Cupcake Kebab Craze!

So, I went to my first "Cupcakes Take the Cake" gathering on Saturday and braved the rainy weather in Central Park to present my Neapolitan Cupcake Kebabs (Kabobs). My goal was simply to come up w/ something new, fun and tasty - I had no idea how well they were going to go over (or if they'd go over @ all)! It's nuts!

Rachel from "Cupcakes Take the Cake" posted a vid on Monday of me talking about my Kebabs and it has over 800 views already! A google search for "Cupcake Kebabs" shows pics of my Kebabs showing up everywhere as well as the video. (It was even blogged about on BettyCrocker.com!) There are definite fans and definite foes - It is all very interesting to observe.... A word search on Twitter found many mentions and LuLus Cupcakes in AZ tweet - "Cupcake Kebabs - deep fried or no?"

Now I have this wonderful idea that everyone is talking about and...I'm lacking the right paperwork to sell it via my "in the works" online bakery. Nertz. It's exciting that so many people like the idea but a bit frustrating that I can't act on it immediately! (Perhaps I'll just be the Cupcake Kebab version of "The ORIGINAL Ray's Pizza", Har.) I saw that someone blogged about it and said they are trying to convince Crumbs to do it! That would be so crazy to see an idea arrive on the market and know I was the one that started it... My brother joked that if he sees it in Hy-Vee he'll know where it came from! ;)

And already I've found a few pics of people making their own versions! One is from Paris! Amazing! It's kind of like a play - you can have the same script but a different result occurs depending on direction, actors, space, etc.

In the meantime, I've got a head full of other flavor combos for kebabs and can't wait to try them! I've also started a flikr album w/ pics of treats I've made and of course there's the Facebook Group for Nibbles by Nora that people can join and be informed of the progress I'm making towards an actual online bakery!

No matter where this idea may or may not take me, one thing is for sure - I've now learned the power of the internet first hand!

Ladies Night!

When my producer and I were discussing publicity ideas for "Call Waiting" she suggested a "Ladies Night" where ladies would get a glass of wine w/ their ticket. Then I offered to provide a treat as well via "Nibbles by Nora" and so "Ladies Night" was set for Tuesday, April 5th, 2009.

In many ways, "Ladies Night" ended up feeling more like Opening Night than the actual opening show did.

My 'rents surprised me by sending flowers to the office, I met friends for dinner prior to the show and was given another bouquet and then another friend gave me flowers at the theater! (I think that's probably the most flowers I've gotten for a any occasion ever!)

The snag was that I was carrying 4 different boxes that held 4 different flavors (chocolate, almond, lemon & vanilla - all w/ buttercream frosting) of frosted cupcakes totally 46. So balancing was a bit of an issue but thankfully I got the cupcakes (and flowers) there in tact. (Did I mention I was up til 3am talking w/ my roommate and frosting said cupcakes and dipping fortune cookies the night before?)

We set out the cupcakes and had the wine ready and once we opened the house it was like "this is your life...in New York". People from work, previous shows, new friends and old arrived and made me realize just how far I've come since moving here. They actually came to see my show - some hadn't even seen me act before but they were making an effort to see something that I wrote and directed. It was pretty cool. Even cooler was the fact that everyone seemed to enjoy the show (and the cupcakes - teehee).

Having this group of people come out to support me really meant a lot and made me realize how lucky I am to have such people in my lives! And having an almost full house nearly made up for only having 4 people in the audience the night before.... ;)

Overall, I'd say Ladies Night was a success and now the cast gets a bit of a break before the final 2 shows next weekend!

In The Metro & on YouTube

Last night, the cast, director and writer of "Jump" went to the Strawberry One Act Kick Off Party. It was an event meant for networking & mingling but we noticed that most groups kept to themselves and so it actually ended up being an night for our own group to get to know each other better as we noshed and drank the wine & snacks they had set out.

In the same room as the festivities they were filming people talking about their plays. Which is a cool idea except, they didn't have a mic for people to hold. The only audio was being picked up by the camera mic and we were actually told to yell so the camera could hear us. Uh...

You can see our interview here.

We had gotten a detailed email telling us what info we were supposed to include in our interview and I typed out some of that info on a sheet of paper so we could reference it. The idea being that the camera could focus in on it but much like the mic sitch they weren't putting themselves out by zooming either. Oh well.

This morning I was flipping thru The Metro and found myself! I had submitted a book review for The Metro Summer Reading Club and was told they'd notify me if I was going to be published. I never was notified so it was quite a surprise to see myself in there! Woot! :)

Then over lunch, a co-worker and I walked to 6th Ave to see what we could of the All-Star Parade. It seemed like everytime I went to take a pic, someone's head got in the way but I did manage to get a couple shots of Hank Aaron. My co-worker had to go back to work and as I walked along the route a guy behind me started shouting at whoever would listen to him- "What's the big deal? These guys make millions a year and you're cheering for them?!" He had a point as by this time it was the current All-Stars passing and not the Legends. Long gone are the days of the ball player working a 2nd job just so he could afford to play the sport he loved.

Down 42nd towards 5th I found another All Star Liberty to take a pic of and then headed over to Garrett's Popcorn to find out what a popcornsicle was. (Further incentive was the fact that it was free...) As I stood in line, 3 guys lined up behind me going on and on about how weird the concept sounded and how they'd probably get cancer but yet they kept waiting in line...

It was finally my turn to get a popcornsicle and Top Chef's Richard Blais saw my face and said - You looked intrigued.

I said - I am.

Then he told me that the popcorn (Cheese/Caramel Popcorn molded on a stick) is dipped in nitrous oxide. It's edible and safe and that's what makes it a popcornsicle.

I referenced the "edible & safe" as being a concern and gestured towards the complainy guys behind me. ;) It was certainly tasty and worth the wait! :)

Playing Francine/Cheap Night on the Town

Found out today that I got cast in a one-act (Jump!) that will be @ the Strawberry One-Act Festival!!!

I'll be playing Francine - (she's described as being in her 40s?!) a pusher of her faith.

Will share more details once I get them! :)

In other tidbit type news...

A co-worker who normally scoots out early due to her long commute was actually in town this evening due to a conference she's attending so we decided to check out Morton's Bar Bites. (The only time I could reasonably afford Morton's.) Their appetizers were $6 a plate, so we got a few and put together a fairly decent meal for the price. I highly recommend trying it after work sometime! :)

Afterward we headed to a newly opened Red Mango where we got a free froyo serving w/ 1 topping (having tried Red Mango, I think I might prefer Pinkberry) and then took advantage of a bogo bottled beer special @ Duke's. I hadn't been to Duke's before and if I'm near there again I'd like to go back and get more than a drink! It has a very eclectic, time warpy atmosphere.

It was a good evening and I had money leftover, so that made it an even better evening! ;) Proof that you can go out in NYC and not break the bank...

Inside Spragg's Shorts Opens

Today was one of those days that you think had more than 24 hours squeezed in.

Since I knew we had an early tech today, I made cookies (sans chocolate chips) last night to maybe give everyone an extra boost of energy. - I used Hot Cocoa Kisses and they didn't last long! :)

The one-act I'm in takes place on Thanksgiving (It's titled "Wombsgiving" and I play Rena, the sister-in-law that finds out her lesbian sister-in-law is expecting while she can't seem to get preggers herself) , thus the need to have a non-summer costume. This of course doesn't balance well w/ the theater warmed by summer temps. Ugh. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right? And hope you don't look too sweaty and gross doing it! ;)

We had a quick break and then it was time to set up for the actual show. A friend from NE happened to be in town for a visit and got to see me (the first show she's seen me in in NYC) and my friend from Boston was there, too.

Afterwards, my NE friend and I grabbed lunch at Cowgirl. Yum! And while we ate it began to just pour w/ the added bonus of crackling thunder and lightening. We attempted to take our time at the restaurant and wait for the rain to calm down but once it was clear we were done eating we were asked to leave so other patrons could sit - so we did. We scurried to a bodega to get my friend an umbrella and then hid out in a Starbucks until someone else my friend knew in NYC picked her up.

I continued to hang out @ Starbucks (totaled up, I was there for a few hours) and my friend from Boston joined me again. By then the weather had calmed down somewhat so we headed to Flannery's (located by a place called the Donut Pub) and had a Guinness. Although I'm told that Guinness is ALWAYS supposed to be served this way, this was the first time I saw my Guinness w/ a shamrock drawn in the foam. Very cool! My friend knew the bartender and when he found out I was an actress he said that the first drink was free, adding - "You gotta help the starving actor!" Niiice! :)

Number Crunching

I have eaten @ McDonald's maybe a half dozen times since seeing Super Size Me a couple years ago. So I've lost track of what's on their Dollar Menu, what the meal deal #s are, etc.

Needless to say when I caved to satisfying a Hot Mustard craving - which naturally requires ordering nuggets & fries I was informed that ordering 2 4pc nuggets from the Dollar Menu is cheaper than ordering a 6pc. I thanked the McDonald's employee for sharing her knowledge w/ me and am now sharing it w/ the world! (Or whoever reads this and buys McNuggets from McDonalds.)

Baby Shower, Boiling Water and a Callback

Our director for Phare Play is VERY pregnant and I got to go to her surprise baby shower on Sunday @ Yum Yum Bangkok. And she was indeed surprised!

My experience w/ Thai food is limited so anything I ordered would be a new discovery, but the thing I discovered that I'm HIGHLY recommending to anyone that has the opportunity to try it is Thai Tea! I really don't know what all is in it but it sure is tasty - even if the orange color may be a bit concerning. ;)

As I was headed to the subway, post-shower, I got a call from a director affiliated w/ a PA Playhouse I had previously auditioned for and been called back for. She wanted me to come in and read for another show. I went home, printed out the emailed sides and then headed back in for our final show of Office Hours.

Ever since we've been in this space we've noticed a bucket nearly overflowing w/ dripping water from a pipe in our cramped dressing/set storage area. Another leak had been discovered in a side stage nook that one of the actors sits in for a scene during the show and when the owner was asked about it he said there wasn't a leak. Oh-kay... Well...the "non-leak" which happened to be of the boiling water variety, reared it's ugly head again and the actor was so distracted by it that he missed his cue line which left me and another actor stranded onstage trying to figure out what to say to kill time in hopes that he would respond soon. Of course, we didn't know he was being pelted w/ boiling water drips until after the show. Oh, the life of the non-paid, non-equity actor!

So, today I went to the callback over my lunch and I felt like it went well. I was asked to re-read one scene based off instruction the director gave me. If anything, I feel like the casting director at least is keeping me in mind (he referred me to this director and was the one that determined the original callbacks) so if I still don't get cast this time around maybe an opportunity will arise in the future...

The Bleecker Street Pizza Experience

Had a show tonight and managed to get to the theater area quicker than expected. Decided to wander and see what might be good for dinner outside of the few blocks I was already familiar with...

With much delight I discovered Bleecker Street Pizza not too far away! I had heard about this place since before I moved here but had yet to try it.

I went inside and placed my order and while I waited I picked a beverage - Diet Orange Sunkist Soda - but my pick changed after I saw it was expired. (Apparently not enough people like the Diet Orange.) I opted for Coca-Cola but I have to say when you want Orange, Coke just doesn't do it.

Another guy got his pizza about the same time I did and complained about it being "burnt" just based on the visual of dark spots on the crust. The guys behind the counter were irritated - it wasn't burnt, it was just from the oven. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing...

Headed to the theater to eat this popular pizza and....well, it kind of reminded me of Totino's. Which isn't bad, except that I have a feeling a whole pizza of Totino's would probably have been cheaper than the slice I got from Bleecker! ;)

Toasty

The snow turned to rain this morning and caused the snow that hadn't been cleared from the sidewalks to turn into huge pools of slush. Needless to say, my feet were absolutely soaked by the time I got to the subway.

By lunchtime, you couldn't tell it had snowed yesterday and I decided to make the trek to Herald Square over my lunch - hey, my feet were already wet - right?!

Thanks to The Metro I found out that Dunkin Donuts was having a promotion - i.e. free food samples and coffee - in Herald Square (in their "Toasty Tent") to promote their new "toasty" menu items.

Once again I was amused by how in NYC, 1 per person does not apply when it comes to samples (except for Godiva Chocolate samples). Instead, it is as many as a person can hold and it's not even like they are sneaky about it. One gal stood there while the worker held the plate and announced she was going to take "a few".

The toasty samples were tasty but since I obeyed the 1 per person rule - it wasn't much of a lunch. ;)

Tonight I rode and rode and rode to a spot in Brooklyn to audition for a show @ a community theatre there. It was kind of refreshing to mingle w/ people that I would have seen @ a BLT audition. They were there because they enjoyed it - sometimes I think the actors around here are so into the "pursuit" that they forget the fun. It's understandable, but it's sad, too - cause then what is the point? Oh...well, maybe for some it's not about fun but eventually making lotsa money! ;)

No monologues for this audi. We just had to read sides - in front of everybody! Hadn't done that in a while as lately it's just been me in a room w/ whoever is casting.

Anyway, I got done and the director said it was "very good" and that it was up to him now to decide. Yep. He "interviewed" me prior to my read and asked where I lived and how far of a ride it was - I didn't know as I had come straight from work. But I think the distance bit may have done me in. It is a trip but I was willing to do it as it was going to be a full length play and well - I'm kind of itchy to do one of those! Will see....

Spring in a Dome

Winter hasn't been all that horrible in NYC this year but it has been just chilly enough that a person still yearns for spring.

Thankfully, Zyrtec created "spring" inside a dome in Central Park (my first visit to Central Park since I moved here!) - although the grass and flowers were artificial it was kind of nice to roam around without a coat for a bit! ;) And they even greeted you @ the door w/ hot chocolate to help you warm up faster!

**Note:The statue is of Mother Goose**

The dome was more geared towards families w/ a storytime area (free kid books), merry-go-round and a clown juggler/comedian performing.

They also had an allergy quiz that you could fill out (the answers were posted @ each station) and then when you turned it in you got a free green Zyrtec Umbrella! (Am finding that even if it has a brand name on it, an extra umbrella is always good to have here!)

Last but not least, my friend and I took turns posing with a giant dandelion but all too soon it was time to head out into the cold again. :(

We had just enough time to walk over to Cafe Lalo (thanks to another visiting friend I heard about this place - they filmed scenes from "You've Got Mail" there) If I go there again, I think I will just go for coffee or dessert as seating is cramped and thus tables are tiny making it hard to fit entree sized plates, glasses, mugs, etc on the table comfortably. It is certainly very quaint and if you do go - BRING CASH! Didn't even think about that until our bill came and my friend stepped out to the cash machine so we'd have an adequate tip for our waitress!

Time looked to be tight to get to the theatre on time but thankfully we made it! My friend saw the show (my supervisor and her friends and the mailman for my work's building also came) and afterwards we hopped on the subway again to see a few more places and grab supper @ Lillys.

I'd been battling a cold and it was winning (our closet-like dressing room seemed to be breeding the germs as more than one actor was struggling with various forms of yuck). Thankfully my friend was okay with calling it a night early. We watched some eps from my roomie's boxset of Flight of the Conchords - goofy fun. Some of the eps appeared to be shot in Queens, too.

Time for sleep...and some airborne...and some meds....snore....

What Calories?!

This weekend it's my friend from Boston's turn to visit NYC.

We planned to meet @ Saks 5th Avenue (more specifically Café Charbonnel) when I got off work. I'd NEVER been inside before and felt a little overwhelmed. As I was figuring out where the elevators and stairs were I made eye contact with John Woo as he passed by me. Whoa! I resisted the temptation to shout out - Face/Off is one of my fav movies!!!;)

I finally figured out where the elevators were and when I got to the 8th floor it was shoes as far as the eye could see - they have their own zipcode!

Uh...where's the chocolate? (Let's face it - the chocolate was going to be a lot more affordable than those shoes!) After weaving thru the shoes hoping I wouldn't knock anything over I finally found my friend and then we found chocolate.

The shop is a cute little place with a chocolate fountain and conveyor belt on the counter to move the treats to you or simply tempt as they pass. Both of us were curious about the Champagne Truffle but settled for hot chocolate instead.

From there we headed back to Astoria to drop off excess and stopped by The Brick Cafe for drinks and appetizers (our reservation was late so we needed something to tide ourselves over!)

Then it was back into the city to enjoy our 3 course meal @ Terrace in the Sky.

My friend had heard of the place because of its views of the city and since it was Restaurant Week it was a good time to try it since generally it is a bit pricey. Unfortunately we didn't get to sit right next to the window but even at a distance you got the idea. It would be nice to dine on their terrace when it is warmer out - perhaps the next Restaurant Week?!

The trip continues....

It was much colder today than yesterday so our plan to stop for hot chocolate-related beverages @ LA Burdicks was a wise one!

The dark chocolate mocha hit the spot but apparently having the caffeine in it made it a little more tolerable as my friend's dark chocolate was good but just too much of a good thing. We quickly understood why they have a tiny size option for their hot chocolates.

By day 2, I was somewhat beginning to understand the Boston's mass transit system. In theory it is simpler than NYC's subways but I was glad I had my friend along to guide me thru it!

Headed over to the University of Boston Campus so I could get gear and a pic or two to share with a friend of mine who is attending the college online. The campus B&N wasn't quite open yet when we arrived so we killed time and warmed up @ the 7/11 across the way. In honor of my visit I bought a Boston Cream Pie Donut. I don't even remember the last time I had a donut - so it was certainly tasty! :)

From the BU campus to the Science Museum. We took in an Omni IMAX show, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharoahs, in addition to viewing the museum. Unfortunately my tiredness caught up with me and it was a struggle to keep my eyes open and appreciate the Mummy show - oops. From what I saw it was cool though! ;)

LOTS of stuff to see @ the museum. If I was a kid I think I'd be on overload for sure - was pretty much on overload as an adult! A T-Rex greeted you on your way into the museum and another life size T-Rex stood in the museum - ironically the one on the inside had a scarf! Lots of hands-on exhibits - it kind of reminded me of the science museum in L.A. except there was more! The museum also gave a great view of the sun setting down on Boston (right) and Cambridge (left).

We wound our way back towards Faneuil Hall and stopped in at Hard Rock for drinks & appetizers and to see the end of the Pats game (when in Rome...). Behind the bar there was a huge gong that was signed by the members of Aerosmith, except there seemed to be more signatures than members. I asked about it and the bartender told me no one could sign it except members of Aerosmith - ohkay.? When a birthday was announced the gong would be struck.

I totally failed to make the connection of Aerosmith and Boston until I saw that gong. Next time I visit I'll have to look up some Aerosmith related locales that they mention in their autobio. :)

We took it easy @ Hard Rock because our main dinner destination was Lucca. It's a very nice Italian restaurant that my friend discovered and actually made friends at so I guess you could call it her hangout. :)

Afterwards we crossed the street to get some fresh Boston Pastries (I picked Florentines) at Modern Pastry (we learned that the well known Mike's Pastry aren't made fresh daily but rather thawed daily - it's good to get intel from the locals!) On our way back to the T, I spotted another bakery called Lulu's. It was nothing like Lulu's in "The Waitress" but I still felt obligated to buy a cupcake!

We got back to my friend's house a little early but that was okay - I wrote out postcards and she checked her emails while we both watched the premiere of Breaking Bad. Bryan Cranston is a very talented actor. Most know him as Malcolm's Dad but I remember him from X-files, too. He can run the gamut as an actor and is lucky he's been cast in roles that show it! Will be interesting to see if Breaking Bad catches on or not. Since it is on cable, that is probably the only ep. I'll see. It's an interesting concept but a show that I'd probably have to see a couple more eps of before making a yes or no opinion so basically I'm saying I liked it enough to watch again but don't know if I'd call it appt. television.

Going to Bah-stun

Before I moved to the East Coast, another friend of mine was already living in Boston. However...due to both of our crazy schedules, the first time we actually saw each other since I moved was in December when she came NYC way. Since I had MLK, Jr. Day off I decided to finally head her direction and see Boston for the first time.

The cheap transportation of choice was Fung Wah. $15 one way! My goal was to be on a bus by 7am (they take off every hour) but the subway thwarted my plan. As I rushed to maybe, possibly catch the 7am when it was 7:02 I managed to find a rare spot of ice on the street corner and landed flat on the ground. Needless to say I bruised my tailbone just in time to ride a bus for 4 hrs! Lovely. However, I did perk up some when I found out that they had a bus taking off @ 7:30! Woot!

I got on the bus and was immediately in a time warp as the last time I'd rode one of these travel buses (with non-functioning TVs) was on a high school band bus trip. Ah...memories?! I actually saw "Arachnophobia" for the first time on one of those bus trips - yes, we got to use our TVs on that trip! ;)

It didn't take long for me to fall asleep and as I nodded in and out I saw that we were in Connecticut. Isn't that where Angela and Tony lived in "Who's the Boss?" I texted my brother. He couldn't remember...he asked if I'd seen Tony's van. ;)

The driver took a break at a TA stop in Willington, CT and believe it or not I actually took joy in being able to go into a truck stop and get caffeine! As a pedestrian, it is something you rarely get to do! And quite frankly...even though the cap/cocoa/latte selections are just powder and water...it is quite fun to be able to mix them and pay much less than a drink @ Starbucks! :) (BTW - Unleaded Gas was $3.29 a gallon there. - It occurred to me that I didn't know if that was good or bad anymore!)

Back on the road, I hit Boston a little after 11am. My friend met me @ the bus station and we headed to Fenway for a tour of the stadium and lunch across the street @ Boston Beer Works.

After we found where to buy tour tickets (note: it is in the fan shop across from the stadium on Yawkey Way) we got lunch at Boston Beer Works where they sell Bunkerhill Blueberry Ale. Note the blueberries floating in the beer. It was surprisingly tasty! Although I couldn't say as much for the sour cream & chives fries. I was expecting actual sour cream & chives for the extra $ you had to spend - instead it was just spices that were shook onto the fries. Boo. My friend opted for a salad which ended up being as big as her head! No lie.

Off to Fenway! Now, I will say right off the bat that I'm not a big Sox fan but I do love the history that comes with an old ballpark and let's face it - the history is rapidly disappearing as very few remain upright. (Coincidently - the first and only time I saw Wrigley was on a band trip that I spoke of earlier!)

Our tour guide proved she knew her stuff sharing lots of interesting tidbits and not letting tricksters in the audience try and trip her up or outsmart her. (Note: the window shots of the field were taken from the press box.)

Here were a few things we learned -

The Green Paint for the Green Monster is copyrighted - so no matter how big of Red Sox fan you are, you won't be able to buy the same color paint for your home.

There are a section of blue wooden seats that have been there since the 30s and haven't been painted since the 60s. If a wooden slate needs replaced, it is replaced and unpainted. The seats are 18 in. wide compared to current seats which are about 22 in. wide. And the seats have been grandfathered into the fire code - current requirements only allow for 8-6 seats per row then there must be an exit aisle. These seats span 36 seats! The tour guide told us that you get to know the people that sit beside you well. ;)

The BRS have the toughest rules for getting a # retired w/ the team.

Nods to Ted Williams can be found everywhere in the stadium from the obvious - The Hall of Fame to the not so - capacity (406) in the most of expensive of the 2 clubhouses. The tourguide rattled off the pricing - you are required to buy 2 season tickets for multiple years to be able to see the game from the clubhouse - and then said...House? Or BRS tickets?

Another wall near the more expensive clubhouse (we weren't able to tour that because it was being prepped for a wedding reception) has Cy Young Award Winners displayed. The tour guide was quick to point out that Roger Clemens was accused of being on steroids after he left the Bo. Sox.

Fenway was built in 1912 - the same year the Titanic sank. The brick entry is what is left of that original stadium.

An enterprising gentleman named Tom Yawkey decided to buy the Boston Red Sox for his 30th Birthday and was the one that established the Green Monster. Originally it was built to keep non-paying fans from getting a free look at the game but then it was painted blue and covered with ads. Because the ads had a white base the players would tend to lose the ball near the wall so upon consultation with his wife Yawkey decided to get rid of the ads and paint the wall green - at which point the seats that I mentioned earlier were changed from green to blue.

While in the "cheaper" clubhouse I spied a ginormous wooden chair that I had to pose in and didn't realize it was Wally's (the mascot) chair until a tour guide helper asked me if I felt closer to Wally now that I sat in his chair. Sure?! Fortunately my skin didn't take on a green tint!

Whether you are a fan or not - I highly suggest a tour if you are ever in Boston. It is a fascinated piece of history to see and hear about.

Once we were done with the tour we headed back out and came face to face with the next tour headed in. Was rather impressed with the tour crowds considering the time of year.

Outside the stadium was a clubhouse that Absolut must sponsor - their trademark ad was in the windows created by baseballs.

Next stop was the Rescue Mission/Kingston Halfway House where my friend volunteers at least 20hrs a week. The original plan was to help serve dinner but they serve later on Saturday so we got to help make the meal(s) instead! :)

Lots of area businesses (like Bear Stearns and Rebecca's Cafe) donate food there. The sad thing is that sometimes there's too much of it and it spoils before they get a chance to use it.

Since I was the newbie I got relatively easy tasks - boil water for pasta (I learned that salt makes the water boil faster, I feel like I should have known that already but if you didn't either - now you do!), mix different kinds of cooked rice together, add mounds of shredded cheese to the meatballs and prepare a bread platter.

After our cooking duties were done we continued on with sight seeing. Some neighborhoods (like Beacon Hill) actually have laws were modern day lighting is not allowed for the street, brick is EVERYWHERE but because of that it makes Boston seem more quaint and alive with history - from the far away past to the more recent.

For example...the location that inspired Cheers (Bull and Finch Pub) is in Boston. People were spilling out the door so we didn't go inside for a beer but we did take pics outside. We walked past the public library which is AMAZING inside and out. The artwork and the courtyard...well, if I lived near it that's definitely where I would choose to spend my quiet time. My friend was a great tour guide telling me facts about Boston and the buildings.

For instance,Trinity Church (in this picture) was built in 1877 (100 years before I was born) and the John Hancock Tower next to it was built to reflect the beauty of Boston but nearly destroyed it when the window panes were miscut and started popping out while it was being built. Fortunately, that's been corrected and it can reflect the city with danger to pedestrians below.

The lighted tree area is at the intersection of Commonwealth & Dartmouth. The stone sculpture is the back of a fireman memorial. Whenever a fireman is lost to a fire in Boston, the others gather there.

Time to warm up!

We stopped for a cocktail at Atlantic Fish- a restaurant my friend used to work at and then it was off to a show,"The Little Dog Laughed". I moved to NYC after the show run on Broadway so I didn't know much about it beyond the fact that the actress that played the agent on Broadway got a Tony and it was a biting comedy. So when the 2 males in the show went full frontal my friend turned to me and asked with mouth gaped open, "Did you know about this?!" Uh..no. Not that she was offended but sometimes it does help to have a little advanced warning for something like that! Especially for the gray hairs in the audience - boy, they were vocal about it during intermission and not in an admiring way, either! ;)

After seeing the show I was curious to know how similar it was in staging,set,etc to the Broadway production- would have been interesting to compare and contrast. Great roles and the show was inspired by the playwright's real life frustrated dealings with Hollywood as a screenwriter. I think there is definitely some theatres in Omaha that could pull this show off - er, maybe that's a poor choice of words. ;) So maybe it will be in a theatre for some of you to see soon, too! :)

After the show, we met up with my friend' s roommate at UNO Chicago Grill for a late supper and then it was home for some much needed rest so we can go out and see more tomorrow! :)