I pretty much gave up on making a Flickr album for our Italy trip. I was able to make an album on Shutterfly.
If you are interested in our vacation photos, you can see them here.
http://italytripjonandval.shutterfly.com/
November 29, 2008
November 26, 2008
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch . . .
We arrived late Monday night after a spectacularly long day of travel about which I have no right to complain. But it was a long, long day.
Our connecting flight from London was great because we had a row of five seats to ourselves.
Anyway, we're back and it's 5 in the morning and I've been up for an hour. I'm obsessed with getting every single last one of our vacation photos uploaded to Shutterfly, so I can share our pictures with my in-laws later today when we get up to Cortland.
Did I mention we are going upstate for the holiday weekend? We are leaving the house at 6 am, so we can be at our bus at 6:30 - a full hour before departure. We were advised that today is a big travel day and that the buses would be crowded. Hopefully, an hour will be enough time to get us on that early bus.
It's taken me hours to get the photos loaded - all 818 of them, but I'm almost finished.
I tried loading them up to Flickr, but Flickr kept telling me that my photos weren't loading and I kept having to reload my batches, so I only got so far. Eventually I'll get the photos onto my Flickr page but that's going to involve some more serious editing than I was capable of doing on Tuesday.
Anyway, I'll post some pictures as soon as I can. There are some really great shots and then there are some really incredibly average touristy shots.
Our connecting flight from London was great because we had a row of five seats to ourselves.
Anyway, we're back and it's 5 in the morning and I've been up for an hour. I'm obsessed with getting every single last one of our vacation photos uploaded to Shutterfly, so I can share our pictures with my in-laws later today when we get up to Cortland.
Did I mention we are going upstate for the holiday weekend? We are leaving the house at 6 am, so we can be at our bus at 6:30 - a full hour before departure. We were advised that today is a big travel day and that the buses would be crowded. Hopefully, an hour will be enough time to get us on that early bus.
It's taken me hours to get the photos loaded - all 818 of them, but I'm almost finished.
I tried loading them up to Flickr, but Flickr kept telling me that my photos weren't loading and I kept having to reload my batches, so I only got so far. Eventually I'll get the photos onto my Flickr page but that's going to involve some more serious editing than I was capable of doing on Tuesday.
Anyway, I'll post some pictures as soon as I can. There are some really great shots and then there are some really incredibly average touristy shots.
November 23, 2008
Our Final Days in Florence
Yesterday morning, after my early rise due to insomnia, I got Jon up and we started out on a long day of walking and exploring. The first thing we did Saturday morning was walk up a hill side, past the Ponte Vecchio to the Piazzale Michelangelo where we (and many other tourists) took in the most spectacular view of Florence you can imagine. We then walked further up the hill to the San Miniato church. It is a 10th century church with old frescoes and wonderful old statues and great murals - you know, the usual.
We then walked to the Basilica of Santa Croce which had even more amazing, wonderful religious art and the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo to name a few. Within the church was an amazing museum with lots of frescoes and DellaRobias. There is so much in that church, I had trouble absorbing it all, which is probably why I took so many pictures. I will have to go back and look over everything.
Then, as if that was not enough, we went to the museum that houses the great works from the Duomo. There were works by DellaRobia, Donatello among others. But the best piece has to be Michelangelo's last sculpture, The Pieta which he sculpted for his tomb but then destroyed because he didn't think it was good enough. Fortunately for all of us, one his students put it back together. His face is on one of the figures holding up Christ. It's moving.
That was a lot for one day and we had a nice rest before going to dinner. We wanted to be well rested for our final push today. We saved the best for last. Today we went to the Uffizi gallery and I am glad we were well rested. They have the absolute best examples of Renaissance artwork in the world. The Botticellis were breathtaking. Michelangelo's only free standing painting was there. Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation was beautiful. There was a whole exhibit dedicated to Giotto and his followers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art would love to have any of the pieces we saw today. Caravaggio, Hans Holbein, Memling, Raphael, Titian. A super collection.
This trip has been great, just superb.
Tomorrow morning it is finished. We start our long trek back. Florence to Rome by train. Then Rome to the airport by train. Rome to London and then London to New York.
I will be sad to leave. But when I get back, I'll start the daunting task of editing the hundreds and hundreds of photos we took this week so I can share our trip with you. But be warned. There is going to be a lot of art.
We then walked to the Basilica of Santa Croce which had even more amazing, wonderful religious art and the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo to name a few. Within the church was an amazing museum with lots of frescoes and DellaRobias. There is so much in that church, I had trouble absorbing it all, which is probably why I took so many pictures. I will have to go back and look over everything.
Then, as if that was not enough, we went to the museum that houses the great works from the Duomo. There were works by DellaRobia, Donatello among others. But the best piece has to be Michelangelo's last sculpture, The Pieta which he sculpted for his tomb but then destroyed because he didn't think it was good enough. Fortunately for all of us, one his students put it back together. His face is on one of the figures holding up Christ. It's moving.
That was a lot for one day and we had a nice rest before going to dinner. We wanted to be well rested for our final push today. We saved the best for last. Today we went to the Uffizi gallery and I am glad we were well rested. They have the absolute best examples of Renaissance artwork in the world. The Botticellis were breathtaking. Michelangelo's only free standing painting was there. Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation was beautiful. There was a whole exhibit dedicated to Giotto and his followers. The Metropolitan Museum of Art would love to have any of the pieces we saw today. Caravaggio, Hans Holbein, Memling, Raphael, Titian. A super collection.
This trip has been great, just superb.
Tomorrow morning it is finished. We start our long trek back. Florence to Rome by train. Then Rome to the airport by train. Rome to London and then London to New York.
I will be sad to leave. But when I get back, I'll start the daunting task of editing the hundreds and hundreds of photos we took this week so I can share our trip with you. But be warned. There is going to be a lot of art.
November 22, 2008
Florence is Lovely
Friday morning Jon and I hopped a train for Florence. It was a quick ride. But a long walk to the hotel when we got out. But that's okay because it was a long walk in Florence. We walked past the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore with the landmark dome for which Florence is famous, mostly.
Our hotel is great, even nicer than the one we stayed in Rome. Every room has a computer. There is a jacuzzi and a sauna. And it's right around the block from the Dome.
We hit the ground running. The first site we saw was the Basilica. That Dome is remarkable. The painting on the underside is almost as amazing as Michelangelo's Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel. The scene is also of the Last Judgement by two painters named Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. You ever hear of them? Me neither. But Vasari did a lot of work here. And I'm sure I'll always know his name now - I might even be able to recognize his work after our visit to the Uffizi gallery. I tried to take pictures in the Basilica but it was next to impossible. My flash renders everything reddish brown in a dimly lit room and I had trouble capturing non-blurry images in that light.
After we saw the interior of the main building, we visited the separate and totally amazing baptistry building. I was able to make many pictures in there. The baptistry also has a dome with scenes from the bible and scenes from Christ's life. Among those scenes is another amazing Last Judgement on the main panel. Those painting were remarkable.
After being awed by the Baptistry, we walked over the Academy Gallery. Their most famous piece of art is the Statue of David by Michelangelo. It is as amazing as you think. Taking pictures is forbidden in that museum, yet quite a few people were able to get off a shot. There were two guards watching the statue, but they were engaged in quite a lively discussion. I also took advantage of the situation.
But the Academy had other great pieces as well. Mostly altar pieces from the 14th to 16th centuries and quite a few amazing paintings. The subjects of most of the artwork are Saints and the lives of Saints. I saw more than one painting and/or altar piece that depicted the Coronation of Mary. For the first time, I am seeing Christ represented as the Man of Sorrows. Those paintings are interesting because they show the tools the Romans used to torture him.
There was also a special exhibit on a 14th century painter whose name escapes me now. His work was remarkably well preserved considering most of it was oil on wood. Wood doesn't always keep that well.
We didn't stop at the Academy. We continued our stroll through Florence. Jon took me to the Ponte Vecchio - a beautiful bridge. It was romantic. It was raining. The cobble street was slick and shiny. The Arno river provided beautiful photographs. But the rain started to fall too hard yesterday and the temperature was dropping so we headed back to the hotel where we watched a movie before we went out to dinner.
Today, we're going to hit the free churches. I specifically used the word free because some of the churches here are also museums and they are not all free. And Florence really seems to want our money.
Tomorrow, we'll visit the Uffizi gallery and then Monday we come home. Sigh.
Our hotel is great, even nicer than the one we stayed in Rome. Every room has a computer. There is a jacuzzi and a sauna. And it's right around the block from the Dome.
We hit the ground running. The first site we saw was the Basilica. That Dome is remarkable. The painting on the underside is almost as amazing as Michelangelo's Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel. The scene is also of the Last Judgement by two painters named Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari. You ever hear of them? Me neither. But Vasari did a lot of work here. And I'm sure I'll always know his name now - I might even be able to recognize his work after our visit to the Uffizi gallery. I tried to take pictures in the Basilica but it was next to impossible. My flash renders everything reddish brown in a dimly lit room and I had trouble capturing non-blurry images in that light.
After we saw the interior of the main building, we visited the separate and totally amazing baptistry building. I was able to make many pictures in there. The baptistry also has a dome with scenes from the bible and scenes from Christ's life. Among those scenes is another amazing Last Judgement on the main panel. Those painting were remarkable.
After being awed by the Baptistry, we walked over the Academy Gallery. Their most famous piece of art is the Statue of David by Michelangelo. It is as amazing as you think. Taking pictures is forbidden in that museum, yet quite a few people were able to get off a shot. There were two guards watching the statue, but they were engaged in quite a lively discussion. I also took advantage of the situation.
But the Academy had other great pieces as well. Mostly altar pieces from the 14th to 16th centuries and quite a few amazing paintings. The subjects of most of the artwork are Saints and the lives of Saints. I saw more than one painting and/or altar piece that depicted the Coronation of Mary. For the first time, I am seeing Christ represented as the Man of Sorrows. Those paintings are interesting because they show the tools the Romans used to torture him.
There was also a special exhibit on a 14th century painter whose name escapes me now. His work was remarkably well preserved considering most of it was oil on wood. Wood doesn't always keep that well.
We didn't stop at the Academy. We continued our stroll through Florence. Jon took me to the Ponte Vecchio - a beautiful bridge. It was romantic. It was raining. The cobble street was slick and shiny. The Arno river provided beautiful photographs. But the rain started to fall too hard yesterday and the temperature was dropping so we headed back to the hotel where we watched a movie before we went out to dinner.
Today, we're going to hit the free churches. I specifically used the word free because some of the churches here are also museums and they are not all free. And Florence really seems to want our money.
Tomorrow, we'll visit the Uffizi gallery and then Monday we come home. Sigh.
November 19, 2008
Rome Today
This morning we took an early morning stroll around the Forum. Then we went to the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and saw Michelangelo's statue of Moses with horns. I have learned that when you are presented with a FREE opportunity to see great works of art, you should go see them. That is the case here because churches are FREEEEEEEE!!!!
Then later in the day, we saw the Piazza Navona. The great Bernini fountain that we went to see was blocked off for restoration. Still a beautiful place to visit.
Then we saw the Pantheon. That was super, duper amazing.
I left Jon while he went to the Capitolene museum and took a nice long nap. I definitely have to go there tomorrow because it has really amazing pieces that must be seen.
We did our laundry and while it was washing we went to see the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where we finally got to see Bernini's extremely modest tomb.
Now we are contemplating dinner.
Then later in the day, we saw the Piazza Navona. The great Bernini fountain that we went to see was blocked off for restoration. Still a beautiful place to visit.
Then we saw the Pantheon. That was super, duper amazing.
I left Jon while he went to the Capitolene museum and took a nice long nap. I definitely have to go there tomorrow because it has really amazing pieces that must be seen.
We did our laundry and while it was washing we went to see the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where we finally got to see Bernini's extremely modest tomb.
Now we are contemplating dinner.
November 18, 2008
The Vatican Museum
Jon and I just finished our four and a half hour exploration of the Vatican museum. They have the most spectacular collection of art - seriously.
All the art was incredible but there were some standout pieces.
There was the Transfiguration by Raphael. This was his last painting before he died at the tragically young age of 37.
There was the Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio - which is masterful, brilliant and genius.
There was the School of Athens also by Raphael.
Finally, the exclamation point to the whole collection was the Sistine Chapel - which was mostly painted by Michelangelo but also featured paintings by great masters like Botticelli and Perugino.
I am resting now, drinking a Coke and typing this account. I am trying to gather the intellectual energy to see St. Peter's Basilica. We were already in St. Peter's square earlier this morning, before we went into the Vatican museum. And now it's time to see Michelangelo's Pieta.
Rome never ceases to be interesting.
All the art was incredible but there were some standout pieces.
There was the Transfiguration by Raphael. This was his last painting before he died at the tragically young age of 37.
There was the Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio - which is masterful, brilliant and genius.
There was the School of Athens also by Raphael.
Finally, the exclamation point to the whole collection was the Sistine Chapel - which was mostly painted by Michelangelo but also featured paintings by great masters like Botticelli and Perugino.
I am resting now, drinking a Coke and typing this account. I am trying to gather the intellectual energy to see St. Peter's Basilica. We were already in St. Peter's square earlier this morning, before we went into the Vatican museum. And now it's time to see Michelangelo's Pieta.
Rome never ceases to be interesting.
November 17, 2008
Valerie Does Rome
Jon and I arrived in Rome on Saturday morning and we have been on the go seeing all that we can see. The first thing we did was walk over to see the Coliseum although we did not go inside until today. Then we walked over and saw the church where Bernini the sculptor is buried. And Saturday night, we walked all the way to the Trevi fountain. I must be a big wuss, but I got a little weepy looking at the fountain. It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be and there were all these people there enjoying the fountain. It was a completely uncynical experience.
Yesterday morning, we had a scheduled visit for the Galleria Borghese. That collection was breathtaking. They boast 5 Caravaggio paintings and lots of Bernini sculptures. Oh and then there were the two Rubens. But the Caravaggio. He was a really, really good painter and I got to see a painting I had only before seen in books which is of St. Jerome writing at a table next to a skull. It was lovely.
In the afternoon, we visited something I never even knew existed - the Basilica of St. John Lateran. That is by far the most amazing religious structure that I have seen - to date. Seriously Rome is lousy with art. Last night, we took the metro to the Spanish steps which was another nice communal experience.
Today, we visited the Forum which covers the Sacred Way and the Palatine. That took about three hours. Then we visited the Coliseum. The Coliseum might be the least interesting thing in Rome. And now we are feeling a little beat up.
So tonight we are resting because tomorrow we are visiting the Vatican and we want to be fully rested to see one of the world's best art collections and who knows - maybe we'll get to meet the Pope.
Yesterday morning, we had a scheduled visit for the Galleria Borghese. That collection was breathtaking. They boast 5 Caravaggio paintings and lots of Bernini sculptures. Oh and then there were the two Rubens. But the Caravaggio. He was a really, really good painter and I got to see a painting I had only before seen in books which is of St. Jerome writing at a table next to a skull. It was lovely.
In the afternoon, we visited something I never even knew existed - the Basilica of St. John Lateran. That is by far the most amazing religious structure that I have seen - to date. Seriously Rome is lousy with art. Last night, we took the metro to the Spanish steps which was another nice communal experience.
Today, we visited the Forum which covers the Sacred Way and the Palatine. That took about three hours. Then we visited the Coliseum. The Coliseum might be the least interesting thing in Rome. And now we are feeling a little beat up.
So tonight we are resting because tomorrow we are visiting the Vatican and we want to be fully rested to see one of the world's best art collections and who knows - maybe we'll get to meet the Pope.
November 05, 2008
Atlantic City
Jon and I went to Atlantic City this past weekend. We found a great deal at Resorts Int'l. When we got there we signed up for a TRUMP ONE card and each received a free night's stay at the Taj Mahal for doing so. I also signed up for a comp card at Resorts.
I did not know about these comp cards. I told some ushers at the Barrymore theater where I was working last week that I was going to Atlantic City and they taught me a lot. You see, this trip was only my third one there, so I have a lot to learn. Apparently, when you sign up for a comp card, you get all sorts of offers in the mail from the hotel/casinos enticing you to come down. They also told me that they serve free booze and other drinks while you are gambling. This might seem like something I should have know - but I had no idea. Sunday night, I had two free apple martinis that practically knocked me out. They were good. Monday night, I drank free soda and water.
I played the slot machines. I LOVE SLOT MACHINES. Oh my gosh!! They are so much fun. Well. They were so much fun on Monday night when I won back the money I lost on Sunday night and then some. Did you know there were slot machines that offer bonuses if you get the right combinations of stuff and junk. So, I played this one slot machine where I got 100 free spins and ended up winning oodles of money as a result.
I still don't have the guts to play Black Jack even though we found $5.00 tables at the Showboat hotel and casino on Monday night. I'm pretty good at Black Jack but I still feel a little intimidated. Next time, I'm going to play Black Jack.
The other thing we discovered were the outlet stores. There were stores selling clothes at deep, deep discounts and by deep I mean 70%. That is probably the most fun I've ever had buying clothes.
I hate spending money but I LOVE GAMBLING AND I LOVE DISCOUNTED CLOTHING!!!!
We had a great time. We took the 8:30 bus back up on Tuesday morning and I was sad to say good bye to Atlantic City.
Why didn't anyone ever tell me before how much fun drinking and gambling could be? I spent so much of my life being a goody two shoes. But that's it. I'm cutting loose now.
I've made a decision to have as much fun as I possibly can.
I did not know about these comp cards. I told some ushers at the Barrymore theater where I was working last week that I was going to Atlantic City and they taught me a lot. You see, this trip was only my third one there, so I have a lot to learn. Apparently, when you sign up for a comp card, you get all sorts of offers in the mail from the hotel/casinos enticing you to come down. They also told me that they serve free booze and other drinks while you are gambling. This might seem like something I should have know - but I had no idea. Sunday night, I had two free apple martinis that practically knocked me out. They were good. Monday night, I drank free soda and water.
I played the slot machines. I LOVE SLOT MACHINES. Oh my gosh!! They are so much fun. Well. They were so much fun on Monday night when I won back the money I lost on Sunday night and then some. Did you know there were slot machines that offer bonuses if you get the right combinations of stuff and junk. So, I played this one slot machine where I got 100 free spins and ended up winning oodles of money as a result.
I still don't have the guts to play Black Jack even though we found $5.00 tables at the Showboat hotel and casino on Monday night. I'm pretty good at Black Jack but I still feel a little intimidated. Next time, I'm going to play Black Jack.
The other thing we discovered were the outlet stores. There were stores selling clothes at deep, deep discounts and by deep I mean 70%. That is probably the most fun I've ever had buying clothes.
I hate spending money but I LOVE GAMBLING AND I LOVE DISCOUNTED CLOTHING!!!!
We had a great time. We took the 8:30 bus back up on Tuesday morning and I was sad to say good bye to Atlantic City.
Why didn't anyone ever tell me before how much fun drinking and gambling could be? I spent so much of my life being a goody two shoes. But that's it. I'm cutting loose now.
I've made a decision to have as much fun as I possibly can.
October 28, 2008
Central Casting
Central Casting now has an office in New York City. I registered with them today. I am non-union. We'll see if I can get any work. I'm kind of sort of doubtful. Several people referred to me as ma'am which I found distancing and made me feel old.
I arrived 20 minutes early which worked to my advantage. I was in the first group of four to be register. It also helped that I had already filled out my paperwork.
Three out of four of my group had headshots. I was not one of them. Also, I dressed in office attire because those are the best clothes I have. The two other women in the room were wearing dresses and they were younger than me. One was short and fat. The other was tall and lean and showing lots of cleavage.
We all had our photos taken. I went last to see what the other people did. The girl showing the cleavage managed to get one more shot than the rest of us.
I left feeling that I would never get called.
We'll see.
I arrived 20 minutes early which worked to my advantage. I was in the first group of four to be register. It also helped that I had already filled out my paperwork.
Three out of four of my group had headshots. I was not one of them. Also, I dressed in office attire because those are the best clothes I have. The two other women in the room were wearing dresses and they were younger than me. One was short and fat. The other was tall and lean and showing lots of cleavage.
We all had our photos taken. I went last to see what the other people did. The girl showing the cleavage managed to get one more shot than the rest of us.
I left feeling that I would never get called.
We'll see.
October 24, 2008
Who Wants to Be a Millonaire - 3rd time's a charm
Standing On Line
October 23rd, I stood on line outside of the ABC studio where Who Wants to a Millionaire is taped. Frustrated by my last audition experience, I had immediately signed up for another day of testing and taping. Standing outside yesterday with the 200 or so similarly minded people, I listened to many conversations. This time they didn't annoy me. This time, the people were normal and were discussing the fun things they would do if they won a million dollars. Standing with all those people, listening to them dream out loud, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of help. Being raised Jewish, my parents never took me to stand in line to see Santa Claus at the mall but I imagine it must have felt a lot like the line I was standing in yesterday. The line to audition for Millionaire is the most hopeful place on earth.
Testing
Inside the studio, we all had a chance to warm up while everybody got settled and once we did, the test was administered. Production assistants handed out #2 pencils, Scantron sheets, and closed envelopes containing the multiple choice test that would determine who moved on. We had 10 minutes to complete 30 questions. I finished in about 6 minutes and looked over my answers twice. Because I hadn't passed two times before I was expecting not to do so well and I felt ambivalent about how I did. I didn't expect to pass.
Taping
After the tests were collected, the rest of the studio audience was shown to their seats. Paul Mecurio warmed up the crowd and explained what was expected of us as a Millionaire audience. He's quite funny and very handsome. He's good with the crowd. He is a professional comedian and has won awards for his writing the Daily Show. I advise you check out his website. Anyway, he got us in the mood to cheer and clap and behave as if the Who Wants to be a Millionaire studio was the most exciting place on earth. This week was Movie week so all of the questions were about movie trivia and all of the contestants were movie geeks. Because it was movie week, we were given a free subscription to Netflix. Yee hooo. Three months. Nothing to sneeze at.
Some of the questions were ridiculously easy and it was frustrating to see people miss them. However, there were some real doozies. I don't want to give anything away. You'll have to wait until March to see those shows. But we did get to see one guy walk away with $250,000. He was a nice guy and everybody was rooting for him.
Results
Paul Mecurio did not announce who passed the test until the third taping. At the first commercial break, he announced the first three contestants moving and I was the third one. When he called my name I wooted and almost choked on the butterscotch candy they handed out before the third taping. After the taping was finished, I was interviewed in the same studio by a production assistant. She liked the fact that I was smiling and she liked the fact that I met my husband playing bar trivia. She liked me enough to recommend me for the on camera interview.
I kind of remember what I said. But I was so excited, I can't remember how it all came out. And on top of that I was slighly hungover from the night before and I wasn't wearing any makeup (because I didn't think I would pass) and my skin was breaking out a little bit. Ack.
Hopefully, in two or three weeks I'll receive a post card telling me they want me for the show. But it could go the other way.
Everyone I know, has their fingers crossed.
October 23rd, I stood on line outside of the ABC studio where Who Wants to a Millionaire is taped. Frustrated by my last audition experience, I had immediately signed up for another day of testing and taping. Standing outside yesterday with the 200 or so similarly minded people, I listened to many conversations. This time they didn't annoy me. This time, the people were normal and were discussing the fun things they would do if they won a million dollars. Standing with all those people, listening to them dream out loud, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of help. Being raised Jewish, my parents never took me to stand in line to see Santa Claus at the mall but I imagine it must have felt a lot like the line I was standing in yesterday. The line to audition for Millionaire is the most hopeful place on earth.
Testing
Inside the studio, we all had a chance to warm up while everybody got settled and once we did, the test was administered. Production assistants handed out #2 pencils, Scantron sheets, and closed envelopes containing the multiple choice test that would determine who moved on. We had 10 minutes to complete 30 questions. I finished in about 6 minutes and looked over my answers twice. Because I hadn't passed two times before I was expecting not to do so well and I felt ambivalent about how I did. I didn't expect to pass.
Taping
After the tests were collected, the rest of the studio audience was shown to their seats. Paul Mecurio warmed up the crowd and explained what was expected of us as a Millionaire audience. He's quite funny and very handsome. He's good with the crowd. He is a professional comedian and has won awards for his writing the Daily Show. I advise you check out his website. Anyway, he got us in the mood to cheer and clap and behave as if the Who Wants to be a Millionaire studio was the most exciting place on earth. This week was Movie week so all of the questions were about movie trivia and all of the contestants were movie geeks. Because it was movie week, we were given a free subscription to Netflix. Yee hooo. Three months. Nothing to sneeze at.
Some of the questions were ridiculously easy and it was frustrating to see people miss them. However, there were some real doozies. I don't want to give anything away. You'll have to wait until March to see those shows. But we did get to see one guy walk away with $250,000. He was a nice guy and everybody was rooting for him.
Results
Paul Mecurio did not announce who passed the test until the third taping. At the first commercial break, he announced the first three contestants moving and I was the third one. When he called my name I wooted and almost choked on the butterscotch candy they handed out before the third taping. After the taping was finished, I was interviewed in the same studio by a production assistant. She liked the fact that I was smiling and she liked the fact that I met my husband playing bar trivia. She liked me enough to recommend me for the on camera interview.
I kind of remember what I said. But I was so excited, I can't remember how it all came out. And on top of that I was slighly hungover from the night before and I wasn't wearing any makeup (because I didn't think I would pass) and my skin was breaking out a little bit. Ack.
Hopefully, in two or three weeks I'll receive a post card telling me they want me for the show. But it could go the other way.
Everyone I know, has their fingers crossed.
October 14, 2008
Who Wants to be a Millionaire - 2nd Audition
I woke up early this morning so I could get to my 10:15 am audition on time. When I got there I stood on line for an hour. While I was standing on line, I started imagining what it would be like to touch the big hair of the woman standing in front of me. I could see myself reaching out and patting it like a fluffy fur coat but I resisted the temptation.
Standing on line, I heard several conversations. There were some women talking about their families and their home towns. And then there were three whackadoo guys talking about the weirdest shit. The weirdest of them all was wearing a dirty old blazer covered with his dandruff and he sounded like a complete nut. Guess who I ended up sitting next to in the studio. That's right. Dandruff guy. That's right. He's pretty bright but like many super bright people, his social skills are severely lacking.
Today was his 60th time auditioning. He's passed the Millionaire test 23 times including today but still hasn't made past the interview stage. Hmmmmmm. Could be the dandruff. He was nice enough - just severely lacking in the social filter department.
I did not pass the test. Again. But I sat through three shows full of contestants who could not have possibly done better than me on the test. It was very frustrating to watch people blow big bucks on easy questions. Jon was with me and I feel bad that I dragged him along. Not only did I not pass the test but the three tapings took WAY longer than I thought they would.
My tickets called for the audition at 10:30 and for the tapings to begin at 11:30. The test was administered at 11:10 and the tapings didn't begin until noon. We stopped taping at 3. That was a lot of sitting around but they get you to do it by announcing who passed the test during the third taping. Actually, I didn't find out that I didn't pass the test until the last commercial break of the third show.
My butt still hurts from sitting.
Standing on line, I heard several conversations. There were some women talking about their families and their home towns. And then there were three whackadoo guys talking about the weirdest shit. The weirdest of them all was wearing a dirty old blazer covered with his dandruff and he sounded like a complete nut. Guess who I ended up sitting next to in the studio. That's right. Dandruff guy. That's right. He's pretty bright but like many super bright people, his social skills are severely lacking.
Today was his 60th time auditioning. He's passed the Millionaire test 23 times including today but still hasn't made past the interview stage. Hmmmmmm. Could be the dandruff. He was nice enough - just severely lacking in the social filter department.
I did not pass the test. Again. But I sat through three shows full of contestants who could not have possibly done better than me on the test. It was very frustrating to watch people blow big bucks on easy questions. Jon was with me and I feel bad that I dragged him along. Not only did I not pass the test but the three tapings took WAY longer than I thought they would.
My tickets called for the audition at 10:30 and for the tapings to begin at 11:30. The test was administered at 11:10 and the tapings didn't begin until noon. We stopped taping at 3. That was a lot of sitting around but they get you to do it by announcing who passed the test during the third taping. Actually, I didn't find out that I didn't pass the test until the last commercial break of the third show.
My butt still hurts from sitting.
October 05, 2008
Dress Shopping
Jon and I went to the Carousel Mall in Syracuse so I could buy a dress for a wedding we're attending this coming Saturday.
Around this time last year, I went on a similar shopping trip. It was a much different experience.
Last year, I tried on dresses that were size 18 or size 20. Today, I bought a dress that is size 12.
Yeah. It was that kind of day. I also bought a pair of size 12 pants and a vest in size 12.
It was a good day.
Around this time last year, I went on a similar shopping trip. It was a much different experience.
Last year, I tried on dresses that were size 18 or size 20. Today, I bought a dress that is size 12.
Yeah. It was that kind of day. I also bought a pair of size 12 pants and a vest in size 12.
It was a good day.
Cortland
Jon and I are up in Cortland visiting with my in-laws. Last night we celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a lovely little Italian restaurant favored by the locals. I think I ate more last night than I have in a week. I'm scared to get back on the scale.
Their guests were interesting. The couple sitting across from us has been married since 1943 - that's 65 years in case your brain isn't working yet this morning. (I know mine isn't.) The husband is from New York City and he served during WWII as a dentist for the armed for the armed forces. He's 93 years old. His wife is from Vienna and her family came to the States before everything got crazy for Jewish families in Europe - most likely saved her life. She was a model and is still gorgeous at 86. I'm hoping to visit with them some more tomorrow - they live down the block from my in-laws. It was hard to speak A -- because he wears double hearing aids. Because we were in a restaurant he had trouble differentiating our voices from the general hubbub around us.
There was another holocaust escapee sitting next to me. Gosh, she is lovely. Another stunning woman and not even for her age. She is just beautiful. At 82 years of age, she keeps current by reading New York and New Yorker Magazines and she's sees a new movie once a week at the theater. Also from Vienna, she was married to a man who survived the Holocaust thanks to the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport was a British program where English families hosted Jewish children that were in danger during WWII. That story had a happy ending in that he was reunited with his family.
It was nice to be able to celebrate a happy occassion with people we love.
Jon and I should be married for 40 years.
Their guests were interesting. The couple sitting across from us has been married since 1943 - that's 65 years in case your brain isn't working yet this morning. (I know mine isn't.) The husband is from New York City and he served during WWII as a dentist for the armed for the armed forces. He's 93 years old. His wife is from Vienna and her family came to the States before everything got crazy for Jewish families in Europe - most likely saved her life. She was a model and is still gorgeous at 86. I'm hoping to visit with them some more tomorrow - they live down the block from my in-laws. It was hard to speak A -- because he wears double hearing aids. Because we were in a restaurant he had trouble differentiating our voices from the general hubbub around us.
There was another holocaust escapee sitting next to me. Gosh, she is lovely. Another stunning woman and not even for her age. She is just beautiful. At 82 years of age, she keeps current by reading New York and New Yorker Magazines and she's sees a new movie once a week at the theater. Also from Vienna, she was married to a man who survived the Holocaust thanks to the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport was a British program where English families hosted Jewish children that were in danger during WWII. That story had a happy ending in that he was reunited with his family.
It was nice to be able to celebrate a happy occassion with people we love.
Jon and I should be married for 40 years.
September 30, 2008
Looking for Work
I've come to the point where I am bored witless with my job on Broadway. But not only am I bored with it, it's making incredibly nervous.
For example tonight, I am working at August Osage County. It starts at 7:30 which means people will be coming to get headsets at 8:oo after the show has started. People always come late to a show with an unusual start time. Not only that, it's a play that attracts old people. Actually, all long and drawn out plays attract older people. So, theyll be a large demand for my headset product.
I've done busy shows before but they always make me nervous. It's the possiblities of confrontations that make me more nervous than anything. More demand means more people to argue about leaving their licenses behind in place of headsets. Some older people are convinced that leaving your license anywhere automatically leads to identity theft. If they thought it through, they would figure out that the theaters where I work could find me if they thought I was guilty of a crime.
Anyway, I am now interested in finding a new job. But who is going to hire me? I've been out of the full-time, day time workaday world for so long, I'm afraid I've become completely unhirable.
I had enough problems finding the last two office jobs I had.
I was so obsessed with finding a new job this morning, that I was up at 5:30 reconfiguring my NY Times/Monster.com profile.
Ack
For example tonight, I am working at August Osage County. It starts at 7:30 which means people will be coming to get headsets at 8:oo after the show has started. People always come late to a show with an unusual start time. Not only that, it's a play that attracts old people. Actually, all long and drawn out plays attract older people. So, theyll be a large demand for my headset product.
I've done busy shows before but they always make me nervous. It's the possiblities of confrontations that make me more nervous than anything. More demand means more people to argue about leaving their licenses behind in place of headsets. Some older people are convinced that leaving your license anywhere automatically leads to identity theft. If they thought it through, they would figure out that the theaters where I work could find me if they thought I was guilty of a crime.
Anyway, I am now interested in finding a new job. But who is going to hire me? I've been out of the full-time, day time workaday world for so long, I'm afraid I've become completely unhirable.
I had enough problems finding the last two office jobs I had.
I was so obsessed with finding a new job this morning, that I was up at 5:30 reconfiguring my NY Times/Monster.com profile.
Ack
September 25, 2008
September 24, 2008
Something I Can Relate To
Tonight on my way to work, a woman started yelling to no one in particular. When our train pulled into 57th Street she looked out across the platform to find no Q train waiting for her. She shouted out, "This is the last stop. There should be two trains here at all times." Just as she finished that sentence, a Q train pulled in.
I totally related to her frustration about the train.
I totally related to her frustration about the train.
September 16, 2008
Another Birthday
Remember last year how excited I was when I turned 40? That didn't happen this past Saturday when I celebrated my 41st birthday.
It's not like I had a bad day. It was a quiet birthday which is what I like. My mom took me out to brunch, then we drove out to my brother's house where we had birthday cake. I received plenty of warm wishes and nice birthday cards.
But 41 is turning out to be a really depressing birthday. I'm doing that thing people do when they compare themselves to others and I know I shouldn't be doing that. It's self-defeating.
I'm not wriing this to get a pep talk. I'm posting because I wanted to share my feelings. Feel free to express your similar feelings in the comment section.
It's not like I had a bad day. It was a quiet birthday which is what I like. My mom took me out to brunch, then we drove out to my brother's house where we had birthday cake. I received plenty of warm wishes and nice birthday cards.
But 41 is turning out to be a really depressing birthday. I'm doing that thing people do when they compare themselves to others and I know I shouldn't be doing that. It's self-defeating.
I'm not wriing this to get a pep talk. I'm posting because I wanted to share my feelings. Feel free to express your similar feelings in the comment section.
September 11, 2008
September 11
I send out blessings to all the people who lost loved ones during the attacks on September 11, 2001. In my family, we are blessed because we didn't lose anyone close to us.
September 03, 2008
September
September is here, which means back to school for everybody who has children. That is not us yet, but hopefully will be one day.
As a kid, September used to fill me with dread. Not that I hated school. I loved school actually. But I was terrified of other children. I was never one of those kids who looked forward to going back to school and seeing all her friends. At some point in high school, I finally started to feel comfortable in my own skin, but to this day I get that sinking feeling in my stomach when the calendar pages change from August to September. A lot of that has to do with having been bullied. I never quite learned how to NOT get bullied.
Anyway. September is here and it's my birthday month. In a little more than a week, I will be celebrating end of my 41st year on this planet. You may remember how non-chalant I was about turning 40. 41 is really bothering me. 41 is making me feel old. Blah.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day out of our apartment because the building shut down our water to work on the pipes. Yes. That meant no toilets. So I made plans to be out of the house all day. First I went to see my doctor because of a problem with my hip which turns out is a result of all the new exercise I've been doing this past year on my bike. Then Jon and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We saw the special Turner exhibit and the Koons sculptures on the roof.
When Jon had to go to work, I decided to treat myself to Hamlet 2 which I saw at the AMC theater on 42nd Street. That was a super fun movie.
I took myself to dinner at Red Lobster (an idea put into my head by Hamlet 2) and had a salad which was neither diet friendly or delicious. I'm kind of sorry I went to Red Lobster for dinner actually.
I finished the day by working a shift at Xanadu where I saw Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano, Mario Cantone and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I took a chance and spoke to Elisabeth Hasselbeck who as it turns out is really, really nice. I was so happy I spoke with her. At the end of the conversation, she shook my hand and introduced me to her husband. She was friendly, warm and down to earth.
I told an usher that I had met her and she was surprised to hear how nice she was. This person had assumed that she was a BI**H simply because she is a Republican. How narrow minded is that??!! Republicans are people too!! And I'm always impressed with Hasselbeck when she holds her own against Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters. Can you imagine standing up to Barbara Walters?!?!? Especially as such a young woman? I may not agree with everything she believes but I sure do admire her. Talking to her was the highlight of my day.
When I got home last night, my toilet was in constant flush mode. But the super came up and fixed a washer that had gotten ruined when the contractors fixed the pipes.
It was A+ day!!
As a kid, September used to fill me with dread. Not that I hated school. I loved school actually. But I was terrified of other children. I was never one of those kids who looked forward to going back to school and seeing all her friends. At some point in high school, I finally started to feel comfortable in my own skin, but to this day I get that sinking feeling in my stomach when the calendar pages change from August to September. A lot of that has to do with having been bullied. I never quite learned how to NOT get bullied.
Anyway. September is here and it's my birthday month. In a little more than a week, I will be celebrating end of my 41st year on this planet. You may remember how non-chalant I was about turning 40. 41 is really bothering me. 41 is making me feel old. Blah.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day out of our apartment because the building shut down our water to work on the pipes. Yes. That meant no toilets. So I made plans to be out of the house all day. First I went to see my doctor because of a problem with my hip which turns out is a result of all the new exercise I've been doing this past year on my bike. Then Jon and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We saw the special Turner exhibit and the Koons sculptures on the roof.
When Jon had to go to work, I decided to treat myself to Hamlet 2 which I saw at the AMC theater on 42nd Street. That was a super fun movie.
I took myself to dinner at Red Lobster (an idea put into my head by Hamlet 2) and had a salad which was neither diet friendly or delicious. I'm kind of sorry I went to Red Lobster for dinner actually.
I finished the day by working a shift at Xanadu where I saw Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano, Mario Cantone and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I took a chance and spoke to Elisabeth Hasselbeck who as it turns out is really, really nice. I was so happy I spoke with her. At the end of the conversation, she shook my hand and introduced me to her husband. She was friendly, warm and down to earth.
I told an usher that I had met her and she was surprised to hear how nice she was. This person had assumed that she was a BI**H simply because she is a Republican. How narrow minded is that??!! Republicans are people too!! And I'm always impressed with Hasselbeck when she holds her own against Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters. Can you imagine standing up to Barbara Walters?!?!? Especially as such a young woman? I may not agree with everything she believes but I sure do admire her. Talking to her was the highlight of my day.
When I got home last night, my toilet was in constant flush mode. But the super came up and fixed a washer that had gotten ruined when the contractors fixed the pipes.
It was A+ day!!
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