The Country Girl

A week or so ago I got an email from Starbucks about "Something Big" happening in Bryant Park and apparently at all Starbucks. What could it be?!

Yesterday I found a posting on slickdeals that said it was to reveal their new coffee blend and give out samples. Oh. Not as exciting as I had thought it would be, but was still curious about the event in Bryant Park.

Tried to take a break to coincide w/ the start of the "event" but that didn't happen. So I wandered over during my lunch to see if there were any remnants left and discovered several carts set up serving the coffee sample as well as a makeshift Starbucks store (Later I saw that CNBC actually did an interview w/ one of the Starbucks bigwigs in there.)

Even though I'm not a straight up coffee person I still decided to sample the free beverage w/ heavy aid from sugar and milk. Eh. I'm still not a coffee person. ;)

A co-worker from the branch in San Fran was in town for training so we went over to Vynl for dinner & drinks after work. I have to say, Vynl has a very good selection of food (even their breakfast menu) - and tasty! Considering it is kind of a novelty restaurant, that is saying a lot!

Then we split ways as I had a ticket to see a preview show of "The Country Girl" w/ Peter Gallagher, Morgan Freeman and Frances McDormand and directed by Mike Nichols. The first Broadway show I saw was another play by Clifford Odets (Awake and Sing!) so beyond seeing the "name" actors I was eager to see another play of his performed.

2 downers right off the bat. One set piece slanted towards the corner that was out of sight from my view so I was unable to see the entrances and exits for those scenes and see that part of the seemingly simple, yet impressive set. The 2nd downer is that I was behind a person who's head (more specifically his fluffy follicles) always seemed to be directly in my eyeline. Sigh.

The scene changes were helped by a seemingly endless curtain that would move from left to right (and right to left) instead of up and down. I wondered if this was a new(er) idea? I liked it!

Moving beyond that to the acting - Peter Gallagher is fantastic! I really think he'd be a good actor to work w/ - someone that would be willing to help you be a better actor and you could learn a lot from. Morgan Freeman seemed miscast and fumbled w/ lines at times but in some ways I guess that worked for the character. Frances McDormand's portrayal of the country girl - reminded me of mix between the mother she played in Almost Famous and Miss Pettigrew in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I'm not sure that was totally right for the part as it lent to zero chemistry w/ Freeman and Gallagher. She tripped over some lines, too and had trouble w/ a set door that wouldn't close. I guess that's why they have previews!

It was humbling to see these big stars having the same trouble I do on stage sometimes - it just goes to show that in someways live theater puts everyone on a more level playing field so to speak - everyone has to get it right the first time. There are no edits or multiple takes.

The final moment of the show is either inspired by the Playbill cover or the cover was inspired by it - not sure. Cool how it tied together!

Overall, it was disappointing though. I'd suggest "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" over this show but if you can get a deal on tickets it IS worth it to see Gallagher's performance and to just follow the Odet's storyline and listen to his use of words.

Me and Norah Jones (and some other people)

Again I had a self-inflicted early morning when I woke up at 4am to get ready and head out to see a free Norah Jones concert sponsored by GMA.

The concert was at Bryant Park. The note about the free concert advised - For a good seat, get there before 6am. The concert time is between 7am-9am, no one would be allowed in after 7am. So I got there at 5:30am to stand in line. (A horrible pic, but it certainly captures my tiredness!)

The park was roped off so we weren't officially allowed in until 7am. For the most part, everyone filed in, in order of how they stood - except for one couple who decided to start passing everyone. In an effort to make them rethink their "cutting" ways I asked them when they got there - 5:30, they said. Sorry folks - I was technically there at 5:33 and you weren't standing behind me. They hung back for a bit and then when we got almost in front of the stage they zoomed off again. And because it was standing only - others that had gotten more sleep still had the possibility of maneuvering their way to the front for a good view. Garr!

While waiting on the concert to start, I texted my mom to let her know that I was standing near a tall, bald guy in a red jacket - a good visual aid when looking for me in the audience! ;) My mom let my g-rents know and by golly my grandma spotted me! But later she told my mom that she really didn't like Norah Jones - saying that she didn't look very happy. My mom said she thought she was shy.

(I think my mom is right, because when the "press" hollered to take her pic you could tell she felt weird about posing and smiling for it, but if someone in the audience interacted with her she was all smiles and very friendly.)

Ms. Jones came on stage for a sound check with her band so we got a preview of what was to come - finding out then that she was going to play 2 songs on air and 1 song that was going to be recorded and put "exclusively" online.

The actual "concert" wouldn't happen until right before 9am - with a bit of GMA news being reported around us (the "sub" anchors were there - Kate Snow and a guy who's name escapes me at the moment - as the regulars were on vacay, but regular weatherman Sam Champion was there) in the meantime.

Norah Jones is TINY. She was even wearing heels and the anchors still towered over her. While waiting to play - some over zealous fans yelled, "Norah, what's your favorite ice cream?" She said it was chocolate - but it had to be a little melted. Then they asked her if she had a pet. She said "no" but she'd like to get a dog. Then 2 little girls in the front row asked her what her favorite color was and she said, blue.

She started to tell us we were a great audience and then realized her mic wasn't on, so she shouted it. She added that she was afraid no one would show up that early to see her!

During all of this the gal next to me kept bashing into me with the backpack on her back because she kept turning to her husband that was standing behind her. Eventually I scooted over, but then of course found I had a head blocking part of my view - doh!

Finally the concert started. She played a new song off her current album (Not Too Late) - "Sinking Soon", a changed up version of "Come Away With Me" and then "Cold, Cold Heart".

And just like that, it was over. Listerine was co-sponsoring the event so we got Listerine goody bags with a sample package of Listerine PocketPaks, Bandaid Blister Bandaids, First Aid Burn Cooling Patches, 2 different 8 oz. bottles (one with whitening action) of Listerine Mouth Wash and a sample of Reach Cleanpaste Floss.

Then it was off to get some caffeine! And check out what movie I wanted to watch before noon in Times Square....

The 'rents hit NYC

My 'rents landed in NYC, Wednesday afternoon and will be here thru Sunday. It's their first visit to the city. Am a little worried about how they'll do on the subway (in this way, I'm glad that I'm not working so I can kind of play tour guide as they get acclimated to the environment). But if tons of tourists each year can survive the subway, I'm sure my parents can too! :)

It took a while for them to get from the airport to their hotel. By the time they did, they were ready to eat - so we went to F.A.T.S. They had the College World Series on television! Always amazed at how nice Omaha looks during the CWS. Not that Omaha looks shabby - but the tv makes it look...better.

The eats were okay - but I'd probably go back to BRGR before Fat Annie's Truck Stop.

Now it was time to walk off the food from FATS and do some site seeing! We headed to Bryant Park and the New York Library. I hadn't been to the library, nor explored Bryant Park. Bryant Park is a GREAT place to read and just relax. In fact, they've got an "open air library" called a Reading Room, where you can read the newspaper or other books/periodicals that are on hand while you are enjoying the outdoors. The New York Library has (among other things) the Gutenberg Bible on display. Had it not been for my mother (the children's librarian) I probably would not have known or thought to go to the library and see what there is to see there...

Our next stop was Grand Central Station. We tripped upon a cool display while looking at the standards of GCS. It was sponsored by Turner Classic Movies – Architecture in Film: Celluloid Skyline: New York & Movies. They had a massive timeline as well as actual set pieces (the 'rents posed in front of one that included the Queensboro Bridge) used in backgrounds to represent parts of NYC in movies. I continue to be amazed by the endless amount of info and places to explore in NYC. One should never claim boredom here.

Then we were off to Times Square. While roaming, we stopped in at the M&M store where Mom & I posed with the Green M&M and then I snapped a pic of the 'rents in the middle of Times Square.

My dad did not like having to battle all the people, saying that he much preferred Philly over NYC (they visited there last year and actually spoke of moving there if they could).

We ate at Bubba Gump's (yes, it is a tourist trap but none of us had eaten there and it is a movie favorite - quotes from the movie are used often by the fam.) The sign the folks are posed with could be switched to a red "Stop Forrest Stop" sign if you wanted the waiter/waitress's attention.
Soon it was time to call it a night. Tomorrow is the big visit to the Statue of Liberty!