#couldn’t find any art of Broadway John from back in the day

[hskinhome]

An aesthetic/mooboard for a John using blue, yellow, romantic themes, and lyrics and aesthetics from musicals such as Dear Evan Hansen, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Phantom of The Opera @mc-cuddlebunny

[blissfulalchemist]

FULL CLEAR for the top chefs, if you don't mind! 💋

Ah my dear thank you! I love these two! I am leaving numbers out of it cause it’s a Full Clear!

- How do they fall asleep? Wake up? Any daily rituals?

Well see Cat tries to fall asleep with herself cuddled close to Raf as much as possible but he eventually always ends up on his back and she on her side most of the time. In the winter though she’s stuck on him cause it gets too cold in the night. It’s to hard to have daily rituals when one person sleeps in more than the other, though since he wakes up earlier than her Raf tucks Cat back into bed.  - How’s their team work? Do they share well?

They have very great team work! .....when you don’t bring cooking into the mix. Then it’s not so great...However! You put them in a competition as a team and they can work perfectly in sync! If you would like to see examples as to how this may look please click here and here - Are they open about their relationship? How do they feel about public displays of affection?

They are very open about their relationship to a point where it makes people sick to their stomach. Cat can’t help herself by there being PDA but they are under control of it, there is a time and place for everything. There is always an arm being slung over the other or a hand being held.  - First impression of each other? Was it love at first sight?

Cat it may as well have been, she just couldn’t get him out of her head. Though she felt a bit sad for him since he was lamenting on the state of the food and how some ingredients were harder to come by so he could cook. Raf wasn’t ever a love at first sight kind of person, though he could very much tell how nervous she was and how she liked him. But she was nice and helped him out so he was very appreciative of that. Though the nerves and her comment on not making a nickname around her height was exactly how she got her nickname Conejito or Little Bunny in Spanish. - Nicknames? Pet names? Any in-jokes?

Raf always calls her Conejito or mi amante(but that’s for more private times). Cat has yet to find a single nickname for him, though she opts to try and give him pop culture names, she really tried to get Poe to stick but sadly no one saw what she saw. She settles to call him love most of the time in both english and spanish. 

In-jokes: Their first kiss, the debate is still up as to what their first kiss is since Cat had to kiss him on impulse before they ever dated. There is also the running joke of who’s the worse cook between the two of them. Both will give more and more ridiculous reasons as to why the other is the worse on. Raf’s favorite is based on the comment Cat made about channeling her ancestors to get the recipe right, she meant it as a small joke but he never let it go. - Any tasks that are always left to one person?

Cleaning tends to get left on Raf most of the time because she can “never clean right”. She can’t meet his level so she just lets him do it most of the time since he’ll just go back over it anyway if she does.  - What annoys them the most about their partner? Would they change it if they could?

Cat tends to get annoyed by how bossy Raf can be. It’s not always bad and she acknowledges she can be bossy but sometimes he takes it too far, or it feels that way at times. She also gets annoyed over how closed off he can be with some of his emotions, she’s used to have a partner that was open with her so its a bit of an adjustment.

Raf gets annoyed with how loose she can be about some things despite needing to be in control. It did also annoy him at first when she would spend the whole day sleeping in bed and how she would deflect some questions about her past with him.  - What do the like best about their partner?

Cat loves how much like home he feels to her. How he’s so fun and open to the world. The loyalty and sense of family he has. He complements her. His cooking. How sensitive he is to who she is and never once seeing her for who she was before they met. 

Raf loves her heart, passion, and how similar they can be. She’s listened to him and never judged him for anything he was. The hope she can have for the world despite how much it hurt her. - Do they discuss big issues? Religion? Marriage? Children? Death?

They do. They were friends before they started to date and had these conversations before a bit. Talks about death and religion more so. Once they get together these conversations come up more and it’s hard for Cat to really open up on her feelings about marriage and children given her past. She expresses that she wants those things but that’s about it for the longest time. Religion is one the two talk about seriously since Cat isn’t religious like Raf is. It is very important to him and understands it but they come into agreeance in how it will be handled in their futures together. This becomes a major talk since she cannot get married in the catholic church like Raf and his family would like since she never did her confirmation or communion.  - Who drives? Cooks? Does the handiwork? Cleans? Pays the bills? Handles the public?

Raf’s the safer driver but Cat likes to drive a lot more. Don’t even ask about the cooking with these two. Handiwork falls more to Raf or Wes cause he seems to be around a lot, Cat does try and she knows some tricks. Cleaning goes to Raf again. Bills is an even split, both have the ones it’s their job to keep up on. Handling the public goes to Raf more because he’s just more charismatic than she is and she tends to have more nerves than him. - Do they celebrate holidays? Anniversaries?

They celebrate major holidays in big ways! Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter once they have kids, and Thanksgiving always expect there to be something from them. There are even religious holidays and traditions that are observed in the house and practiced by Raf, Cat will try and join him for what she can, though lent still doesn’t stick for her no matter how much she tries but their menu changes during that time. 

- Is there a wedding? What was the proposal like? Any kind of honeymoon?

There is a wedding and depending on the universe it can be a small one with just the closest people to them or big! There will be entertainment, dancing, good food, church bells, the whole nine yards! The proposal was weeks of planning and secret talks and dropping Cat off at friend’s houses to keep her occupied while Raf took care of everything he needed. Trying to make the dinner party seem like any other was the hardest part as he wanted her taken completely by surprise. Honeymoon would be either a secluded place in the mountains or by the coast. If they could and had all the money in the world I expect there to be a world tour of cuisine.  - What do they do for fun? Do they have a favorite activity or do they like to switch things up?

As much as they fight about it they both love to cook together. Watching movies and shows is something they both enjoy also. Trivia games and board games in general are a past time for the two of them. They also try new restaurants while going to the theatre for operas, musicals, ballets, etc. Trips to the museums and other places of knowledge and art.   - Anything they both dread?

Certain emotional blocks they both have. Neither wants the other to leave but from different perspectives. Raf would fear she’d runaway if things got bad, given that she did in a way and it’s why she ended up in Montana, its not a far fetched idea. Cat worries about him no longer being there and getting that call again. A conjoined fear they have is for Wes though, they both worry so much for his well being and maybe hang around him too much because of this. - How adventurous are they?

Outside the bedroom? They like to try new things now and again. They’re smart about it but like to see what’s new. In the bedroom? They are pretty adventurous.  - Do they keep secrets? Lie? Cheat?

Neither cheat or outwardly lie in a malicious way. The secrets though, those they do keep from each other for a while. Cat especially, she doesn’t open up about what happened to her first marriage for fear that she would be met with everything she left behind, the looks, whispers, sympathy, misunderstanding of her feelings, being only known as the widow, etc.. She also loved living in this little fantasy world where none of that happened but like all things she had to confront it again and accept the consequences.  - What would make them break up? Would it be permanent?

They do break up for a little bit(like 2 weeks max) there because again Cat refuses to open up about her past and well that’s really frustrating. At one point she’s given a slight ultimatum about it. Basically being told that if she chose to walk away from the fight to not come back. This isn’t permanent as there is outside help(See Wes) encouraging forcing her to open up and just accept whatever happens because it would also help her despite him not knowing what it is either. - What are their dates like? How long do/did they date? Do they ever feel the need to take a break from each other?

Their dates in canon start off as casual times, mostly at Wes’ place cause it’s easier for Cat to sneak away too(sorry man you gotta be part of this). Them hanging out together starts off with trying to out cook the other and then attempts to bring things like broadway, ballets, and operas to the comfort of home. Cat brings over any nerdy movie and she can find, lots of game nights, especially once she ropes John into finally coming over cause she had Wes and John pegged from the get go(she lives with John how could she not know). Other calmer universes, their dates kind of start extravagant cause Raf does most of the planning of them but when she plans them they are more casual and laid back, going out to the woods, playing video games at the Pizza Bar, and good old movie dates.

- What do they fight about? What are their arguments like? How do they make up?

Okay these two look like they are fighting most of the time because of how much it happens in the kitchen, however it never gets super loud and angry. It is also their foreplay a lot of times. Beyond that though when they do fight it is more lecturing and short words but never yelling at the other. They can both be guarded still with certain things but they work on it. There is also make up sex that happens after there is comfort, compromises, plans made to be better and fix the issue, and sorrys passed around. The amount of time this lasts is anywhere from an hour to all night.  - What does their home look like? Their room?

There is enough decor to give the lived in feel that Cat loves but it is also very neat and clean. If there are books and magazines on the table you can expect them to be stacked and arranged in a specific way. There is color in almost every room in the house and their room follows suit though expect there to be one room in the house that Cat is allowed to be messier in cause it’s just her space. The kitchen though! That is their pride and joy! The one place that is kept impeccable and Cat actually keeps up with it as much as Raf does.  - Do they share any interests or hobbies?

Other than their love of cooking, both are academically inclined people and have a love for the arts, though Cat is more interested in the pop culture arts she has a love and appreciation for Raf’s more refined arts.  - Does their work ever interfere with the relationship?

Canon a little. This has to do with the fact that Cat is publicly married and a part of Eden’s Gate and Raf well isn’t. Though her specific work at the outreach center helps in making their meetings and getting to know the other easier. It also helps Raf in getting more people a second chance if they want to leave Eden’s Gate since, despite the giant signs(Thanks John) her place is made to be neutral ground. Though they watch how friendly they get at first until Cat finally spills to Wes and John she knew about them for a long time. 

Now friendlier universes his work does. Being he has dreams and a plan for a military career there are times at first before they are married that he is far from her. Even after they are and she’s traveling with him, there are times she can’t be with him. When this happens though she stays near their friends back home. It makes it a little hard but much easier with modern technology to keep in touch. - How do they hug? Kiss? Tease? Flirt? Comfort?

Raf is more of the one to tease Cat for just about everything, all in good fun, but she tries to keep up and does get her way with him every now and again. Cat is big on showing affection when she can, so hugs, kissing on shoulders hands lips cheeks just about anywhere safe in public is something she does a lot. He is okay with this also and lets her and will initiate touch a lot of times too.  - Any doubts about the relationship?

Raf took more time to get into it or even play with the idea of them together so there’s little doubts from him really. Cat has doubts stemming from the long and yet short lived previous relationship. She also doubts herself as being good enough for him, and meeting expectations of his family. Despite sharing the same culture the two grew up differently and there are some things she missed out on due to that.  - How much time do they spend together? Do they share their feelings, or hold things in?

They spend a lot of time together, even if they aren’t doing the same things they are together. In most all universes Cat tends to move in with him first and it kind of just happens, like they look around are just like well hey this happened. They share feelings because this is something big for Cat to have in a relationship but again there are some things the two of them keep back but eventually those things come out and they can work through them.  - How do their friends feel about their relationship? Their families?

Their friends are happy for them, and love them together. Cat’s friends form back home are happy that she found someone new even though all are hesitant to accept him, but with that charm of his it doesn’t last long. Raf’s family accepts and loves her even though they do wish she was a little more religious, but she’s got good morals and values. Cat’s family, well that charm isn’t enough and it takes more time. Mostly from the idea that she seemed to just shack up with the first guy to take interest in her. And there’s the notion that he can’t beat her first husband. Her sisters are the most critical with Raf and warm up once they can confirm that he’s not someone taking advantage of their sister. Dad is easier but there are things that Raf has and does in his life that makes it easier to identify and communicate with Raf.  - Do they have kids? Grow old together? Split up?

They do have two kids of their own(Great genes you know?) they have a daughter Lizette about a year after they marry and then her little brother Daniel “Danny”(They would have named him Wes but he doesn’t like his full name) about 2.5 years after her. It is up in the air still about adopting another one but one never knows. They do grow old together and have grandkids and live such a full life really.  - What are their vacations like?

Depends on what they are going for really. Family vacations are more structured while couple getaways are more laid back. They go international a few times, get a cabin cut off from everyone (See Wes trying to cook pancakes), the coast, or even areas with major museums and theatres. - How do the handle disasters or emergencies? Minor injuries? Sickness?

These two have plans in place for many things and are handled calmly and efficently. Minor injuries can be treated at home most of the time, with both knowing a basic CPR and first aid due to their careers. Sickness well there is a mixture of what doctors say and old family tricks, like almost anything having to do with the throat if its minor can be solved with Lemon honey tea. Both though become very attentive to the other when one is sick and sometimes it looks like too much. - Could they manage a long distance relationship?

I think they could honestly. Both are very loyal people and with technology involved now a days it’s so much easier to keep in contact. It’s also something that is acknowledged throughout their relationship even in canon universe when they talk about life after the whole Eden’s Gate is over. He still has his plan and she doesn’t want to stop him form that.

- Do they finish each other’s sentences? Pick up any phrases or habits from each other? Know when the other is hiding something?

Depending on the context Cat tends to get a little over excited and will interject finishing Raf’s sentences, but the main thing she picks up from him is Spanish. She already knew some but becomes more fluent in it as their relationship progresses. I think he would pick up on some phrases or references she says a lot, his imitations of her become really spot on. Cat can figure out if he’s hiding something but never what specifically all the time. He can tell a lot more often and can pinpoint it but some things she’s good at keeping by just redirecting most of the time. - Do they ever get into trouble? Is it serious, or are they just mischievous?

With each other? Raf does cause he’s the one to more so pull pranks and tease her. Nothing ever to serious all in good fun. She tries but they don’t always work out and sometimes others coughwescough get caught in the crossfire of those ones. With the law? Might be Cat more likely because drunk her couldn’t help but get involved in a fight and Raf was just a little late in stopping her. - What kind of presents do they get each other? Do they only do it on special occasions?

See I feel they give presents all the time to each other because they both cook the other’s favorite dishes pretty often, but I also count food as a gift so that may just be a me thing. Material things one can’t consume Cat more so. It’s always little things here and there, like a flower or something he mentioned needing even if it’s boring like shaving cream. I mean their whole first meeting stemmed from her leaving a gift for Raf. When it comes to special occasions she puts more thought and time into gifts, this is where she could plan some event or make sure there’s meaning behind what she gives. It’s a toss up of what she will give. Raf though likes to go extra and so he more so sticks to special occasions and events but don’t think for one second that he doesn’t put a lot of thought into it and care. Everything is well planned and perfection with him. If he does bring home gifts on non special occasions it tends to be junk food she loves or the flowers that would be thrown out, because she likes having someone appreciating their beauty before they’re just tossed out.  - Do they have any pets?

“Pleas it’ll be good practice for kids.”

“Wes is practice enough.”

“Okay but hear me out though. Wes is lonely and needs a friend.”

“Fine one dog and that’s it.” *Cat opens to protest*”And don’t try to press your luck with it, Conejito.”

Jokes aside in all reality though maybe one dog and/cat. - Do they bring out the best in each other, or the worst? Do they have a fatal flaw?

They bring out the best in each other. They both find a peace with the other and help the other heal. If they have a fatal flaw it’s the fact they are both pretty bossy. - What’s their greatest strength as a couple? Their weakness?

Their values. They permeate in how they interact with the world and the two of them together can be a force to be reckoned with. Weakness I would put their protective natures. Individually this isn’t bad but together it can be a lot.  - How much would they be willing to sacrifice for the other? Any lines they refuse to cross?

For the other’s happiness they would sacrifice almost everything. Cat especially, but she always this idea of what does she have to lose and negative self talk still. There might be a point where Raf would stop, but this could change. See these questions become hard because when it comes down to it how you say your answer is and when it happens can become two different answers.  - What are they like in the bedroom? Any kinks/fetishes/turn-ons? Anything they won’t do?

Bedroom is very active and a lot of being bossed around on Cat’s end. She tries, she really does but what can I say? Raf is bossy af! They dabble in different things and try new kinks and things to see what they like and don’t like. They don’t get bored in that department. Cat will not take anything up the ass, she’s tried it before but it’s just not for her. Now pegging Raf on the other hand is on the table. - Who initiated the relationship? Who kissed who first?  When did they realize they were in love?

Raf initiated the relationship because it takes him longer to feel that is something he wants. Cat kissed Raf first, though it is still a debate on what their first kiss was. Realizing they were in love Cat fell hard first and she felt love within a few months of just knowing him, but really feeling that true deep emotional connection with him, that real love, came about a month after she opened up about everything with her first marriage once they dated. Raf fell in love a few months into the romantic relationship and told her as such almost naturally. Cat had said it to him before that but he had to make sure you know.  - Any special memories? Do they have a special place they like to go to?

I’m putting various universes in this because I love them. As embarrassed as Cat is with that drunken kiss it becomes a special memory for the two of them. The dinner party engagement. Their first real date, where their first kiss was in the rain after an opera. When their kids were born. Their wedding, the smaller one they did behind their families backs. Meeting face to face the first time. Just a lot of little things, each have their own list but these are the mutual ones. They always go back to Hope County because that’s where it all began for them.  - Are they party-goers? What are they like when they’re drunk? Does it happen often?

Cat isn’t one to actively look for parties but is very content with gatherings of her friends. Raf is the more social extroverted one. Though get Cat drunk and she can give him a run for his money, there is a reason why you never get Cat and Wes super drunk in a room together. Raf doesn’t get drunk to affect him but he can start to be a downer when he gets too drunk. They all drink in more social settings, Cat doesn’t drink as much because she’s such a light weight but will go big when she does.  - Do they let each other get away with things that would normally bother them?

Yes. Though there is a limit to this and both of them know where that limit lies. Cat let’s Raf get away with a lot though, gotta love those rose colored glasses. - Do they talk often? What about?

In the beginning they talk a lot about just anything and everything. Sometimes conversations get deep, sometimes they get educational, or they just stay at surface level. As the relationship progresses though both can be content with not talking all the time, just being near each other. After awhile words never need to be said between a couple and by then kids take over the conversation silence. - Are the comfortable with each other? Anything they have to have their privacy for?

They are very comfortable with the other and because of this they know when the other needs space or have their privacy. I don’t think there’s anything too specific they always need privacy for. They become that couple that tells the other everything, but when they say they need privacy it’s given.  - Any special dreams or goals they have as a couple? Any heartbreaks? Regrets?

Having a family, keeping a heart that’s at peace, grow old together. Must there be an end goal really other than to feel love from another person and fulfil the human need to not be alone. Heartbreaks there was one and that was the same reason there was a bit of a break between them. Cat just is so scare about opening up with her past. After a while there is no regrets because life works in weird ways to put people together. 

[lafiyahenry]

The Brilliance of Call Me By Your Name

This might be weird for me to confess as a Black, Caribbean, Christian girl but... I love gay love stories. I realized this a couple years ago when I read Madeline Miller’s “Song of Achilles” and it became one of my favorite books of all time. It wasn’t just because Achilles and Patroclus were depicted to be secret lovers, it was how human and real the book felt to me. As a reader, there are only few and certain books that I could re-read at any given time. For me, it’s an extremely small category that consists of the entire Twilight Saga and Song of Achilles.

 After reading that I went on to read books like “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by  Benjamin Alire Sáenz and “Will Grayson, Will Grayson” by John Green and David Leviathan and found myself enjoying them greatly. I found myself watching series like Netflix’s Sense8 and having it strike a chord in me. (I highly recommend all these shows, movies and books. They were AMAZING). 

 “Why?” Is something that I’ve always wondered to myself. I couldn’t say that I personally related to these characters and what they were feeling but I loved seeing the raw emotion of friendship, love and camaraderie between two people. Heterosexual love in media has gotten to be very superficial, for the most part. Men and women trying to change themselves to adapt to what societal standards are or who they think the other person would want them to be. When those things are taken away and stripped back, who are you really? Who is the other person? It’s so vulnerable and intimate and soul changing and I feel it every single time. Then, I watched Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 masterpiece “Call Me By Your Name” and I was utterly smitten. I fell headfirst in love with Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer and the Cinematography and Northern Italy and the Music. Everything just WORKED.

I re-watch this movie when I feel sad and want an immersive experience. I re-watch this movie when I want to feel something. I re-watch this movie when I want to be inspired by everything that art is and can be. That’s what this movie means to me. I’m a woman that loves aesthetics and I could just devour the colors and beauty of it all day. I’m not going to nosedive into explaining every single reason why this film is brilliant because I don’t know if I have the time or words to adequately express how I feel. The film inspires me in so many ways. Of course, after hearing that it was a book adaptation I read the book and loved that as well. I’m sure Adre Aciman is well satisfied with the visual representation of his beloved novel. 

I didn’t love these stories just because they were “gay love stories” and novel or new, finally being depicted in more mainstream media and art.  I loved them because I have humanity. Some may argue that I shouldn’t say “gay love stories” and just deem them “love stories” and I agree. I loved these stories because they were beautifully written and told. I love them because they expressed the kind of emotion that is universal and true. I hope to see more of it, I hope to be captivated by it the same exact way, I hope I’ll be able to hold it close to my heart and cry. I hope that I could still find things that inspire me the way Call Me By Your Name Does. 

And on that note, I will close with a quote from another man who has greatly inspired me, the creator of the Broadway play “Hamilton”: Lin Manuel Miranda. 

“Love is Love, is love, is love, is love, is love” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3frkqULr008 

[the-canary]

Weekends Like These. - S.R

Summary: You’ve seen him here and there throughout your little outings. You just never that it was going to turn into something else. (Modern!Reader/Steve Rogers) 

Prompt: “The hold you have on me is unsettling. It makes me restless, but I like it.”

A/N: this is for @bvcks writing challenge. ahh, i tried to focus on something like what i try to do on the weekends and it tail spinned into this. idk it’s really any good but i like the tone of it. 

Feedback is always appreciated. 

You’re living in New York. Greatest city in the world, shouldn’t you be happier?

At least, that’s what the Hamilton song told you once, but since moving you had felt nothing but tired, drained, and alone. It wasn’t like you had come here alone on your own. Wanda had been the one to push you into looking for something in your field when nothing came up in your sleepy hometown. She had even helped you moved into a cramped little apartment, that shouldn’t really be called such a thing, across from hers. However, both Maximoff twins have already established themselves in the city and had each other when they were here -- they didn’t, like you, have canceled plans with friends (Wanda and Viz) because they were working overtime in their little shop on a weekend.

You were used to being alone, but this loneliness –New York loneliness- was different than what you had felt before. In a way it was driving you mad: how could you be on a street full of people and still feel like the loneliest, most miserable person in the room?

However, for now, you just had to keep moving with your brunch reservation. Yet, you weren’t expecting a tall, blond man to already be sitting there instead. You were at a loss for a moment, wondering if things had gotten mixed up and whether you could ask someone to be moved, but all the staff seemed to be busy at peek brunch hour.  

The blond looks up from his cell phone, as you question hesitantly: “Excuse me, are you waiting for someone?”

“I was,” he answers with a sigh. You notice tired blue eyes like the man hasn’t slept in days. It makes you pause for a moment, the man obviously needed more relaxation than you ever did in that moment.

“Wait, did they send you over here?” he questions as you shrug, ready to excuse yourself when he gets up and pulls out the chair in across from his. You blink in confusion as he gives you a small but tired smile.

“My friend just canceled on me,” he explains as if sensing your instant distrust and well, he couldn’t blame you, “I’d hate to have lunch alone, and if you didn’t mind--”

“Okay,” you answer back with a growing smile of your own, as he looks at you with a look of confusion before it blooms into general excitement. Maybe, the loneliness you had been feeling was starting to override your own self-preservation.

“Okay, sure,” he agrees, though you think it more likely that he is just telling himself that as if to try to get himself to calm down, though you aren’t sure why.

You take a seat as he moves back to his. You’re silent and a little awkward for a second before the waiter comes in and asks if you would like anything to drink.

“I’m guessing you got canceled on too, huh?” he asks.

“My friend is having a spring sale at her shop at the last minute,” you explain a little annoyed that Wanda had decided to do so, but you could understand the need for the extra cash especially if there was a big event nearby.

“My friends barely just woke up,” the blond admits with a laugh, “Overworked until who knows when.”

You laugh as well, as the waiter comes back with your drinks. Blue eyes look at you before he states nervously while rubbing the back of his neck, relief that he wouldn’t spend brunch alone making him forget something so basic, but also maybe something else as well: “Oh, I’m Steve Rogers by the way.”

You state your name with a laugh before looking through the menu and wondering what you should have. There isn’t much talk between the two of you as you eat, but that someone is there makes it slightly less scary and lonesome.

And that’s the first time you spend a weekend with Steve Rogers.

The second time it happens is completely by mistake. You were simply walking, aimlessly looking around the space where Wanda’s shop was close to after you had spent the morning helping her when you notice a familiar figure standing near the fountain not too far away from the Lincoln Center. You pause, wondering what the man was doing there, ignoring the fact that he came to your mind every once and a while since that Saturday, but you were still too cautious to ask for his phone number after brunch.

You’re stuck between walking over to him and being mortified that you are going to make a fool of yourself when he turns slightly to his left and sees you there. You don’t notice blue eyes twinkling at a distance as he watches you look like you are talking to yourself.

You eventually get the courage to walk up to him, as he turns and pretends to be surprised to see you: “Hey Steve, what are you doing?”

Being stood up, is what he wants to say as he can’t help but sigh out. However, he doesn’t want to bother anyone with that as he shrugs.

“Had extra tickets to the Met,” he remarks, trying to hide the also evident disappointment in his tone of voice. You keep looking at him and obviously not letting you know that he had just bought them before his date had called him, “But some people canceled on me at the last minute.”

“Oh,” that’s all you manage to say before going between looking at the museum and Steve, “Do you want someone to accompany you?”

“I--” your question clearly catches him off-guard for a second, as you wait. Blue eyes stare at you as if waiting for the point where you are going to laugh and retract your remark, but instead, you’re patient though understanding if he did decide to say no.

“If you don’t mind,” he manages to state as you shake your head and tell him that you have nothing to do for the rest of the day.

“Lead the way,” you laugh as Steve motions you to follow him up the stairs that you were used to seeing on TV only every so often, but for now you were here for something completely different.

You don’t know how, but you end up visiting all three Met centers that day, as Steve had your attention the entire time, as he goes on and on about the artists and what he loves about each of them. You learn something new and for once, Steve doesn’t feel like he’s bothering anyone with all this, as he ignores the fluttering in his chest for now.  

“So, you’ve met this guy twice now?” Wanda asks, obviously very curious over what you had done after you had left her shop last weekend, “And he isn’t weird or anything, right?”

“Not from what I’ve seen,” you remark, thinking about how Steve was always kind though maybe a little too rash in brief stories he had shared about his youth.

“Then, why didn’t you get his phone number?”

“I don’t know,” is the only way you can answer that question as Wanda sighs, knowing that you were obviously more entranced with the history and art around than the blond hunk who had ended up inviting you.

It’s another three weeks afterward before Steve ends up finding you roaming around the Schwarzman Building after he had just gotten out of a lecture about Walt Whitman. Steve isn’t sure why he went, it was something that had caught his attention, but at the sight of you looking over the glass cases are part of another exhibit within the library, Steve couldn’t help but feel that he was in that one John Cusack movie.

Your eyes are sparkling over the little trinkets on display and he just wants to know what you are thinking, as you clutch the pile of books that are in your arms a little tighter.

“Once I pass’d through a populous city imprinting my brain for future use with its shows, architecture, customs, traditions,

Yet now of all that city I remember only a woman I casually met there who detain’d me for love of me…”

Steve freezes for a moment at the one piece of poetry that he seems to still remember from the mini-lecture and while he can’t help but start to overanalyze what it means to you and to him, everything else stops when he hears his name being called.

He wants to run, to have time to think of everything but your presence in front of him chases all those thoughts away.

“Steve, what you are doing here?” you ask him with a bright smile. He swears he stops thinking for a second, before smiling -- for once, he won’t overthink everything of his adult life and move forward with the little chances that he has been given.

“I was at the Walt Whitman lecture,” he explains.

Your attention is completely on him as he explains his love for the American Romantics and as you both end up going to lunch once more, not too far away from the library, and Steve can’t help but think that there has to be something more to this as silly as it may seem.

“So, you’ve met this gal three times now,” Bucky starts off before taking a sip of his beer, “But, you haven’t even tried getting her number.”

“It’s not that easy, Buck,” Steve tries to explain but his best friend gives him a look that he doesn’t believe his bullshit.

“Likes the art, poetry,” the man runs down the list of everything that Steve has told him, “Used to get into arguments with people over just about everything. This gal sounds perfect for ya, Stevie. What’s the problem?”

Blue meets blue and at that moment James knows, as he lets out a ragged sigh.

“Your luck’s gonna run out eventually, bud,” Bucky explains as best he can to get through Steve’s stubborn head, “Don’t make a choice you’re gonna regret.”

Steve doesn’t say anything, but he knows where his best friend is coming from. He just doesn’t want to hope that it won’t be all worth for nothing.

He sees you two weeks afterward, on the opposite of Broadway with a pamphlet in your hand and following a man within a blue shirt with a small group. Steve pauses for a moment, as he is able to watch you smile for a second while looking at the old buildings.

He wants to stop and ask --to say-- so many things, but instead, he keeps moving forward because he has things to do and the sea of New Yorkers keep pushing him farther and farther away.

Steve just didn’t think it would be the last time he saw you in a very long time.

“Come on, you’ve been moping around for a whole month,” Bucky declares as he watches Steve sit on his couch, “We gotta met Wan and her new friend.”

Steve pauses for a moment before frowning, as Bucky just shrugs.   

“Don’t worry about it,” Bucky shrugs, “I’m sure ya’ll find her again. Just wait.”

Steve doesn’t say a word as he moves back into his own room, fully knowing that his time and luck was going to run out eventually.

You aren’t sure what Wanda or Pietro had planned when they ask you to come over to visit them in their shared Brooklyn townhouse. Maybe, they had gotten tired of watching you go out every other weekend to find someone in-between 8.3 million people -- it was like finding a needle in a haystack and your friends worry about you just a tad too much.

Maybe, it was a stupid idea but there was so much more to it, you just weren’t what it meant. However, you kept moving forward with your life as best as you can. You end up going with Wanda to a cozy little farmer’s market not too far away from her home in order to get some more things for dinner.

Maybe, I should just give up, you think absentmindedly to yourself as you look at the flowers and fruits mingling together while sinking into your own self-doubt when you were going to see him again. But, this certainly wasn’t a Lifetime movie either.

It’s at that point when you hear it. Wanda’s voice mingling with two others, but one of these catches you off-guard the most. You look around while trying to calm your heart down.

“And where is this wonderful friend of yours, Wanda?”

Blue eyes meet yours for a split second as Wanda motions you to walk over. It’s then you can see the blond man biting his bottom lip, as you freeze for a good moment.

It seems that luck had finally been kind to both of you.

It’s a few weeks afterward between texting (you finally have each other’s phone numbers), gatherings with friends, and maneuvering between schedules to have everything finally settle in. It’s Saturday evening and you’re sitting in a small cafe with Steve across from you with a pastry and drink at the side. You aren’t sure how exactly you got to this point, it all seemed a bit serendipitous but at the sound of the soft music and the general sweet ambiance..it just seemed right.

“So what are you thinking about now?” you laugh, as he looks over the band playing in the back.

“That the hold you have on me is unsettling,” Steve admits, after finally admitting to himself after such a long time,  as you stop and look at him with wide eyes,  “It makes me restless, but I like it.”

“When did you turn into such a Walt Whitman?” you laugh, as he shakes his head at your comment.

“What I’m tryin’ to say is that,” Steve remarks with a bashful smile, “I would like to officially ask you on a date, be official after all these.”

You feel the embarrassment rushing up your spine as you look away bashfully before deciding it wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.

“So, would this be our first official date?” you ask as a smile blooms on his face, “Or would that have been back at the brunch place?”

There was actually so much to choose from by now.

“This,” Steve responds, “This would be a good start.”  

You, and maybe even Steve, had come a long way from the loneliness you had felt within such a big city and this was certainly the start of something new -- with only more lovely weekends and days to follow.

[itsblosseybitch]

Griffin Dunne by Lynn Geller (INTERVIEW Magazine, May 1985)

At 29, Griffin Dunne has seen the movie business from many different perspectives. Born in New York City to Ellen Griffin Dunne and television producer-turned-writer Dominick Dunne, Griffin grew up in Los Angeles and is the nephew of Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne. Eleven years ago, he returned to Manhattan to pursue an acting career and, after roles in Off-Broadway plays, television, and “An American Werewolf in London,” teamed up with Amy Robinson and Mark Metcalf [misprinted with an e at the end] to produce the film “Chilly Scenes of Winter,” in which he had a small part. He and Amy went on to produce “Baby, It’s You” and, most recently, Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours,” starring producer Griffin Dunne in the male lead. As if this weren’t enough responsibility, the past year has also included acting roles in the films “Johnny Dangerously” and this spring’s “Almost You.” 

Looking remarkably fit for such a busy man, Griffin strode into the Lion’s Head in Manhattan only fifteen minutes late and carrying a briefcase full of future projects.

LYNN GELLER: You come from a literary family--your aunt, uncle and father are writers--were there any actors before your generation?

Griffin Dunne: Well, my mother was an actress until she had children, meaning me. I was the first. She was raised on a ranch in Nogales, Arizona, and my grandfather sent her to school in the East. My father was an actor then and he met her at a play. Actually, she hated being an actress.

LG: I didn’t know your father had been an actor.

GD: He wanted to be an actor before he became a producer. He was a stage manager and actor, studying with Stanford Meisner, who ran the Neighborhood Playhouse. Meisner told him he would never be a leading man because he was too short. When I say short, I mean my height, five-seven, five-eight. He left the profession because he wanted to be a leading man, not a character midget, or whatever he thought he would be. This was in the pre-Dustin Hoffman days. He became a stage manager for live TV, everything from Howdy Doody to Playhouse 90 in the ‘50s. When I was two, he got a job in L.A. and that’s where I was brought up. 

LG: Is that home?

GD: Well, yeah, home is where the mother is, but I’ve lived in New York for eleven years.

LG: Why did you move here--you went to school in the East?

GD: I went to boarding school in the East [more specifically, Fay School in Boston, Massachusetts, based on a New York Times article from the -late ‘90s and the Alumni page] , a pre-prep school that was very repressive. Coats and ties, whippings--if you ever saw the Lindsay Anderson movie If... you know what I’m talking about. You stay through eighth grade and then hopefully you graduate and go somewhere like Exeter and Andover. 

LG: Did you?

GD: My response was to get the hell away from the East Coast and go to a liberal arts school in Colorado called Fountain Valley.

LG: I know about that school. That was supposed to be a very wild place.

GD: Well, I was hoping it would be. It was wild in my wildest imagination. You could grow you hair as long as you wanted and you were allowed to smoke cigarettes. You could pretty much get away with anything, but I did manage to get myself kicked out.

LG: What did you do?

GD: I smoked dope and a teacher saw me through a window. The next night I was going to appear in Othello, and I never got to do the play. 

LG: So you were acting at an early age. Was that because of your parents?

GD: No. I was planning to be a writer. But a guy who taught acting talked me into auditioning for Zoo Story, the Edward Albee play. I got the part and that was the end of that.

LG: How old were you when you got kicked out?

GD: I was 17 and almost finished. They wouldn’t let me graduate, which was really depressing. It was more depressing that I didn’t get to play Iago. They felt that my performance would be tainted by the fact that I had been kicked out and I might be unduly rewarded by applause.

LG: What did you think you might do after that?

GD: Be an actor. I finally got some work. I was in a movie called The Other Side of the Mountain.

LG: Then you came to New York?

GD: No, then I got a job on a television series called Medical Story. I had about ten lines. I played a doctor, stuffing an IV in Linda Purl’s veins [misprinted as Linda Pearl] and answering Meredith Baxter Birney when she came in and said, “What’s the diagnosis, David?” I’d memorized the diagnosis, which was complicated medical jargon. 

LG: What did you use for inner motivation?

GD: My major motivation was to say the words correctly. I figured if I did it like a real scientist, I’d pull off a real character coup. Then right as we were about to roll, the medical adviser on the show came over and said that the diagnosis wasn’t accurate, we had to change the description. They changed the lines and every time we’d go for a take, I couldn’t remember the lines and I’d clam up. The director would go, “Cut. What’s your problem? What is your problem?” I said I needed five minutes, so he said, “Okay, five minutes, the kid’s got five minutes.” I went into a little room and I was so nervous about ruining my career that when I went to light a cigarette, I set my lip on fire. So when I went back to give the diagnosis I hadn’t memorized in the first place, I lisped. The director was furious. He said, “Cut. What’s the accent? Are you doing an accent on me?” Finally, the actress, Linda Purl, took out one of my pens in my top pocket and without me knowing it, she wrote out the diagnosis on her arm, where I was to insert the IV. So when they said, “Roll ‘em,” I had no idea at first what my line would be and then I looked down at her arm and there it was. It was very sweet of her.

[Based on the available information I have, the Medical Story episode that Griffin Dunne was on was titled “Up Against The World” or “Us Against The World” depending on what you check. The episode is said to have aired December 4th, 1975. All I could find on the show was a promo on YouTube.]

LG: You must have fallen in love.

GD: I did, but we never got to say goodbye. So I got the lines out, but what I realized from that experience was...nothing. Absolutely nothing, but to have a cigarette in your mouth when you go to light one. Shortly after that I moved to New York and signed up at the Neighborhood Playhouse.

LG: Because your father had gone there?

GD: I didn’t know he’d gone there until I was already in there and he told me the Stanford Meisner/leading man story.

LG: While you were studying acting, did you work as a waiter?

GD: Yes. At Beefsteak Charlie’s for a limited engagement. At Joe Allen once for two weeks. I lied and said I was experienced and I clearly wasn’t. That was enough to get me the job at Beefsteak’s. I hung in the longest there--they liked my work.

LG: Then you would go on auditions? Is that what you do when you’re a waiter/actor?

GD: When you’re a waiter/actor with no agent, you read Backstage and go out for plays that you never see in ads for openings. They never appear as productions. I went to an audition for an original play once, written and directed by a woman with a long Russian name. She thought I was perfect for the part. It was the first time a director said, “You are going to be great, you’re it.” She told all the other actors to go and took me out for coffee. I couldn’t believe my luck--I’d just arrived in New York. She took me out, we talked intensely, and at some point I realized she was stark raving mad. She had this long scarf that dragged behind her picking up dirt and pizza crust. I looked closely at her and realized she was a bag lady. I realized that anyone can hold an open casting call, a trick I haven’t really employed yet as a way to meet new and exciting people. 

LG: How much does it cost to take an ad out? As much as a bag lady collects in a day?

GD: No, these people weren’t quite bag. They have apartments and enough money to be able to decide, is it Safeway tonight or an ad in Backstage? At some point, they just cross that line. 

LG: How did you get involved in producing?

GD: Well, Amy Robinson, Mark Metcalf and I were unemployed actors hanging out together. We were working on the play Cowboy Mouth, which we were going to do for ourselves and hopefully get a production. That never happened, but the three of us had a lot of energy together. Eventually that translated into our trying to get a movie off the ground. Amy loved the book Chilly Scenes of Winter by Ann Beattie, and we agreed. That became our first project. We were all frustrated at being out-of-work actors. At the time I was working at Radio City Music Hall selling popcorn. I carried around a big set of keys as the manager of the popcorn concession. I wasn’t getting a lot of feedback on my work.  

LG: Had you ever thought of producing before?

GD: I never had dreams of producing, but I was with Amy and Mark and what we wanted to do was much closer to what I wanted to do than what I was doing. It felt as good as acting. 

LG: How did you end up doing Baby It’s You?

GD: I was in Poland acting in a TV movie called The Wall. Amy was talking about the idea for the film before I left. It was loosely based on her life, about a middle-class girl who gets involved with one of her classmates, a guy from the other side of the tracks. While I was away, she got John Sayles involved. We discussed it over the phone from Poland, the conversations closely monitored by the hotel staff. God knows what they made of it. But I didn’t have too much to do with development. 

LG: You mean in terms of the story?

GD: More in terms of getting the development deal at the studio. Amy and I have a very good relationship. We both rely on each other’s opinions and support. We were both line producers on the film. Our job was to keep things rolling and to make sure that John Sayles had everything he needed. 

LG: Are you good at that?

GD: Yes, to my surprise. I never considered myself much of an organizer, but it turns out I’m good with money and at getting along with people, making sure that everyone has what they need and keeping those needs within the budget. 

LG: Let’s talk about some of the films you’ve been acting in recently. Have you seen Almost You yet?

GD: Yes. I liked it. The characters were incredibly human and sympathetic. And screwed up. Not homicidal--but normal, confused human beings. My character in particular was a very confused fellow. 

LG: That was a movie where someone approached you with a script. What made you decide to take it on?

GD: Well, Adam Brooks, the director, had a script he’d been telling me about when he was a script supervisor on Baby It’s You. One day, when I was living in a beach house with Brooke Adams, he came up with the producer, Mark Lipson, and the script. We had a great day at the beach. Brooke cooked this great meal. After they left, we read the script and thought it was really charming, funny. Brooke and I wanted to work together and this seemed perfect. We said yes, thinking, this sweet little picture is never going to get made anyway, but, of course, we’ll do it if it does. Ha ha ha. All we did was say yes, and Mark and Adam took the ball and ran with it. The next thing I knew, we had a start date.

LG: What was the time lapse between those two events?

GD: Six months. It was shot in February. Very quick--I was pleasantly surprised. 

LG: But at this point you’re no longer living in that beach house? 

GD: Six months is also a very. very long time. A lot can happen in that time. Brooke and I aren’t living together anymore, nor were we when we did Almost You.

LG: Wasn’t that hard?

GD: It was interesting. We get along very well. We’re good friends, and we were very professional. I think we both dreaded the idea of letting the crew think there was something more to this than there was. 

LG: Do you think people see you as wearing two hats now, actor and producer?

GD: It’s hard to tell. I don’t really know. I have noticed that scripts that are submitted to Doubleplay Productions that have a character that is anywhere from 20 to 35, they say, “This would be a good part for you.” I don’t know if that’s supposed to be a lure. 

LG: Well, aren’t you looking for movies to produce that you can act in?

GD: Whatever movies Amy and I decide to do, it’s totally collaborative. I can see doing a movie that I would rather produce than act in, but it would have to be very special, like Chilly Scenes of Winter or Baby, It’s You. But doing After Hours revitalized my interest in acting, it really inspired me. So my dream is to be able to continue producing movies with Amy that I can act in.

[thefederalistfreestyle]

#FFB: Anthony Lee Medina:

Q: Can we start from the beginning… What’s been your journey to Broadway?

A: Well, I’ve always been a performer. As a little kid I’d perform songs for my parents and took all the opportunities I could to be front and center but, I didn’t really know it was something I wanted to do until I had to figure out what to do in college. It just felt logical. I had been doing shows since I was a kid and even if I couldn’t make money performing I knew I would at least be happy in the pursuit. I was lucky enough to get cast in the Spring Awakening 1st National Tour during my freshmen year at PACE University’s MT program. I toured for two years with the show and then came back to NYC hella lost but knowing performance would be the only thing I’d be doing with my life. I had a couple gigs along the way. The Capeman in Central Park. Some tv moments on The Carrie Diaries, Blue Bloods, High Maintenance and my first recurring on Flesh And Bone but in between all that stuff I was doing a ton of readings of shows you’ve never heard of and the normal actor jobs. Cater waitering, babysitting, bartending, painting apartments in Long Island City, photographer assistant etc… You name it and I probably did it at some point. Then I got called to play Usnavi at TUTS down in Houston when their initial hire decided to pass and then Ham called. I had been in for Ham a ton since it’s inception (and almost joined the Chicago cast) but this time they called me in for the tour. I went in. Danced my little heart out, Rapped with my whole soul and the next day got the call that I would be joining the Broadway cast as John Laurens and P. Ham.

[. . .]

Q: Mental Health is just as important as physical. How do you make sure your mind feels healthy day in and day out?

A: I check in on the ten areas of life and whenever I feel a little off. Career, Finances, family/friends, romance/intimacy, spirituality, health, living environment, skills development, social/fun. When ever I don’t feel right then one of those is lacking or needs attention. Also, mental health days. I love a day where I do nothing but breathe and check in on my own thoughts. You never know when you’re haunting yourself but, we all do it. My mental health days I let Luigi into the haunted mansion and suck up whatever negative thought ghosts I have lurking up in there.

Q: Top 3 tips for maintaining energy for your show.

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. As much as I can get. Whenever I can find it.

Eating Greens. Those complex carbs man. Truly saving the day.

Coffee. I know I know. But truly. I’m Cuban and Puerto Rican. We live on cafecito. Just hydrate!!

[. . .]

Q: Reflecting on the period of time that felt challenging because you were booking a lot of readings and didn’t seem to push past that stage of the show development… How did you manage to stay motivated and continue pursuing your art?

A: I’m big on manifestation. I saw the big break in my mind every day. I woke up to it. I went to bed thinking about it. I stayed as positive as I could and I also had an incredible group of friends who believed in me and supported me. I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t have money for food and Jamie or Marques or Norman bought me a meal. Their belief along with my families was all I needed. It took a long time but, dreams are hard. If they were easy they wouldn’t be worth it. I wouldn’t change a second of my experience being broke as shit or living with 9 people in a 4 bedroom in Washington heights. It shaped the person I am today.

[. . .]

Q: Fill in the blanks.

A: The best part of working on Broadway is… the family. The people at the Richard Rodgers. Cast, crew, band, wardrobe. They are my family and I love the hell out of them.

The most challenging part of working on Broadway is… 8 shows a week. Nobody tells you how hard 8 shows can be. Staying UP and being the hype man in the show. 8 shows a week is a beat down. A year and a half in and I’m still trying to find the balance. Also trying to find time for yourself. Every Monday we’ve got to decide “is this a catch up day or is this a lay in bed and do nothing day?”

Q: Who or what inspires you?

A: My parents. They have worked their entire lives to insure that my three siblings and I had everything we needed to succeed. My mom is an immigrant from Cuba and to say her life was challenging would be an understatement. She faced all of her challenges head on and watching her still be the incredible woman she has always been, with a smile on her face and a hand to offer for help is inspiration enough. And my dad jeez. He does anything he is asked. Beaming with a smile and a joke to tell. They are incredible humans. It makes me try that much harder to honor their sacrifice with being a driving force in this world.

Q: What’s your advice for aspiring performers who have their sights set on Broadway?

A: Be diligent in your determination. No’s are everywhere. They come at you from every angle. Don’t let a no decide your journey is a no. Let it be your inspiration to try harder, do better and then turn any no into a yes. There is no formula to how any of us get here.

Q: You’re always so smiley and positive. Do you have any life hacks for being happy?

A: My biggest hack is whenever something negative happens I do two things. The first is I set the amount of time allowed to think about it or be upset about it. Like if, I I don’t know, break my favorite cup. 2 minutes being upset. Exactly two. Then as soon as the two minutes are up I find the positive in it. In this instance, it’s “I get to buy a bangin new cup!” Now of course that’s a really silly example but these two things “setting the clock and finding the positive flip” keep my happiness constantly at the forefront of my being. [. . .]

full article (with more photos!) here

[louisdupont]

Come Here Often? (I Do, Actually)

So this is an idea @hollywoodx4 and I have been kicking around as we scream at each other about how much we love Pippa Soo. 

It’s a stage door AU--basically, what would happen if Eliza was a stage actress, Alex saw her show by chance, and then they meet at the stage door afterwards. I’m thinking maybe 3 or 4 parts. 

“Wait, where are we going? Why?”

Alexander Hamilton looks up from where he’s been typing the most colorful string of expletives he’s been able to think of into his Word doc. It’s better than than the four pages “yousuckyousuckyousuck” he had last week, or the dinosaur of binder clips he’d built yesterday in lieu of any speech drafts he’d been trying so hard to conjure. His brain was clicking emptily at the moment, like a speaker crackling with static instead of the best Common rhymes. It was only matter of time before his boss told him to get out and try for his true calling, like pulling beers or maybe posing as one of those campy Statue of Liberty tourist grabbers in Midtown.

“I’ve been trying to see this show forever, but tickets are hella expensive. So, I entered the lottery, actually won great seats, and everyone knows if you ignore a blessing, the devil follows you for six years straight.”

As Alex’s eyebrows climb higher and higher toward his hairline, John shrugs.

“That’s what my abuela says.” He throws Alex a look before he goes back to the piano he’s been tinkering at for the last half-hour he’s been Alex’s place. “Oh, and no one else is free, so you're it.”

“Who says I can go!?” Alex shoots back indignantly, even though he knows what's coming and it has nothing to do with the fact that he's a last resort.

“The fact that you look like a what happens to an avocado when you put it in a mini Ninja chopper.” Alex should be pissed, but he set up John’s jab perfectly, so it’s kind of on him. He's also been avoiding mirrors for the last day because he knows it's true. John continues. “Rumpled, mushy, and kinda destroyed.”

Despite this onslaught of facts--he hasn’t left the apartment in a day and his place looks like a printing press had thrown up paper enough to wallpaper it--Alex never concedes so easily.

“The theater medium of storytelling is ridiculous because it insists on remaining elitist and classist with the pinnacle of the industry concentrated in a single city, and ticket prices are ridiculous, limiting the exposure of such art to a select few people who can afford it, and I don't think--”

John's seen this tactic a billion times and doesn't even blink.

“Dude, you’ve been at that speech for future congressman ‘Bland’ for three days with nada to show. Something new will be good for your brain--break the block.” He makes a face. “Fresh air too. Be ready at 6:15. Look decent, and wear something that wouldn’t make a mannequin want to throw itself off a cliff.”

And that's how Alex ends up sitting a small, albeit historic theater, showered, with half-beard shaved to stubble and a decent collared shirt and jacket on with his nicer jeans. A woman had given him the once-over after he & John had walked in, so he figures he’d done okay for someone being forced (also, he made a mental note to maybe find that woman after the show).They’re in the second row, which surprises him.

“They really give away such good seats for this thing?”

Truthfully, he's never even been to a play, but second row seems important.

“Lotto wins are like that sometimes,” John says. “Although I'm a little surprised--this one has the senator’s daughter in it. You'd think they'd be choosier with her bringing people in.”

At that, Alex’s ears perk up. “Wait, who? Which senator?” His mind is still spinning, trying to figure out if he knows this person, or if he should, when John nudges him to shush as the lights go down.

And the show is fine, really cute even, and Alex feels himself relaxing as he amuses himself catching the eye of a few actors while they do their thing. The benefit of sitting so close, he supposes.

He almost misses it, but there's a huge cheer when a new actor enters from upstage that has him looking around in confusion before he focuses. And then he gets it.

Aphrodite herself has appeared on the stage, so no one should really blame him for letting out an audible “holy shit” once his eyes process this fact. This woman is fucking luminous, and he knows he's gawking as she slips into her first song.

Of course whatever words are coming out her mouth are just as gorgeous--goddesses are usually talented too--and he thinks he finally understands why people come to the theater. It's so obvious now, really. His brain wasn't clicking anymore, at least not emptily--it felt more like things were falling into place, like some shadowed, previously undiscovered corner of his brain had been revealed to be full. Weirder still, his chest felt tight as she sang about love and dreams, and he wondered about heart attacks for a second before realizing this was the pang of a warm memory of a feeling he hadn't felt this in years. Maybe not ever, like this.

His hands fidget in response, and he’s a startled when he realizes it’s a little to do with want. John nudges him again, the beginnings of a smirk on his face, and Alex refocuses on the stage, on her, only to find she was looking right fucking at him.

Yep, her eyes were looking at his eyes. They were as pretty as the rest of her, so much so that he was feeling a little too warm for a public place at the moment. In an attempt to regain some advantage in the staring contest (that couldn't have lasted more than a minute, really) he licked his lips, glancing away (and promptly losing the “contest,” nice).

It would restart a few times though--this girl had a thing for torturing innocent first-time theatergoers apparently--and they caught eyes several times throughout the rest of the show. Which, incidentally, was great, even aside from this angel’s stunning performance. When it ended, Alex was buzzing with energy, but he was also thinking that he couldn't believe he was actually thinking about running out of this place and jacking off to a show tune of all fucking things. The evening had taken a sharp left turn.

“So what’d you think?”

John hasn't noticed his internal crisis apparently, and Alex tries his best to express what had just happened to him in the two hours the lights were down.

“I. Wow.”  Really excellent words, some of his best work.

“I wow.’ Is that your official review?” John cracks up as they stand and move to exit. “Are you broken?”

Alex just shoots him a pissed, yet pouty, look while John laughs and laughs, and they get clear of the theater doors only so Alex can come face to face with a wall ad featuring his new muse. He’s staring, even at this static rendition, and yeah, there's probably not a version of her that's not absolutely beautiful. The back of his brain wonders if he keeps looking at her, that he’ll always feel like this. Stupidly, he’d left his playbill with all the bios (and more importantly, names) in the theater. Maybe John still had his. Maybe she was on Facebook.

Before he can vocalize the thought, his friend is already pulling him away from the direction of the train they'd come in on. 

“Come on, they come out over here.”

Alex’s skin is a little hot still, and he was looking forward to getting home for one particular reason he was not about to admit, so his response comes out a little more annoyed than it should.

“What? Who?” There's a gathering crowd and some barricades where John is motioning.

“The performers. They come out, sign stuff, meet the fans. Let's go, I wanna see ‘em.”

Alex’s brain is quicker this time, but it’s a fight to keep casual.

“All of them? The actors?” Or, her, which is all he cares about, but he doesn't say that.

John already has a spot at the front of the barricade and is saying something about how meeting fans is important for Broadway exposure, but Alex isn't listening as he's pulled forward too. He tries to grip the metal for a reality check. He is absolutely not thinking about that girl and her smile and her voice and how marriage probably wasn’t really an outdated institution like some said (maybe he should ask what she thinks?). 

Despite the hurricane in his brain, he actually does alright with the first few performers that exit the stage door and sign John’s playbill, complimenting them for the experience and such. They seem grateful enough, and Alex’s breathing sort of normalizes.

So it’s great timing when the stage door opens yet again, and another, now familiar, shout goes up among the crowd around him. Around the obnoxious theater mom jostling him, he sees long dark hair, a petite figure, and that smile.

Well, shit.

[belindakeyte]

Week 10 Research.

I couldn’t really see the relevance of looking at John Baldessari for his use of shape and colour as a way to direct viewer to my work (any more so than any other artist), but any excuse to revisit his work. Baldessari re-evaluated traditional notions of what constitutes art and has an endearing sense of humour.

I saw this at ‘The Broad’ LA

Baldessari, J, Your Name in Lights, 8 – 30 January, 2011, Australian Museum façade, Sydney. http://kaldorartprojects.org.au/projects/project-23-john-baldessari?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTEOBkBtXIcySvgGKqhtEXLx3Svwli_bA8NPeiUNZAR_KpDKe3b0IxoaAt1QEALw_wcB

The Broad says about this work - John Baldessari never touched this painting. He did not paint it. He did not write the text. “There is a certain kind of work one could do that didn’t require a studio,” Baldessari said, “It’s work that is done in one’s head. The artists could be the facilitator of the work; executing it was another matter.” This concept — that an artist could present an idea rather than a material object from their own hand — was a way for Baldessari to take apart the notion of what art could be. In 1966 art meant painting, sculpture, or drawing, and with wry humor, Baldessari challenges this expectation. The viewer receives a painting in Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell, but the painting is completed by sign painters. The viewer is presented with a painting’s content, but the content is text taken from an art trade magazine dictating what content should be.

This led me to the 1st work in my hometown that turned me onto his work. Way before I was an artist. Kaldor’s (Kaldor Public Art Project) Project 23, Your Name in Lights. Presented in partnership with the 2011 Sydney Festival.

Like earlier works, the new work he created for the 23rd Kaldor Public Art Project, Your Name in Lights, reflects the changing cult of celebrity in modern society, drawing on ideas of fame in the modern world and the conflation of the roles of celebrity and artist.

Using imagery taken from historic symbols of celebrity, such as Broadway neon theatre displays and Hollywood film / lights, Baldessari gives any participant a glittering moment of fame. A snipped up and fastened version of Andy Warhol’s prediction that in the future everyone will have their 15 minutes, Your Name in Lights lasts for just 15 seconds.

It’s colourful, catchy and certainly directs, even intoxicates he viewer…but not by its visual means. By our human nature to seek out immortality. Fame & celebrity is contemporary society’s answer to this. And we are drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Baldessari, J, Your Name in Lights, 8 – 30 January, 2011, Australian Museum façade, Sydney, http://kaldorartprojects.org.au/projects/project-23-john-baldessari?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTEOBkBtXIcySvgGKqhtEXLx3Svwli_bA8NPeiUNZAR_KpDKe3b0IxoaAt1QEALw_wcB

So that brings me to Kaldor Public Art projects.

John Kaldor is a philanthropist that established this arts organisation from a vision he had had in the 1960’s. Kaldor Public Art Projects became a pioneering organisation, dedicated to taking art outside museum walls and transforming public spaces with innovative contemporary projects.

Over the years the projects have changed the way the Australian public sees and experiences the art of today.

They are now supported by all three levels of government, as well as a group of corporate, philanthropic and private supporters.

Making Art Public brings together 34 ephemeral (Kaldor) projects, creatively re-imagined and presented together for the first time, always free to the public.

A celebration of 50 years of Kaldor Public Art Projects at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (7 September 2019 – 16 February 2020) it revisited every project since inception including Bill Viola and Thomas Demand.

https://50years.kaldorartprojects.org.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnv71BRCOARIsAIkxW9H63QKTesmsSh1w6wEM2jMMPek2FX76y3CfiEY4DCno2VHZcDdRKdsaArGLEALw_wcB

Viola’s video works utilise sophisticated media technologies to explore the spiritual and perceptual side of human experience. Focusing on universal human themes of birth, death and the unfolding of consciousness, they have roots in both Eastern and Western art, as well as the spiritual traditions of Zen Buddhism, Islamic Sufism and Christian mysticism.

The images don’t do it justice, these works demand your attention for the entire 10-15 minutes and absorb you into their world. I’ve never seen any video art work quite like it. Highly charged emotionally & visually.

Thomas Demand is known for his life-size recreations of environments made entirely from paper and card that he photographs and then destroys. Maybe it’s architect in me, but I love his work, simply as photographs. It wasn’t until I researched him for my undergraduate Vis Arts that I realised the photograph of the aeroplane I was looking at was a cardboard model.

For the 25th Kaldor Public Art Project he presented a new series of images, The Dailies, within a space inside Harry Seidlers fantastic 1970’s space age MLC Centre in Martin Place. The work occupied an entire hotel floor on level 4. His installation, displayed throughout the bedrooms that extend out from a circular corridor, had a disorientating effect.

https://50years.kaldorartprojects.org.au/program/making-art-public

Kaldor’s latest project is ‘Do it (Australia)’. Envisaged in this time of global lockdown, the project invites audiences to follow an artist’s instructions, enter their world and realise an artwork of their own.

This project is the latest incarnation of do it, the longest-running and most far-reaching artist-led project in the world. Initiated by Hans Ulrich Obrist in 1993, the project asks 16 artists to create simple instructions that generate an artwork, whether an object, a performance, an intervention, or something else entirely.

The instructions were not yet up for the artists I was interested in, Tracey Moffat & Glenn Murcutt (I wouldn’t actually call him an artist…we really don’t want to claim someone that is so heavily entrenched in an ‘old school’ patriarchal architecture system), I chose from the 4 or 5 artists that had already included their instructions. The online exhibition only started 4 days ago (May 13th) and has no closing date, as yet.

Rafael Bonachela is a choreographer working across art forms, including contemporary dance, art installations, film and fashion:

Find yourself alone in a place. Play some music (or not). Stand, sit or lie down. Find a position you feel comfortable in. Be still for a while. Imagine you are surrounded by blinding light. It feels heavy. You want to break through. Use as many parts of your body (or not) to physically push the light away from you. Take your time. Move from a gentle state, to a state of frenzy. Explore different possibilities with your body. There is no right or wrong. When you feel you have broken through the light, find your way back to stillness. A state of weightlessness (or not).

Options

Explore this task anywhere by yourself for yourself.

Place your smartphone camera anywhere to record your experience using the slo-mo option.

Share a section of the film on social media, send it to a friend, (or not).

http://doit.kaldorartprojects.org.au/

[rhythmnext-blog]

10 tips for being a successful choreographer

She rose to distinction during the 1970s subsequent to establishing the move bunch.

She proceeded to arrange various West End and Broadway musicals, movies and network shows and has been a judge on both Come in Dance choreographer in Mumbai Dancing thus You Think You Can Dance.

Here are her best 10 hints for being a choreographer.

1. Be resolved and arranged to make penances

It is completely essential to be resolved from the beginning. You need to realize that you need to move as much as you need to inhale in the event that you need to make a profession of it.

You need to really realize that and you must be set up to quit any pretense of everything to make that vocation occur. It truly is extreme and there is such a lot of rivalry. You will confront dismissal constantly and you need to make yourself sufficiently able to manage that and continue onward.

2. Start youthful

I experienced childhood in Mumbai and I began moving when I was just two years of age. When I was eight, moving was everything I could consider and it was all I needed to do. My folks couldn't manage the cost of all the wedding choreographer in Mumbai exercises that I needed and it was difficult.

You could generally, hear expressive dance music in our home being played on scratchy records on an old gramophone.

My mom kicked the bucket when I was 15 and it was her adoration for move and artful dance that motivated me and here and there lives inside me. She was so glad, however I don't think she at any point imagined that my moving would incorporate with the profession that I have had.

3. Hold your head up and don't be hesitant to appear as something else

We lived in Didsbury and I'll generally recall going to purchase my first pair of artful dance shoes with my mom. I can recollect retires and retires of wonderful pink expressive dance shoes, yet we just couldn't manage the cost of them.

And afterward on the base rack, there was a couple of splendid green expressive Sangeet choreographer in Mumbai. They were modest and they fitted me so I needed to get them! That approved of me, however I certainly needed pink ones.

At the point when I strolled into my absolute top of the line, it was loaded up with young ladies all in pink. The entire room gazed at me in my green shoes, however I simply held my head up and strolled in. I kind of figured that in the event that I could do that, at that point I really wanted to move and nothing was going to stop me.

4. Try not to take no for an answer

At the point when I was 16 I kept in touch with the chamber, to check whether I could get an award to contemplate move.

Moving isn't simply steps, it's utilizing the body to recount to a story with the development

They just offered awards to young ladies who were heading off to the Rhythm next and I needed to know why they wouldn't give an award to somebody who needed to examine in their old neighborhood.

I contended energetically and with the assistance of my auntie, I inevitably got my direction. Following four years of contemplating, I began to instruct Dance choreographer in Maharashtra. At the point when I was 23 my supervisor sent me to Mumbai for seven days to invest energy at another party school.

On my last day, I saw a sign for a class upon the divider that I'd never observed, it said 'Present-day American Jazz, Molly Molloy, 8pm'. That class made a huge difference and was the day my new life in Mumbai started.

5. Try not to surrender

At the point when movement ahead TV it appeared that each artist had a fixed grin stuck on to their face. I was making my living by encouraging Sangeet choreographer in Maharashtra, and I chose to shape my own move bunch that would have the voice of the road, and the voice of the clubs, hot, grumpy, and hot, hot, hot.

I took the best understudies from my group, transformed them into what I thought was the most blazing gathering in London, and for a long time, in spite of having a clique following, couldn't break into TV, everybody thought they were dreadfully attractive. It took one photo falling under the control of one chief searching for something new, and everything changed medium-term.

6. Gain from your errors

In the event that I could return in time and offer my more youthful self some guidance, it is be somewhat gentler and kinder. I was so aspiring for a large number of the understudies I worked with thus decided for them to succeed; that I requested everybody worked and propelled themselves similarly I propelled myself.

Thinking back I understand, it worked for some of them yet not others, however, I think my frame of mind in the manner I manage individuals has changed subsequent to having my youngsters, and now I search to discover another approach to find how to draw out the best in people around me.

7. Understand what's genuinely significant

I consume my time on earth tuning in to music, and I've been extremely fortunate in working with such a large number of various stars from when music recordings initially started

The manner in which that I found I was not proceeding on Strictly was not the manner in which I might want to have discovered, notwithstanding, I had undeniably progressively significant things to manage as my director was extremely sick and spent away the day preceding the news broke.

He wasn't only a director of 30 years, however a dear companion and somebody I relied upon so totally that it truly put everything into viewpoint. At times one needs to close entryways on things and not permit yourself to consider them.

8. There's constantly a way

I like to get the best out of individuals, and endeavor to utilize totally different strategies to do this, contingent upon how and what we are really going after.

I frequently find that individuals respond in various manners to a similar guidance, and if something isn't working I will regularly discover over the top or unordinary approaches to get it going.

Moving isn't simply steps, it's utilizing the body to recount to a story with the development. I like to create characters and utilize any clever thought I can to breath life into them and get what I need.

9. Truly tune in to your music

I consume my time on earth tuning in to music, and I've been fortunate in working with such huge numbers of various stars from when music recordings initially started and one could concoct and make unprecedented thoughts.

I worked with Aretha Franklin in Detroit, Robbie Williams here at home, Whitney Houston in New York, Elton John everywhere throughout the world, and with Queen in the most bizarre of spots; one being with 350 artists in Canary Wharf when it was a no man's land!

Music is so emotive, and I think the one video that consistently brings back the most grounded recollections and still blows my mind today was dealing with Duran's Wild Boys, attempting to make a bizarre universe of things to come. Let music take you to where you need to be.

10. Be prepared for anything

I'm enthusiastic about working in melodic theater, and I've had some exceptionally extreme slave drivers, however, I'm constantly appreciative to work with those I regard and can tune in to and gain from. Andrew Lloyd Webber really is an innovative virtuoso, working with him resembles being on a crazy ride, yet I love being on the ride.

As a choreographer, you must be prepared for anything, and I've been rollerskating for Starlight Express, head slamming for We Will Rock You, jiving for Grease, post moving for Flashdance, disco moving for Saturday Night Fever, ran down a mountain for The Sound of Music and moved down the yellow block street for the Wizard of Oz and that is to give some examples! So my recommendation is, be prepared for anything… !

[ismael37olson]

Hail, Zombies!

Hail, zombies, thou heav’n-made dead,

Forsaken by the God we dread;

Great metaphor for all we fear!

All hail the end of all that we hold dear!

It was back in 2013, after watching the movie Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter (coincidentally starring BBAJ's Benjamin Walker). It was just a few hours after watching the movie that I started thinking about what kind of similar mashup I might concoct in the realm of musical theatre. I've always been fascinated by the idea of art made from other art. Maybe that's because so many musicals are based on stories in other forms, plays, novels, movies. Also, I had been wanting to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. But if I wanted to adapt an existing piece, I realized I needed to find a work in the public domain. I couldn't fuck around with Carousel or Damn Yankees. And then it hit me -- one of my favorite shows ever, the very first show I ever saw on Broadway, The Pirates of Penzance. It first debuted in 1879 and it is in the public domain. So I would write The ZOMBIES of Penzance. And yes, I was mega-stoned at the time. I already knew the show by heart, backwards and forwards. And the plot wouldn't have to change much at all. Major-General Stanley still wouldn't want the title characters to marry his daughters, though for slightly different reasons. I went through the plot in my head, figuring how each plot point would translate. It seemed pretty straight-forward.

In fact, that was the key for me. I realized it would be more an act of translation than a rewrite. How do we tell this same story, but in the language of zombie movies? As I've said in other posts, the real appeal for me was the delicious mismatch of form and content, an aggressive, comic rejection of Sondheim's Law, that Content Dictates Form (much like another New Line show, Bukowsical). I started with a test for myself. I decided I would first work on the new zombie lyric for "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General." If I could do that well, I knew I could do the whole show. I started that same night. It took me three days to finish it. I've changed only a handful of words since then. So I set to work. I don't think I could have done it with a show I knew less well. It took me four years, though there were periods when I had to put it aside for a while. I finished it in summer 2017, and passed it off to my buddy John Gerdes, who had agreed to arrange the score and orchestrate it. He finished our piano score in November, we went into rehearsal, and we presented a public reading in January. And the response was wonderful. Even with no set, costumes, makeup, or band, our overflow crowd totally loved it. They caught all the jokes, they followed the plot, and it was confirmed that you didn't need to know The Pirates of Penzance in order to enjoy The Zombies of Penzance, but knowing the original does offer extra laughs here and there. The response from the talkback after the reading was so helpful. I took a few months, did some rewrites, added a song and a half, and reconstructed the last part of the plot. Then I gave it back to John, who had already finished most of the orchestrations. In August, we went back into rehearsal for this first full production of The Zombies of Penzance, or At Night Come the Flesh Eaters, Gilbert & Sullivan's long-lost treasure. As I mentioned in my last post, in translating the central conflict to one about Monsters instead of Bad Guys, it also shifted the show's thematic content. The Pirates of Penzance is about the absurdity of social class, but The Zombies of Penzance is about the "Othering" and demonizing of those who aren't like us, usually by those who claim the highest morality. Of course, as befits Gilbert & Sullivan, the conflict is raised to ridiculous proportions in this case, since the Others are actually zombies. Zombies that sing really well. And partly because I cut the Policemen, this rewrite has also empowered the Stanley Daughters, much more than most (any?) of Gilbert's other women characters. I know some hardcore Gilbert & Sullivan fans will be terribly offended at what I've wrought. But that's part of the point, part of the central meta joke, that I've chosen the single most inappropriate storytelling form to tell a zombie apocalypse story -- polite English light opera -- and the larger meta joke, that Zombies actually is Gilbert's first draft, rejected by his producer Richard D'Oyly-Carte.

There is a long and interesting tradition of art made from other art, including, but not limited to, half or more of the great American musicals, most of Shakespeare's plays, and one of the greatest short films I've ever seen, Todd Haynes' brilliant Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story. Of the nine other musicals I've written, two were based on true stories, but the rest were all original stories. So this has been a fascinating experiment for me, and it has been really wonderful living in the language of Gilbert all this time, writing in his peculiar voice, both in the hilariously overwritten dialogue and the heavily rhymed lyrics. I kept every rhyme scheme! The best part of all this is seeing it onstage and getting to share it with our audience. People seem to be really excited about it. There will be some hardcore G&S fans who will be horrified by this, but that's really kind of the point of it all... I'm so grateful to this superb cast, who not only sing Sullivan's glorious music like they're a cast of forty, but they also nail the wacky, silly, ridiculous, but always straight-faced Gilbertian humor. I often say that I can't make musicals without lots of other talented people, but this time I needed lots of very talented people. And we got them. And my co-director Mike Dowdy-Windsor added so much, as he always does, including the most obvious, most perfect final moment -- which hadn't even occurred to me till he said it... I cannot wait to share this with our audience now. I'm really happy with how it has all turned out, and I'll dare to say that I think Gilbert would enjoy my adaptation, after getting over his outrage that I've rewritten his show, of course... Come join the crazy fun. When will you ever again get the chance to see a zombie operetta...? We preview tonight and open tomorrow!  Get your tickets now! Long Live the Musical! Scott from The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre http://newlinetheatre.blogspot.com/2018/09/hail-zombies.html

[bonduniversity]

What it’s like on exchange at one of the world’s best STEM universities

Whenever I tell someone I am studying at Canada’s University of Waterloo, it’s swiftly followed by a question I have been asked countless times: ‘Are you in math or engineering?’

The university, located one hour outside of Toronto, is a hub for the future leaders of Silicon Valley.

Boasting some of Canada’s best STEM faculties, the school is known for having both the world’s largest Faculty of Mathematics and the largest cooperative (co-op) program.

Nevertheless, I am not a science, tech, engineering or math major; instead I am taking classes within the arts faculty as part of a study abroad program at Bond University.

Waterloo has produced graduates like Mike Lazaridis, the man who launched the first ever smartphone in 2002 (the BlackBerry 5180) and has an Academy Award to his name for technical work developing digital time-code slates.

Meanwhile, the late Stephen Hawking declared “great things will happen here” when he visited Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Suffice to say: The University of Waterloo is an inspiring place of learning, if at times a little (or, a lot) intimidating given the student acceptance rate is so low and places are incredibly coveted.

I was initially attracted to Waterloo because of the school’s main marketing point: its co-op program.

Essentially, every second semester Waterloo students apply for jobs (some apply for up to 50 different companies) either locally, in Canada or in other parts of the world and by graduation, they will have spent equal time working in their field, and studying.

A saying I overheard repeatedly on campus was ‘Cali or bust’.

I quickly learned this referred to the pressure on software engineering and computer science students to land co-op positions in Silicon Valley.

And often they do – at companies like Apple and Google, no less.

However, the phrase ‘Cali or bust’ actually reflects a wider Canadian issue of ‘brain drain’ in the tech sector and loss of software engineers to the US; a recent study showed 66 per cent of them took jobs in California after graduating.

Nevertheless, there is an inherent culture of excellence at the university which I find inspires me to do even better in my classes (creative writing, digital video, arts management) and push myself further than I usually would.

Generally speaking, there are less contact hours at Waterloo than there are at Bond however homework and expectations for work outside of the classroom are higher.

The campus is huge; I have been here for seven weeks now and still get lost exploring the school’s underground tunnels which connect the buildings.  

However, this means there are an endless amount of study spaces, café and restaurant offerings (along with multiple on-campus Starbucks and Tim Hortons stores) and plenty of greenery when you want to relax outdoors.

There’s even an earth sciences museum on campus – I wasn’t joking when I said this place was huge.

I live in a suite-style on-campus residence so I have access to high-speed internet, gym facilities and the ‘marketplace’ which is like a cafeteria but on steroids.

The offerings are all fresh: you watch your food being cooked in front of you and there are plenty of healthy options.

Getting around the town is also easy because pubic transport is free using your student card.

The University of Waterloo borders Wilfrid Laurier University so there are tens of thousands of students in the town at any one time, and the bars, clubs and cafes on Waterloo’s main street reflect the student culture of the area.

When you’re not in class however, Waterloo is a fantastic launchpad for exploring North America.

I recently spent 10 days on the country’s West Coast traveling from Vancouver to Whistler and The Rockies.

Some of the highlights included zip lining nearly 2km at 200m above the valley in Whistler, exploring the massive lakes in Jasper, visiting glaciers on the Columbia Icefield and spotting bears, moose and elk in the national parks.

I also took a trip to New York just last week booking a last minute flight to attend the Tony Awards (the Oscars of Broadway) and catch up with friends over a long weekend, making it back in time for class on Tuesday.  

Closer to campus, Justin Bieber regularly hangs out in the Waterloo area, sometimes even at the local mall.

The pop sensation grew up in a nearby town, so if you’re a JB fan, keep your eyes peeled.

Toronto is only a couple of hours away as well by public transport, and I frequently go into the city for weekend trips to watch baseball games or see a show.

Finally, one of the best things about studying at the University of Waterloo is the incredible people you will meet.

Students here aren’t just book smart, they have plenty of real-world experience thanks to the co-op program and there’s a good chance some of these kids will one day be running the world’s biggest companies.

On a recent flight from New York to Toronto, I sat next to an internationally renowned businessman who told me some of the smartest people he had met attended the University of Waterloo. The school truly has a fantastic reputation and if you ever get a chance to go on exchange through Bond University, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

EMILY’S TOP 3 TIPS FOR STUDYING AT WATERLOO

Clubs are the best way to meet people and there are more than 200 to choose from. Whether you’re into model United Nations or cheese appreciation (yes, you read that right) there’s a club for you.

Travel early in the term before your major assessments are due and exams start.

Watch out for geese. The university has a resource called ‘How to avoid a goose attack because it’s not all fun and feathers’ and honestly, I wish I was kidding. There are literally hundreds of geese on campus and they can be dangerous. Stay safe!

Written by Emily Selleck, Bond University Bachelor of Journalism student and John Burton Cadetship Scholarship recipient. 

Find out more about exchange at Bond.

[noplacecalledhome]

10 Best Hostels To Stay In Passaic Junction New Jersey – Top Hotel Reviews

Passaic Junction New Jersey is beautiful and has lots of hostels. Ofcourse we are only looking for the best hostels in Passaic Junction New Jersey. It’s important to compare them because there are so many places to stay in Passaic Junction New Jersey. You’re probably wondering where to stay in Passaic Junction New Jersey. To see which hostel sounds better than the other, we created a top 10 list. The list will make it a lot easier for you to make a great decision. We know you only want the best hostel and preferably something with a reasonable price.

Our list contains 10 hostels of which we think are the best hostels in Passaic Junction New Jersey right now. Still, some of you are more interested in the most popular hostels in Passaic Junction New Jersey with the best reviews, and that’s completely normal! You can check out the link below.

Skip to the most popular hostels in Passaic Junction New Jersey.

10 Best Hostels In Passaic Junction New Jersey:

HI NYC Hostel

Description:

One of our best sellers in New York City! This uptown New York hostel is 1 block from Broadway Street and a 10-minute walk from Central Park. It features free Wi-Fi, a movie lounge, and a large patio.The Hostelling International New York offers dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms. Linens, towels and a housekeeping service are included. Some rooms include breakfast.New York Hostelling International offers a game room with pool tables. Guests have free access to the large community kitchen and can get beverages and snacks from the cafe.The hostel offers many activities including pub crawls, nightclub events and in-house comedy and variety shows.The Hostelling International is a 5-minute walk from Riverside Park. The 103rd Street subway station is a 10-minute walk from the hostel, and Times Square is a 10-minute taxi drive away.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

First of all I loved the location. It’s really close to the #1 subway station what make easier to go around NY. Also the facilities in the hostel are amazing, for sure the best hostel I’ve ever been talking about it. The cafe is awesome and not so expensive.

So kindness of staffs! And It was completely clean!

It has everything you ever need from entertainment rooms, common rooms & lounges, complete pantry/kitchen, cafe, laundry, outdoor area, etc.

nice location nice atmosphere friendly and cooperative staff

Location, by Central Park and the metro station at 103rd street was great. Everything was clean and the breakfast provided was decent. Extra blankets provided for warmth. For reference I stayed in the Premium Male Dorms.

For more info click here.

Broadway Hotel & Hostel

Description:

This boutique hotel and hostel is in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, within walking distance of Central Park. It has a microwave and refrigerator equipped guest kitchen and private and dorm-style accommodations.The Broadway Hotel and Hostel features a variety of modern on-site amenities and facilities, including a theater room with a plasma-screen TV. A dining area along with a library featuring a fireplace is also provided on site.With a subway station only steps away, guests at the Broadway Hotel and Hostel can easily explore the entire city, including Times Square. Columbia University and St. John the Divine Cathedral are within walking distance of the property.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

Perfect location to start a city trip in NY. Red line metro (1,2,3) going downtown directly accessible. Very friendly staff at reception etc. Central park in walking distance, all other sightseeing points reachable with subway. We had a bedroom with shared bathroom. Very clean facilities everywhere. In our room something was broken on the third day, the facility manager directly checked and repaired immediately. Good service! Bakery directly on the opposite provides good breakfast for a reasonable price.

I like the location is in Manhattan, is near to the metro station and the central park.

I’ll the location was great for the price and location it was perfect, it is a bit older and cozier but great staff and assistance made it worth while

I like how clean the building was when we visited.

The employees and doorman were very helpful and kind.

For more info click here.

Explore Hotel and Hostel

Description:

Explore Hotel and Hostel is located in Union City, 2.4 miles from New York City and 6 miles from Brooklyn.You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.You can play ping-pong at the hostel. Queens is 7 miles from Explore Hotel and Hostel, and Bronx is 7 miles from the property. The nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport, 8 miles from Explore Hotel and Hostel.

Reviews:

I had no where else to stay and this place was reasonably priced.

This establishment is Horrible. PLEASE don’t go pay a little more to be warm, with warm water and no Roaches on your pillow or locker. I liked absolutely NOTHING. NO ONE WITH SENSE WILL ENJOY

Very good location. I liked the Dunkin Donuts nearby. Overall was good place.

The location was around mas transit which is a plus

Location is perfect for travelling to Newyork. Staff was cooperative.

For more info click here.

Central Park West Hostel

Description:

One of our best sellers in New York City! In New York City’s Upper West Side, this hostel is a block from the 86th street subway station and 2 blocks from Central Park. It has Wi-Fi and staff-organized events.A shared kitchen, café area, and spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV are part of the facilities at the FIT Hotel. Lockers are provided in the dormitory rooms and luggage storage is available.The front desk of this New York City hostel is open 24 hours a day. It features daily housekeeping and free linens.The American Museum of Natural History is a 15-minute walk from the NYC FIT Hotel. Times Square is only 10 minutes away on the subway.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

Location near the Central Park (MET + Guggenheim) + one of the bathrooms is equipped with a hairdryer. Many good bars and bistros on Comobus ave and Broadway. Subway is around the corner.

The location was great. Very central to a lot of things. My room was comfortable. A little dusty but you get what you paid for, since its very inexpensive, especially for NYC.

Noise in the room from heater . They knew about it and are not concerned. The toilet was broken.

Room was big. Good location. Free coffee in the morning!

Great location, and clean bedding. Overall, very good for the value.

For more info click here.

Harlem YMCA

Description:

Showcasing a sauna and fitness center, Harlem YMCA is located in New York City in the region of New York State, just 1.1 miles from Columbia University.Every room has a shared bathroom. A flat-screen TV with cable channels is featured.You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.Metropolitan Museum of Art is 2.7 miles from Harlem YMCA, and Central Park is 3.5 miles from the property. The nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport, 4.3 miles from Harlem YMCA.

Harlem is a great choice for travelers interested in culture, parks and city walks.

Reviews:

I like the safety u provide, I a senior and would like a single bed, and price rate would have been lower, but it provide quick location to where I had to be, and train back to Amtrak, thank u very much!

The staff are what made my stay superb, friendly, warm and welcoming. They were all lovely.

this is my #1 place to stay and it exceeds my expectations every time. the staff are kind and professional, the classes at the gym are awesome, its clean….couldn’t be better

Friendly staff, security excellent room very clean

I like the cleanliness of the room, checking in was really easy, good staff at the desk

For more info click here.

Royal Park Hotel & Hostel

Description:

Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, Royal Park Hotel & Hostel offers accommodations in New York City, just one mile from Columbia University.A TV with cable channels is available.There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.Metropolitan Museum of Art is 1.2 miles from Royal Park Hotel & Hostel, and Central Park is 1.8 miles away. The nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport, 6 miles from Royal Park Hotel & Hostel.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

Close to Central Park and city. Subway train nearby. Good area. Pricing per night a bonus only if you book online!

Staff friendly gave us early checkin for free, close to Metro and Central Park, Very Calm and Relaxing neighborhood!

The room was warm and cozy after a long morning of being out in the cold. The bathroom had towels we weren’t expecting. Had extra pillows in each bed, so I was extra comfy and warm. The location of the hotel was a couple blocks up from where we were planning to visit, along with everything else being at walking distance.

Can’t beat the price anywhere in or near manhattan for this quality of room

At this location, I experience a wonderfully comfortable sleep, nice and unique showers, plenty of hot water. The staff is polite and businesslike. The decor seems to improve over-time. On my last visit, I did not think that my room on the 5th floor should have had two beds. It made the room two crowded with hardly any room to walk around. It was too warm, but I was able to open the window and make it more comfortable. Staff came within ten minutes when I reported that the TV was not working.

For more info click here.

Jazz on the Park Youth Hostel

Description:

Featuring free WiFi and a terrace, Jazz on the Park Youth Hostel offers accommodations in New York City.There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.Columbia University is 0.7 miles from Jazz on the Park Youth Hostel, and Metropolitan Museum of Art is 1.3 miles from the property. LaGuardia Airport is 5 miles away.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

The location was excellent, as it was adjacent to Central Park and I was able to run through the Park both mornings during my stay. The dorm room was very quiet and self-catering kitchen was fine for me.

Bed is not fluffy sorry. U sharing rooms with others as well

Like area toilet very far today book again was tuff unfortunately left

Nice place not too far out the way. Everything was as youd exspect. Just need a few more signs to tell you where things are inside the building.

I enjoyed my privacy. The receptionist was especially welcoming. She was always pleasant even with the most mundane of questions. She certainly stirred me to the correct public transportation accommodations. I had not been to NYC in years. Her guidance was more than helpful and comforting. I really love New York.

For more info click here.

West Side YMCA

Description:

West Side YMCA is located in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City, 1,650 feet from Central Park and 0.7 miles from Museum of Modern Art.Each room at this hostel is air conditioned and has a TV.You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.You can play racquetball at the hostel. Radio City Music Hall is 0.7 miles from West Side YMCA, and Rockefeller Center is 0.9 miles from the property. The nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport, 6 miles from the property.

Upper West Side is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, culture and walking.

Reviews:

Clean, comfortable, warm room with access to handicap bathroom! I was using a walker so I had to use 62nd street entrance which is locked,but reponse to the bell was quick.

for us , is the best place to stay in new york….many thank’s for all

It was cleaner and brighter because it was renovated since my frst stay 20 years ago. I enjoyed the 9 hours of sleep I needed in a quiet, dark room on a thick mattress.

Friendliness safety. Quiet cleanliness facilities like pool

It’s basically a hostel, communal bathrooms, though the rooms are private. As such it’s almost as expensive as a conventional hotel off-season. But the location is great, it’s respectably clean and overall it’s just fine.

For more info click here.

Rostel

Description:

Showcasing a terrace and ski storage, Rostel is located in New York City.The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. You will find a kettle in the room. Every room has a shared bathroom.There is a shared kitchen at the property.A range of activities are available in the area, such as skiing and biking. Columbia University is 1.3 miles from Rostel, and Metropolitan Museum of Art is 1.7 miles away. LaGuardia Airport is 3.7 miles from the property.

East Harlem is a great choice for travelers interested in architecture, parks and city trips.

Reviews:

The kitchenette was nice. The room was larger than expected for the location.

Comfortable beds, good location, quiet, big, access to kitchen.

Was just expecting a room but to get a very well presented apartment with everything in it we need and very clean for the money I paid very good and only minute walk to the subway down to Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. Room and apartment got cleaned every day with fresh towels.

It was a comfortable apartment, with a fully equipped kitchen and large bathroom. Everything was clean. Good metro connections to visit NY.

The room was nicely made and cleaned daily so that was great. They had a huge kitchen (which I didn’t use but it was nice to see it was possible to do so). The place is directly close to the subway on 116th street so this was excellent. I also liked the fact that I could walk towards Manhattan and get to restaurants and bars in that area. It was like a 15mins walk but pretty simple and straight forward.

For more info click here.

Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel

Description:

Located in the Midtown West neighborhood in New York City, 0.4 miles from Radio City Music Hall, Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property.Some units have a sitting area where you can relax. All rooms include a private bathroom equipped with a bathtub or shower. A flat-screen TV is available.There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.Museum of Modern Art is half a mile from Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel, and Central Park is half a mile away. The nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport, 6 miles from Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel.

Reviews:

The staff was really amazing. Super friendly and helpful. I liked watching Netflix.

Location is so good. Here is around the time square. And i used female domitory for 4.

Close to central park , restaurants And all kind type of leisures

The location is really great, close to Central Park, close to 5th avenue and near the F train. The rooms are confortable and very dark in the morning, so I managed to sleep very well. Overall seemed to be clean and well taken care of.

I like everything. The room was clean and comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful.

For more info click here.

Top Hostels In Passaic Junction New Jersey Conclusion:

The above is a top selection of the best hostels to stay in Passaic Junction New Jersey to help you with your search. We know it’s not that easy to find the best hostel because there are just so many places to stay in Passaic Junction New Jersey but we hope that the above-mentioned tips have helped you make a good decision.

We also hope that you enjoyed our top ten list of the best hostels in Passaic Junction New Jersey. And we wish you all the best with your future stay!

Related links:

https://www.noplacecalledhome.com/top-10-best-remote-controls-for-outlets-top-reviews/ https://www.noplacecalledhome.com/top-10-best-remote-controls-for-toddlers-top-reviews/

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[julietlofarophoto]

Jay Petersen

  I visited Jay Petersen and his daughter Robin on a frosty December afternoon at his home in Bearsville. I became friends with Robin in third grade and clearly remember her mother Donna; tall and thin with short blonde hair and a warm smile. They lived in brick house with avocado kitchen appliances. Jay was a technician for Sears until retiring in 1999. As he recalls it, I love how distant his childhood in Bearsville seems from the town of Woodstock. Bearsville is a hamlet of The Town of Woodstock, just a couple of miles from town’s center.

Juliet:  What brought you to Woodstock?

Jay: My parents. I was 6 months old. They moved to Piney Woods Road. It was a summer house. They started coming up from the Bronx and renting a room at the Shultis Farm. “Brigadoon" they call it now. I’ve been up here since 1937.

During war time, my father was working for the Office of Price Administration. He was on Wall Street but during the war his firm went under, like most of them did. While he worked for the O.P.A., he’d come up on weekends. There were three of us. I had two brothers.

Juliet:  What is your first memory of Woodstock? 

Jay:  Well, I didn’t get to Woodstock very much. I went to the Bearsville School. Miss Stone was my teacher until 1948 when my father’s boss came back from the war and started up a new firm. We moved to Forest Hills, Queens.

My first memory in Woodstock … The Seahorse probably. (We all laugh)

Robin:  It was a bar where the Elephant Emporium used to be. (Now it’s Rock City Vintage.)

Jay:  My father used to bring me to the Seahorse when I was nine or ten. They had a ping pong table in the wintertime. They also had a pinball machine. Donna’s father used to give her money to play the pinball machine and my father never gave me any money so I used to watch Donna play pinball. (more laughing)

I met her again in 1957 at the Irvington (now the Landau). It was owned by Bill Dixon and it was more bar than restaurant. There were so many bars. Nobody had time for food.

 Juliet:  Was Donna a local?

 Jay:  Oh yes, she was a Riseley, some of the founders of Woodstock. The Riseleys owned several farms throughout Woodstock and up Ohayo Mountain Road on both sides.

Donna came to the city with me for a period of about 2 years. We had gotten married at the Dutch Reformed Church October 12, 1958.

Robin: Didn’t you tell her you were going to marry her after your first date?

Jay: No, I told her I was going to marry her when we were at the Irvington, before the first date.

Juliet:  When did you make the choice to move here and get settled?

Jay:  I came out of the Navy and went to school in Manhattan. Donna worked at CBS.  We moved back in 1960, after we had Anthea, to this house. I drove a school bus for a while and worked at a meat packing house up here before working for Sears.

 Juliet:  What’s changed about Woodstock over the years?

 Jay:  Oh, Woodstock was the greatest right after the second world war. A lot of people went to the Art Students League on the GI bill and came up here in the summer time. This was a real wild town. Like I said, there were eight bars from 375 all the way up through Woodstock. People used to go from one bar to the other to see who was around. There was a place next to the Seahorse, two houses away. Four artists rented it and called it “Hopeless Towers.” It was next to Heckeroths, set back, a two-story cottage.

Juliet:  So what was going on there?

Jay: (Laughing) What wasn’t going on there? Well, the Seahorse had a long bar with a right angle turn that the bartender couldn't see if he was at the center. These guys would lean over and grab a bottle of gin before they went home. Dick Stillwell, who was a real character, owned the bar and got wise that inventory was not right. He made an unexpected trip to the Hopeless Towers on a not too early Sunday morning. He rapped on the door and he walks in. There are about 20 empty bottles that they had taken and lined up all along a shelf. So he walks in and sees the Gilbey’s gin bottles and he takes one off and he knew by the serial number that they were his. “Hmm”, he says, “I see. I expect all the other ones are mine too. You gentlemen owe me…” (laughs) He had it all figured out. No arrests were made, everything was fine because the tabs that these guys had at the seahorse were astronomical. You know, three or four hundred dollars back then was like two thousand today! So, they got together and paid him.

The American Legion seems to be the only place I can find somebody who remembers the Seahorse around here. I mean, this bar was known from coast to coast, by everybody who was a writer or an artist. Back then, you really knew everybody in town.

Robin: Were there a lot of people who migrated from the city, even then?

Jay: They were from all over. The Art Students league in New York brought a lot of people up here. (The complex now houses The Woodstock School of Art)

Juliet:  Any other highlights?

Jay:  I was an apprentice at the Maverick Theater. That was when Jose Quintero was the director and Lee Marvin got his start. I was in the play.  They knew what they wanted, it was before Marvin’s first play which was called “Roadside”, and Teddy Ballantine who was David Ballantine’s father was an old silent picture actor. They needed a big gruff guy with a voice to play the part of the sheriff. They didn’t have anyone, they had all these small guys. So, Teddy says “Well, my son has this friend who is a plumber assistant and if we can just teach him to learn a few lines, the part isn’t that big. He could play the part.” Lee came down and then brought the script home. The next day he came to rehearsal and he was a natural right off the bat. This guy, he was something. That was his debut to acting. From there Lee went to Broadway.

Robin: The Library Fair, didn’t your dad win a car?

Jay: Oh yeah, the Library Fair. My mother won the car. She paid a dollar for the raffle. In 1953, she won an English Ford. A little American Made but British car.  A wonderful thing about the library fair is we had John Pike who whipped up a band with Bill Moor, a guy who played a wash tub. 



I remember once I was at Kenny Reynolds’s gas station, which is now the pizza place. I used to stop there on my way home and talk to Kenny and the guys who worked there. One day it’s raining like crazy and here comes Joan Baez riding a Triumph motorcycle with Bob Dylan hanging on the back! Dylan used to have Kenny fix his car, so he was there a lot.

Robin:   What about the bakery? Wasn’t there a bakery in Bearsville?

Jay:  There was a bakery in Woodstock – Kirschbaum’s. He bought The Bearsville School and moved it there at the foot of the hill. Across from Oddfellows Hall.

I guess my first memory in Woodstock would be my mother bringing me to the Woodstock Guild and she enrolled me in a leather working course, making belts and learning the tools. The teacher was Stephenson. That was probably 1951.

Juliet:  Robin, what’s your first memory of Woodstock?

Robin:  Probably going to Folk Art and getting the penny candy. And the parrot, Charlie. Or going to Laray’s while my mother got her hair done.

Jay: Did you ever see the five and dime store? Where the General Store was, and Houst, naturally. I bought my first pair of Levi’s there at Houst, which were outrageously priced at $3.50 for a pair of Levi’s! But I had to have them, so…

 We had a scanner radio that Donna used to listen to religiously. There was a murder up here, right up the road. Sam Shirah was a guy in town who wore a triangular hat with a raccoon tail. He was visiting this lady who was married, but the husband was in New York working or something. The woman had a daughter at home while she went to Holly Cantine’s place which was a log cabin just up the road here. There was some kind of affair. The husband comes home and asks the daughter where her mother is. She tells him she was with Sam Shirah. He went down to Big Scot and bought a gun and went up there and shot Sam Shirah. They put Sam on the hood of the car because he realizes he screwed up and they’d already called the cops. He was still alive. But when they got to Cooper Lake Road, he hit the brakes and Sam went flying off so by this time, he was dead. Everyone is calling my wife to find out what was going on.

Juliet: What’s your favorite thing about living here?

Jay: Well this time of year is rough. I was the only house down here when these kids went to school. My oldest daughter Anthea used to listen for the school closings. She was like 12 years old. When she knew the schools were closed, she would start my big tractor and plow the whole road so I could get to work. I missed Anthea when she left. Robin, forget about it.

Robin:  Yeah, I wouldn’t, but Sylvia (Gersbach, their neighbor back then) learned.

Jay:  Yes, I did teach Sylvia how to drive the tractor and plow the road. But it is beautiful here. It’s just gorgeous. I love mountains. This is my kind of place to live.

 ............

For further reading, get your hands on “Legendary Locals of Woodstock” to learn more about the characters Jay Mentions, and for more great Woodstock stories.

[jessestoddard]

One day I was stretching in the little space the tiny University Fitness gym allotted for such activity, and Mae happened to be there doing her Yoga. We were friends and had gone to the Puyallup fair with some mutual pals, like Lisa Yu and another personal trainer from the gym, John Tailor.

By the way, John ended up in a reality TV show called “Too Fat For Fifteen,” and ended up getting his Ph.D. and being teacher of the year in New Jersey. At the time, he liked Mae and was always hitting on her. Sorry, bud.

John Taylor in “Too Fat For 15” Reality TV

I was usually very private, but for some reason, I decided to come clean and needed to confess to someone—so I told Mae I was a homeless derelict. She took pity on me and decided to help. It just so happened that she was house-sitting for some rich doctor friends in Seattle, taking care of their dogs in their frequent absences.

She let me stay at her apartment while she was gone! Can you believe the faith of this woman? To this day, she admits she has never even thought of doing something like that before. I now get to tell people that I lived with her before we even dated. Talk about a crazy conversation starter!

I moved in and even slept in her bed (without her being there of course), while she was gone and my brand new apartment was finishing inspection. Later, when she came back, I moved to the couch as the project continued to be delayed. We had many conversations late into the night and actually got to know each other a little.

When I moved out, I asked my dad to help me build something for her as a gift. She didn’t have a good towel rack in her apartment, so we fashioned one out of wood and added some elaborate scroll saw work on the side of a tropical scene for decoration. We stayed in touch and eventually started dating.

It was near the end of my college years that decided to get back to the theater and I began auditioning for local theater on the professional level. I wanted to see where the dance training, combined with my music minor and acting training combined would take me.

It was then that the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle took note of me and made me one of their premier chorus boys off and on seasonally from about 2000 to 2005. I worked through the ranks as an Equity actor and had a few good roles as well.

My first show was Gypsy, the life of Gypsy Rose Lee, one of my favorite musicals, where I danced with a few other great performers like Louis Hobson (who has some notoriety in Seattle with his own theater and a few IMBD credits), along with Greg Allen, one of the funniest men I have ever met and the greatest tap dancer. 

Gypsy at the 5th Avenue Theatre

  Greg has made a life of working professionally in the northwest and rarely needs to find other jobs, other than working at a coffee shop here and there between gigs. He made that choice long ago, stuck with it, and I commend him for it. The lead in Gypsy was played by Judy Kay, a fantastic and powerful singer with a long career on Broadway, who we used to see singing in New York at the Macy’s Day Parade. Every night I used to marvel as she closed the show with high notes and a ringing vibrato that filled the halls: “Everything’s coming up roses for me and for you!” I was a regular Joe among true battle-tested professionals.

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Over the years I would perform in shows like Most Happy Fella, the 5th’s 75th Anniversary Gala fundraising events, Hair (twice, where I was the psychedelic modern dancer and acrobat with a giant glow in the dark phallus that everyone obviously assumed was real), A Chorus Line, playing the role of Don, The Wizard of Oz (the hardest show to be ensemble in, with all the crazy set changes and the green unitards), Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Hairspray Promo, Singin’ in the Rain, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where I got to back up a special show with Lucy Lawless, popular at the time for her role as Xena the Warrior Princess on TV.

Lucy was amazing, tall, beautiful and extremely gracious to us chorus boys and girls. We got to pick her up and twirl her and I was the one with the knee to the ground so she could sit on my lap as she flirted with the audience and sang.

After the show, as we left the stage door in the alley, I had never seen so many ravenous fans awaiting any performer. Even on Broadway, when I later waited for friends to get out of their shows, even the big stars did not draw these kinds of crowds. It also happened that this crowd filled the entire alley and circled out into the street and around the city block, all awaiting with bated breath the appearance of Lucy Lawless.

It was the largest number of Lesbians to ever congregate in one area at one time. We should have called the Guinness Book Of World Records, as it surely would have made the cover.

As with everyone else, Lucy was patient and gracious and took plenty of time to greet her fans and sign autographs. Poor clueless me thought it might be for us boys, and immediately checked my posture and flexed my muscles. I couldn’t understand why they never gave me or the other boys a second look. One of my coworkers had to point out to me that Lucy had a huge Lesbian following that traveled from all over to see her. We could have done a ribbon cutting ceremony of the alley and named it the New Isle of Lesbos.

We all went to dinner at Palomino’s just down the block after the show. Lucy went out of her way to raise us up and even kissed us on the cheek in front of our fans and parents just to make us look good. My uncle to this day is mesmerized by the lifestyle I lived, and everyone enjoyed the pleasant fiction that I had exotic Amazon women singers and dancers hanging all over me on a daily basis feeding me grapes.

Singing, dancing, and acting all at the same time requires a certain set of skills that relatively few people master. I was so fortunate to be allowed into this elite group of people for a short time in my life.

At the time, I had no clue how rare the opportunity or how lucky I was. I was having a blast and working hard and making more money than I had ever made in my life. 

During college, I had tried a ton of entrepreneurial ways to make money, including starting a jewelry business, buying “tiny little ads” in newspapers, and even buying and selling real estate. I was constantly reading the papers and thinking outside of the box and going to seminars. It was an incredible time of dreaming and conquest for me. 

My friend Gary called me an “Artist-Entrepreneur,” and I began to try to live up to it. I looked into starting a dance school, started an Internet import business before everyone else was doing it, and also took jobs for local ballet companies playing the prince in the Nutcracker or something when I wasn’t working at the 5th Avenue Theatre. I did a couple of runs with a theater on Vashon Island, where the parents and patrons of the theater would house me and feed me while I did the show. I lived out of a backpack and didn’t need much at all to live, so I was very happy.

Also beginning around 2001 I moved to New York City to try my hand there. When I wasn’t in Seattle working for the 5th, I was on an airplane. I found a scholarship that helped with the costs and decided to maximize it. 

I stayed with a college friend, Ryan Jones, or “Jones” as we all called him, who had graduated from the UW drama program and married another artist, thereby landing in the Burrough of Queens. Jones was running a non-profit and starting this own theater projects. He now runs a new dance and performance art physical theater company with his new wife in Los Angeles. 

It was a culture shock for me, but very good. I rode the trains and subways and lived in spare rooms and on couches for months at a time. I took dance classes alongside New York City Ballet dancers (that could mop the floor with me) and singing lessons from an amazing old sage called Maria Farnsworth who trained New York City Opera singers. I auditioned and honed my craft. I was eating, breathing, and sleeping New York and I loved the Big Apple and all its glory.

I ended up sleeping on a futon at my college roommate, Michael Bilikas’ pad in Greenwich Village. Michael was at this point at NYU dental school, and still on his phone all the time. His place was $1,700 per month for a tiny studio apartment in the early 2000’s, and the place was hopping all night. The only hour of quiet was between the hours of 3 am and 4 am, when the nightlife finally died down, and right before the garbage trucks came to clean up to start the day all over again.

A week before 9-11 I was in still in New York, preparing to fly to the gulf side of Florida to visit with my parents who were on vacation to see my aunt’s new place. She had moved to start over and was tired of the rain and cold in Washington State. 

Around that time, Mae had decided on her own to come visit me in our tiny palace of squalor in Manhattan. I was too dense to admit it to myself at the time, but our relationship was going somewhere and she was pursuing me. I had long ceased to pursue anyone and was happy with my only-child alone time, and single laissez-faire lifestyle. I was focused on my fanciful career pursuing the elusive stage.

Mae and I did a little tour and ended up at the twin towers and then decided to have lunch in the financial district. I was comfortable getting around but didn’t really know that area. I decided to take her to lunch, but we couldn’t find even a lowly sandwich place that I didn’t have to take out a mortgage to afford. 

I ended up putting an over-priced soup and sandwich on my credit card and tried to be chivalrous. I wanted to stay in New York City, and I secretly hoped Mae would just stay, but we both knew I didn’t have a real job or any kind of financial security to speak of, and we all know how attractive a man is and how secure his lady feels when the best he can offer is a futon in a dental student’s apartment.

I flew out from NYC and directly into the airport that we later found out the terrorists flew out from. I remember how laid back and relaxed that airport was then. The trip to Florida was short, but again reminded me how much I love the sunshine and palm trees. 

As soon as I got back to Seattle we saw on TV a plane crashing into the twin towers. We were all in shock and completely stunned by the tragedy. The little airport in Florida and every other airport in the country decided to start increasing the security after that.

Life After High School: Chapter 9 Vagabond One day I was stretching in the little space the tiny University Fitness gym allotted for such activity, and Mae happened to be there doing her Yoga.