Tuesday, October 27, 2009

To-Boo or Not To-Boo: A Halloween Question

It’s that time of year again…

Sephora is packed to the gills with people buying neon eye shadow. Lingerie stores are selling out. And Ricky’s has a line around the block…

Not in these parts, though – we’re headed out of town.

Every year, the final days of October bring on the frantic scramble to make this year’s All Hallows’ Eve better than the last. And, I would venture to guess, that each year results in complete and utter failure {not unlike New Year’s Eve – but that is a rant for another day}.

I’ll admit, I’ve had my fair share of impressive hauntings – I donned a set of air soft guns, black boots, and a braid, and made a mean Lara Croft in college (see above). As a child, I was the Pillsbury Dough Boy; Madeline; and a Mermaid amongst other impressive get ups.

This year, however, I’ll be entering into a new (and boring) place (without a costume) – adulthood. The ManBoy, a staunch opponent to the holiday, has decreed this weekend a costumeless affair. {I know, right? Don’t even start}.

We’re headed down to DC to visit friends and family members and will be leaving the costumes behind. (OK – that’s not entirely true; I’m sneaking a few into my suitcase as options, just in case).

However, as we prepare for this weekend, I can’t help but ask myself (and the blogosphere, of course) at what age does it become inappropriate to actively participate in Halloween (in other ways than simply handing out candy to other peoples’ children – a strange and dangerous tradition when considered)?

Would love to hear your thoughts…

Just For Fun:
Heidi Klum apparently thinks there is no age limit….

Nevertheless, regardless of how you choose to enjoy this weekend – use this opportunity to stock up on plenty of goodies!

Perhaps I can convince the ManBoy to celebrate with me by watching a few old favorites…Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus to start - SJP circa 1993, you can' t go wrong (whatever, I’m a girl and not a huge fan of scary movies…lay off).





Happy Halloween!




BOO!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Proud to be an American Sports Fan…or Cute Boys in Short Shorts

We are a nation of sports fans. We cling to our allegiances tightly and wear our colors proudly. However, across these 50 United States, the same camaraderie that binds us sets us far apart from our foes. Yankees, Red Sox. Mets, Phillies. Jets, Patriots. Giants, Eagles. The list is endless.

Yet, despite our passionate love of sports, we rarely, aside from the Olympics, find an opportunity to unite our interests and cheer for our beloved Stars and Stripes. That opportunity is upon us.

The United States Men’s Soccer Team has, for those of us who have cared to notice, done us proud. As teams around the world vie for one of only 32 spots at the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa next summer, our boys can book their tickets.

To be fair, I myself am not what some would consider a soccer aficionado. But (and girls you can back me up on this) the opportunity to watch eleven (or XI – to which, I recently learned, they are referred) cute boys in short shorts trot around a soccer pitch (aka field) is a welcome one. Besides, it scores brownie points with the ManBoy when you take an interest in his favorite sport. (I’ve recently taken to learning the names of the starting XI on the US Men’s team and he is very proud).

Aside from my ManBoy though, it is shocking how few soccer fans there are in this country. I mean, come on people! This is the sport that gave us David Beckham! {Sorry babe, you know he’s not my type}. But watching the game against Costa Rica last night, as these men represented us with their hard work and graceful talents, was inspiring. They are a team of relatively unknown stars, a united front determined to prove to their critics that the United States has what it takes to compete on the international stage. I can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve at next summer’s World Cup.

In the meantime, don’t take my word for it, (because Lord knows my analysis of the sport would be shameful) hop on over to the ManBoy’s blog for an educated and in-depth look at what’s taking place on the soccer pitch around the world. Enjoy!

Friday, October 9, 2009

A Year in Love


Today, the ManBoy and I celebrate our anniversary -
1 year ago we went on our first date...My life since, has not been the same. Because of him, I will remain forever changed . He is my answered prayer and the love of my life.
Happy Anniversary Babe!
10.9.08

Standing, On Principle

So, I have for you a story that needs addressing.

Last night, while at the Keith Urban / Sugarland Concert at Madison Square Garden, I found myself enraged and nearly kicked out of the venue by security. Though your thoughts may immediately run to your own familiar memories of engaging in inappropriate behavior at just such an event, let me clarify immediately, as it was quite the contrary.

As avid country music fans, my roommate and I have a tendency to grasp at the chance of attending country concerts every opportunity we have. So when Keith announced that he’d be playing the Garden with the incredibly talented Sugarland, we had to be there (and of course drag our boyfriends along as well).

From the start, the night looked promising. We were clad in ripped jeans, cowboy boots, plaid shirts, and oversized belt buckles – undoubtedly an unlikely sight for the average New Yorker. After a few drinks at Stout, we made our way to our Recession-Special 300-Level Seats at MSG. Sugarland had just started and we were ready to turn that place into an urban honky tonk.

Much to our dismay, those seated in the rows behind us had in mind a very different kind of night. As we stood there singing along with Jennifer Nettles, a voice from behind us (quite unlike the lovely Jennifer’s) beseeched us to…wait for it…SIT. DOWN.

I glanced around quickly, to be sure I was actually where I thought I was (you know, the arena at MSG – home of the NY Knicks, the NY Rangers, and hundreds upon hundreds of rock concerts) and then turned around to face those requesting such an absurd departure from normative behavior.

Certainly a few decades our senior, the individuals seated in the rows behind us looked…to put it lightly…displeased. Despite our best efforts to insist that, in fact, this is how people behave at concerts, (we even had visual aids – Exhibit A: The section to our left; Exhibit B: The section to our right; etc. etc.) we were approached by a “supervising” Security Guard, after having been referred to by these elders in terms unfit for this blog. (Hypocrisy = using aggressive profanity towards an individual while simultaneously referring to the well-being of the children in the section as your reason for complaining...hmmm).

Now, you must understand that I am not one to challenge authority purely for the sake of rebellion – nor is the ManBoy, I might add. But, hypocrisy and discrimination towards innocent, undeserving 20-somethings, I simply will not stand for. (I did try to make a “standing” pun here, but failed miserably…suggestions welcome).

Long story short – we lost the battle but won the war. Russ, the “Supervisor” (who will be named in the angry letter we will be writing) sided with the old folks and told us that if we stood up one more time, we would be kicked out of the concert. Yes, KICKED. OUT. Consider the parallel universe entered. (I might add here that nothing was done to address the man who so offensively addressed my roommate).

At the end of the day though, despite the Sugarland portion of the concert being nearly ruined, as soon as Keith hit the stage, the whole arena was on their feet (shocker). The whole arena, that is, except for Ms. Grumpy Gills who filed the initial complaint. We did catch her dancing and enjoying herself a few times, at which point she would immediately sit down and give us a dirty look. (And they say we’re immature).

The concert, all in all, was out-standing (See, tried it again). Keith and Sugarland are both incredibly talented, and we were there to witness the greatness, along with the rest of the New York City country-lovin-rednecks who keep them comin’ back to our fair city. Yeehaw!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Taking the Stage



I remember that feeling like it was yesterday: The butterflies, the heat of the lights, and the sound of the crowd mulling about the theatre finding their seats. Nothing was more exciting than the few minutes I had to myself backstage before a performance. I would stretch and warm up, I would visualize my piece in my head, and I would pray. I felt alive.

I’ve told you about my history as a dancer. It was my first love and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to give up. I began dancing when I was two, and yes, you guessed it, that photo is one of my first dance classes (I’ve come a long way since then). I continued training through high school and college, and had the honor of dancing with some of the most inspiring and talented choreographers and performers I’ve ever seen. For the vast majority of my life, dancing was at the center of it.

As I grow, the role that dancing plays continues to change. Unfortunately, for the last year though, it’s not played much of a role at all. You know the story: I have work, I have plans, I have commitments – life, somehow, always manages to get in the way.

Recently though, I was presented with an opportunity. The company for which I danced and choreographed in college decided to host an Alumni Benefit Concert and sought out former company members to choreograph and perform. After some soul-searching and flip-flopping, I finally bit the bullet, submitted my application, and began choreographing.

Since then, I’ve been rehearsing with a dear friend of mine, and the two of us are set to perform a duet this Saturday. The piece is beautiful – it’s a contemporary number set to two songs from the Across the Universe Soundtrack: “Black Bird” performed by Evan Rachel Wood and “Let it Be” performed by Carol Woods and Timothy Mitchum.

I would be lying if I didn’t say, I’m nervous. I’ll be the only performer who is not currently pursuing a career in dance in some capacity, I haven’t danced in over a year, and the ManBoy will be seeing me perform for the first time – A high-pressure situation to say the least.

As I prepare for this weekend, that rush of anxiety has come flooding back. It’s different now, and yet comfortingly familiar. The prayers have doubled in number (along with the salads I’m eating) and the excitement is beginning to creep in…wish me luck.