on music...

Sent at 4:36 PM on Monday
tonylee415: btw, i thought about the answer i gave you yesterday
about the song and personality
me: oh?
tonylee415: yeah
me: did you change your mind?
tonylee415: yeah i think i did
me: ok
tonylee415: i think any song has to have some personality
whether or not it's communicated
me: so...maybe I'll just write a blog post later
but I have two versions of Copeland's "Rodeo"
one conducted by Bernstein
and another by Michael Tilson Thomas
and the one by MTT literally...made me want to laugh yesterday
I hope this doesn't sound like I'm on crack
tonylee415: no, i'm following
me: the most marked difference between the two is the MTT one is faster
so you have to sort of make your listening brain/ear keep up with the pace of the music
tonylee415: ok
me: but all the little bits are punctuated in a way that make you think they're saying something
and each bit of the song has a personality
and it makes the song so much more fun
(I can't believe it's the "Beef: it's what's for dinner" song)
but that's what a good conductor does
takes apart and reassembles music so that each bit is infused with the musical capacity and fullness that it has the ability to be
tonylee415: ic
me: and each one will interpret it differently
tonylee415: ok
me: MTT"s version is way "punchier" than Bernsteins
I dunno...so that's what I was thinking
tonylee415: right on
sure i buy that
me: like music...can be this really cool thing where each piece of it can be something else
like someone saying something
tonylee415: i think what i was talking about was more of an existential issue
lol
me: oh I know
tonylee415: sure, why not?
like covers
me: but that's what I was talking about
tonylee415: some ppl stick to the original stuff
some ppl put their own spin on it
me: yes
the Rayees did this remix of a Robyn song
tonylee415: there's that hard rock version of billy jean
like acoustic hardrock
me: oh yeah
the ataris
tonylee415: i think so?
i can't remember
me: I like covers
I like it when someone else reinterprets something I"m already familiar with

Why you can't date anyone younger than 30, Penny.

Normally reading Mission Mission makes me cringe because it represents the worst of Hipster Nation that prevails in my fine city, but I actually agreed with today's dating critique:

We’re going to end this week’s examination of dating and friendship and flakiness in San Francisco and California with this sober rap by reader Al:

Here’s my theory, (note: huge generalizations will be made): Our grandparents grew up during the Great Depression thus rearing their children (our parents) to value hard work, decorum, conservatism. As a result we have the buttoned up, squeaky clean 50′s and then the revolt of the free lovin 60′s. Unsure of how to raise us, our parents padded our cribs, fed us on formula of “you can be whatever you want to be” “everyone should go to college” “be an astronaut, honey” “be a ballerina” and it’s left us, as a generation, completely floundering. We can’t make decisions period. About career paths. “Let’s all be designers!” or what the fuck to eat. We’re all looking for the bigger, better, EASIER, next thing. This includes again jobs, lovers, friends, weekend plans. We like to keep all options open, hoping that someday our shot at “space” or “prima ballerina” will fall effortlessly in our lap.

Touche MissMiss....you spoke it to a tee.

24 hours of lucidity

Finally watched 'Inception' last night with some work friends. And, let me throw in this disclaimer, as a person who works for a movie company...I don't watch a lot of movies. In fact, to be perfectly honest, no one here watches a lot of movies. And while the film was enormous in scope and full of lush cinematography and some incredible special effects, I didn't love it.

There were a lot of interesting concepts though, that make me think more and more. It's much better fleshed out than the Matrix; where the mind creates what it wants to create. Inception takes the power of the mind and turns it inward - where everything is almost what you expect with only subtle hints to let you know you're dreaming. But much like dreams, where you become the watcher - so much of this movie did not hook me emotionally. Every moment, because the actors did not feel any fear of death and love was a mere shadow of emotion tainted by the illusion of dream creation; nothing truly engaged me. Not even the tears of Leo's wife. If Nolan's vision was truly to create a dream like world, he succeeded. Visually stunning, emotionally cold and bereft of feeling.

But early this morning, after waking up and falling back asleep at 3am - I had a very lucid dream about swimming. I've been gaining a bit too much weight for my comfort lately. Spending a lot of time at home and eating too many bad things.

I need soba salad, with tofu and greens. I need less fried and more steamed. More fish and veg...less cheese and butter. And I need a workout. My knees have started to give on me a bit, darn these hills. So swimming has always been an amazing aerobic workout that is low impact. And I used to swim all summer, all the time. And if I go in the morning and don't give a shit about who is there and what I look like...well.

I dreamt the smell of cholorine. I dreamt driving into the parking lot where the nearest pool is. I dreamed waking up at 7am to get to the pool to do laps, showering and getting into work with wet hair. I dreamed my first day...only doing maybe three laps and getting too exhausted to do more. I dreamt about tucking my hair into an aqua swim cap. Of icy cold water like a slap on the rear and humid sweated air tinged with the echos of tiled slaps of wet feet...

7 day free pass?

R.I.P. Salad...

So...I'm kinda mourning the loss of my salad right now. My roomie came home with these huge bags from Trader Joe's and needed to find room in the fridge - so he just dumped whatever he thought was old and his.

Including my huge nommy salad I made yesterday to try to last me all week.

It's 1/2 my fault. I put it in an identical looking tupperware to the one that he uses. And I didn't label it. But still, if he had opened it and looked...he would have noticed that all the veggies looked fresh and delicious. I know, cause I had it for lunch today. But I should have warned him as I saw him cleaning out the fridge that my salad was still good.

In Memoriam...

-rounds of persian cucumber
-the sweetest organic heirloom tomato wedges
-organic avocado
-shreds of fennel root
-torn red leaf lettuce
-slices of tender baby carrots
-peppery arugula
-basil chiffonade

Goodbye sweet salad, I'm glad I ate you for dinner and lunch today. As I was making you, I loved you. I licked my fingers after scooping the avocado into your buttery lettuce leaves. The crisp, bright sounds each and every single one of you cucumbers made as you were sliced was like a little veggie melody. And tomato - you were the tomato to end all heirloom tomatoes, perfectly sweet with tender flesh. A summer salad of amazingness, rounded out with the licorice of the fennel and tight green hotness of the arugula. I would have loved to have eaten you more, but I suppose I will have to go and make another one right now to compensate for my loss...

Grrrrippee..

I need to gripe.

Every single day, I answer about 50 emails. From co-workers, vendors, building people, bosses etc. For the most part, these emails have to do about money. Because that's what I do at my new job. Handle collections and invoicing. It's an important part of the process that no one really recognizes. It's difficult and fiddly and while they're off thinking of ways to make new products, I'm thrust into the nuts and bolts of exact change.

It's just a job. One that I'm good at.

I do the work that gets your salary paid.

What I don't get is that while I'm here at my desk all day answering emails, none of these jackasses feel like it's in their realm to ANSWER BACK. I mean, at least have the common courtesy to RESPOND. It's the most annoying, degrading feeling to try to have rapport with someone only to feel like you're not good enough to lick the bottom of their boots.

This has nothing to do with my friends btw - only with work related emails. ANSWER MY EMAILS YOU BUNCH OF ARROGANT, SELF-IMPORTANT TWITS!!

Thank you.

TILTuesday

Things I love Tuesday (it was supposed to be Thursday ala Gala Darling - but I actually wrote this a while ago):

The West Wing - I'm not quite sure why I never watched this show in high school. Maybe it wasn't cool to be interested in the judicial/federal government back then? Or maybe it was just beyond my comprehension. But this show is amazing and I've started watching it regularly! I'm having to scour the internet for streaming links.
It's smart, thoughtful and gives people one perspective on the inner workings of the US Presidential Office. Some days I feel like CJ (smart, wry, overworked) and other days like Donna (full of useless information, always right but never listened to, funny bosses). I'm uber glad that in later seasons CJ became Chief of Staff and now I really miss John Spencer (the dude who played Leo MacGarry).
I guess what I also miss is that show played at the height of the Clinton administration. When politicians were expected to be smarmy, smart and sassy. And everyone talked like they were on a caffeinated episode of 'Gilmore Girls' - it had fantastic acting and gave people a reason to be interested in government. I mean, I think if I had been more into this show in high school, I might have ended up in policy making.
The best part was that I mentioned it to my choreographer and director this week and they also got super excited. I don't care that liking this show makes me a nerd. Why don't they make television shows like this anymore?! So frustrating.

Artie - our co worker's dog. He's 1/2 pom, 1/2 samoyed and all love. He's been chilling in the office all week and is the fluffiest, cutest dog evar. He doesn't bark or beg, he just wants petting. I told our co-worker that his pup is a total chick magnet and he agrees. The best thing is that I caught our anti-dog CTO reaching down to scruff the top of Artie's head when he thought no one was looking.


My birthday ring.
Every birthday for the last 5 years or so, I've been treating myself to one really significant gift for my birthday. I call it the "Birthday Shoes" clause; it states that for the date of my emergence into this world, I'm allowed to get something sans consideration of price that I truly truly love. A couple of years ago, it was my gorgeous mustard yellow, suede Audrey Hepburn flats. Another year it translated into a cream colored flower print dress. This year, for my 31st - I wanted something special, something vintage. But a trip to Urbanity on Solano in Albany, culminated in something much cooler.
It's gold, super delicate and best of all? The crystals are real emeralds. My birthstone. Or at least that's what the lady at the store told me. I think I've always been disappointed by emeralds in fine jewelry. The green never seems deep enough. But these are a perfectly rich shade. It's super light and reminds me a bit of traditional Hindu/Indian jewelry. My only issue is that initially, I thought the wires were twisted coils, so I didn't think the stability would be fantastic - turns out they're actually coiled AROUND thin gold bands underneath in a figure 8 pattern. It makes it stronger and more interesting aesthetically.

Plus it makes me stare everytime I look at it. I find it pretty unique and at the same time, not so precious that I wouldn't wear it every day.

What about you? What do you treat yourself to and why?

other fun stuff: co-star Derrick telling me he totally thinks I can do 'Steel Magnolias' (I love you Derrick), watching Kevin and Derrick do barrel rolls during rehearsal, pole vaulting across the stage, my HUGE dress for black and white (which is like 7 things, a Selena jeweled corset and a crinoline all put together), getting to see Chernandez, shopping at Berkeley Bowl West (come to me, things of deliciousness!), rush tickets for 'In The Heights', mangoes...

2010 LiveBlogging the Tonys

Live blogging the Tonys:

7:57 - OMG, Sean Hayes rocks playing piano - nice dress Kristin - very good choice - gem encrusted towel, but you look cute in it.

Come Fly Away - so it's like a Stomp to Sinatra? ahaha Green top dancer did the "hold my head while I barf move"

7:58 Everyday Rapture! Sherie Rene...what is this about? Like a girl group? Good singing. Is it just me or does this stage look ridiculously small?

759 - FELA!!! Oh my god this looks good. I really want to see this. Think Afro Carribean moves and singing, like Lion King with no weird baboon thing. Ok, except for that part where it sounds like she's killing a feral cat

8:00 La Cage! Fabulous.

American Idiot, could you look more bored John Gallagher? Ooh guyliner. Did there REALLY have to be an iPod graphic in the back?! Billy Joel lookalike! OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA!! Bay Area in the hizzouse bitches!

REAlly? fuckingREALLY?! A whole Green Day concert just for these yokels? That's um...pretty awesome. EVERYONE IS CLAPPING! even the yenta in the front row! And Ryan Reynolds looks bored. Dumbass. Free Green Day concert! Um, yeah headbob Matthew Morrison. Why is Will Smith there? Aww, the Glee Kids are rockin'!

Monologue: 8:04
haha, now would be an awesome time to focus in on Kristin's ex as she and Sean Hayes give each other tongue kisses.

The WORLD cup of showtunes! ahah, when someone scores at the World Cup they yell 'GOAL'! When someone wins at the Tonys, they go, "Girrrll..."

LOW blow Carol Channing joke.

Is ScarJo wearing the same dress she wore to the MTV awards?

Oh Nathan's moustache is real? That's interesting. Adams Family the Musical.

Ohmygod Daniel Radcliff! And some tall chick...wow, she's REALLY TALL. Or Daniel is super super short. he's probably not so happy about this shot. Katie - stop acting like you're reading off the teleprompter!!
Berkeley Rep play! Yeah bizzitches! (vibrator play)

SCAR JO??! Fucking really? Broadway debut: Best performance by a Featured Actress in Play. I guess I gotta go see it now. T&A really will take you far. Thank your husband grrll...aww, she called him the Canadian (and then named him, just so you are all clear). Wow, so they're just letting winners talk as long as they want now?

RICKY MARTIN!! Yes! Let's just pull out all the 90s pop stars! I want Boys to Men and Chumbawumba next.

8:16 Million Dollar Quartet - hey we already saw these people. So it's like if Johnny Cash and Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis sang together? Who's the other guy?

8:17 Another million dollar show down the tubes with mic problems.

8:19- not cool, no more Hollywood people. I would like to see: Alice Ripley, Idina Menzel, and some Donna Murphy please.

8:24 - oh, you can just watch the Tonys just sitting your ass in front of Times Square? That's pretty cool

8:25: Lucy Liu is in God of Carnage, so she gets to give an award. Token Asian moment, and she talks like an automaton. Is it really a thrill Lucy Liu? Cause it sounds like you took a Xanax.

8:26 : Featured performance by a Featured Actor in a play.
Eddie Redmayne, that must be a record, 3 nominated black actors and they gave it to the cute white boy. SUPERIOR DONUTS! ooh, that really was the name of a play? I'd see that.

8:28 - La Cage, Alber does his stroll down the aisle to flirt with people - KISS HER MATT MORRISON!! KISS HER!! He gave her money!! omg, that was fucking awesome! And bump and grind on Will Smith. Nice Aw, little focus on Nathan Lane.

8:36: Wow...how much did Theatreworks pay for that commercial?

8:39: Antonio - "And avoided the movie version of Nine." hilarious. Thank you Sean Hayes. You know, 'La Cage'? Huh, I sort of wish it had been Fela, but that's ok.

8:44: the doctor's name is Givings? Oh aha, there is so much ridiculousness at the Tonys right now.

"Dude you're making it sound like CSPAN." After the younger, hotter one is hospitalized. Nice.

8:46 - Red: Alfred Molina, NO HAIR! Does he have cancer? Eddie Redmayne is pretty hot.

8:47 - Time Stands Still - oh Brian d'Arcy James, you're still very cute. They are all selling these plays pretty damn well. Laura Linney should sell BP stock, she's really good at this stuff.

"We'll present the award for Best Play later" - Mr. Big, you're funny, now get off the stage.

Bon Jovi?! Wait, the dude from Bon Jovi wrote Memphis. STOP SHOWING CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, I heard she was crap in ,"A Little Night Music" People have alternatively said she was dialing it in and others were saying she acted like she was drunk or stoned one night.

8:54 - oh the boring shit. Honorary Chairman? YEAH BIZZITCHES! ANGELA LANSBURY!! Bitch looks good. Finally, someone up there that I respect. Crying out loud. BEYONCE? What the hell is Beyonce doing there?

8:56 - Frasier and Niles together FOREVER!!! whoo hoo! Wow, David Hyde Pierce looks really drawn, is he ok? Does he have Alzheimers? Wow, finally a legit award. With legit nominees: Best Performace by a Featured Actress in a Musical - Katie Finneran. She looks like a mix of Evan Rachel Wood and Laura Linney. She's kinda adorable.

Kids at home! That's me! Me, me me!
"Focus on what you love. It’s the greatest roadmap for an extraordinary life.”

9:03 - ok is James Iglehart coming out for Memphis? I mean, cause I actually know him! Ok, here is JAMES!! Rock it out! Rock it OUT!!

9:14 - Barbara Cook looks like a Florida houswife. Muumuu laden! Oh god...CZJ, she looks stoned, why does she keep moving her head?! SEND IN THE CROWNS?!?!
Somewhere, Stephen Sondheim is writing a suicide note.

9:16 - Christiane Noll and Idina Menzel. Two great tastes that taste great togehter. God, I wish I had seen the Ragtime revival.

9:28 - It's Monk, the cute dude from 'National Treasure' and Anthony LaPaglia. Mmmmm...Anthony LaPaglia...What's the name of their play? Lend Me a Tenor. Ok.

9:29 - Hahaha, old lady can't read the teleprompter.
9:30 Why do we keep saying we're gonna present these awards later?! Just do it now. Jesus. Hip hop Play montage. Okie doke.

9:32 I'm sorry you had to do the police PSA Kerry Washington. What lottery did you lose?

9:37 - Sean Hayes dressed up as Annie on Bernadette Peters. "She's the BP that isn't ruining the planet." LOL.

9:38 - Helen Mirren. She's doing a shout out. Um...that's pretty fucking hilarious. The British give shout outs? Best Performance by Leading Actress in a Play.

9:39 - Viola Davis! Right on! Ooh, her husband is pretty hot. "I don't believe in luck or happenstance, I fully believe in the presence of god in my life....I had to believe it in my heart."

9:30 - That's Lee-EV, just in case you didn't know. Ok...all Hollywood people. This award is lame. But we like Denzel. "Man gives the award, God gives the reward." Why does Kenny Leon look pissed that Denzel won?

9:43 - Oh, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith produced Fela? Ok, I get it now, that's why they're there. Fela is so awesome. I love the whole feeling of this musical.

9:54 - National Playwrite's Conference? Do I care?
9:56 - PAULA! What's up you crazy bitch? where you been at? Choreography award, nice. Come Fly Away...is is all this violent? I wish some of these cute shirtless boys were straight. ahah, wow, there's one dancer that looks like one of my previous directors...interesting.

10:03 - Ok, shoot me, I LIKE the Promises, Promises Chair-ography.

10:05 - Stanley Tucci is on! He's adorable! Just because you tell me to reflect, I will.

10:12 Sean Hayes said "balls" instead of "bulbs"
10:13 - Cate Blachette looks like an alien. Our costumes for Riff-Raff and Magenta looked like this when we did "Rocky Horror"
10:13 Yes, Carol Shorenstein-Hayes, emotions are OK. Your face will not break if you like cry or something. Ooh, they're playing her off. hahah!
10:15 - We can call Alfred Molina "Fred" now? That's interesting. Aww, the gays - let's all thank our gay partners.

10:17 Laura Bell Bundy, the blonde that made Sutton Foster and Christian Borle break up.
GLEE!! Ooh, Matthew Morrison is the best dancer - cute cute cute!! Ok, Lea Michele doing Funny Girl again...no "hi" to Idina? But a nod to Jay-Z? I can see her molars. I wish she'd smiled a bit, the sound would have been brighter. but it's awesome she can stalk down an aisle doing that. also, huge breaths make her behind the beat by about 1/2 a measure. Not cute.

10:32 - Raquel Welch wins for best plastic surgery, damn - she is 69 frickin' years old!

10:35 'American Idiot' - it's like if Shotgun did "Spring Awakening 2"
10:42 - Bebe Newirth and Nathan Lane present awards (or as we call it at my house 'Passover' lol!!) Best Actor and Actress in a musical.

Anddd...now is the moment where I turn this stupid awards show off. Really? CATHERINE ZETA JONES? You gotta be kidding me. Bebe Newirth is shooting daggers. Actor, the dude from La Cage. Nice.

Memphis with our friend James Iglehart wins. Awesome.
Bon Nuit!