Look who is four months already

Celebrating Lauren's Birthday

Last Friday, we started Lauren's birthday celebration a little early at Webster Hall with Green River Ordience and Graham Colton. She did a great job detailing it so I don't need to write again but it can be found here http://sittinginnyc.blogspot.com/2012/04/had-great-night-last-night.html?m=1

Opener Colton

GRO

20 things about Lauren in honor of her birthday

1- she may be selfish at times but she is always there for the people who care for her
2- she can eat dinner faster than most can spell it
3- she was born on Earth Day but she doesn't think that makes her better than you
4- she knows karma comes back to bite you in the ass and doesn't want to be the one bitten
5- She is the world's best doggie aunt (submitted by Graham)
6- She is an avid opponent of Black Dog syndrome (the belief that all big black dogs are vicious guard dogs) because...
7- she says all black dogs remind her of her ex-dog Webster (ex in the Monty Python sense as in ex-parrot) and therefore loves them all
8-one time Tim Curry had security chase her because she asked for an autograph on a Rocky Horror dvd and apparently she hates that (queen please! Know who made you) Then she told the rest of the cast and they were all W.T.F.
9-she may be the only person other than me to think Thomas Harris' Hannibal is a love story (and the movie but read the book if you haven't)
10- she sees the same dead people (well person) I do.
11- the first thing she ever said to me was "Mike Piazza is too pretty to be straight" How could that not be the start of a beautiful friendship right Boggie
12-She is single handedly responsible for half of my Terry Gilliam collection ;Bought a few as gifts, we went halves on Fisher King- when we no longer live together I suppose we battle? and she bought herself 12 Monkeys but I live with it so it counts in my collection too a bit (might battle for that too)
13- She has a tattoo of a breast cancer ribbon in memory of her grandmother who survived the disease in no small part because
14- a not even teenage Lauren nursed and took care of her during recovery (that says alot, I think)
15- One tried to give a turtle mouth to mouth
16- Had a teddy named Melissa who was like a boot-leg looking Snuggle Bear
17- Loves children enough to know that in her mid-twenties she's not ready for them
18- She keeps every movie ticket to every movie she sees
19- she is a middle child
20-she once ate a chicken foot during a college version of Fear Factor. It was discussing!!

American Reunion

I once spoke about how Ten Things I Hate About You and how it held a place in my heart because those characters were teens in my world and how I grew up with the actors. However,there was never a follow up and due to the fact that Heath Ledger was such a major part, there most likely never will be. The characters exist only in that one unique time, American Pie's teens however grew up.

The AP gang were four years older than me which, being a discussing R rated sex comedy created an interesting dynamic between me and them. Unlike 10 Things, this was not a movie I could see in theatres at 13. I saw it on VHS (you know those old things) as soon as it came out and luckily my parents are cool enough to have gone with me to the sequel American Pie two. Those movies, though containing music I knew, clearly weren't relatable to my life as I was not exactly a sex crazed teenage boy and still have never wanted to sex a pie. That being said they were hilarious (filthy but hilarious) and watching felt dirty/dangerous and naughty in that way that you feel when you are young, naive and innocent.

By the time the franchise's third installment American Wedding, came out I was old enough to buy R-rated tickets so needless to say it was PG13. It was also my least favorite and, I assumed, the end of an era. Until now...

Sure, the last few years saw straight to dvd "American Pie Present" films but I had no interest in those; after all I was an adult now- no need for stupid potty humor. Still the whole cast coming back for 'Reunion met I would be seeing it. I have also decided it's ok to like potty humor in your twenties because Melissa Macarthy became world renown for pooping in a sink.

I have to say, I see a free movie almost every single week but this might have been the best no money I have ever not spent (and well worth a ticket price.) Aside from the fact that the gang doesn't get together very much apparently (boo) and the weird adjustment to them being thirty, and therefore I am nearing it- I absolutely loved the film. I did nothing but laugh and would see it 100 more times.

Former baseball player Jose Cansecco takes up the war on ice

Titanic 3D

Some background:
*The first time I saw Titanic I was 11 years old, I am now a few short months away from 26.
-to put this into perspective my first dog Britney was still alive. I am now on my third.
*Titanic holds my personal record for most viewings in a theater. No I was not in love with Leonardo (though my friends all were) I just loved the story.
*I cried Everytime I saw the movie even on TV when I only caught the end.
Okay so it seemed probable I would go see it released for the 100th anniversary of the sailing/ tragedy. Even if I hate the 3D obsession taking over movies and I will never forgive James Cameron for the 3 (hundred) plus hour mind rapping he called Avatar(ded) because once upon a time a little girl loved him forever for what I then thought would always be my favorite movie. Then I found out the bff had never seen it in the theatre (clearly this is because we weren't friends yet) and the stakes were set higher. Had i actually found the one female in generation YA who hadn't?!
While I will admit still loving the movie I must also concede that a different girl left that theatre than the one who teared up everytime My Heart Will Go On blasted on the radio. Celine promised "We'll stay forever this way" but indeed I've changed. For one, I didn't even cry and the only time I neared tears was when I realized a dead woman was holding a frozen baby. Cameron still awes me with how stunning it was shot and I still applaud the actors for what the went through recreating the disaster, perhaps this was the first time I actually appreciated the behind these scenes aspects in fact. Much like the joke Rose makes about Dr. Frued when they talk about the importance of sheer size, certain aspects that 11 is oblivious to, 26 quite enjoyed.
I guess hopeless romantic has been replaced by slightly cynical cinephilla. I watched thinking how all of the awards were well deserved rather than how I would gladly go through that hell for that kind of love. Sure I'd still like Jack Dawson to be all artist sexy and teach me to spit but I'm not hanging off a boat to get him and maybe then end up no better than Leo and Kate in their follow up film Revolution Road- perhaps the only great love stories are the ones where someone dies young or tragic, perhaps not. Rose probably was in for the long haul but then why not share the door-turned-life raft, Jack probably wouldn't have gone for it but you should've asked!!

And then she threw him in the ocean!! I've always had issue with this because you don't say you'll never let go and then physically let go. I understand now that I was too busy sobbing to hear him telling her to never let go of the dreams they shared. I get the bad metephore now and don't get me wrong, I want him to die I really really do because I am a Terry Gilliam fan and he teaches that real disasters are about failure and it's true but all of the science classes I've taken taught me that hypothermia- very severe hypothermia can cause a death like sleep. Jack might not be dead!!! Now I want to cry because he is an allegory for the ones who were loved and lost.
In conclusion, Titanic will always hold a place in my heart but it is a young person's film. I guess it's like Peter Pan going back to Neverland.

Happy 2nd Birthday Graham

My sweet puppy boy is two years old today!! No longer the scared little boy who couldn't cross the street, Grahamie Pie has taken over the house, my bed, and the hearts of everyone who knows him

Who says there isn't nature in New York City

These were all taken in the West Village today

Anderson Cooper has a second Giggle fit "I just got to let it out"

Give Cooper a break, he hasn't laughed out loud like this since August 

Happy Easter

2012 Race for Hope - No more lost Yellow Balloons

 

I would be lying if I said David Cook wasn’t the reason I first heard about the Race for Hope.  As I’ve said here before, my family was touched by Brain Cancer the same time that news of his brother Adam’s battle broke while he competed on American Idol.  However, he is not the reason I’ve joined the race all these years. The reason for that is a desire to have played even the smallest role in helping a find a Cure for this killer and to irradiate the spread of yellow balloons.  The reason I join his team is because of the person he is. Let’s be honest; every person who is there is interwoven together by tragedy and heartache but it is the hope and grace that Cook shows off that leads me to his team year after year. 

So what do I have against yellow balloons? 

At the race the survivors are each given a yellow balloon and two years ago as the runners started, I noticed that Cook, his father, and surviving brother standing directly across the street from where I was photographing the survivors, and all three of them were holding on to the same yellow balloon, look to heaven and let the balloon go to Adam.  Last year, Cook once again led the survivors out on this walk to the speakers aptly playing his song “HEROES.” As the crowd reached the starting line to thunderous applause, I noticed his black shirt nearing a small group of people who I quickly realized were his parents, step parents, and younger brother. Recalling the balloon the Cook men sent to the sky in tribute to Adam (Cook’s older brother who died from the disease two years ago,) I fixated my eyes on them to see if it happened again. Indeed, the father and two sons again gathered slightly to the side of everyone else holding a yellow balloon, but this time, before releasing it, they motioned over toward the rest of the family and two blond children ran over to stand in between them. The children were Adam’s daughter and son and this time they were handed the balloon, which was then released skyward as all five Cooks watched it fly.

Both years this was done with no fanfare, no media attention just a beautiful yet simple moment that reminded me, just because we don't see our loved ones anymore, it doesn't mean they are gone.  It brings comfort and calm to the heart but anyone who has ever lost anyone they love (regardless of what took them) knows that feelings that you are not alone, memories, and the proverbial “I’ll always be with you” can never take the place of a hug, nor can it fill the seat left vacant in the special moments of our lives or evil the aching hole in your heart.  It is too late to bring back everyone who has already fallen victim to brain cancer but I race so that one day every yellow balloon remains on the ground and with the people who love them. 

Please donate: 
2012 Race for Hope - DC: Ms. Elisa Donahue - Race for Hope - DC

Macy's flower show

This past week, Lauren and I took Gigi to the Macy's flower show for the third year in a row (and Thomas's first.)

The theme this year was the beauty of Brazil and for the first time, the display was in a tent in Herald Square, a welcomed relief from the navigating around a crowded store with a Bugaboo that we all delt with over the last two years.
Once again, the beauty speaks for itself...

The display was too overwhelming for one member of our group, unfortunately.

I love free stuff

I don't really think there are many people who don't, mind you, but freebies for me, are like tiny little birthdays. no I am not just cheap!
So anyway, yesterday I saw a sweet from BBC America saying how they were comping lunch from assorted food trucks that would be parked in Time Square and Madison Square park in celebration of the primire of one of their shows. All someone had to do was like the program on Facebook and he or she was given a ticket for one meal from the truck of choice.
The truck I chose was Frites 'n Meats ( http://www.fritesnmeats.com/about-us/) which served a cheddar cheese burger with onion, and tomato on a brioche bun and a side of coleslaw. It was mouth-watering and it would have only have cost $6- extremely reasonable. I think I have a new lunch option.

The freebies didn't stop at lunch, however, because it was also free cone day at Ben & Jerry Shops. I had a chocolate, Lauren had Americone Dream, and Gigi had a vanilla and a chocolate because, since Thomas can't have it yet it, only seemed fair that big sister should.

Happy Birthday Heath Ledger

Today would have been Heath Ledger's 33rd birthday and I like to believe somewhere out there in this infinite universe he's celebrating.

"nothing is permanent, not even death..." ~Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Tune in Tuesday: This Quiet Night

When David Cook released his sophomore album in June, fans were offered the chance to buy a deluxe fan edition directly from David's official website that included an exclusive EP of acoustic versions of 5 of THIS LOUD MORNING's tracks called THIS QUIET NIGHT. Needless to say, I opted to get this so it isn't new to me but, now THIS QUIET NIGHT has been released as a stand alone EP and is available everywhere music is.


 As someone who has heard it, I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Cook and even those who feel his music is a bit rough around the edges because hearing the softer side of these songs bring out the beauty of his writing. The emotion he brings to The Last Goodbye and Paper Heart truly bring out such heartache as "I Hold On To The Pain In These Arms That Just Let You Go; On These Lips That Said Your Name" and "They'll Be The Forever We Never Were Cause We Were Everything That's Right At The Wrong Time" that someone might miss in uptempo versions. With Take Me As I Am and Goodbye To The Girl, his voice is at once so powerful and yet so fragile that it could bring angles to their knees, collapsing in tears- think of a male equivalent of Adel's Someone Like You.


 However, the album isn't just a tear-jerking extravaganza. No matter how hopeless love seems after hearing the other 4 songs, anybody with an ounce of romance inside will at once be lifted up by Right Here, With You where Cook professes his undying love stating:

If The Sun Stops Burning And The World Stops Turning I'll Be Right Here With You And If The Sky Keeps Falling And The Night Keeps Calling I'll Be Right Here With You I'm On Your Side And Times Will Always Change The Wings Will Always Break And I Will Be Here Waiting Over Time Forever By Your Side Our Love Will Never Die

And then there was one...

This photo was taken of David Cook and the Anthemic in November 2008 at the Album release of Cook's self titled debut.  From right to left: Andy Skib, Cook, Kyle Peek, Neal Tiemann, and Joey Clement. This was the second of three concerts I saw of the band before Bassist Clement left in favor of Monty Anderson early the next Summer.  Perhaps it was always the plan for him to leave or perhaps the rumors that RCA fired him are true but it doesn't really matter, Clement is having a successful career elsewhere and it wasn't long before Anderson found a place in my heart. 

March 2009

March 2009

The above picture was taken at This Loud Morning's release last June and, though I didn't know it at the time but it would be the last time I saw Tiemann mastering guitar alongside longtime friend Cook. This loss was a bit harder than Clement, no offense to Joey but Tiemann's whole persona was amazing- he played as well as the Rock Gods of yesteryear, yet shy and sweet the way you wouldn't think when looking at him (we talked at the Borgata in Atlantic City for probably about a half hour like we were old friends.) More than that though, he was David's longtime friend and the idea that he's leaving could've been because that ended was sad. 


I continued to believe that Devin Bronson was just a temporary replacement and couldn't have cared less about him last December.

Poor guy was so nice and was playing with Gigi that in retrospect I actually feel kind of bad but that is not the saddest part of this photo. Saturday night, David announced Kyle Peek was leaving to be a stay at home Daddy' leaving Andy Skib as the sole original Anthemic member.  My heart Sank.

There is something special about Peek, who plays like Animal from the Muppets. Maybe it's because I feel like we've grown up together.  When he joined David after he won Idol, they hadn't known each other but in the years since they (and he and the fans) have forged a close bond.  He was only 20 at the time and when he turned 21 a few months later, Peek performed a solo show which Cook and pals crashed, got Peek drunk, and turned it into a Karaoke Party broacasted live across the web!!




Peek also had a toddler at the time who has grown into a school aged, little gentleman who has even appeared on stage playing guitar with the band!   and Kyle has been kind enough to keep fans up to date on every milestone with pictures and updates galore. 


Since the first time Peek played with the band he's grown as a musician,gotten married to his beautiful wife Nichole, and became a father once more to baby Elle born last Summer. Now he's moving on to his next phase of life and, while I am happy for him, I just hope he keeps everyone in the loop of what happens next.

We've found this year's April's Fool

After being arrested by Canadian Mounties in late March, and unable to plea his case, one man decided to perform all of Queen's classic Bohemian Rapsody.