Ok. 
I have my Packers t-shirt.I have my GO PACK GO sign. I have all the fixings for a big vat of chili. My friend (from Green Bay, no less) who is hosting the party is putting together a big spread of Wisconsin cheeses to make grilled cheese sandwiches. There will be beer. One of my best friends who is doing very well in acting is THERE in Dallas playing in a 'celebrity' flag football game and gets to go to The Game too. That is all. Carry on.Oh wait, one more thing:Go Pack GO!!!!
We interrupt this program to bring you a special message from the U.S. Open:
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Thanks are most definitely due to the dayjob for hooking me up with some pretty bitchin perks every so often.
Live from Flushing Meadow, good night.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
Yesterday Cory and I met Rashmi, Mark and Michele out at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow for the practice day before the tournament started today. It was a beautiful day, though a hot one, and we had a a great time running around the grounds, watching some top players and doing some stargazing.
One of the highlights for me was seeing one of my personal tennis heroes out of retirement and in action (at least for the moment.)
Yup, that's Johnny Mac himself, whacking a serve. He was playing an informal game with some guy nobody seemed able to recognize. I'm thinking maybe a contest winner, silent auction for charity, something like that. The guy was pretty good too, but what a treat to see one of the guys who got me really into tennis in the first place.
We moved over to the Louis Armstrong stadium and saw Dinara Safina hitting with Carla Suarez Navarro.
It was just practice, of course, but that's the number one women's tennis player in the world and we were there on a beautiful day watching her for free. Pretty rad.
I like this shot a lot. [As usual, clicking on these shots lets you see a bigger, more detailed image. I recommend it.]
And over on the practice courts there was some guy who really grabbed Rashmi and Michele's attention:
Ok, ok, he's not just 'some guy.' That's Marat Safin, Dinara's older bro, and a former U.S. Open Champion and World Number One himself, walking onto the court with his hitting partner. I guess for some reason certain people find him sort of watchable, because there were some fans tucked into a little corner where there was a gap in the hedge bordering the practice courts, and a whole group of fans crowded up to the top of the bleachers for court 4 that let you peek over that hedge.
I eventually got tired of slipping on all the drool that was collecting on those bleachers and wandered around the compound on my own a little.
Fun way to spend a Sunday. Thanks to Rashmi for the invitation!
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
Who'd believe that you once saved my life
When you're split in so many pieces?
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.
It's a pretty New England-specific thing (and really seems to mean a lot more in Boston than anywhere else) but I think that Patriots' Day deserves a shoutout.
It's most renowned for being the day that the Boston Marathon happens - congratulations to Robert Cheruiot (four's a charm!) and Dire Tune! And it's exciting to Red Sox fans because they play a game that starts in the morning. I'm tapping this out at 1:23, and the Sox are already leading the Rangers 8-0 in the 6th. (You almost have to feel sorry for those poor Rangers. This may be long-term repercussions from when George W. Bush ran the club.) But I think it's also a good reminder that patriotism does NOT mean blind acceptance or following of the government; that America's foundation was built on dissent and rebellion, religious freedom (emphatically not fundamentalism) and independent thought.
At least, that's how I see it.
So, given that, here's a brief excerpt from a pretty rad interview with F. Murray Abraham in today's Gothamist (I encourage you to read the whole thing):
Speaking of casting, weren’t you supposed to be in the current revival of The American Dream and The Sandbox?
I was scheduled to do it with Edward [Albee] but I just simply couldn’t do one more play without making some money. You know, I’m only making about $425 a week here and I have some big expenses. Very big. And I have to make some movie money. I had done three plays in a row and I had to beg off so I could do a movie. He was very understanding and we’re friends but I simply couldn’t. I’m leaving shortly to do another movie; I have to do these movies to support this theater habit.
So you’re an actor with this incredible reputation and a body of work that speaks for itself, here you are in an Off Broadway play with a famous writer and incredible cast, and you’re being paid peanuts. Has the pay scale just gotten worse and worse over the years?
Yeah, it has. It’s just one of those things. But working people across America have been paid less and less over the years. And while that’s happening we have these heads of corporations who are destroying corporations while making billions of dollars. What’s going on? Is this democracy? Something’s wrong here. It’s bullshit, man. It’s got to stop. It’s got to change. I don’t know who or what that change is but we have to do something. I mean, the idea that you believe – as the God I play believes – that you are the only source of truth and integrity and reality, then that gives you the right to torture people and do any damn thing you want because you’re above the law. That’s what the Nazis did; they said it was there divine right. And we’re behaving like Nazis. That’s not America, that’s not the America my two brothers died for in defense of their country. It’s bullshit.
Ain't it, though?
Happy Mardi Gras, everybody! And big ol' primary election day, Giants victory parade day and everything else!!
In honor of the event, let's bring back the Magic 8Pod.
SO, 8Pod, what do you have to say about Mardi Gras '008?
Well, hmm... The band connotes party time, sure enough. And there's an odd twist on the times and the area in it's faux end-time sensibility. "We're living in the last days..." Interesting choice.
Ok, next, what can you provide in the way of predictions for this 'Super Duper Tuesday' Presidential Primary?
- for the Republican Party
How 'bout that? At first it doesn't seem to fit: a great Van Morrison song being sung by Mr. Superlow Mellow Voice Strong Sensitive Folky Guy? For the Republicans?? But I guess it does bring to mind all those College Republican drunken singalongs to 'Brown-Eyed Girl'. And then a deeper listen takes us to a lonesome longing in the guitar-and-bongo arrangement, and maybe even some desperation in "Can I just have one more moondance with you...?" Last moondream? Plus... there's that whole thing of taking cover 'neath October skies...
Let's not forget that there's a half decent chance that we'll know who the Republican nominee is going to be at this time tomorrow.
- for the Democratic Party (which, by the way, is not "The Democrat Party" in spite of what many conservative pundits and officials - including the President - have been calling it, oh, for a few years now. Is no one else bothered by this? Is it another one of those thing that the Dems don't complain/stand up about for fear of seeming whiney?)
This one yields all kinds of fun interpretation for a good 8Pod diviner! First of all, it's an outtake from Rumours, the album which yielded "Don't Stop," which was Bill Clinton's theme song - and it's even sung by the female vocal half of that song, Christine McVie. That's right folks, an outtake, a demo version, just piano and drums and voice. And then, there are the lyrics: in spite of the subtitle (Keep Me There) the sparce lyrics say "Don't leave me in the dark, I need you here with me... Don't leave me in this mess."
Don't know if this helps us draw a conclusion, though: does it mean Hillary will pick up the mantle? Or will she be left alone in the dark? Perhaps this is a good place to point out that the Dems divvy up their delegates by percentage in a lot of today's states - meaning that it is pretty UNlikely that we'll know who the Democratic candidate is going to be in time for Ash Wednesday Mass.
Lastly - what do you have to say about the Giant Superbowl victory and ticker tape extravaganza?
Huh. This actually moves me a little.
I'm not a Giants fan. Not really a football fan in general, but definitely not a Giants fan or a fan of New York sports in general (Mets excepted). In fact, I refer you to a hilarious video on YouTube showing a clip from Downfall with Bruno Ganz as Hitler, but with made-up captions making it look as though they're talking about football rather than military action. I'm not putting up the link or the viddy, because it is utterly inappropriate and offensive in the way that only parodies of Hitler can be, but you can easily find it by searching "Hitler Cowboys Football" on YouTube. And it's pee-your-pants funny.
However, this song sheds light on the parade for me much more than on the victory. Reminds me how good it feels to know that throngs of people can use the Wall Street area way downtown as a place of celebration again. Certainly couldn't have been a parade there if the Yanks had won in 2001. And it does seem like last year had a big move forward in terms of being able to speak reasonably about that chunk of land, so this championship might even have been one of the first chances New York had to celebrate a victory down there.
So ok, maybe it's maudlin, sentimental and bittersweet to hear it that way. But here are the lyrics to the song, by David Hidalgo, Louie Perez and Dave Alvin.
I hear a voice singing somewhere in time
A song I knew so long ago
It takes me back to places somewhere in time
To everyone I used to know
I see a face I remember somewhere in time
Someone I love who's gone away
Gone away somewhere in time
one away somewhere in time
Another night, on a highway somewhere in time
Darkness plays those tricks on me
Far down the road in the shadows somewhere in time
Am I the man I'm supposed to be?
I see a light, shining somewhere in time
A lonely light to lead me on
To lead me on somewhere in time
To lead me on somewhere in time
Wake from a dream, a dream from somewhere in time
I rub my eyes so I can see
You're standing there before me somewhere in time
Standing there waiting for me
And I'll take your hand someday somewhere in time
Forever I'll be here with youI'll be with you somewhere in time
I'll be with you somewhere in time
I'm here with you somewhere in time
They kind of seem like too much of the same thing right about now, don't they?
Well, leaving aside the bizarre non-joke from the people at NOW NY, which I can't even comment on because my mind is still too scrambled (plus, having a penis, what right do I have to join in that conversation? I'm going to throw up.) we now have the chance to wonder what effect Florida will have on the Primaries in general. Looks like Giuliani is out (whew!), as is Edwards (sigh). The Republicans are letting the winner-take-all contest ride, but the Democrats are punishing the Sunshiners for moving up their contest by disallowing the delegates. Hmm... think they'll hold to that? If it's close come Convention time, will the Machine reverse its decision and let Florida's and Michigan's (both won by Clinton) votes count after all? Wagers?
Meanwhile, the Packers. SIGH... Bret, Bret, Bret... What happened, man? Where was the fire? Where was the passion? Where was that guy who was ready to go out on top in a blaze of glory?? God was on your side (4 below, dude!) and the Giants did everything they could to lose.
So, ok, go Patriots. No exclamation point, though. My Boston loyalties outweigh any Green Bay resentment. Gonna turn some of that leftover roast into chili; so that's something to look forward to, anyway.
Kinda tired of hearing about how hot Tom Brady and his girlfriend are though...
Very quick, as I'm in the midst of one of those whirlwind trips through Massachusetts. I'm in Waltham now with Sue and Steve, fighting off a cold and getting ready to go visit Beckett, then into Boston/Cambridge for some grub, the Patriots game (S & S are fans, and it's the big final game of what has potential to be the first undefeated season since '72) and a show by Buffalo Tom at TT the Bear's Place. All of which should be fantastic.
Tomorrow I get to see Seattle Amy, whom I almost never get to see. And either tomorrow or Monday it's off to Williamstown for a New Year's party courtesy Sue and Kevin (all these Sues - it gets confusing, I know).
Happy New Year's Weekend, everybody.
The NY football Giants, that is.
If you know me, you know that I don't have much affinity for football. In fact, it was a pretty swell epiphany for me the day I realized that one can be a heterosexual male in America and not care about football and everything will be just fine.
But I got to go to the Giants game against Minnesota yesterday, and though it was a truly horrible game (unless you are one of those giddy Viqueens fans), it was a really fun experience, made all the more so by the fact that I got to take the radiant and irresistible Crystal as my 'date.' I had invited her husband Brandon (great friend of mine and big time football fan) who said he couldn't dare accept, as it was a lifelong dream of Crystal's to go to a Giants game, and would I consider taking her instead?
Of course! Crystal was the first person I met when I was checking out my grad school, and she let me crash on her futon for the couple days I was there. Plus she's, you know, radiant and irresistible. :-)
So, here's the view from our seats:
Yes, I know end zone seating is considered subpar, but we were close! And it was a beautiful fall day.
Now if we could have done something about those three interceptions run back for touchdowns...
That's what i said a couple times in the last couple days, over sporting events.
First, when maria sharapova was beaten yesterday in the u.s. open by agnieszka radwanska (say it five times fast). 
18 years old, seeded 30th, radwanska took apart number 2 seed, tennis 'it' girl and camera spokesperson sharapova. Way cool.
But then the even better exclamation came this morning when i was checking the baseball scores and found that clay buchholz threw a no-hitter for the red sox!
Who??
Well may you ask - this was only buchholz's 2nd major league game; he'd had a little trouble with the law while in college, got drafted by the sox as a compensation pick when they lost pedro martinez, had an up-and-down stint in the minors, then comes in and becomes the third person since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in one of his first two games. And could it have come at a better time? We were all stinging from the sweeps of this past week: the mets were swept by the phillies (ugh) and the red sox were swept by the dreaded evil yankees (ok, ok, they're not REAL evil - not karl rove evil - but still, seeing all those NY caps all over town is a little like being surrounded by swastikas). Then the sox lost a nail-biter against the orioles on friday, and the yanks won again yesterday... so it was a HUGE lift for this rarity to happen, boosted by some amazing defense by second baseman justin pedroia and center fielder coco crisp, and ten - count 'em: 10 - runs on offense. Great way to start september.
Holy shit!
It really is the bitchenest city out there, isn't it? Love love love it when spring opens the door to walking from one side of town to the other as much as your legs can stand it.
So just a few of the things i've done round nyc the last few days & nights:
Lunch at lazzara's with jessica, gave her a 'factory girl' music mix i'm pretty proud of - had been way too long since i'd seen her, and that pizza is nigh supernatural.
Sherin shot j.p. and me in an audition video at my place. Fun working on it - thanks so much for the help guys!
Afterwards, we went to see quantum eye, a mentalism/magic show at that was pretty good, then went out for a pint in flatiron.
Last night saw the new mira nair film the namesake with beth at the paris. Really good. Sentimental, in that jhumpa lahiri way, but beautiful, compelling and authentically moving. Then we met abner at guantanamera, a cuban bar on 8th ave. that is exquisitely cheesy, just in time to catch the end of the band's set.
Abner brought along the belated christmas present he and beth got for me - the solti/vienna recording of wagner's ring cycle on vinyl! They nabbed it from a street vendor in the village, so i assumed it would be at least a little scratched up, but it is in amazing, almost immaculate condition and sounds unbelievably good. Alright, alright, i know it makes me a complete and utter geek to be so excited about this, but, well, there it is. Way cool present. And while we're on it, congrats to beth and abner on taking the live-together plunge!
And throughout all of this of course, i've been rehearsing 'trailers/suburban peepshow' opening at the red room on thursday. Fun group o' peeps; hope to see you there.
Ok, just heard this thing on ESPN that i have to share: "L.A. hasn't seen a threepeat since 2002, when the lakers won three consecutive championships... in a row!" Yup. That's right folks, these are professional journalists.
Happy april fools, and happy baseball opening day!
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