Tim shopping in Chinatown...the fish markets of Chinatown...and the small Italian restaurant where we had dinner.

Red Velvet Cake

I had to work today, so Tim was his own tour guide. He hadn’t been to the Statue of Liberty since he was a kid, so he thought he’d take pay Lady Liberty a visit.

He got down to the ferry and realized that the ugly truths of tourism had set up shop.

There was a fee to ride the ferry to the island and another for visiting the statue. He opted to just ride the Staten Island ferry that would take him as close as he really cared about going. He had no desire to go through the museums on Liberty Island or hike up inside Lady Liberty. The Staten Island ferry was free and would take him pretty close.

As he rode the ferry he was standing next to an older European gentleman and his family. The man’s son and daughter-in-law were standing beside him and the son pointed out the Statue of Liberty to him. When man saw Lady Liberty tears welled up in his eyes and fell down his cheeks.

Tim couldn’t understand what was being said and we’ll never know that man’s story and history – but for moment Tim was able to see what this image of freedom meant to him. Tim had my camera with him, he continued looking out into the distance and quietly turned it in the direction of the man and capture his awe.

Tim rode the Staten Island Ferry roundtrip and went shopping. One of New York’s original department stores – Bloomingdale’s – which is a neighbor to The Container Store.

I got off work and Tim and I went down to Union Square to look for a place to eat. We happened upon a small place that had actually recommended to me earlier in the day. I had already forgotten the name of the place after I left the store, so I was delighted when – of all the streets that spread out from Union Square – Tim and I walked right by Chat ‘n Chew.

The meal was just what we needed…I had chicken fried steak…mashed potatoes…a Caesar salad…and…RED VELVET CAKE! I LOVE Red Velvet Cake and you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find in NYC. This was the first slice I’d had since leaving Atlanta.

Visit: www.chatnchewnyc.com

A Visit to the Bronx Zoo and A Drowsy Chaperone

Today is my day off…so, Tim and I set out for our day.

We ate in the neighborhood. Even though it was early in the day, Tim had a burrito. Wow. How’s that for breakfast food?

I went to a favorite little bakery of mine on 116^th and had a grilled cheese on delicious Cuban bread.

I was going to take Tim to the Upper West Side and go through the American History Museum, but since the weather was staying nice and the rain seemed to be holding off, we decided to visit the Bronx Zoo.

Tim and I spent hours walking and exploring the Zoo. The rain stayed away, which was great. It wasn’t hot, it wasn’t cold. It was Goldilocks kind of day. The pictures below will show more about our day together.

Before we knew it…the Zoo was empty. We had no idea that it closed at 5 o’clock – so the end of the day snuck up on us.

We left the Zoo and took a different train down the West of Manhattan. With our day at the Zoo over, I thought we’d try for a Broadway show. Tim and I got off in the middle of the Theater District on 50^th Street. As we rounded the corner of the Gershwin Theater, I saw that we’d just missed the lottery for Wicked – the one show Tim had really wanted to see.

We stepped to the Circle in the Square Theater, the theater next door to Wicked, to try for tickets to 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Elizabeth and I have seen the show several times and it’s a favorite. I was sure Tim would enjoy the wit and humor of The Bee, but neither one of our names were drawn for that lottery either.

There was one more lottery we’d have time to try for…it was a long shot because of the show’s growing popularity, but I thought it we could at least run by and take our chances.

Tim and I stepped up to the lottery for The Drowsy Chaperone about five minutes before they started drawing names. We both put our names in and waited.

My name was the third name drawn.

An hour later Tim and I were sitting on the front row, dead center, for The Drowsy Chaperone.

Tim loved the show. I enjoyed it even more the second time around. It was a lot of fun seeing it with him…we’re both big laughers.

As we left the theater I pointed out Linda Lavin to Tim. Tim asked me who Linda Lavin was…I explained that Linda was “Alice” from the TV show, Alice. Tim’s face lit up as he recognized her and put two and two together. He immediately began singing the theme song from the show.

He's got a great memory for kitsch.

Visit: www.bronxzoo.com and www.drowsychaperone.com

Gorillas

The Bronx Zoo has a beautiful family of Gorillas housed there. There were two strong Mama Gorillas, one of which kept her back to the glass but held her baby up so we could see her/him.
One thing I really like about the Bronx Zoo is its history. The buildings are old and their design is gorgeous. The building with the Monkeys has varieties of monkeys carved into the stone. The other buildings are the same. They're works of art.

Bronx

My Brother Tim arrives in NYC

My brother, Tim, arrived early this morning. He took a bus up from Richmond, VA to spend an extended weekend.

I took Tim on a short round-the-block tour of Spanish Harlem. He liked my apartment. Even though it’s tiny, he commented that Elizabeth and I were doing great things with the space.

We got settled in and showered and then headed back out. I showed Tim the Bloomberg Building which is the home of The Container Store. I introduced Tim around to my co-workers.

We had a little more than an hour before I had to start work, so we walked over a few blocks and stepped into the Southeastern corner of Central Park. We walked through several of sidewalk paths, talking and enjoying the nice breeze. We wound our way through the park to Bethseda Foundtain - my favorite spot in NYC.

I went to work and Tim began exploring the city on his own. He went down a few blocks and took a tour of the United Nations.

As I began working I was surprised to discover that the crew from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy had taken up residence in the store for most of the afternoon. Ted and Thom were filming an upcoming episode. I was at the store’s Information Counter on the second floor during most of the filming and may end up on screen when Ted runs the episode’s “Straight Guy” up our lighted steps.

Later in the day actress Sigourney Weaver made her second visit to the store and evidently Tim and I had just missed Whoppi Goldberg earlier in the day.

Guess our store is quickly building up a nice celebrity clientele.

1st Anniversary in NYC

Happy Anniversary to ME!

Today I celebrate my first year living in NYC!

Time has flown by so fast. I can hardly believe it.

I’m LOVING it and, for the most part, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I Love You Because...

Words can’t describe how beautiful today was. “Gorgeous” doesn’t do it justice.

I was up early, early, early for a meeting at work and then I came back home to grab a quick nap. Elizabeth and I had back to back show tickets for today. A musical, I Love You Because, then a revisit to a play I saw a couple of weeks ago, Based on a Totally True Story.

We were seeing both for under $10.

I am my mother’s son…I know how to find a deal.

We left early to explore the neighborhood where the first theater was. Ended up it was a couple blocks from Washington Square Park and some of the greatest little streets in lower Manhattan.

We came across a cute little store that Elizabeth feel in love with. It’s called Purdy Girl. Very unique and trendy, in a throw-back kind of way. Elizabeth found hats and dresses that she fell in love with as well as several pairs of shoes she heard calling her name. She only bought one pair but she vowed to return for more. She forged a fast friendship with the store’s manager…so I have a feeling Elizabeth will be spending more and more time down in the Village.

We walked through Washington Square…the fountain is still drained and many New Yorkers were encircled in the cement soaking in the sun. Around the park there were Tulips EVERYWHERE. Gorgeous yellow tulips with hints of red and black tulips, which I’d never seen before. There was a dog park…with huge Great Danes and small Jack Russell’s running and playing together.

As we walked down the sidewalk we talked about how we both want to spend more time in parts of the city we don’t know very well. The Village is high on that list. There is so many streets and nook to check out…and there are off-beat restaurants and shops around every corner. Stores like Purdy Girl and restaurants like Peanut Butter & Co. which use to be a favorite place of mine to hang out at when I’d come up on vacation. I haven’t been there since I moved here.

Peanut Butter & Co. is restaurant with variations of peanut butter and PB flavored items on the menu. Elizabeth and I ran in on our way to the theater. I got a PB & J Milkshake.

That’s right. A Peanut Butter and Jelly milkshake. They have it all.

The musical, I Love You Because, was really cute. It is a new romantic comedy about the ups and downs of dating and breaking up in New York City. It isn’t the greatest musical ever written but it was cute and funny AND there was a story line to follow…unlike…um…Lestat.

Visit: www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.com

After the show, Elizabeth and I headed uptown. We got off the train at Columbus Circle and walked across the bottom of Central Park on the way to see Based on a Totally True Story.

This was my second time seeing the show and I was again moved by the story and performances.

This time I was able to process more of my feelings about the characters. I am fully aware that it is “just a story” …a play…but I was able to connect to what it is in the relationships of the characters that touches me.

It’s forgiveness. It’s embracing the mistakes and the hurt. It is acknowledging the betrayal and pain and then healing.

There is a great moment of…acknowledging and embracing in the show. When faced with that moment, the lead character, Ethan, says, “It’s hard to pretend you weren’t in love with someone.”

That is the trick. When you’ve betrayed and hurt, it is a process to get back to a place where you can see that person again and find the love you had for them.

THAT is the moment I love in the show.

Though the characters lives are moving in different directions they can look at each other and see beyond their history. They can’t go back and recapture or even redeem what they lost, but they can appreciate their time together.

That alone is a journey.

Here are a couple of shots of Elizabeth walking and shopping off Bleeker Street.

Washington Park...you can see folks sunning in the drained fountain and Elizabeth on the phone among the tulips....including the really cool black tulips (which I don't think I'd ever seen before today.)

A couple more shots taken in Washington Park...the dog park...trees blooming...NYCer's sunning...
Also a shot taken crossing over 6th Avenue and walking through the neighborhood.

One of my favorite places, Peanut Butter & Co.
Also, Central Park South (59th Street) where Elizabeth and I crossed into the park briefly where the sun was filtering in. As I went to take a picture of the trees, I saw that I captured some random monk walking along.

My Most IMPORTANT Entry...My Plea for the Children of Uganda

Uganda has been my parent’s home for just over a year. We speak on the phone and exchange emails but I confess I know very little about Uganda. Through my parent’s

The last few days Uganda has really been on my mind. The children of Uganda have been on my heart. It has consumed my days and nights. I think of them before I go to sleep, when I wake up and sometimes in the middle of the night.

The other day, on Oprah, I saw a Special Report on the children of Uganda…children known as the Night Walkers. Children in Northern Uganda are being kidnapped and forced into the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The boys are beaten and trained to kill. Their mouths are busted open and they’re given no medical attention. The girls are raped, repeatedly, and even used as human shields. Both the boys and girls are trained to kill. Large pieces of their flesh is cut off and cooked, then sent to their parents. It is an almost indescribable horror. The images and stories of these children have haunted me for days.

Nightly, close to 40,000 children walk 3-5 miles to be corralled into huge holding pins to sleep. They are locked in so they will be safe at night.

Uganda is at the front of my mind because my parents live there. I have so many questions and concerns that I’m researching daily.

In the other countries like the Sudan, Darfur and Chad a genocide is taking place and nothing is being done.

I beg you to visit the links in the journal entry and see what you might be able to do. Something as simple as writing a letter to the President and your Senator would be a powerful act.

These people…these children must have someone speak for them. I believe we can be that voice and force. Not because we’re Americans but because we are humans. This is a human atrocity.

I worked today but tonight I took part in a rally for Night Walkers. Invisible Children.com sponsored a rally and a sleep over in a park not far from my store. I didn’t spend the night, as many did as a sleeping protest over the thousands of children sleeping locked up in Uganda, but I stayed for a couple hours. As hundreds and hundreds of us arrived, we had a Polaroid picture taken and we were asked to write letters to the President, our Senator, and to create some piece of art (using the picture symbolizing why we were there.

I wrote my letters and talked to those around me. I was empowered by the presence of so many (most with sleeping bags in tow), who were there to act on behalf of these children. As I turned my attention to my art…I was at a lost. Many were drawing, painting, etc. I couldn’t decide what to do.

So…like I do a lot of times when I don’t know what to do…I wrote.

Absorbing why I was there and remembering the images of the children I’d seen earlier this week, I began writing.

I thought of the power of the night. Night is when our bodies rest and regroup. It’s when we dream. I wrote a piece called Night Walkers and envisioned a time when they could once again sleep and truly rest and dreams. Their nights are filled with terror and not the dreams that accompany childhood. That to me is one of the greatest crimes against them.

Visit: www.invisiblechildren.com

Visit: www.creativevisions.org

Visit: www.theirc.org

Visit: www.savedarfur.org

Visit: www.genocideintervention.net

Visit: www.worldvision.org

Visit: www.ugandarising.com

Visit: www.unicefusa.org

There is so much we MUST do.

Please join me.

Here are some photos from the Invisible Children rally, including one of the art piece I made out of a box top.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore

Today I saw the play that will walk away with the TONY Award this year.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore

Hysterical.

Gory.

Witty.

Disgusting.

I had no idea what to expect on my “Pseudo-date” tonight at Lyecum Theater. This Irish play was incredible from start to finish. It is very, very dark and violent. It is also clever.

I can’t say much about the play without giving too much away, except that it is brilliantly written and acted. The play, and especially the ending, have been kept well under wraps.

What I can tell you is…it is set in 1993…it deals with the IRA…and…a cat.

But that doesn’t give a lot to go on.

The show was a sell-out Off-Broadway and opens on Broadway soon. I predict that it will win the TONY Award for Best Play this year and that in a couple of months it will be THE must-have ticket on Broadway.

Visit: www.lieutenantofinishmore.com

Auditioning...

This morning Elizabeth and I were up and out the door early heading downtown to an Open audition for Seussical: The Musical. The audition was for a touring production running in the Fall.

I was going in for the role of Horton The Elephant.

For the role of Horton they were looking for:

-2^nd Tenor/Baritone
-Bald
-30’s
-Not skinny

The role should be mine.

The audition was only 16 Bars (measures) and reading “sides” from the script.

We there just after 6:30 AM and I was seen around 10:35AM.

I sang 16 Bars from the Opening of Learning to Let Go (from the musical Elegies: For Angles, Punks and Raging Queens). This was the closing song of my first cabaret/concert a couple years ago. I felt that the spirit and mood conveyed in the song would be great for this audition.

As I waited in the sign-in room, I watched hundreds of people come and go…most not even able to get on the list to be seen. When I was taken outside the audition room I waited with a handful of others as actors/singers were led in one at a time.

From the hallway you can hear the audition in progress.

I listened to several guys go in and sing B I G songs…with a string on “money notes.” They were all showing how high and strong they could belt out a note. The more I listened, the more I felt good about my song choice.

My 16 bars start off quiet. They tell a sweet story from the few lines. They build slowly, measure by measure and then end with a strong “money note.” I feel like my song show a nice spectrum.

When I finished my song, the casting director looked up and asked me about the selection. She said it was beautiful and wanted to know what show it was taken from.

I then read a short scene with another person involved with the shows casting.

Then I was on my way.

The whole audition: 45 seconds.