Adventures in New York City
How do I begin this?
Oh, hey I just saw Clay Aiken. I was maybe 20 feet from him. Probably would have been cooler if I was fan but I'll get to that part later.
So this weekend was my trip(s) into NYC. And this here is the bonus of living next to the train that takes you right into the city. Plans made by me and Xander months ago were finally here. Saturday we walked around the city a bit and on three separate occasions I came across some gangs.
Gangs of New York (in order of scariness):
3) Hillary/Obama supporters - Outside MTV studios. They were sectioned off by little fences and tons of police. But I had the feeling if the fence went down there would be bloodshed. I almost went up to both groups and said I'd support whichever candidate that had a supporter win a one on one fist fight. But I didn't think the Police would be amused and I had plans that night that did not involve Jail time. Xander thought it was a good idea though - so that was all I needed! :)
2) Angry militant larpers - Or at least that's what they looked like to me. Several black gentlemen dressed in camo with studded bracers and belts (that's 1 point of armor in EOS). I'm not sure what their issue was but they insisted on telling me that Will Smith is a homosexual (they did not use the word homosexual though, they used a much naughtier word.) and that is wife Jada is a lesbian. And that all those people in Hollywood are freaks. Not sure what their beef is with Mr. Smith - who I think is a fine actor and gentleman and though you can't judge by what you see, he doesn't seem to be gay to me. Also they were holding a picture of a black Jesus with horns. Again not really sure what their point was but Xander stopped me from asking what Larp they played. Probably a good idea that he did. :)
3) Fashionistas - Truly the scariest. We saw a huge tent in Bryant Park but we couldn't tell what it was. So I suggested we either break in or walk around until we could. I saw lots of cameras and security (hence I didn't try to break in) and then a group walked toward us. Men & Women. All in black with styled hair and sunglasses. Each pulling a wheeled suitcase behind them. They walked with purpose and didn't even notice us as they walked by. I whispered to Xander that they are fashionistas and we must be at fashion week! He didn't understand what it meant or the scariness involved. They are a breed apart I told him, we are beneath their notice. I suspect they might even be from a different world and we need to run before they 'style' us or something. And run we did. And I was right, as we hit the front of the tent, there in big bold letters - "Fashion Week"
I met a ton more celebrities:
I had my picture taken with Samuel L. Jackson, Harrison Ford, Bono, Patrick Stewart, The Rock, and Mr. Will Smith himself. I even talked to my old friend Steven Spielberg about making a role for me in his new movie and hung out with my old mates the Spice Girls. I was Ginger Spice back when we used to tour. Bet you guys didn't know that.
Xander kissed the Pope on his ring and got Elle McPherson's digits.
They Might Be Giants:
Finally the night had arrived. At the Beacon Theater in NYC after many months of waiting (not waiting in the city mind you - I waited at home for this day to arrive.) We saw They Might Be Giants. The place was sold out, our seats were pretty cool, and I could even hear when they talked to us. Sometimes when a band decides to chat up the audience I just can't make out what they are saying. Too much feedback. But these guys were damn entertaining & hiliarous.
The opening band was a They Might be Giants cover band who played their songs in exactly the same way they did and even looked exactly like them. It was amazing!! :)
After the "cover band" finished their set there was a break, and then the "real" They Might be Giants came on for a while. Then two encores later and it was all over. But it was awesome!! The crowd bopping along!! So much fun!
Spamalot:
Day two in New York City (did I mention the awesomeness of living by the train station) had us seeing Spamalot. I had mentioned this play to Xander after my Laotong outing to see Mamma Mia and he had expressed interest in it as well.
Again, a sold out performance and our seats were pretty damn close to the stage - just a wee bit to stage left (so I couldn't see a tiny bit of the stage) but I could see all the actors up close. OH MY GOD this was hysterical!! You people need to see this play. And oh yeah, Clay Aiken played Sir Robin. I'm not a big Aiken-ite or whatever you call them, but it seems there were a few of those in the audience. Still he did a good job and even spoofed his American Idol gig. Turns out the guy who played Sir Galahad I actually recognized more from TV (I love that his write up in the playbill said that he has not appeared on "Law & Order" - unlike most of the cast and most actors in NYC in general) I had just recently seen him in an episode of Pushing Daises.
I laughed so much and had tears streaming down my face and could barely breathe. I was practically in hyperventilation at the scene between Prince Herbert & his father - by the Prince playing dead. Only Xander will ever understand why I found that so funny! :)
Two Louli thumbs up on Spamalot kids. You really need to see it! :)
Hey did you know the Giants were in the Superbowl?:
We walked around the City a bit after that, checked out the M&M World Store - where mocking conversations about W&W's may have come up.
Went to the Virgin Megastore but couldn't spend much time there. $10 sale on most music on DVDs the fact that Xander left only spending $60 was amazing in fact his exact words were "We need to get out of here before I go broke!"
Then we left the city amid reporters and News Vans parked outside various sports bars. We need to get out of here in case NY wins said I, it will be madness.
Later back at my place watching the game (we got there as the halftime show was starting. Score!! Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers!!!) with all the shots of Times Square (you know, in case you missed the fact that NY won they let you know every 5 minutes by showing you NYC, and people's homes, and drunk party goers on the street, etc, etc.) I kept pointing out "hey, we were just there!! Thank God we left!!"
Oh, hey I just saw Clay Aiken. I was maybe 20 feet from him. Probably would have been cooler if I was fan but I'll get to that part later.
So this weekend was my trip(s) into NYC. And this here is the bonus of living next to the train that takes you right into the city. Plans made by me and Xander months ago were finally here. Saturday we walked around the city a bit and on three separate occasions I came across some gangs.
Gangs of New York (in order of scariness):
3) Hillary/Obama supporters - Outside MTV studios. They were sectioned off by little fences and tons of police. But I had the feeling if the fence went down there would be bloodshed. I almost went up to both groups and said I'd support whichever candidate that had a supporter win a one on one fist fight. But I didn't think the Police would be amused and I had plans that night that did not involve Jail time. Xander thought it was a good idea though - so that was all I needed! :)
2) Angry militant larpers - Or at least that's what they looked like to me. Several black gentlemen dressed in camo with studded bracers and belts (that's 1 point of armor in EOS). I'm not sure what their issue was but they insisted on telling me that Will Smith is a homosexual (they did not use the word homosexual though, they used a much naughtier word.) and that is wife Jada is a lesbian. And that all those people in Hollywood are freaks. Not sure what their beef is with Mr. Smith - who I think is a fine actor and gentleman and though you can't judge by what you see, he doesn't seem to be gay to me. Also they were holding a picture of a black Jesus with horns. Again not really sure what their point was but Xander stopped me from asking what Larp they played. Probably a good idea that he did. :)
3) Fashionistas - Truly the scariest. We saw a huge tent in Bryant Park but we couldn't tell what it was. So I suggested we either break in or walk around until we could. I saw lots of cameras and security (hence I didn't try to break in) and then a group walked toward us. Men & Women. All in black with styled hair and sunglasses. Each pulling a wheeled suitcase behind them. They walked with purpose and didn't even notice us as they walked by. I whispered to Xander that they are fashionistas and we must be at fashion week! He didn't understand what it meant or the scariness involved. They are a breed apart I told him, we are beneath their notice. I suspect they might even be from a different world and we need to run before they 'style' us or something. And run we did. And I was right, as we hit the front of the tent, there in big bold letters - "Fashion Week"
I met a ton more celebrities:
I had my picture taken with Samuel L. Jackson, Harrison Ford, Bono, Patrick Stewart, The Rock, and Mr. Will Smith himself. I even talked to my old friend Steven Spielberg about making a role for me in his new movie and hung out with my old mates the Spice Girls. I was Ginger Spice back when we used to tour. Bet you guys didn't know that.
Xander kissed the Pope on his ring and got Elle McPherson's digits.
They Might Be Giants:
Finally the night had arrived. At the Beacon Theater in NYC after many months of waiting (not waiting in the city mind you - I waited at home for this day to arrive.) We saw They Might Be Giants. The place was sold out, our seats were pretty cool, and I could even hear when they talked to us. Sometimes when a band decides to chat up the audience I just can't make out what they are saying. Too much feedback. But these guys were damn entertaining & hiliarous.
The opening band was a They Might be Giants cover band who played their songs in exactly the same way they did and even looked exactly like them. It was amazing!! :)
After the "cover band" finished their set there was a break, and then the "real" They Might be Giants came on for a while. Then two encores later and it was all over. But it was awesome!! The crowd bopping along!! So much fun!
Spamalot:
Day two in New York City (did I mention the awesomeness of living by the train station) had us seeing Spamalot. I had mentioned this play to Xander after my Laotong outing to see Mamma Mia and he had expressed interest in it as well.
Again, a sold out performance and our seats were pretty damn close to the stage - just a wee bit to stage left (so I couldn't see a tiny bit of the stage) but I could see all the actors up close. OH MY GOD this was hysterical!! You people need to see this play. And oh yeah, Clay Aiken played Sir Robin. I'm not a big Aiken-ite or whatever you call them, but it seems there were a few of those in the audience. Still he did a good job and even spoofed his American Idol gig. Turns out the guy who played Sir Galahad I actually recognized more from TV (I love that his write up in the playbill said that he has not appeared on "Law & Order" - unlike most of the cast and most actors in NYC in general) I had just recently seen him in an episode of Pushing Daises.
I laughed so much and had tears streaming down my face and could barely breathe. I was practically in hyperventilation at the scene between Prince Herbert & his father - by the Prince playing dead. Only Xander will ever understand why I found that so funny! :)
Two Louli thumbs up on Spamalot kids. You really need to see it! :)
Hey did you know the Giants were in the Superbowl?:
We walked around the City a bit after that, checked out the M&M World Store - where mocking conversations about W&W's may have come up.
Went to the Virgin Megastore but couldn't spend much time there. $10 sale on most music on DVDs the fact that Xander left only spending $60 was amazing in fact his exact words were "We need to get out of here before I go broke!"
Then we left the city amid reporters and News Vans parked outside various sports bars. We need to get out of here in case NY wins said I, it will be madness.
Later back at my place watching the game (we got there as the halftime show was starting. Score!! Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers!!!) with all the shots of Times Square (you know, in case you missed the fact that NY won they let you know every 5 minutes by showing you NYC, and people's homes, and drunk party goers on the street, etc, etc.) I kept pointing out "hey, we were just there!! Thank God we left!!"