenses. Literally everyone has two or more jobs to foot the bills. I don't know how people stand it or when they have free time to enjoy living in New York. I mean, why live in a city like this if you can't even go out into it because you're working all the time?

I've also been looking into grad schools here. I know for a fact that I cannot afford grad school, let alone school here in New York, however I'd like to keep my options open.

Living here makes me even more uncertain about the future. In fact, it makes the future seem impossible, painful and no-good.

Perhaps New Zealand will be the perfect opportunity to turn this pessimism into something more productive.

Today's news: Stayed in bed all day watching movies and such, until John went to work at Bowery Poetry Club and I took the movies back to the Redbox at Walgreens in Times Square. Afterwards I wandered around Houston and Bowery until John was off of work and then we came home to Europan for pizza. He paid because he owed me. He also bought me canolli, which was underpar but beyond sweet in thought. I really like that kid.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

unmarked location every night

I haven't been up to writing very much lately. It's as if the days are slipping by. I wake up early and then voila! It's 8 P.M. and I'm exhausted and ready to watch television and cuddle. It's almost as if I've been making excuses for so long that they've become real. I literally am too tired to write, or at least, too tired to think about what to write. I am usually very detailed in my entries, picking through the day to chose what was important and what wasn't. I need to get back into the swing of things.

Ultimately, I am hoping that as the weather changes, I will be more motivated. I don't remember the last time I sat in the sun or went for a walk that wasn't painful and stressful. I yearn to do that. To take a walk to Central Park with a blanket just to lie down, read and people watch.

Speaking of, we did some very intense people watching at the opera. We went to see Ariadne auf Noxos (I think that's how it's spelled) at Lincoln Center. If you've never seen the buildings you absolutely must. They are humongous theatres with perilously steep seating and grandiose chandeliers which probably cost more than my house in Baltimore. A piece. Parts of the opera were fantastic and parts of it were painfully boring. It is not what I would have chosen to see if I was handed a hundred and forty dollars and told to spend it on a ticket to the opera. However, I didn't get to chose therefore I had to suffer. My favorite part of the night was getting to wear my new dress, because after all, I am a woman living in Manhattan.

Today, we awoke early, went to Europan for breakfast, ate half there and half on the go. Took the 1 train and ran into Alan (our film professor and previous Coe student/New York Term kid himself). From there we went the rest of the way with him, transfering to the A to West 4 and popping up directly next to the IFC Center. We watched Shoot the Piano Player, directed by Francois Truffaut. I found it to be perfect for the snowy morning. Filmed in 1960 (which is now the correct date, thanks to John), black and white with crackly sound and English subtitles, the storyline was funny and heartbreaking all at once. I would very much like to go back next weekend to see the next film of the series which is also a Truffaut.

Tomorrow we are heading to the Ensemble Studio Theatre for the I Got Dumped! brunch, which is basically a food, open bar, and five short plays about being heartbroken, dumping, being dumped - all written, performed, directed etc. by EST's Youngblood playwright's. I'm not really sure what to expect. I am hoping that it's funny. I'm not in the mood to be disappointed by sadness. I also hope there are mimosas...

I'm thinking about little yellow canaries in golden cages and watching Dylan use the microwave, John work on a City Dionysus play, and Mitch do some journaling.

Also, I bought a guitar for myself online. I can't really afford it, but I've been wanting a new acoustic for awhile and found a cheap Jasmine online. Hopefully it'll come on Monday...all in one piece. I've started writing some music for FAWM, but I'm not sure I'll post any of it.

I wish I was at home, enjoying the snow and sun.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

what comes from this

Still not feeling quite myself.
Still in bed and it's 2:30.
Still haven't had anything to eat.
Still haven't finished my journals.
Still want to go home for a weekend.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

everglades

It's 3:30 and I'm still in bed. All I want is to feel better, eat funnel cake and lay in the sun. For now, I will watch movies in the dark. I don't think I can get myself to write anything.

Last night we went to see the Gyor National Ballet perform Rite of Spring and Petrushka. These dancers were phenomenal. I've never seen so many strong men and women on stage at once. They are had beautiful abs, legs, arms and feet.

The night before last we went to Brooklyn to The Bam and watched The Bridge Project's As You Like It. The set was absolutely fantastic and the lighting design was awesome. However, I felt that the American actors were not as strong as the Brits, which isn't shocking. I am hoping that we get to watch their performance of The Tempest.

Anyway. I can't think of a single thing I want to do here. It's too cold and too expensive.

Movie tomorrow morning. That's something to look forward to.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

letters

Never made it to Miranda.
Haven't done laundry.
Need to catch up with journals.
Must find stamps.
Am confused and exhausted.
But mostly exhausted.
And sweaty.

Not to forget broke.

Friday, January 22, 2010

rain on the doorstep

Just got out of work and I'm utterly exhausted and beyond glad that I have the weekend free to spend time with Douglas, Jess and her fiance John. For now I will shower, get dolled up, head to the Urban Bush Woman and then out to some dance club for Kendra's 22nd birthday. Tomorrow, I hope to do laundry and then go see Miranda at HERE. Sunday will be a movie date in the morning and then picking up Douglas from the airport or train station. (I also have to catch up with my journals and my novel. Oh lordy.)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

the thing that

There are many things in New York that I love.

They would be better though if I had someone here to truly enjoy them with. Don't get me wrong - there are wonderful people here with me. Luckily, I've only been annoyed once or twice thus far. However, there is no one here that I can truly get along with. Better yet, the people here are either aquaintanced friends that I don't want to spend all my time with or ones who can hurt me most. Sometimes I think I am expected to be with certain people. I suppose none of this really matters. I came here to get NY experience on my resume. I am here for myself. Not for anyone else.

Anyways, I can't believe we've only been here for a week. It feels like much, much, longer.

This morning I ate breakfast at New Wave and then head to 53rd between 5th and 6th to MoMA to check out the Bauhaus and Tim Burton exhibits. Bauhaus reminded me of Ikea while Tim Burton was just a large array of film memorabilia. I put my paycheck in the bank. I came home and changed, then head out for chinese food before going to the Bowery Poetry Club to hear a little bit of literature.

Here I am now, working on my novel, a short fiction piece, my blog, my twitter and my facebook. Keeping in touch with people is a lot easier when you aren't expected too.

Speaking of which, I need to put stamps for my letters...

Work at HERE in the morning. Too bad the room is almost unbearable with heat.

Good news? Douglas gets into NYC on Sunday! Which is in TWO DAYS!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

puppets

I've decided that I want to be a puppeteer. Or a robot conductor. (Conductor?)

Recap of the past two days in a nutshell:

- Julliard Jazz Ensemble above Central Park in the Time Warner Building.
- Emperor Jones at the SoHo Playhouse which is just around the corner from HERE. The puppetry was wonderful.
- Meeting with Jess and John for Starbucks and then heading back to her Fordham apartment. I've missed them so much. It's nice to have a little bit of home.
- At work now. Listening to Stacey (my boss) interview two other possible interns.
- I want muffins. Or black-bottom cupcakes. Which doesn't have anything to do with the last two days but I don't care.

After work I must order pizza for our music meeting with Murray. I already printed out my journal. Whew.

I suppose I will write more later. I do have quite a bit to talk about.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

tough love

After going on a wonderful early morning movie date to Daybreakers, I was fortunate enough to spend the rest of the day wandering the Museum of Natural History. The Planetarium was worth every penny, even if it was just to hear Whoopi Goldberg talk about the galaxy and stars. It was an unbelievable display of projections and sounds that I can't imagine designing. Afterwards we went to eat at Shake'n'Bake (or whatever it's called...Shake Shack possibly). The french fries and shakes were delicious.

Side note: bagels are a daily food item. They are cheap and delicious. Also, pizza. That's all I have to say about that.

Tomorrow is my third day of work. It's tough. I mean - very tough. Speaking of which, I forgot to write about a phenomenal event.

On my very first day at HERE, I was standing outside on my first job. I was asked to spray paint the bottom of two large faux-grass mats black. This should have been easy, however I have no such luck. It was below 20 degrees outside, extremely windy and my spray painting area was right next to a construction site - therefore there was tons of flying gravel and dirt. So there I was, bent over two huge grassy mats, trying to hold down the edges so that they wouldn't fly away while attempting to spray paint. The paint went everywhere so I had to spray from close to the mat which meant that they whole process took longer. And then, of course, I wasn't allowed to go inside until it was completely dry as to not kill all of the dancers with fumes. Of course, neither of them were drying fast enough and I was turning into an icecicle.

Here's the wonderful part: I was standing there, holding one of the mats up in the air (I faced into the wind so that it would stick to my body) when a group of people walked by. None of them noticed me except for one. He was probably in his mid-20's and cute. I remember he was wearing a brown coat and grey beanie. He walked by, making eye contact with me. Thinking that he was judging me, I turned to make sure that he was moving on and low and behold - he was looking back. And then he was stopping, shifting around and then walking back. I can see myself now - my hair blowing all over the place, my hands covered in black paint and a giant grassy mat stuck to my legs.

"Excuse me, miss?" The cute man in the brown coat was just a few paces away.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Do you...do you need help with something?"

I couldn't believe my ears. Here was an attractice man NEW YORKER asking me if I needed help. I declined, telling him I was waiting for the mats to dry and he moved on.

I don't think I'll every forget the kindness he showed that day. It definitely made work at HERE that day a little better.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

wolf pack

Today was a lazy day. First we wandered to The Strand bookstore which has 18 miles worth of books on bookshelves. It was super crowded and the books were a bit pricey, so I bought some postcards and a nice tote bag. Afterwards we got tacos (finally), head to Urban Outfitters for some clothing (oops), and then went home to change for the New York City Ballet. The final part of the ballet called Firebird was the best. Disclaimer: I know nothing about ballet technique so my judgement is definitely not reliable.

Now I have a headache, a purple mouth from my grape water, and bags under my eyes. Perhaps tomorrow I'll be inspired to be more graceful. And here's to hoping Patricia gives us dance lessons before this semester is over so that maybe we will know what to talk about in our journals.

Tomorrow morning I must wake up early to see a movie and then possibly head to the Museum of Natural History to learn some cool stuff about...natural history. Cheers and beers.

every place i've been

I'm finished. Through. Ready to pack.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

the tipping point

New Yorkers have attitudes. There's nothing surprising about that. (We all know that Yankees fans cause the most trouble at games.) However, it is still a bit shocking when the attitude is turned towards you. For example, you'll be in someones way and you'll get an earful or you can't figure out where to order your veggie wrap at the local cafe and you'll feel moronic when you're told what to do. It's like the attitude is everywhere. So, here's to hoping it becomes just one of those things. Like pigeons or traffic at the Columbus Circle subway terminal.

The first half of today was terrible - entirely because I wasn't feeling well. I could barely enjoy the Whitney as we got to explore two amazing exhibits, Roni Horn and Georgia O'Keeffe. Horn's portraits were fascinating but her sculptures were simply mind boggling. One was of what looked like a 4 foot by 4 foot ice cube (minus the ice). The top was clear and you could look inside of it to see the different layers. However, one of my favorite parts about the Whitney was that there were windows. This ice cube was placed next to one of them and it reflected the nearby buildings if you looked at it from an angle. My favorite room of Horn's exhibit was of photographs she had taken of the water of the Thames. On the photograph were placed tiny numbers which corresponded with notes which were written on the bottom. Example, "Water is sexy" and "Black water is not sexy."

The Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit was beautiful. Her use of color boggles my mind and it was awesome to see her first abstractions in charcoal. The portraits taken of her naked were beautiful...I didn't know she was so sexy! (I should have. Her work is sexy.)

After the Whitney, I took the bus back to the hotel where I napped until I felt better. I am very sad for John, who lost his metro card. Mitch found it, but not thinking it belonged to any of us, he tossed it. Sad faces all around. I'm hoping the purchase of a new one doesn't put a huge dent in John's budget! After being at the hotel, the two of us went to Cafe 71 for dinner and then head to the New York Guitar Festival where we got to watch two silent films whose music was played and improved live to us by two wonderful guitarists. I don't have the program in front of me so I can't recall their names, however, next Thursday Justin Vernon of Bon Iver will be doing the same for another silent film. Lucky ducks that get to see that one...

Tomorrow, I have another day at HERE and then I get the night free. Maybe I'll finally get the chance to go to The Strand to get some postcards and a photo for Mrs. Williams to prove that I went. Love to all and to all a good sleep.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

two in the morning

It's been awhile since I last wrote, and I've missed you!

Let's take a brief moment to talk about the subway. It's beyond easy - if you're capable of reading numbers and letters while hundreds of people are running around and pushing you forward to somewhere you probably don't want to go. It's a constant state of thinking uptown, downtown, express. The most difficult thing is getting your legs and stomach to cooporate with your out-of-town heart when the train is swishing from side to side and everyone is taller than you so you can't see anything but the man's lapel in front of you. I quickly touched hands with an attractive suit today when we both frantically reached for the same bar as the C train lurched to a sudden stop - so I suppose that is a plus. If you are lacking in human contact, the subway is certainly the place to be. I digress.

Yesterday was my first day of work at HERE, and it was a long one full of tech, cleaning and office work. (All of which needed to be done.) I suppose I won't go into much detail because that would bore you, but do know that I'm trying my hardest to make a good impression and to not complain. I had to go straight to the theatre district from work to make it in time for Next to Normal the musical. Long story short I thought it was only sub-par, but everyone else thought it was great. I suppose it simply was not my cup of tea. Luckily for us, we got treated to food and cheesecake at Junior's, which was placed nicely next door to the Booth Theatre. After food was sleep and after sleep was work again today.

Today was a little different than yesterday. The morning seemed to fly by as I helped clean the tech closet and dimmer room, yet dragged on as I helped do necessary office work in the afternoon. If everyone else in the office didn't work as hard as they do (and they are constantly working) I would probably have a problem with cutting out 800 or so tickets - which is very tedious busy work. However, my co-workers are in the office from 10 in the morning until god-knows-when and I know they need every shred of help available.

Best case scenario is that they'd want me to stick around or would help me get a job after I graduate. Even working box office a couple of hours a night would be wonderful, I think.

New York is a strange place. You can easily have a love/hate relationship with it. Everyone says, "How can you be bored? There's so much to do!" but I found myself wandering around town with John looking for food after work, and not one of the restaurants were tempting. I suppose this is because - sometimes, not always - I have trouble with unfamiliar places...that I prefer to stick to what I know. Fortunately, The New Wave Cafe on 78th and Broadway has breakfast all day and is cheap - two things that I love.

After dinner we came home and I fell asleep around 6:30, entirely accidentally, and now here I am at 2 in the morning unable to go back to bed and listening to the hiss of the radiator. Tomorrow is Georgia O'Keeffe at the Whitney and the silent film/guitar improvisation.

I think I'll wake early and get breakfast at Cafe 71.

Monday, January 11, 2010

farkel and other such adventures


I honestly do not remember the last time my body was this sore. From walking.

A little about today: Woke up at 8:30 today to shower, ate breakfast and then met up with the group to head off to the Guggenheim Museum. Located on the east side of Central Park, this amazing museum is in the shape of a honeycomb, with outward slanting walls and a winding path that circles around the inside - the paintings line this path. The museum itself almost distracts from the artwork displayed inside: that's how beautiful it is. (The picture above is of the ceiling of the Guggenheim that I took from the lobby. If you've never seen the building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, you must look it up for pictures. Or visit yourself. 1071 5th Avenue at 89th Street.)

Lucky for us, we made to the museum just before the Kandinsky exhibit closed. I started at the top where his oldest works were displayed and made my way down the spiral to the earliest works.) I'm uncertain as to which was my favorite, however I do know that it is somewhere in the middle of this career. I also enjoyed Kandinsky's series of watercolors which were reminiscent of Paul Klee with their almost-airbrushed coloring and almost-stenciled forms. In all of his works you find a battle for non-objectivity and rarely do you see him succeed. It's quite sad.

Also at the museum was a installation sculpture by Anish Kapoor called Memory. It was absolutely unbelievable. A must-see. I can't even begin to describe it in the time allotted.

After the museum, John and I bought our first New York hot dogs and then attempted to find our way home on our own. We failed but luckily ran into Mitch and Kendra - head to a cafe (the name escapes me) and then the two of us followed the two of them home. John had an almost-lost-metro-card situation which was hilarious to watch. You'll be happy to know that it was just a false alarm. The card was in his coat pocket.

At last we made it home and John and I had a small opportunity to rest our feet before heading off to do a test run to Soho where I could find my internship at HERE. (1 train to Columbus Circle then C,E train to Spring St..) Fortunately, the jog was quite easy. After finding the theatre we wandered Soho, and then head home where we searched far and wide for Dunkin Donuts. We did not find one - however, we discovered later that there was one quite near our hotel...in the opposite direction we had looked.

The night is not over yet folks. John and I made it home, found Dylan and Christine and then head back out to Times Square for Dylan's first adventure to the M&M store, Toys'R'Us and to the ever daring Marriott Hotel elevator. If you haven't tried the latter, you must. It's a free thrill. We ate McDonalds for dinner. From Times Square we took the subway to Dylan's internship at the Vineyard Theatre near Union Square where we saw the National Debt clock. (It was sad to watch the amount get bigger and bigger by the second.) Finally we made it home, where John and I watched another episode of Fringe as I uploaded pictures from my camera to Facebook. Huzzah for at last having a little bit of internet and a little bit of time!

Tomorrow I have to wake up early, shower, eat breakfast, and head off for my first day of rush hour traveling to HERE, where I get a tour of the space at ten o'clock. So here's (haha) to making it safely and on time. After I get home I get time to nap before heading back to the theatre district with the entire group to see Next to Normal on Broadway.

Now, my friends, I must get some shuteye.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

77th and broadway


This is my first official post from New York City. Let me go back. Yesterday we took the bus from Baltimore to New York, took a cab to the hotel and then walked to the theatre district with my mother and her friend, Buzi. So Mom and Buzi wanted to see a show - we ended up getting very last minute, third row tickets to Jersey Boys for cheap! It was a very like-able show. Peppy music everyone can recognize and sing along with and some cute actors for the women to swoon over. (Before the show we stopped at Cafe 71 for snacks and then a pub for drinks. You know how that goes.) After the show we walked back to the hotel. (Thats over 60 blocks total of walkage.) At the hotel I did a bit of unpacking, said goodbye to Mom and Buzi and then got to hang out with John! (I will write more about the hotel later...)

So, not having been to New York before, John had to see Times Square. Since it was nigh time, I figured why not take him. We walked there and back - which means I did the trip twice. It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't of been so cold. No complaints, though. Taking John to see Times Square is much more satisfying then going with someone who's been there before. I took him to the M&M store and Toys'R'Us. On the way back home, we enjoyed the light-endowed trees, Lincoln Center and almost getting hit by taxis.

Today, I woke up relatively early and walked back to Cafe 71 with John, Mitch, Kendra, Erin and Dylan. We got our first New York bagels and then head off to buy our first subway passes! From there we diverted our attention to Central Park, where we wandered through Strawberry Fields, the John Lennon memorial, to the Bethesda Fountain and then to the Belvedere (sp?)Castle. Many pictures ensued.

In an hour we have a group meeting and then a mixer to get to know each other and our teachers. Should be nice. Who knows what else we will do later...

I slept well for the first time in weeks. It bodes well for the rest of the trip. Hopefully for the rest of the year.

Friday, January 8, 2010

beach house

Today is technically Friday which means...NEW YORK TOMORROW.

Things I still need as today progresses: finish doing laundry so that I can finish packing my clothes, find the lint brush, find the umbrella and jacket in a packet, find appropriate shoes, go shopping for groceries, and sleep more. I definitely need to get my normal sleep pattern back. I don't know how I'll make it through the next week if I don't. (Point in case: it's past three in the morning right now and I'm barely tired. I suppose I should just make myself wake up very early so that I'll get tired sooner. Or whatever.)

Enough rambling for now. Onwards and (hopefully) upwards.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

empire state of mind

Hey folks! This is my first entry over here and I've got exciting news! I will officially be living in the Upper West Side of New York City in THREE days. I'll be taking the good ol' Megabus for a little ride and then a cab and then voila! At the hotel unpacking! Going with Darlene and Buzi should be pretty exciting. They may be past middle-age, but they certainly are fun.

I will be interning at the HERE Arts Center and going to tons of museums and art galleries and the opera. I will be seeing Bob Dylan's apartment. Hanging out with John & Jess - who are soon to be married friends from high school. I'll be a hell of a lot closer to home. (Not that I can go home, but it's the thought that counts.) And most importantly of all, I'll not be at Coe. Which is wonderful.

I must run. Have to get a little closer to finished with this whole - packing - business. Breakfast at The Paper Moon in the morning. Ciao for now.