It's happening. You know how when you graduate from college, suddenly a whole bunch of people you know start getting engaged and having weddings? And that's usually a good time, cuz it's an easy excuse for getting all your gang of friends together soon after graduation, and everyone's still really excited and full of hope and idealism at all of 22 years of age. People older than you will tell you to enjoy that whole first round of weddings, because it'll be several years before that next round of "life passages" will start happening in your group of friends.
Well, hell. That second round has hit in my life, with a vengeance. Would you believe that FIVE couples I know have gotten engaged in the last month? FIVE?!?!?!?!?
And all the while, I'm still single old me, who can't even get anyone to write me back on Match.com. Ouch.
Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy for all these couples, and each couple is absolutely at the right stage in their lives to be making this step and they're just brimming over with happiness. It's really fun to watch. On one level.
But it's starting to get harder for me to flash the big smiles and give the hugs on the outside, all the while thinking "Be happy for them, don't feel sorry for yourself."
Yes, I know I'm really happy in about 75% of my life. But it's that remaining 25% that leaves me really lonely and sad whenever I let my guard down. I'm terrified that I'm on the road to permanent spinsterhood. I meah, heck, I already have the cat!
So, new rule for all of my friends: If, by chance, you are about to tell me that you are getting engaged (and there are a couple of you out there who could be in this boat soon), you're not to expect any big smiles or squeals or hugs unless you've brought along a fix-up date for me!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
That Sound You Hear
is a dial tone. Hooray! I do have my dial-up connection back and I'm able to get my Internet fix.
So I guess Verizon as a whole doesn't suck. But I will say that the customer service experience of the last few days did suck. Starting with the ridiculous, never-ending electronic "customer service" system that kept giving me different information and cutting me off to the prickly technician who was giving me a hard time on the phone today, this was not a pleasant interaction.
I plan on spending the weekend evaluating different options to give the dial-up the old heave-ho. My understanding is that my building is too old and not wired correctly for wireless (???) but I'm gonna check out what the other possibilities may be. Any recommendations?
So I guess Verizon as a whole doesn't suck. But I will say that the customer service experience of the last few days did suck. Starting with the ridiculous, never-ending electronic "customer service" system that kept giving me different information and cutting me off to the prickly technician who was giving me a hard time on the phone today, this was not a pleasant interaction.
I plan on spending the weekend evaluating different options to give the dial-up the old heave-ho. My understanding is that my building is too old and not wired correctly for wireless (???) but I'm gonna check out what the other possibilities may be. Any recommendations?
Verizon Sucks
I'll know the full update when I get home tonight, but this morning's events have totally turned me against Verizon. Major suckage. Why oh why would they tell a customer "No, you don't have to be home when the technician comes to work on the line," so that the customer then proceeds with her workday as usual, only to receive a call from the technician saying "I'm here, are you in your unit?" Um, no. They told me I didn't have to be. "Yeah, they always tell people that but that's wrong. I can't fix anything until I'm in your apartment." Well, great, whadafa am I supposed to do about that? I'm at work with meetings and can't leave. So Mr. Technician Guy said he'd see what he could do, but chances are he couldn't fix the line after all. So it's very likely that I will go home tonight and still have a dead phone. And still need to schedule a new return visit with a technician, when I'm actually at home for them to be there, and pay at least $91 for the service call.
Well, of course this inspired a rage-filled rant in the office and I think I scared one of my coworkers when I slapped a metal filing cabinet for emphasis, and it made a really loud noise. I tell ya, I'm about ready to go all HIN on Verizon's ass!
Stay tuned for more of this saga... but I can tell you that if my phone line is still dead tonight, before a long holiday weekend, I'll be pissed enough to start bringing about some radical change. Verizon may soon find themselves with one less customer. Mess with a bull, you get the horns. Or something like that.
Well, of course this inspired a rage-filled rant in the office and I think I scared one of my coworkers when I slapped a metal filing cabinet for emphasis, and it made a really loud noise. I tell ya, I'm about ready to go all HIN on Verizon's ass!
Stay tuned for more of this saga... but I can tell you that if my phone line is still dead tonight, before a long holiday weekend, I'll be pissed enough to start bringing about some radical change. Verizon may soon find themselves with one less customer. Mess with a bull, you get the horns. Or something like that.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
One of These Days...
I'm going to have to step into the 21st century and abandon my dial-up connection. For now, though, dial-up = my window to the world. And unfortunately, something went goofy with my phone line and Verizon can't come fix it until Thursday. So that means no home Internet access. And since I do most of my blog writing and blog reading at home, that means you won't be hearing much of a peep from me until tomorrow night at the earliest.... And that means I can get in some good Roller Coaster Tycoon time on the www-less laptop. Fun!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Wooing Me Through My Mailbox
I came home tonight to find that yet another attempt to win me over via the mail. Over the past few weeks, I've been amazed at how many direct marketing campaign pieces I've received from those folks trying to become Mayor of our fair District. Somebody's killing a lot of trees in Rock Creek Park to try to win my vote...
Today was fairly typical. There was the big, glossy, brighly-colored Adrian Fenty piece trumpeting his support for education. It talks about how he was the champion of a school reform bill that would make our city's schools safer places for kids to learn and that would introduce new higher curriculm standards. You know, the typical sound byte. And the mailer had a centerfold image of Fenty making nice with adorable, suitably diverse young child models that we're supposed to assume go to public schools in DC. Right. This is the kind of marketing that I don't trust just cuz it's too good to be true. If wishes were unicorns...
Then, right on top of it in the mailbox was a nasty attack piece with a big old mean-looking picture of Fenty on it. Wow, what a contrast! It talks about how he wants to raise taxes, and how he's manipulative and is out to hurt the elderly and kids and whatnot. The whole piece talks about all the different ways Fenty is evil, and it's balanced with dramatic photos of a family, a child, and senior. You know, the people we're supposed to care about who are obviously being screwed by Fenty. Does this mailer include any information about an opponent's positions? Nope. Does it provide any alternative to Fenty? Nope. Where did it come from? Oh, paid for by some Committee to Elect Linda Cropp or something like that. Blech. Attack ads leave a bad taste in my mouth, and I don't like that Cropp was the first to go negative in a big way.
I haven't made my mind up about the mayoral race yet, and I really do need to do research into the candidates and their positions. But so far, I can say for sure that the greater the likelihood that I receive some ridiculous, expensive glossy print piece in the mail, the less the chances that I'll vote for that candidate. Issues, people, not marketing!
Today was fairly typical. There was the big, glossy, brighly-colored Adrian Fenty piece trumpeting his support for education. It talks about how he was the champion of a school reform bill that would make our city's schools safer places for kids to learn and that would introduce new higher curriculm standards. You know, the typical sound byte. And the mailer had a centerfold image of Fenty making nice with adorable, suitably diverse young child models that we're supposed to assume go to public schools in DC. Right. This is the kind of marketing that I don't trust just cuz it's too good to be true. If wishes were unicorns...
Then, right on top of it in the mailbox was a nasty attack piece with a big old mean-looking picture of Fenty on it. Wow, what a contrast! It talks about how he wants to raise taxes, and how he's manipulative and is out to hurt the elderly and kids and whatnot. The whole piece talks about all the different ways Fenty is evil, and it's balanced with dramatic photos of a family, a child, and senior. You know, the people we're supposed to care about who are obviously being screwed by Fenty. Does this mailer include any information about an opponent's positions? Nope. Does it provide any alternative to Fenty? Nope. Where did it come from? Oh, paid for by some Committee to Elect Linda Cropp or something like that. Blech. Attack ads leave a bad taste in my mouth, and I don't like that Cropp was the first to go negative in a big way.
I haven't made my mind up about the mayoral race yet, and I really do need to do research into the candidates and their positions. But so far, I can say for sure that the greater the likelihood that I receive some ridiculous, expensive glossy print piece in the mail, the less the chances that I'll vote for that candidate. Issues, people, not marketing!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
A Disturbing Message
Here's a really personal one for y'all, keeping with my old therapy lessons that it's better to get something out than keep it in and let it fester.
I got a really strange voicemail from my dad tonight. It's really rare for my dad to call me, since usually Mom is the communicator in the family, so right away the fact that he called is a sign that there was something serious on his mind. My parents are leaving early in the morning for a month-long trip around the western US, doing the national parks and Tahoe and Vegas. I talked to Mom earlier and they were very excited to be starting on the road in the morning.
My parents are big travelers and I've never seen anything faze them. Seriously, they've been on all 7 continents, and they were even abroad in South Africa during September 11 and felt absolutely no qualms about flying back to the US a week later from overseas. They love to travel and have a real adventurous spirit.
But I guess the plane crash in Kentucky today got to them. Maybe the fact that it was so close to home geographically, or that it was on a small airline that they fly often, or that it was pilot error, or just the timing. Either way, my Dad felt compelled to call and leave me a kinda scary message saying "If anything should happen to us, you should know..." and listing off all their bank accounts, safety deposit boxes, and other financial info. He was really rambling on and kind of stumbling over the words, and kept saying "I don't expect anything to happen, but just in case you should have all this info, and you should know the wills are in order."
Huh. This was not a pleasant message to receive. Sure, as the executor of their estate and the one with the power of attorney, I should technically have this info in a file somewhere. But to hear it all in a strange message at 10 pm the night before they travel? That seemed to be a little tempting of fate, and if you're someone like me who believes you *shouldn't* tempt fate, it was not a good thing to hear.
The worst part of it all was hearing the tone in my dad's voice. This was the voice of my dad from childhood. Dad's a recovering alcoholic, going on almost 6 years of sobriety now. He's doing great and we're all very proud of him, and our family is much happier now than it ever has been before. But whatever had gotten into my dad tonight brought out things I hadn't heard in years - the doom-and-gloom, fatalistic, chronically depressed voice of my alcoholic father was on the other end of that line and my stomach turned over just listening to it.
I immediately called my brother, who had dinner with them tonight, to see what was going on and to make sure everything was okay. I HATE the fact that my first thought was it sounded like Dad had been drinking. But hearing that bizarre, somewhat incoherent message took me back 2 decades and I was afraid my world had gone topsy-turvy again.
Well, little bro was kinda short with me (I think I woke him up), but he said everything was fine and that Dad was just freaked out by the plane crash today. This still didn't sound right to me, and I'm afraid I came off as pretty callous when I said "What? Planes crash every day! Why did he sounds so strange?" I didn't want to actually voice my worst fear, cuz I don't want it said within the family that I even had that momentary doubt. But little bro said Dad's just tired and that the crash story spooked him as they're about to take off on their trip in the morning. So I got the message that I should just lay off and hung up.
But my stomach is still in knots, only now with guilt. I'm sorry I immediately jumped to suspicion, but the fears of a lifetime as the child of an alcoholic are still hard to shake off.
I got a really strange voicemail from my dad tonight. It's really rare for my dad to call me, since usually Mom is the communicator in the family, so right away the fact that he called is a sign that there was something serious on his mind. My parents are leaving early in the morning for a month-long trip around the western US, doing the national parks and Tahoe and Vegas. I talked to Mom earlier and they were very excited to be starting on the road in the morning.
My parents are big travelers and I've never seen anything faze them. Seriously, they've been on all 7 continents, and they were even abroad in South Africa during September 11 and felt absolutely no qualms about flying back to the US a week later from overseas. They love to travel and have a real adventurous spirit.
But I guess the plane crash in Kentucky today got to them. Maybe the fact that it was so close to home geographically, or that it was on a small airline that they fly often, or that it was pilot error, or just the timing. Either way, my Dad felt compelled to call and leave me a kinda scary message saying "If anything should happen to us, you should know..." and listing off all their bank accounts, safety deposit boxes, and other financial info. He was really rambling on and kind of stumbling over the words, and kept saying "I don't expect anything to happen, but just in case you should have all this info, and you should know the wills are in order."
Huh. This was not a pleasant message to receive. Sure, as the executor of their estate and the one with the power of attorney, I should technically have this info in a file somewhere. But to hear it all in a strange message at 10 pm the night before they travel? That seemed to be a little tempting of fate, and if you're someone like me who believes you *shouldn't* tempt fate, it was not a good thing to hear.
The worst part of it all was hearing the tone in my dad's voice. This was the voice of my dad from childhood. Dad's a recovering alcoholic, going on almost 6 years of sobriety now. He's doing great and we're all very proud of him, and our family is much happier now than it ever has been before. But whatever had gotten into my dad tonight brought out things I hadn't heard in years - the doom-and-gloom, fatalistic, chronically depressed voice of my alcoholic father was on the other end of that line and my stomach turned over just listening to it.
I immediately called my brother, who had dinner with them tonight, to see what was going on and to make sure everything was okay. I HATE the fact that my first thought was it sounded like Dad had been drinking. But hearing that bizarre, somewhat incoherent message took me back 2 decades and I was afraid my world had gone topsy-turvy again.
Well, little bro was kinda short with me (I think I woke him up), but he said everything was fine and that Dad was just freaked out by the plane crash today. This still didn't sound right to me, and I'm afraid I came off as pretty callous when I said "What? Planes crash every day! Why did he sounds so strange?" I didn't want to actually voice my worst fear, cuz I don't want it said within the family that I even had that momentary doubt. But little bro said Dad's just tired and that the crash story spooked him as they're about to take off on their trip in the morning. So I got the message that I should just lay off and hung up.
But my stomach is still in knots, only now with guilt. I'm sorry I immediately jumped to suspicion, but the fears of a lifetime as the child of an alcoholic are still hard to shake off.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
My Unexpected TV Crush
Do you ever suddenly notice someone warm and familiar, who maybe is just doing something a little different and POW! you can't believe that they've become quite the unexpected hottie?
I've had that happen this summer - as I've developed a surprising crush on none other than Mr. Good Eats himself, Alton Brown. I've always thought he was funny and informative, and one of the more appealing hosts on the Food Network. However, I would have never put him in the same category as the two Food Network hotties, Tyler Florence and Dave Lieberman.
But have you seen him on his new show, Feasting on Asphalt? He and his crew have taken to the road on a motorcycle tour of our great nation, tasting all kinds of down-home road food along the way. He's made coffee on Pike's Peak, tasted a brain sandwich (gross), sampled every kind of barbecue possible, and explained the history of Colonel Sanders and Duncan Hines. He's still funny and informative - but on that bike, with a 2-day old beard and all that leather... suddenly he's ripe with comfortable masculinity.
Who would've ever guessed???
I've had that happen this summer - as I've developed a surprising crush on none other than Mr. Good Eats himself, Alton Brown. I've always thought he was funny and informative, and one of the more appealing hosts on the Food Network. However, I would have never put him in the same category as the two Food Network hotties, Tyler Florence and Dave Lieberman.
But have you seen him on his new show, Feasting on Asphalt? He and his crew have taken to the road on a motorcycle tour of our great nation, tasting all kinds of down-home road food along the way. He's made coffee on Pike's Peak, tasted a brain sandwich (gross), sampled every kind of barbecue possible, and explained the history of Colonel Sanders and Duncan Hines. He's still funny and informative - but on that bike, with a 2-day old beard and all that leather... suddenly he's ripe with comfortable masculinity.
Who would've ever guessed???
Thursday, August 24, 2006
I Put a Monkey on a Pedestal
While in New York last week, I splurged on a single orchestra aisle seat for the Tony-award winner The Drowsy Chaperone. This little bit of cotton-candy fluff was the perfect show for me to see on my own on a very hot day. When you enter a theater to see a musical, you've really got to leave your cynicism, your snark, and your logical mind behind, cuz musicals are really the most fun when you just go along for the ride, giggling all the way. And this is certainly a silly one, an homage to musicals for everyone who loves musicals.
The plot of the story is goofy and doesn't hold up to rational explanation -- but suffice it to say that the audience gets to watch the narrator listen to one of his favorite records. Yep, that's it. And as he listens to this record - the cast recording of a nearly-century old musical - the cast of characters comes to life in his living room, and they act out all the trials, tribulations, and tra-la-las of falling in love. The musical theater-loving narrator gets to interact with his idols and we all get to laugh along with him as he does his own little MST'ing of the silly musical itself.
It's cute, it's funny, and it includes a ballad that repeats the line "Oh monkey, monkey, monkey, you broke my heart in two." Plus, in addition to seeing Broadway phenom Sutton Foster as the leading lady, you get to see Georgia Engel (Georgette from The Mary Tyler Moore Show) do repeated spit takes saying "That's pure vodka, you poop!" Good times. Worth every penny of that exorbitant ticket price!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Random NYC Sighting #2
Here I stumbled upon what must be the parking lot at the Central Park Zoo:
I've never seen so many nannies in my whole life!!!
I've never seen so many nannies in my whole life!!!
And The Award for Most Improved Goes To....
Today I am living proof that it pays to follow your dentist's orders. A few months back (I'm too lazy to link today), I got a major scolding at the dentist's office and was told I was showing signs of gum disease. They told me I HAD to start flossing regularly and changing my overall dental care habits. They scared me enough into submission, so over the last few months I have been making changes -- I am now a flosser, almost every day, and I made the switch to a Sonicare electric toothbrush. Plus I am now strictly using Colgate and Listerine for their special anti-gingivitis ingredients. (It took me a while to figure out, but ONLY the blue kind of Listerine is tolerable. The green is disgusting.)
I had my follow-up appointment today, and I got gold stars! (Not really, just metaphorically.) She said she could really see a difference and that my gums look much happier and healthier than before. Hooray!
I told her that I had purchased the Sonicare toothbrush that she recommended, and that this led to a conversation with some friends out at dinner one night about how we all use electric toothbrushes and think they're great, etc. Well, she thought this was the funniest thing she'd ever heard, and she started WHOOPING with laughter (while cleaning my teeth). She said "Wow, all your friends talk about their Sonicare brushes? You're just sitting around at dinner talking about how excited you are about your toothbrush? I have created a monster!" Then she laughed even more and said "So, instead of Tupperware parties, do you have Sonicare parties? You all hand out new brushes?" At this point, she had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard, and said "This is the funniest thing I ever heard, I have to tell my Mom!"
Yeah, okay, so the dental hygienist lady thinks my friends and I are all the biggest dorks ever. But, you know what? She is helping me save my teeth. So being a big dork in her eyes is a sacrifice I'm willing to make if it brightens her day.
I had my follow-up appointment today, and I got gold stars! (Not really, just metaphorically.) She said she could really see a difference and that my gums look much happier and healthier than before. Hooray!
I told her that I had purchased the Sonicare toothbrush that she recommended, and that this led to a conversation with some friends out at dinner one night about how we all use electric toothbrushes and think they're great, etc. Well, she thought this was the funniest thing she'd ever heard, and she started WHOOPING with laughter (while cleaning my teeth). She said "Wow, all your friends talk about their Sonicare brushes? You're just sitting around at dinner talking about how excited you are about your toothbrush? I have created a monster!" Then she laughed even more and said "So, instead of Tupperware parties, do you have Sonicare parties? You all hand out new brushes?" At this point, she had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard, and said "This is the funniest thing I ever heard, I have to tell my Mom!"
Yeah, okay, so the dental hygienist lady thinks my friends and I are all the biggest dorks ever. But, you know what? She is helping me save my teeth. So being a big dork in her eyes is a sacrifice I'm willing to make if it brightens her day.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
My Night is So Set!
I have the ultimate tv fan-girl night planned, and I can't wait to revel in it! Season 2 of Veronica Mars came out on DVD today, and courtesy of Netflix I have the first 4 episodes to watch tonight. I'll be getting the next 3 DVDs tomorrow, and should have the last 2 by the weekend. Yep, I plan to watch the entire season in the next 5 days. What can I say, I've inherited the family's addiction / obsession gene, and I choose to channel it through pop culture!
Plus I have all of my favorite tv-watching snacks lined up. First I'll crack in to the chips and salsa, with a diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, followed by some shrimp cocktail (a lifelong guilty pleasure), then some Half-Baked Frozen Yogurt with cookie dough and brownie pieces. Yummy!
Okay, signing off now to see what kinds of scrapes our heroine gets herself into and out of this season. I'll have to resurface for air in a few hours!
Plus I have all of my favorite tv-watching snacks lined up. First I'll crack in to the chips and salsa, with a diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, followed by some shrimp cocktail (a lifelong guilty pleasure), then some Half-Baked Frozen Yogurt with cookie dough and brownie pieces. Yummy!
Okay, signing off now to see what kinds of scrapes our heroine gets herself into and out of this season. I'll have to resurface for air in a few hours!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Tonight My Blogger Dream Came True*
*Except in my dream, it was all of us who were the slackers at work in our Payless job. But in real life, it was the waitress - who seriously GOT FIRED in the middle of our meal! And then Skippy the manager said he would take care of us. In a moment of painfully awkward flirting, he said his "services only go as far as the table." Yeah, well, apparently they don't make it that far either, as he proceeded to let us sit there for more than 1/2 an hour twiddling our thumbs waiting for a cleared table and money knocked off the bill. And the winner for worst service of the year goes to.... ding ding! Chevy's in Ballston. Phooey.
But, the bizarro restaurant experience didn't reflect on the quality of the evening itself. Far from it! I laughed more tonight than I have in ages, so thanks Velvet, DCOE, Law-Rah, Sharkie, and AM. You guys are all so hilarious and filled with interesting stories that somehow *I* become the quiet one at the table (which my non-blogger friends will probably never believe!), but it's just cuz I'm floored by your fabulousness. Here's to another great night out SOON, ladies!!! :-)
But, the bizarro restaurant experience didn't reflect on the quality of the evening itself. Far from it! I laughed more tonight than I have in ages, so thanks Velvet, DCOE, Law-Rah, Sharkie, and AM. You guys are all so hilarious and filled with interesting stories that somehow *I* become the quiet one at the table (which my non-blogger friends will probably never believe!), but it's just cuz I'm floored by your fabulousness. Here's to another great night out SOON, ladies!!! :-)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Polar Bear Swim
While at the Central Park Zoo, I joined in the crowd having fun watching one of the Polar Bears play what must have been his usual game:
He would push his little blue barrel toy up onto the rocks and roll it around a bit, then do the backstroke across his little swimming hole...
Then, with a somersault against the corner to show us his immense size and a mighty push with his furry paws, he started his swim all over again.
Random NYC Sighting #1
I bet there are no motherfu*kin' snakes on that motherfu*kin' plane!
Seriously, can it possibly live up (or down) to the hype? Anyone seen it yet?
Saturday, August 19, 2006
A Photography Mecca
The first stop on my NYC itinerary was the International Center of Photography, located at Avenue of the Americas (6th) and 43rd. When I asked my lovely readers for suggestions on things to see a few weeks ago, Cube suggested checking out the Weegee exhibit at the ICP. I'm so glad she did, cuz I was able to take in 4 really diverse and all really interesting photography exhibitions. All of these exhibitions close on Friday, August 27, so if you have any interest in them you better go soon!
On the first floor, there is an installation of really large photographic works in Atta Kim: On-Air. These are all recent works by the Korean photographer, including several long-exposure (like 8 hours or more) photos of Manhattan and of the Korean DMZ that show surprisingly quiet, tranquil scenes in places that we know to be active and even chaotic in real-time. Plus he has a really cool series of giant images that represented "morphing" (sorry, I can't remember the technical term) 10, 20, or even 100 other images into one. There was an image of Buddha that he made using about a dozen different people in different poses, but when he merged all the photos into one he got a surprisingly clear single image of a Buddha that represents all of the models combined. He did the same thing with people's faces - morphing 100 portraits into one, including one image that was 100 different men from 100 different countries. Racial and ethnic characteristics melt away as these diverse men all combine to become one face. Very cool. (Note, on the ICP web site you can look at selections of images from all of these exhibitions. It's worth exploring.)
Downstairs, there are currently three exhibitions that offer a wide range of subject matter and artistic styles. First is their "headline" exhibition, Unknown Weegee. Photographer Arthur Fellig, aka Weegee, created images, particularly those he shot for the tabloid newspaper PM, which illustrate the tenuousness of working class life in 1940's urban America. These images show graphic and poignant depictions of tenement living and its dangers, including racism, poverty, murders, fires, and crime, contrasted with rare glimpses of Hollywood glamour. Weegee captured candid images of Veronica Lake and Eva Gabor, as well as his "Intermission" series showing performers and patrons from high society enjoying a night at the opera. These images are all gritty and tangible, and I found myself absorbed in each one of them, trying to determine the story behind what he allowed us to see.
Next up was a collection of photographic collages in Tempo, Tempo! The Bauhaus Photomontages of Marianne Brandt. Yeah, this was not so much my style. Moving on....
Surprisingly, my favorite show was the smallest one at ICP. In just a single, small room painted a pale blue, the exhibit Paris: Eugene Atget and Christopher Rauschenberg showcases two artists pursuing the same subject matter with similar techniques. Atget photographed scenes of Paris in the 1910's-20's, sharing rich images of a beautiful city's architecture and public spaces. In one of my favorite styles of photography, Atget hints at the comings and goings of early 20th century Parisians but he does so without showing any people in the images at all. I love photographs that give a sense of human activity without using any people in the image at all. There are photos of shops, playgrounds, and cafes, all expectantly waiting for their intended visitors to appear. In the 1990's, contemporary artisit Rauschenberg created an homage to Atget by photographing many similar subjects, also giving a sense of current Parisian life without showing any human subjects. What I really loved about this exhibit was that the two artists' work was shown side-by-side, and you truly could not tell which images were modern and which were from a century ago. Rauschenberg intentionally focused his lens on locations that haven't changed over the decades, and he was careful to not include any glimpses of modernity in the form of new cars or evidence of electronics, etc. These romantic black-and-white images really pulled me in and I found myself wishing I could be walking the streets of Paris myself.
On the first floor, there is an installation of really large photographic works in Atta Kim: On-Air. These are all recent works by the Korean photographer, including several long-exposure (like 8 hours or more) photos of Manhattan and of the Korean DMZ that show surprisingly quiet, tranquil scenes in places that we know to be active and even chaotic in real-time. Plus he has a really cool series of giant images that represented "morphing" (sorry, I can't remember the technical term) 10, 20, or even 100 other images into one. There was an image of Buddha that he made using about a dozen different people in different poses, but when he merged all the photos into one he got a surprisingly clear single image of a Buddha that represents all of the models combined. He did the same thing with people's faces - morphing 100 portraits into one, including one image that was 100 different men from 100 different countries. Racial and ethnic characteristics melt away as these diverse men all combine to become one face. Very cool. (Note, on the ICP web site you can look at selections of images from all of these exhibitions. It's worth exploring.)
Downstairs, there are currently three exhibitions that offer a wide range of subject matter and artistic styles. First is their "headline" exhibition, Unknown Weegee. Photographer Arthur Fellig, aka Weegee, created images, particularly those he shot for the tabloid newspaper PM, which illustrate the tenuousness of working class life in 1940's urban America. These images show graphic and poignant depictions of tenement living and its dangers, including racism, poverty, murders, fires, and crime, contrasted with rare glimpses of Hollywood glamour. Weegee captured candid images of Veronica Lake and Eva Gabor, as well as his "Intermission" series showing performers and patrons from high society enjoying a night at the opera. These images are all gritty and tangible, and I found myself absorbed in each one of them, trying to determine the story behind what he allowed us to see.
Next up was a collection of photographic collages in Tempo, Tempo! The Bauhaus Photomontages of Marianne Brandt. Yeah, this was not so much my style. Moving on....
Surprisingly, my favorite show was the smallest one at ICP. In just a single, small room painted a pale blue, the exhibit Paris: Eugene Atget and Christopher Rauschenberg showcases two artists pursuing the same subject matter with similar techniques. Atget photographed scenes of Paris in the 1910's-20's, sharing rich images of a beautiful city's architecture and public spaces. In one of my favorite styles of photography, Atget hints at the comings and goings of early 20th century Parisians but he does so without showing any people in the images at all. I love photographs that give a sense of human activity without using any people in the image at all. There are photos of shops, playgrounds, and cafes, all expectantly waiting for their intended visitors to appear. In the 1990's, contemporary artisit Rauschenberg created an homage to Atget by photographing many similar subjects, also giving a sense of current Parisian life without showing any human subjects. What I really loved about this exhibit was that the two artists' work was shown side-by-side, and you truly could not tell which images were modern and which were from a century ago. Rauschenberg intentionally focused his lens on locations that haven't changed over the decades, and he was careful to not include any glimpses of modernity in the form of new cars or evidence of electronics, etc. These romantic black-and-white images really pulled me in and I found myself wishing I could be walking the streets of Paris myself.
Midday at Bryant Park
Like I said, this little park that's adjacent to the New York Public Library is one of my favorite places in NYC. It's so lush and peaceful that it always seems somewhat surprising to be plopped right down in the middle of busy, kinetic Manhattan. The last time I tried to explore this park, it was Fashion Week so it was all covered in tents and runways. Bah, I wanted to see the park itself! So I'm glad I got to this time around.
I love the juxtaposition between nature in New York's lush green parks and its centuries of development, shown through colossal old buildings like the NY Public Library and the skyscrapers of today. Watch for more photos like this from Central Park.
Bryant Park is set up for its own version of a summer "screen on the green" festival (sponsored by HBO, according to lots of big signage and banners all around), and behind this fountain you can see the angled panels of the movie screen in its "off" position. I loved that, during the week, the screen itself becomes a part of the public art in Bryant Park.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Lady Liberty
My ancestors were among those tired, poor, huddled masses generations ago. (Well, except for those who had already been here for thousands of years.) I can only hope they got to see her on as beautiful a day.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Back from the Big Apple!
I just got home from my whirlwind 36-hour trip to New York City. I had a great time! I'm amazed at how much fun I can have exploring with just myself for company. I don't think traveling solo is for everyone, and I wouldn't do it for more than 2-3 days tops, but I've found it's a really great way to just open my eyes and clear my head. Woohoo!
I'll be posting several follow-up entries over the next few days with lots of photos and details, but for now, the highlights:
Wednesday
I arrived at Penn Station at about 11 am, and made my way uptown. I happened to walk by Bryant Park, which is one of my favorite places in the city, so I stopped in to take some pictures and enjoy the tranquility. Then on to the International Center of Photography, which was I checked out on a tip from Washington Cube. (Thanks, Cubie!) After exploring all 3 exhibits and grabbing a light lunch, I walked the few blocks to my hotel, the Milford Plaza, where I gladly dumped my hot and heavy backpack. Then I headed over to the Hudson River for a Harbor Cruise, inspired by Onyah's recent trip. I got some amazing photos of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. More to come. I found dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant after exploring all my options on Restaurant Row, then I took in the evening performance of The Drowsy Chaperone. After the show, with the funny tunes still playing in my head, I went back to the hotel and promptly passed out.
Thursday
Since I did more on Wednesday than I normally do in a week, I took it a little easier today. I slept in and checked out of the hotel at about 10 am (after watching some of this mind-boggling coverage about the JonBenet case...), dropped my bag in the $3.00 storage at the hotel, and then started heading north to Central Park. In all my visits to NYC, I hadn't yet ever explored the Central Park Zoo. So that was my main agenda for today, and I spent about an hour and a half exploring this little zoo and watching all the fascinating creatures - animal AND human. Then I roamed a bit through the South end of the Park. But at this point I was tired and broke and ready for some air conditioning, so I made my way back to Penn Station. I tried to switch my ticket for an earlier train, but that would've required a $40 upgrade, so instead I got myself lunch, finished my book, and bought some magazines. Then the 3 1/2 hour train ride, most of which was spent stuck next to an annoying lady who smelled like onion bagels (cuz she had one in her bag), then the cab ride home, and voila! I am here.
What I'm most proud of about this trip is that I set myself a budget and I stuck to it! The biggest expenses were the train, the hotel, and the Broadway ticket, and I paid for all of those ahead of time. But then I set myself a limit of $150 for all spending - including admission tickets, meals, souvenirs, cabs, etc. And I enforced this limit by setting a "cash only" rule. I took out $150 before I left and that's all I could use, no cards allowed. And guess what? I actually have a few dollars left! :-)
Even after all the fun, I was really glad to come home tonight. After all the congestion of Gotham, with asphalt and glass and chrome and garbage and grime and especially people EVERYWHERE, it's really nice to come back to a city that's pretty and green, where you can see the sky.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
It's a Happy Anniversary!
It's hard for me to believe, but I moved here to the DC area 4 years ago this week. Four years?!? Where does the time go? So I've now lived here as long as I was in college, and the time just keeps going faster and faster.
I still say moving here was the best decision I've ever made. As y'all know, I grew up in Upstate NY, and I made my way to Richmond for college. After I reached my expiration date in the capital of the Confederacy (seriously, someone took the Clinton-Gore sticker off my car WHILE I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE. I guess there weren't many Democrats shopping at that Ukrops), I headed north again for grad school. I had really wanted to move to DC back then, since it seemed like almost everyone from college headed here and I had always really loved spending time in this city. But, alas, when it came to choosing grad schools the one in Pittsburgh gave me a huge scholarship and the one here didn't. So off to Steeltown for what I intended to be a 2-year stint but turned into 5 years. I loved my time in da 'burgh and wouldn't trade it, but by 2002 it was definitely time for me to leave that city behind.
So I took the biggest gamble of my life. I quit the job that I loved and put in notice that I was leaving my apartment, but at the time I didn't have a new job or place to live. Yikes! With the support of the only people I knew in the area - Brunette, Mandy, Mrs. L (who was then Miss B) and their parents - I started taking trips down here to scope out apartments and jobs.
Luckily, those pesky little details were all worked out in just one trip over Memorial Day weekend 2002. I found a decent apartment that was in my price range (yeah, rent sticker shock was almost paralyzing after living in such a cheap city for so long) in Silver Spring, so that was checked off the list. And I was able to go in for an interview that eventually landed me my next job - and that same day I met Scotte and Joyous. Would you believe they interviewed me? So you have them to thank in part for me being here. :-)
After a whole series of goodbye parties in Pittsburgh, moving week finally came. This week, back then. And, just my luck, I came down with a bad case of bronchitis. That was probably the sickest I've ever been as an adult. And since I was moving totally on my own - no parental help since they were moving too - I had to force myself to keep packing and making road trips here and back. That final road trip, let's just say it was no picnic with me having horrible, racking coughs that were so bad I kept having to pull over AND having screaming, terrified Cleo having a panic attack the whole way. It's a wonder I ever made it here.
But I did! I moved in, and I started the job the day after Labor Day and met Dancer In DC and Selena and the whole rest of that gang, and suddenly my life in DC took off. While that job and that apartment only lasted for a year before I moved into the city and got my current gig, I do feel like every step I've taken here over the last 4 years is just making my life bigger and better. And that sounds like a reason to celebrate! :-)
I still say moving here was the best decision I've ever made. As y'all know, I grew up in Upstate NY, and I made my way to Richmond for college. After I reached my expiration date in the capital of the Confederacy (seriously, someone took the Clinton-Gore sticker off my car WHILE I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE. I guess there weren't many Democrats shopping at that Ukrops), I headed north again for grad school. I had really wanted to move to DC back then, since it seemed like almost everyone from college headed here and I had always really loved spending time in this city. But, alas, when it came to choosing grad schools the one in Pittsburgh gave me a huge scholarship and the one here didn't. So off to Steeltown for what I intended to be a 2-year stint but turned into 5 years. I loved my time in da 'burgh and wouldn't trade it, but by 2002 it was definitely time for me to leave that city behind.
So I took the biggest gamble of my life. I quit the job that I loved and put in notice that I was leaving my apartment, but at the time I didn't have a new job or place to live. Yikes! With the support of the only people I knew in the area - Brunette, Mandy, Mrs. L (who was then Miss B) and their parents - I started taking trips down here to scope out apartments and jobs.
Luckily, those pesky little details were all worked out in just one trip over Memorial Day weekend 2002. I found a decent apartment that was in my price range (yeah, rent sticker shock was almost paralyzing after living in such a cheap city for so long) in Silver Spring, so that was checked off the list. And I was able to go in for an interview that eventually landed me my next job - and that same day I met Scotte and Joyous. Would you believe they interviewed me? So you have them to thank in part for me being here. :-)
After a whole series of goodbye parties in Pittsburgh, moving week finally came. This week, back then. And, just my luck, I came down with a bad case of bronchitis. That was probably the sickest I've ever been as an adult. And since I was moving totally on my own - no parental help since they were moving too - I had to force myself to keep packing and making road trips here and back. That final road trip, let's just say it was no picnic with me having horrible, racking coughs that were so bad I kept having to pull over AND having screaming, terrified Cleo having a panic attack the whole way. It's a wonder I ever made it here.
But I did! I moved in, and I started the job the day after Labor Day and met Dancer In DC and Selena and the whole rest of that gang, and suddenly my life in DC took off. While that job and that apartment only lasted for a year before I moved into the city and got my current gig, I do feel like every step I've taken here over the last 4 years is just making my life bigger and better. And that sounds like a reason to celebrate! :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
