Brush Strokes

Flying back this evening, and then the final stretch of move begins. It will be a lot closer then. I can almost see it, I can almost smell it. I can almost touch it. One thing for sure, it will be a much different life, and I have had glimpses of it. It may not be most ideal, but it is how I shape it for myself that will matter. But I like it, it is certainly better than the drabness I am in right now. And speaking of drab - the Oscars. To start with, there were no surprises in the winners, and I really would have wanted Annette to have won, but it's not like I am disgusted with Natalie. It's fine. Colin, of course, is deserving though by now the idea of him is just boring.  And, whatever whatever whatever. The only difference on being in the West Coast is that the ceremonies finish up early. So, I kind of enjoyed watching the coverage of The Governor's Balls, and the parties. But, maybe it's just me, but it was kind of bland overall. 

"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, 

Four Is A Lonely Number

Up until very recently, I never thought I would go to the theater to watch a movie like "I Am Number Four." But there I was, on a Saturday night even, sitting, waiting, watching. But you know what? I kind of enjoyed myself. It is crap, for sure, but there was just enough eye candy for me for it to not totally be a total waste of time (just a marginal one)  Alex Pettyfer is just exactly my type, it seems, because I couldn't get my eyes off him, and he is not even charismatic. As BSB would sing, "it's purely physical."  I won't even try to explain the preposterous premise, or the general sophomoric acting. I think most critics have covered that part of the equation. For me, it was all candy: eye candy. 

Two Decades

Twenty years. Two decades since my mom passed away, and it still feels like yesterday. And she made her presence felt. At midnight this morning, my brother's dogs started barking, for no apparent reason, and they started running by their staircase. I know some people may say I am projecting, but I felt it. It was a gentle reminder to me of how much she misses us and her ay of teling me she is always here. It's a gut feeling, an instinct, and I know in my heart I am right. I Miss You Too, Mommy. 

Playing House

It's kind of a lazy Saturday. This is probably of a precursor of what life would be once I move. And I like it lots. One thing about here, the pace really is so much slower than the East. Didn't someone saw that the average New Yorker is always running 25 minutes late? I don't think that will be the case here. Heck, I will be ecstatic just sleeping in and watching television the whole day. Although oddly enough, I haven't really watched a lot this week. But the laziness will have to stop - got some errands to run today, including getting some of the "basics," such as towels, shower curtains. I mean, I don't plan on taking what I had - the shipping alone would be more than the cost of those items. Plus, I kind of like getting these anyway, it's like playing house. I just absolutely refuse to get them from WalMart. Although there is one across from where I will be, I plan on using the store as sparingly as I can. I wish I could say I will refuse to shop there, but I will not be a hypocrite - their prices are so attractive sometimes it would be foolish not to go there. But as I said, sparingly. 

Suspicions Of An Indian Woman

Remember when I was at the Post Office and an Indian woman accosted me when I was sending media mail and told me my packages would be subject to inspection, to make sure they were really media mail? Well, it looks like she "flagged" my boxes. Granted, they were not really all media inside, but when it finally arrived today, the Post Office asked for more money. It's not as bad as I thought it would be (for two boxes, they asked  for $35.00 more) but it delayed the packages, and I was on pins and needles until it finally arrived today. At least, though, I am calmed by this development, although I cannot help but be angry at that Indian woman. But all is well in the end, so I should just let it be. I did have a breakthrough today, though: it looks like everything is now set up: electricity, gas, phone, internet, cable TV. It is now just a matter of letting things fall into place, and I am set.

"The past does not define you, the present does."

- Jillian Michaels

I Know You, You Know Me

Liam Neeson said in an interview that in order to distract himself from the pain of losing his wife Natasha Richardson in a skiing accident, he immersed himself in work, presumably filming "Unknown." Mr. Neeson has of late been taking a lot more action roles,  and in turn he has turned into a more thinking man's, low-key hero. In this movie, I noticed that I have stopped noticing that he is so handsome. Indeed, he is one of those actors who seem to be getting better-looking with age. But why am I mentioning that? Maybe because now, about two hours after I finished seeing the movie, I barely remember it. It wasn't a bad time, but I can't say that it was memorable time either. It's, for me, a kind of generic mistaken-identity action thriller, and there were times I found myself rolling my eyes at how I am suspending my disbelief. But I won't begrudge the film for that, since I use the same suspension for my beloved romantic comedies. In the end, like Mr. Neeson, I saw the movie to distract myself, de-stressing from current actions in my life. Sometimes, a film just doesn't move me in any way, it just...is. 

Putting It Together

Bit by bit, putting it together, As Sondheim wrote. I feel that was right, as if I was Humpty Dumpty putting my life together as I reboot it. I am looking at furniture, I am looking at television sets, and I am talking to gas companies, to the cable companies, everything I could think of. Putting my life together, who knew I would be at this situation a year ago? But, things happen for a reason, everything works out for the best. They say people sometimes do not appreciate silver linings because they're too busy looking for gold. I am also getting the hang of it at work, and I hope it will be a lot less stressful for me, and it should be. These local arrangements are kind of stressing out me out just a little bit, but maybe because I just haven't been used to this. When Gio found out I was moving, he said that he has a very close friend who lives here and he thinks she and I will get along swimmingly. I really appreciate that because I will need some friends out here. It would be great to have someone to hang out locally if I wanted some breather. Her name is Pinky, and she already messaged me on Facebook saying she wants to meet up but I said we'll just wait until mid-March. And that is the state of the Art!

"Remind yourself. Nobody built like you, you design yourself..."
 
- Jay-Z

Smooth Plane Operator

The flight in wasn't smooth, but I arrived safe and in tact. My seat was crap - middle seat in the back part of the plane, although it was the exit row so I had leg room. I was charged $50.00 for my overweight luggage, but whatever. I can't have everything, and it was primetime in security lines, and it was so tedious, and I was hungry that I wasn't able to eat breakfast. I have a headache right now, and my allergies are acting up, but I don't want to complain anymore. I don't want this to be a complain post. I almost took the $300.00 they offered to get a later flight but I was concerned that I would not find my luggage. On the way back, if I ever get the same offer, I will definitely grab it. Maybe I'll put a quarter in a slot machine. 

"Take it easy -- but take it."

- Woody Guthrie

Celine Dion Made Me Cry

So of course, since I have a flight tomorrow,  it snowed today. And now I am starting to feel a little nervous that my flight tomorrow may be delayed or cancelled. But I don't think it will be the latter, as I have gotten my trip alerts asking me if I wanted to pre-check in. So we shall see. I hope we aren't delayed, as there are storms south of the airport. Hopefully, it will not affect my flight all. Fingers crossed. 


Celine Dion made me cry today. She was on Oprah and she was talking about her twins. There's something about her, her vulnerability, her provincial attitude just gets to me. In a good way. And there's a kinship there somewhere, because she starts at The Collosseum again on March 15, and guess when I move? Exact same date. And when she sang "Lullaby," (the Billy Joel song), there was more pathos and drama now than she has ever shown in her singing. i will definitely check out her show - she will be there for the next three years!

"Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!"

- Maya Angelou

B44 President's Day

Jeff & Pipo's reunion in SFO:

A Piece Of Work

I was telling my brother about my "panic-watching" all the new Broadway shows and he said, it's not like you won't go back there. He told me I should go back every quarter for weekend trips. I mean, I certainly may have enough points, though I think i will use said points for my Baltic trip with Jeff. But anyway, I do wonder how often I will be able to go back once I get settled there. Will I be too lazy and complacent to travel back, as I suspect I would. I tend to be like that now, as I age, opting for the "comfortable." Unless, of course, I miss it so much. That could happen, too. 


I saw the Joan Rivers documentary tonight, "A Piece Of Work," and it's weird. I know everyone raved about this when it first came out, and I saw it but felt underwhelmed a little bit, and I thought it was because I knew a lot about her, because I have followed her career since her Carson days. I remember always watching the Carson every Monday night when she guest-hosted. I even watched her Fox talk show religiously. But as I was watching it again tonight, I saw layers I didn't notice upon first viewing. She really is brilliant, and the documentary captures her depth - her workaholic attitude, the way she would put all of herself in each of her performances, even her insecurities and frustrations. I already respected her, but this made me respect her much more. I hope one day to have my picture taken with her.   

"The sun never says to the earth,
'You owe me.'

Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights up the whole sky."

 - Hafiz

Olympic Delivery

Continuing my mad rush to finish all the Broadway Spring releases, today I went (via TDF) to see "The Milk Train Does Not Stop Here Anymore," Roundabout's revival of the Tennessee Williams play.  I liked it a lot. A lot of people consider this to be a minor work of TW, but I thought it had a lot of depth and drama. And like most of his work, it smolders with sexuality. And specifically, it is such an "gay play" in idea and execution that for me, it is timeless. And if you are into that sort of thing, it even has a full-frontal nude scene from the delicious Darren Pettie (I almost typed Darren Criss) which made the blue haired contingent sitting next to me gasp. Maybe I liked it a lot because it is set in Southern Italy, and even though the set design didn't really get Naples and Capri as effectively as I wanted it to, the actors more than made up for it. And speaking of acting - the wonderful Olympia Dukakis gives a fearless performance that is worth more than the price of admission. She screams, she bellows, she smolders, she does everything but the kitchen sink in this performance, and she does it so well it never feels forced or excessive. I truly expect her to get a nomination when Tony season starts.   She is one of the best things in this production. 

Filed

I read somewhere that this year the IRS was closed for processing until 2/15/11, so I did not file my taxes until this evening. I electronically filed, and it looks like I may be getting a refund. Thanks Be To Jesus. At least the system is working for me again in this case. I just wish my taxes were going to things I like. I read today that the House has voted against funding for Planned Parenthood, and that kind of sucks. And there is even talk of ceasing funding for PBS and NPR. Shame Baname.  


In a lto of ways, I haven't been myself. I have been sick and exhausted, and I haven't been reading, and I have not even been watching my Netflix movies. The stress is kind of getting to me, and I just wish I was already there, all moved in, and finally relaxing. But there are still days and weeks before that, so for now I can just dream and hope. 


I took Emiko's advise and bought some hair serum. I even bought the cheap-ish kind, as price range went from $6 to about $30. The one I got from the lower end of the price points works fine, and my hair does feel silky soft. I think I amy be putting a little more than needed, but I am still playing around with it. 

"Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it's right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it."

- Oprah Winfrey

Children Won't Listen

I am still exhausted, and it is seems never ending, and at times I think, "Am I making a dent." But I know I am. I leave to go back to LV again next Tuesday, and I just realized Monday is a Federal holiday so I am making a mad rush to send some boxes tomorrow, the ones that have to go through the post office anyway.  I can't sleep again, and that is adding to my stress. And I am so un-relaxed right now that I can't even sit down and enjoy my Netflix movies.  I need to take a chill pill, like soon. And there are a lot of things to do, too, when I get there. I need to get the beds and the television sets - those seem to be the most essentials. Thankfully, my brother is bequeathing a small dining room table which should serve us well. I feel like I am the mother and the father and I have children. What did they say about children being the adults at a certain point? It is certainly true. 

The really great man is the man
who makes every man feel great.

~ G. K. Chesterton

They Are The Champions

I am in a mad rush to see all the new productions opening this Spring on Broadway, and I am glad some of them have been showing up on TDF. Like "That Championship Season," for example, which I think will be a hot ticket pretty soon. It has star power, and the audience certainly knew it when they gave "first appearance applause" to every single one of the cast members. It's a fine production of a fine play, and I am glad I saw this revival. It's just that... the play may be the thing, it's just not *my* thing. It's a little too boys club for my taste, and I really cannot relate to a lot of the things in it. Still there are fine performances from every single person in the cast, and I particularly think Brian Cox and Jim Gaffigan stood out. Jason Patric has the presence and the juicy role, so he may get some attention from this production as well.  As an ensemble, they bring it. The play may be a little too dated now, most of the racial issues raised here have been dealt and discussed a little too much at this point. But the play is set in 1972, so at the time it was topical and relevant. This play is a great snapshot of those times.