It's A Hell Of A Town

Now that was really something. Friday evening, three or four dozen zombies lurched through Manhattan, in the rain, scaring and entertaining hundreds of passersby. It was a hoot.

I've been living here for close to ten months now, and Friday night was a perfect example of why. The opportunities; among them, to do incredibly wacky stuff. Only in New York...

We moaned, we limped, we laughed, we drank, we made merry. Good times. There will be pictures to follow, boy howdy.

Ciao for now.

I Heart NY

After a decent practice today with the improv group; a few of us went out for a late lunch/early supper dealy at a deli on 47th. Who walks in but Brian O'Byrne? The guy's done a number of shows on Broadway and he's in a terrific independent (I think) flick; Easy. He won the Drama Desk Award for his work in Doubt.

I debated w/ my fellow improvisers whether or not to go up and say hi, and they agreed that it'd be okay to step up. I didn't want to bother him or nothin'.

I walked up, said "Excuse me sir, I just had to say I loved your work in Easy." He was actually surprised that I'd seen it, considering its limited release. I shook his hand, we talked for all of thirty seconds, I said thanks and left.

So that was neat.

Petrificus Totalus!

Had another improv show tonight (which went splendidly by the way, more on that in a sec), but the highlight of the evening was my first NY celebrity sighting: Alan Rickman.

Alan Freaking Rickman, walking down the street like a regular joe w/ his wife (I presume). I recognized him on the spot, and I completely froze. "Holy shit! It's Alan Rickman!" He kept on walking. I didn't ask him for an autograph, I didn't say I'm a huge fan of his work; I said nothing. I was completely dumbstruck for a good ten seconds, and by that time they were gone.

Was this a good thing? Probably. Nobody likes to be bothered when they're headed someplace. But still. Alan Rickman. Awesome.

The show went swimmingly. There were some very good moments, including some physical comedy. Kevin jumped into my arms, (don't ask) at which point the director of the game called "Freeze!", at which point he and his counterpoint discussed how the plot was going. I held Kevin for what was probably a good minute or two; and the audience cracked up because it was taking an effort. Good times.

Be well, folks!

On Life In The Big Apple

I've been here about four and a half months now, and am feeling more at home. I've started working with an improv group and making friends; I work from home and I'm becoming a decent cook. (Decent, not super. It really helps that I've discovered pre-seasoned courses/entrees. Much easier and tastier than starting completely from scratch.) Tonight I managed a pot roast that was pretty darn good. Woo-hoo!

After four months of dismal/meager results on singlesnet.com, I've decided to step it up a notch and joined EHarmony.com. Half the notes I received on Singlesnet.com were from women who wanted me to sign up for streaming video (ew), and four out of the remaining five lived in other states or countries. Thanks but no thanks.

It's been refreshing to start contacting women with whom I actually have things in common. We'll see where it goes.

I hope you folks have a terrific evening, or at least a good night's rest. Sweet dreams.

Well, *That* Was Fun

I've been living in New York for a few months now; and prior to last night had not really gone out of my way to enjoy the fare she had to offer. Which isn't to say I haven't seen some sites or eaten some great meals; they were just at the behest of whoever I was with at the time. To the tune of "I love this place" or "You mean you haven't been [there] yet??" You get the picture.

Well, last night I put an end to that, boy howdy. I cracked open my NFT and started looking for some fun places to go.

In a planning coup, both my stops last night were next door to each other: namely the Post House and Club Macanudo. The Post House has some great steak, and a wine list that would make your jaw drop. I had the sirloin and a glass or two of a very nice cabernet.

Followed that up with one of the only cigar-friendly bars in Manhattan. (By some loophole, the place can have smokers indoors if the cigars represent 20% of the house's income. Go figure.) Sippin' martinis and chompin' on some Excalibur II's; I chatted with a cigar newbie, a drunken Brit with bad credit and an older couple from Georgia. This was fun. A lot of fun. It was one of those moments of "Ah, I needed this" that I didn't realize I needed until I was there.

Still. A great, great night. Shucks, maybe next time there'll be someone to tag along!

Only In New York

I've seen something interesting on the streets and/or subways of Manhattan, every time I've gone in. Every time.

I had dinner w/ Jeannie and Rob tonight (or more accurately w/ Jeannie, and Rob joined us after he finished work). On the subway, waiting for the L train, a man on the other side of the tracks was singing classic rock with his guitar. The tracks were being cleaned (do they do it every Thursday?) and I was standing there long enough to hear a few numbers, including In the Midnight Hour.

An old man on my side of the tracks, hunched over on a bench, was in rapt attention, as if he hadn't heard the song in years. Rapt. When the singer was finished, the old man called out and practically begged him to play the song again. He offered to ride the L train up one stop and back down again in order to reach the singer and give him a dollar. That is how desperate he was to hear In the Midnight Hour.

The singer agreed and began again. The old guy seemed as if he was listening to gospel.

It was wonderful.

Huh.

It's February 10th, at 2 AM. I moved to New York two months ago; and still have moments (including tonight) where I think "What did I do?"

This shouldn't be confused with regret. Far from it. The move here was one of the best decisions I made last year.

But still. New York. It is at times overwhelming. New York...

So. There that is.

Dumber And Dumber...

I swear... Ever since I moved to this town, I've felt so muddled. Distracted. Understandably, moving to New York would do plenty to distract; but honestly...

Tonight I picked up one of those one-serving pizzas you bake in the oven; and proceeded to bake it still on the cardboard. Cut off the plastic, sure. Even put down a layer of tinfoil on the pan so clean-up would be a snap; but oh that sneaky cardboard made sure the bottom of the damn thing stayed a doughy mess.

I've gone from reasonably smart to two shades above complete dumbass.

Algernon, wy hav yoo foursaken me... Sheesh.

Starting The Second Week

I moved here last Saturday. I've submitted a few headshots, and had an interview with a voice-over agency on Saturday. (There's a great VO class I'm taking this Friday, to boot.)

I've managed to snag a cup of coffee with some of the short list of folks I know up here. Having dinner laster this week with Jeannie and Rob, it'll be good to get into the city for a little night music.

Transcription has continued. No offense to my kindred in the fields; but if I can get away without waiting tables, I'll be a happier man.

Enough out of me. Ciao for now, folks.

On Quality Shelf Space

Well, the bookcase arrived this evening. It is now full. Novels, useful How-Tos, a crapload of Trade Paperbacks, and every oversized book I saw fit to bring with me. (And a bit of prop kryptonite, too.)

A lot of Terry Pratchett on the shelves. And Alan Moore. And Kim Harrison. And Jasper Fforde. And Laurie R. King.

I'd hoped that getting things in place would help the place feel more like home.

It didn't work.

Seeing some of my most important possessions resting on the shelves just made me feel more out of place. (Certainly no Buddhist perspective; mine.) It was easy for them, they're just objects. Hard square objects fitting on hard square shelves.

So I haven't found my shelf yet.

The bed arrives tomorrow, first thing in the morning. There's an audition for a comedy troupe in Manhattan tomorrow evening. I have an interview with a voice casting agency on Saturday. No expectations, just hopes.

That's enough out of me, folks. Sweet dreams.

Holy Dear God-- The Pilgrimage Through *Hell*

Everybody familiar with Murphy's Law? Great. Murphy's Law is kindergarten training compared to Jones's Law.

Jones's Law: On the first trip driving anywhere important, anywhere at all, I will get lost. Horribly, horribly lost.

It's like this. I wanted to rent a van for my move. No vans were available for a one-way trip. I wanted as small a truck was available. The ten footer's odometer was broken. So they gave me a fifteen footer. This thing was huge. Huge. And thirteen feet, six inches tall.

I got directions from home to, well, home. Directions that go through the Lincoln Tunnel.

The problem? The huge fucking problem? They don't allow trucks in the tunnel. Nothing over thirteen feet tall.

So I pulled off the route, called my friend Bill; without whom I would still be trekking through Jersey. There isn't an expletive blue enough for how I felt about the drive here. In the history of my being able to drive, I have never gotten more lost. Bill (and a miraculously long-lived cell phone battery) got me through it, got me here.

As Kate pointed out, this is something I probably could have learned about in advance. It never even occurred to me. Shows I have a lot to learn.

In any case-- the trip is over. The truck has been dropped off, gas tank full. A few boxes have been unloaded, the rest will be tackled tomorrow when the bookshelf and dresser arrive.

And I'm home.

Start Spreading The News

I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In Old New York
If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York

I want to wake up in the city that doesn't sleep
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you
New
York

New York

What A Day

Two days, point of fact. Scooted up to the Big Apple yesterday to see my future apartment. Had a splendid lunch with an old friend and a fantastic dinner at a French restaurant in Astoria.

Followed it up this morning by having breakfast w/ Tamia and scooting straight to my first announcer job with 4Kids Entertainment.

The downsides? My train was delayed by an hour. I got home to check my email, which contained some bad news.

Long story short, I've been trying to get a creative pursuit off the ground for months (not the comic book, something else). Contracts are involved, important enough to get a lawyer of my own to look things over. We're unable to come to an agreement. So that sucks.

The funny thing? I'm a lot less upset about it than I thought I'd be. Since I made the decision to move to New York, I have more important things to think about. There'll be other opportunities.

Funny world.

The Times, They Are A-Changin'

I'm awake-- at 1 AM on a Sunday, I'm awake. This is not new. It should, however, be dealt with.

The car accident and subsequent rental have thrown a prodigious kink in my financial plans for moving to New York. With certain deals coming together, as well as upcoming promisary gigs, all should be well. By the skin of my teeth; but all should be well.

I make no claim to be good with money. However, the same instinct that says 'move North' dictates the bare minimum amount to travel with; so I'm going with my gut. I have faith that it's the right move, and the right time to make it.

A few friends of mine are having relationship issues. One is striving to keep a relationship together, while another is doing everything they can to sever said ties. In both cases, I think it's the right move. So said the single man.

I'm looking forward to this fresh start. I'm looking forward to 'going out with a bang'. At least, as far as my Maryland theatrical career is concerned. I'm looking forward to not knowing what the hell is coming next. I do like that prospect.

I'll strive in the future not to use Bob Dylan songs as titles to Blog entries, but it was the most appropriate thing I could come up with for the moment. Mea culpa.

Sweet dreams, folks. Sweet dreams.

A Little Announcement

Folks, now is as good a time as any to let the cat out of the bag: I'm moving to New York.

The timing of the actual move was in flux until auditions for Urinetown; I want to go out with a bang. Having been cast, I'll be staying a little longer in MD (and get a chance to put some extra money together).

The move is still three months away, but it feels like it's just around the corner. That feels... a bit strange. I have some friends up north whom I haven't seen (for longer than an hour or two) in ages; without whom I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to actually go. Moving to a city that big without knowing anyone local? Now that's scary.

Rehearsals are about to begin, and along with everything else going into preparing to pursue my career(s); I intend to take a much-needed vacation. To where, I don't know yet. How long, probably less than a week. But actual time off will be... something to look forward to.

It's time to get this show on the road.