Usually a show only takes a fifteen minutes, but when you wait over an hour, it turns into a longer event–but some things are worth waiting for.

There is more than one type of love, and if the fact that my racks of clothes are practically edging us out of house and home doesn't make it clear, for the record, I have a love for fashion. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to accompany my friend Laura to the Marc Jacobs collection (she designs for the Marc line and is one of the reasons said line is so awesome). It was a singular experience. The throng of paparazzi that greeted us at the entrance (but made little to no fuss over us nobodies) was truly insane.

Even more insane? The people watching: Rod Stewart (who honestly caused the biggest stir–they still think he's sexy and they still want his body), Michelle Rodriguez with her house arrest ankle bracelet, Anna Wintour with Harry Connick Jr. (who looked suspiciously like a highly paid callboy), Helena Christensen, with who we first identified with Skeet Ulrich but retracted after recalling an article that said she was dating some other semi-famous guy, and Lil' Kim (ankle bracelet free). Yes, there was celebrity sightings to be had, although to my surprise and horror no Jimmy Fallon! Has he really fallen so far so fast??

But the real excitement was the show itself. The red curtains parted to reveal a stunning scene of behatted models on a oversized white stage with huge doors and pillars. In an instant everyone forgot the show's delay and broke out into gasps and applause. A stream of classic, sophisticated clothes followed (many of which do not have their justices served by the online photographs). I was so happy to witness one of the best Marc Jacobs collections in years and fell in love all over again. Isn't it grand?

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Posted on February 12, 2007

When people have asked “what did you do for new years?” and I respond, “I had a bunch of cheap champagne, watched the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon and played Scrabble with friends,” they initially give me a “You poor bastard” look before admitting what everyone knows: their new years kind of sucked, like most new years do… unless you change your standards. Instead of expecting a magical night, count on scrabble with friends. It won't disappoint.

It was an awesome time (one of the best new years for me in a while) because Scrabble is tons of fun and I usually win.

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Posted on January 29, 2007

This tiny, charming place exceeded all my expectations. You will laugh and you will cry. In fact, like Astrid, you may do both at the same time when a projection of a bat dances across the stage curtain during the overture. Yes, Amato is the kind of place that uses slide projections, and if the tiny space, home made brownies and a t-shirt raffle during intermission don't clue you in, the goofy and fun production will: You are not at Lincoln Center. Expect an entirely different experience if you only know opera from more traditional venues.

The intimate experience, courtesy of Anthony Amato, the cutest little old man you could ever hope to see, is one I highly, highly recommend for both a fun introduction to opera and for a unique New York experience. Also try to go when this aweome Russian woman we saw (I can't remember her name, Jim thinks it's Zhianna) is performing. Her voice is beautiful, even if her thick accent makes it impossible to understand her. Our whole group was mesmerized by her goofiness and sultriness, a totally winning combination.

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Posted on January 15, 2007

(First Off-Broadway Show to Have a Blood “Splatter Zone”)
If you are a fan of the movie, then no need to read further, you will unquestionably enjoy this raucous production with its dancing zombies, buckets of blood, Bruce Campbell Doppelganger, and, yes, they kept the tree rape, but it is toned down a bit for the stage. If you aren't a fan, and to be honest I fall in that category, you will still find much to enjoy. The acting is meant to be over the top and, well, “theatery” and Ryan Ward as Ash and Darryl Winslow are particularly praiseworthy with Darryl getting some of the best lines. The musical has the backing of Renaissance Pictures and therefore Bruce Campbell and with good reason. Far from ruining the franchise, the musical has enhanced it and given it new life. After all, just how many more special edition DVDs can they put out? The choreography by the guy from the musical Buffy, Hinton Battle, is great and the production value including sets, effects, and costuming are top notch (while still in keeping with the B movie vibe). My only major complaint was with the Cheryl character after she became a demon. I have read reviews that claim she is the shining star in the production, but the character was disturbing, crass, and hateable to me far more than the creators intended. She told Dom Deluise jokes, for god sake! Has there been no other fat men in the last two decades to reference in puns? Despite that, I can recommend this as a fun evening out if you are a fan of gore, Evil Dead, or off broadway musical comedy.

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Posted on January 1, 2007

Even the facade and signage brings to mind Orwellian distopia. But as distressing as the Conway experience can be – with it's “slightly defective” sale socks; bad, distracting music; narrow walkways overcrowded with the unmovable public; long lines with only one cashier open and general nauseating labyrinth of stairs and elevators, it is still an experience that is totally worth while.

Especially if you have no standards and you are on a budget–and let's face it we could all lower our standards for some basic needs. I have been stocking up there a lot lately since we are still living out of boxes. I got some perfectly decent sheets, those “slightly” defective socks, that work out fine for my slightly defective Jim, and some phony “Italian” brand of underwear – just as good as a name brand but with the added illusion that I am buying something fancy.

Which is the only illusion you should expect. The place practically screams in your face “You are the huddled masses and you will not pay less anywhere else for these breath mints and long johns!”

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Posted on December 18, 2006