Family Visits

Big shout out this weekend to my cousin Nick, who is getting married in Madison, WI. 12th Night prevented me from making that trip, but most of my family is there, including Mom, Dad and Sis. Congratulations and all best wishes to the happy couple.

Speaking of family trips, Jason (brother-in-law of Bonnaroo fame) was out in NYC a couple weeks back with his father and brother for the Yankees/Royals series (They're from Iowa and are fans of the Kansas City Royals. I know, I know. It's ok, just pity them. They'll always have George Brett.) Barely had any time together, but we did grab a brunch at Bubby's, which is one of the best food spots in town.

This isn't the best photo, but I put it in because it gives a sense of the flavor of the neighborhood, and a taste of the Tribeca Stylish.

Here's a better shot of Jason:

Dude is just too good looking. May even be good enough for my sister. Maybe.

Oh, and a few of us went out for drinks after the show that night. Got a kick out of the sign in front of the bar - Vintage, on 9th Ave. Since I made an ass of myself taking a picture of it like a tourist, I may as well share it with y'all.

I Heart Michelle Obama...

...Which will surprise very few of you.

I was pretty lame last night, and was doing stuff around the house and editing/processing/uploading all those photos and didn't tune in to Michelle's speech when it was broadcast live, but holy crap, how amazing:



It takes about 17 minutes, but it's worth watching if you're interested in, oh, the country we live in. I still haven't seen all the other highlights from last night's installment of Conventionfest '08 - the Kennedy Speech, the Family Bonding, Barack's Response - but I understand it was really very good, as far as this sort of jingo juggling goes. And it's always tough for me to get too excited about someone who actually wants to be a politician, but I'm letting hope in a little bit this time. A little bit.

On the other side of the coin, I had a revelation while reading Overheard in New York the other day. Came across this entry:

Anyone Else Hope She's Buying Birth Control?

Annoyed sexy girl: This is stupid! I don't see how you can just think one city is older than another!
Embarrassed boyfriend: Think about it. Can't you see how Rome would be much older than, say, Provo, Utah?
Annoyed sexy girl: Well, I've never been to either of those, so how would I know?

--Duane Reade, Columbus Ave

And I'm thinking - ha! This is the kind of thing that would get those Republicans to change those wacky notions that birth control = abortion. Maybe even get them to encourage effective birth control, sex education, and education in general.

But then it struck me - this is the revelation part - they sort of WANT everybody to be this stupid. Dumb little rule-following consumers are their total wet dream cup of spoo.

I mean, I'm making a funny; but kind of not, you know?

Then a little later I ran into an even better Republican Breeder Fantasy:

Laguna Beach, Encapsulated

Girl #1: Do you like money? Cause I like money!
Girl #2: I like money, I really like money!
Girl #3: No, no, no, I love money! I love it!

--6th Ave & 26th St, Outside Nightspot

Of course you do.

11th, 12th and 13th Night

We've had two rainouts, so while our first performance on Governor's Island would have been our 13th show, now it'll be our 11th. This is the final weekend to see Twelfth Night - and the only chance to see it in the new setting: hope you can make it on the 11th, 12th or 13th night!

Well, actually they will be in the afternoon - family friendly matinees down south of Manhattan, a short ferry ride from a building right next to the Staten Island Ferry Pier. You'll know you're there when you see the blue flags.

Got some more shots from the show. May entice you to show up, or just be a record of what you're missing.
There's music...



Dancing...


Romance...

Yoga...


Violence...



Intrigue...




Just Plain Craziness...



Seemingly random amalgams of characters...


And of course, Twins Love...


How could you resist? It's guaranteed to be the most fun you've ever had with your clothes on*. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (August 29-31) at 2 p.m. on Governor's Island. Bring a blanket or a beach towel. Check out the Olafur Eliasson Waterfalls while you're there.

*Not a Guarantee

Behind the Times

Once again I've been a slacker blogger. The good news is that that's because I've been doing a lot of things that keep me sufficiently busy that I don't have as much time to write about the things I've been doing. Hopefully this week I'll have time to post about the show I'm in, maybe one or two of the shows I've seen, the beach, my bro-in-law's visit, the McCarren Pool Party...

Yeah, probably not all of that. There are a ton of photos though - I'll be sure to post some.

Meanwhile, here is an abbreviated bit of sports-related Magic 8-Pod. It's outdated - played it back when the Olympics had just gotten going, so we'll see how it fared vis a vis the way things turned out...

How will Michael Phelps do? Welcome - The Who, from "Tommy"

As in - welcome to the top of the heap, Mike. Where no one has gone before. Nicely done.

What's the deal with these pre-pubescent Chinese gymnasts? The Greatest Romance Ever Sold - Prince, from "Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic."

This was the remix/b-side version of that song, with Eve doing a come-hither-type rap. Hmm, not sure what to make of this one. I mean, we could imagine the U.S. team and the Chinese team:

Finally face 2 face
Checkin' each other up and down

But then, being a Prince song, it goes places that... um, no. Maybe we're better off just thinking of it as a comment on the Selling of the Olympic Dream, or the Selling of Capitalism to the East. Or something.

How are the Red Sox going to do in the Post Manny Era? Absolutely Free, The Mothers of Invention, from "We're Only in It for The Money."

Hehehe. This works on a few levels - the Sox can now be free from the media circus of Manny (as fun as it was and is) and be free to concentrate on Baseball. And - the title of this brilliant album may shed some light on Manny's Mysterious Motivation for wanting so badly to be traded.

OH! This leads me to a current, live-as-I-blog 8-Pod opportunity:

Now how 'bout catching the Rays, guys? Dark Chocolate - Dan Bern, from "Smartie Mine"

Hmm. This is cryptic enough. Dan loves him some Dark Chocolate in this song (don't we all?) Promises offered, unrealized and met with unyielding loyalty anyway (Sox fans know well about that):

Who'd believe that you once saved my life
When you're split in so many pieces?

Of course it gets sensual (this is a song about chocolate, people, what did you expect?) And then it resolves (over-obviously?) focusing on the bittersweet aspect of the title/subject.

Great. Being a Red Sox fan with post season hopes is a bittersweet experience. How original.

Just take it pitch by pitch, guys. Those Rays have to crumble eventually. Don't they?

Golden Years

Today I'll post on a topic that several people seem to be talking about (meant to post about it yesterday when it would have been truly topical, but didn't get the chance). That topic being: some of these Chinese "women" gymnasts appear to be pre-pubescent.



I might buy that some of these (supremely, amazingly, stunningly talented) athletes are 16, but take a look at Deng Linlin:


I understand that there are cultural and genetic elements at play here, but if she's had a period, I've had one too.

The Olympic Committee (and the international community) claims that its hands are tied with this, because they have passports that show them to be 16.

Really, folks: how many 16-yrs olds have just lost a baby tooth?

I can't be the only one who's wondering, though, if there's a reluctance to pursue this question with more vigor because no one wants the, um, inconvenience of follow-up questions about child labor in general, particularly in the Host Nation of the Olympics...

Those are the questions really worth asking, of course. The life of an 11-yr-old Olympic gymnast, while demanding in ways I can only imagine, has to come out ahead of the life of an 11-yr-old in a shoe factory in all kinds of ways. What with the gold medals and all.

Rehearsals, etc.

The opening of Twelfth Night fast approacheth. We had some weather-related frustrations this weekend, but also got in some good cuts. If you're in town, hope you can make it. Here's the postcard:

One thing that the postcard doesn't mention for some reason is that we also have a weekend's worth of matinees at Governor's Island: August 29-31 at 2 p.m. Another thing not noted on the card is that it's probably a good idea for you to bring a cushion or a pillow, because those concrete steps are pretty unforgiving.

Here are some shots from a rehearsal (no costumes involved) and a couple candids:


RJ having a moment.

Action shot of Annie, Raushauna and Sean

Richard being pensive.

Loren relaxing between scenes.

Justin taking care of business with David.

This is kind of 'Shakespeare for People Who Don't Like Shakespeare': plenty of broad jokes and wacky costumes. And Led Zeppelin. Lots and lots of Led Zeppelin. Hopefully, people who do like Shakespeare will enjoy it too...