When Tara Met Blog: September 2005

Always a bridesmaid ...

Thursday, September 29, 2005

well actually I'm always a maid of honor (once for my mother's wedding and again for our friend Kathy) but this Saturday will be the first time I'm a bridesmaid. The dress I'm wearing is burgandy and gold. Unfortunately it arrived a few sizes too big, so it had to be tailored. I won't know if it fits for sure until I head up to the wedding. Hopefully there won't be a wardrobe malfunction of Superbowl proportions.
The wedding is for my college friend Nicki and it's in Meredeth, New Hampshire at The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls on Lake Winnipesaukee. I've never been, so I'm looking forward to seeing this massive lake and hopefully some changing colored leaves and foliage during my 4.5 hour drive.

Psst...does anyone else think it's ironic to be married in a state thats motto is "Live Free or Die" ?

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Caught an advanced screening again yesterday at Lincoln Center, for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson.

It's based on a true story and book, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less.
Evelyn Ryan (Moore) is a devoted housewife and mother of ten in the 1950s. A time period perfect for Moore since she looks so classic and has played a 50s housewife in Far From Heaven and The Hours. Her husband (Harrelson) can't seem to make ends meet, especially since most of his paycheck goes to liquor. The mortgage payments and putting food on the table falls to Evelyn, defying conventions of the day. She continually finds a way to keep her family together by applying her resourcefulness and wit to winning poetry contests and writing jingles for prize competitions. She wins a supermarket shopping spree and other contests that provided washing machines and other appliances the family couldn't afford, and even delivered cash to pay the milk man.

Harrelson who I've admired ever since his play appearances in Rainmaker and An Average Day, does a good job playing a jealous and hapless 50s husband. Although it gets really annoying that they call each other mom and dad, I hate that, but it's a true story so I guess they have to ;). People in the audience got so annoyed at the father's destructive character that there were numerous hisses and yells at the screen. I even heard two women mutter, "I'd kill him!" Thus he does a good job playing the loser dad.
Moore meanwhile is good in anything, so I don't even have to go there. Her character though is so perfect that I often got annoyed at her turn-the-other-cheek persona, however it's also very admirable as is her wit and endurance.
The film starts a little weird with Moore talking directly to the camera, but I enjoyed the television commercial like feel to the audience address. Overall the film is sentimental and aims to pull at the heartstrings, but "cute" and enjoyable none the less.
I felt bad that I invited a male friend to this women's film, but I brought him some candy from work and didn't seem to mind as much ;) Thanks Jesse.

DVD Review: 3rd Rock From the Sun--The Complete First Season.

I totally forgot how adorable and creative this show is. I always enjoyed it but I didn't watch every episode, since they kept changing what day it was on and so forth. Anyway, since receiving the first season on DVD, I've been popping through the different episodes like they were potato chips and laughing out loud. Jane Curtain plays such a straight lace neurotic, John Lithgow is brilliant maintaining that shocked child-eyed wonder throughout too. I kept looking forward to see what trouble the aliens would get into next and how they would embarrass poor Dr. Mary Albright and their secretary Nina. The first season is really endearing and I'm glad I got a chance to refresh my memory with these episodes.

Also, the coolest part is that the DVD talks, yes talks. Like some action figure there is a button on the box set and when pressed it has Dick saying "You are ... judgmental and completely self-absorbed, won't you be my friend?" I loved the idea of making the DVD more than just a DVD, too cool.
DVD Show Season Score: A+
DVD Sound & Vision: B
DVD Packaging/Layout: A
DVD Special Features Score: B
DVD Show Collection Overall Score: A-

Spelling Bee & Avenue Q

Monday, September 26, 2005

I finally saw the coveted new Broadway show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Saturday evening with K. The musical comedy is about a group of grade school misfits who compete in the county spelling competition.

The theater is decorated with school banners and hand painted signs, just like a real educational institution would be. Even the stage and theater are made to look like a gymnasium with wooden floors, basketball hoops and a circular seating arena. It's really fun and creative, putting you in the scholastic mood right from the start. And the setting really made me eager for the live performance.

The show is partly interactive since they pick four audience members to come sit on the bleachers with the other contestants and even have them spell words with the actors. It's pretty funny. Even funnier are the sentences they give the children to describe the words that they are asked to spell.

The students, played by adults, range from a shy Asian girl yearning to rebel and not be so perfect, to a heavy boy who uses his foot to spell out the words he's given. Then there is a lonely girl in pig tails; a lesbian named Logann who is raised by two dads; an Asian boyscout who is more interested in the ladies at the bee; and a lispy red head boy who does not think he's smart. All of whom are under pressure to win in order to make their parents happy and eager to prove that they are the smartest.

Overall, it's a fun show, lots of laughter and enjoyment. The songs are cute but not memorable, since I can't recall any of them off the top of my head except the Unintended Erection one. However, the story line, humor and cast members make up for the lack of creative/catchy music.

Spelling Bee was nominated for six 2005 Tony Awards and won two, including Dan Fogler's performance as an overweight speller blessed with the magic foot.

Starting Oct. 2, they will be having 'Mature Audience Only' shows on certain set days, where there will be more naughtier words to spell.
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After a theater going dry spell, it was a Broadway weekend for me, because the following day another friend and I took in the matinee showing of Avenue Q. This musical includes puppets, so yes another kids theme, yet again more for adults and their life lessons.

Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a typical bright-eyed college grad who comes to NYC seeking a purpose but with a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q, which doesn't exist but makes fun of how far out it is, since the avenues in Manhattan only go up to D.

There he meets neighbors under similar circumstances, including a single girl who is a "monster" and his building's superintendent the former child star, Gary Coleman (played by a woman). Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive "purpose" in life.
Despite winning the Tony for best Musical, I was hesitant to see this production. The whole human and puppets idea seemed freaky, but who knew puppet sex would be so funny, lol. And unlike Spelling Bee, the songs are catchy and more memorable. They include original titles like, "Sucks to Be Me," "It's OK if You're Gay," and "Everyone's a Little Racist."
The songs are sometimes interrupted by Sesame Street like cartoon lessons being shown on side TVs, but they aren't G rated e.g. a lesson about one night stands, haha.

Celeb Sightings: Saw David Hyde Peirce at the Broadway Flea Market & Auction, who by the way I've always had a crush on. I know, I know, shut up. He looked really good too. And the red head guy (Alan Tudyk) from A Knight's Tale walked by me on 45th Street on the way to the theater, but he looked upset and in a rush so I didn't say anything.

The fifth annual CultureFest 2005 takes place on Saturday & Sunday, September 24-25, in Battery Park and features the complete range of New York City's diverse arts community from all five boroughs.
I didn't plan on going to the fest but it was so beautiful out that my friend and I walked down the Hudson River Path along the water from 14th Street to Battery Park. We took the subway back though, shh.

Here I am learning to play the drums, not well though. There were also some really cute little girls doing Irish Step Dancing:

The Block Party

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Last weekend my friends and I went to The Kitchen High Line Block Party in Chelsea.

The High Line is a 1.5 mile-long historic elevated rail structure on the west side of Manhattan, and ends or begins, depending on how you look at it, right near my street. The current proposition is to preserve and reuse the above bridge as a park over the streets. I hope the plan goes through, it seems like a fun idea.

Below are some of the photos I took of the block party for my photojournalism grad class:

PS: Met yet another blogger last night while at 1849, because evidently this city is full of them, he writes Terry McMahon's Awesome Blog.

PPS: Today my sister Serina would have turned 27 years old. Happy birthday!

That's Amore, The Art of Making Pizza With My Dad

Thursday, September 22, 2005

My father would tell people he was a "cook" never a chef or proprietor of many successful restaurants, although he was both. His hands, large and calloused from years of burns and cuts left un-fussed over, were his battle wounds to prove it. Those same hands could move quickly around his no thrills kitchen like an expert piano player over his keys. The speed in which he moved would make me cringe when he rapidly chopped, cut and diced ingredients for some patron’s meal. To me, it looked as if he was just about to chop off his fingers right before my eyes, but luckily his expert moves always narrowly missed doing so. Although I’d retreat to making my own mixed concoctions from the soda machine while he was cooking different meals, I’d always watch intently when it came time to making pizzas. Forever mesmerized over the process and being involved in making the final ambrosia.

He’d start by showing off to me and the customers, tossing and catching the flour dabbed dough that he'd make in the early morning hours. The flour dust forever clinging to his clothes and making him smell like the ingredients of a pizza pie long after he left the restaurant. The trick to throwing dough, he’d say, was using your fists and moving them quickly in circular movements underneath the pancake flattened dough, building momentum. That, I could do, but catching the wobbly dough after it’s carelessly flung into the air and not letting it stretch to the floor or puncture the stretched-thin raw bread with my eagerly waiting fingers, was a different story. My dad was far from being a gentle man. Yet, the big brute could toss and catch pizza dough as if he was in some Olympic egg tossing competition and the heavy dough merely a feather floating down into his outstretched hands.

Once the dough was laid onto the wooden block and lengthened to the right size, his homemade marinara sauce could be poured on top. He’d guide my hand to the large metal ladle, filled to the brim with cold sauce, and to the very center of the dough. Together, circulating outwards to only an inch away from the edge, saving room for the crust to form, we’d drop the sauce leaving a bloody red trail in its wake.

He could fill a whole pizza with shredded mozzarella with just a quick magical circular gesture with his arm, covering the scattered pieces of cheese evenly on the pie. Under my breath I’d whisper “Bippity Boppity Boo,” while looking down to see if any of the shredded strings missed the wet pizza dough. He never did, so I’d have to sneak some cheese out of the metal container to munch on.

When the restaurant wasn’t too busy he’d sometimes let me put on whatever toppings were needed for the order. I’d take my time making sure each disc shaped pepperoni and cold mushroom were laid out evenly across the surface, while my dad pretended to be annoyed and huffed and puffed behind me. But once the toppings and preparations for the pie are accomplished, came the more challenging part, the javelin thrust it takes to shove the raw pie off the heavy wooden paddle board and into the pizza oven. I could barely lift the large wooden paddle or see over the formidable furnace looking ovens, never mind being able to slide the uncooked pizza off and into the waiting heat without destroying what we just made.
Like all good “cooks” my dad didn’t have to use a timer or peak into the oven to know when the pie was ready, he just did. If the pie was going in the display area, he’d sneak me a warm piece to go with my root beer, 7up, cherry coke drink.

When the pizza was meant for take out, I’d proudly watch the delicious pie being taken away in a cardboard box that we folded and assembled in between the business rush. And the whole time wondering: do they realize all the steps and movements that went into making them that pie? I can’t help but recall all of that work each time I eat a slice of pizza pie, do you?

Warning TMI ahead:

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Male who will not be named: You know, wearing a thong would make that skirt your wearing look even sexier on you.

Me: Yeah I do know, but not when one has their period.

MWWNBN: Arghh! I can't believe you just told me that.

Me: Arghh! I can't believe you just told me to wear a thong.

I looked in a full-length mirror and you can't see my panty line at all. My skirt is black and of a thick material, guess he was just being a jerk on purpose.

Very glad I'm going for Martini's with my girls after work at Kanvas. They have one that's called Gummy Bear. yum!

Charity Concert

Monday, September 19, 2005

Last night I went to a charity concert in Stamford, Connecticut, to help at-risk women and children and provide shelter for battered families. The 13th annual event was started by Michael Bolton and aided by a hodge podge of different celebrities in attendance.
My friend and I went VIP since I know the road manager's wife. The pre VIP event included a silent auction of autographed guitars by people like Billy Joel and Paul McCartney, plus lots of sports memorabilia as well. The concert included musical performances by Lee Ann Womack (who stole the show with her frank and likable nature plus powerful singing), Nancy Sinatra (who sang and auctioned off two pairs of her boots that are made for walking), Patrick Swayze (I always forget that he sings "She's Like the Wind) and Michael Bolton. The event was opened by Joan Lunden and oh Chuck Norris was there in a Walker Texas Ranger style suit.
There was also a live auction as well, which was fun to watch but the items--like Swayze's song says, were "out of my league." An hour dance lesson with the Dirty Dancing star went for $30,000. A personalized song about you or whatever you choose composed and recorded by Bolton, Paul Williams and Richard Marx went for a mere 70K and for having Bolton sing at your party or fund raising event went for $100,000! Bolton joked to the winning bidder by asking, "you know I'm only singing, right?"
It was definitely an odd group and the earlier open bar caused for more than a few intoxicated socialites who wouldn't stop talking through out the show and for a guy to shout out "You go girl" to Ms. Womack. For more information on the charity go to MBC.
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News Photo:
U.S. President George W. Bush writes a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York September 14, 2005. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (more)

The Food Critic Wannabes

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

After my evening grad class last night, a group of us went to the restaurant opening of Cercle Rouge in TriBeca. They had a three piece brass band outside playing French & Jazz music, inside looked like the set of Victor/Victoria with feathers on display with a 1930s flapper girl feel. We drank strawberry infused champagne and ate scallops, lamb, steak, salmon, apple tarts, and different types of flan. Everything was very yummy and better yet...free. Plus everything is super great with three, well maybe four, glasses of champagne. One friend said that the people there looked like a caricature of New York City, which was somewhat accurate.
The restaurant was just mentioned in the recent Daily Candy email, check out their commentary, A Perfect Cercle.
I guess I was at a hot event, because the NYC blog Curbed is writing about it as well, Eater Inside: Cercle Rouge.
Also, met Jennifer Leuzzi at the opening, she runs the Snack blog.

PS: thanks Pure Mood and Let's Have It for your CSS help.
DVD Review: I have another review posted at DVDFanatic and am quite proud of how it came out. Ned and Stacey--The Complete First Season.

When Tara is away the mice will play!

Monday, September 12, 2005

So I'm in my pajamas watching the Yankees game on TV after coming back from a "Meet the Editors" night at NYU, when I spot something moving from the corner of my eye. A freakin mouse darts by and runs underneath my couch! Now, I live in a very very very small bitchen and knowing a mouse is in my close quarters is freaking me out. I turn my head at every noise and am afraid to not wear my shoes around the apartment.

I had the same problem last fall. The mouse would jump in my garbage bin and I'd run down from my lofted bed, I'm not sure what I planned to do, but it didn't matter anyway since it would scurry away too quickly. After weeks of playing--forgive the pun--cat and mouse, I come home and find him in my trash bin, unable to scurry out since it was empty. I scream, it pees and continues to jump, I continue to scream with each leap it makes towards me. I quickly grab the bin and open the door to my apt, but now that the pail is angled the mouse is able to almost jump out. I swing the pail, mouse and all, into the hallway and slam my door shut. Through my peep hole, I see it climb down the banister upside down and to the first floor, presumably into someone else's apartment. I didn't see a mouse again until today, a year later. I wish Gremlyn was still alive or my dad to help me do something about it.

Any suggestions? Do you think the Sonic Mouse Chaser will work? I just ordered it, I hope its not just BS.
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This evening was one of those nights where I just felt like meeting people, so I chatted to three MBA guys at NYU then started speaking to the guy walking next to me on my way home, turns out he lives on the same street as me and goes to the same pizza place. Yes, I've had some red wine and I do feel very very fine ;) And for those who read about how I like to give out my business cards, I managed to keep the cards in my wallet, lol.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Take a look at my 9/11 Remembered article that I wrote last year for the 3rd-year anniversary while attending a memorial service at Ground Zero.
I'm so glad that I do not have to go to such an up-close event again. Just reading over it takes me back to the raw emotion that I witnessed. I also felt like a real shit for intruding on the moment. You'll notice I didn't quote people who lost direct family members, I just couldn't approach them and interfere with their grief.

From my fire escape you can see the honorary lights representing the towers, but from this angle, directly north, it looks like one light and not two. You used to be able to see the real towers from this window though. After 9/11, before I lived at this address, my landlord couldn't come back to the apartment for several weeks since many of the buildings below 14th Street were off limits until the dust settled and debris cleared.

The Postman Always Rings ... the Dead?

Friday, September 9, 2005

I spent this gorgeous Saturday morning in Westchester, New York, visiting my Nanny and then stopping by the cemetery to see my dad and sister's grave. It is a beautiful cemetery actually, up on a grassy hill with lots of trees and sunlight. We once saw deer walking around. Although the prettiest cemetery I have ever seen is in Mystic, CT, there's a large stone archway and iron gates, weeping willow trees and located along the water. I wouldn't mind having my ashes buried there in the way distant future. Yes, I have a morbid fascination with cemeteries. Most likely because I used to visit my sister's stone with my mother since I was a little kid. I even have a photo of me when I'm 5 or so in a purple Easter dress in front of Serina's grave. We'll analyze that another day ;) actually I believe my mother was hoping to find something special in the photo once she got it developed.

Anyway so I'm squinting from the sun and picking at the weeds in front of their plot while chatting away about recent events in my life and trying to keep my emotions in check. Some visits I want to cry when I'm there and other's I'd rather just feel tranquil, reflective and dry eyed. Just when I was about to give in to self pity, a United States Postal truck wobbles up the drive. It took me a second to do a double take. There isn't an office or anything nearby and I doubt the residents located here are still reading mail, and unless the mailman knows a forwarding address that I'm not aware of the sight definitely looked out of place.

The man of course was visiting a loved one too, but I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of a postman possibly making deliveries to the cemetery, effectively banishing my blues :P
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DVD Review: My latest DVDFanatic.com staff review is up Frasier- The Complete Sixth Season .

Hung Over and on Camera

I'm hung over from last night's 5th year company anniversary party. Even worse is that I had an 8 a.m. graduate course this morning and then hustled back to work by noon to finish out the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, my coworker PJ, who sits in the cubicle next to me and likes annoying me by playing funny 80s ringtones, had his reality TV show crew at the office for a follow-up filming.
OK let me explain, last month, PJ took two weeks off of work to be in an upcoming reality show where he learned how to improve his dating skills. He also got to live in a $20 million penthouse in Manhattan. Since he wants to be a comedian and does stand up, we're hoping it will help his entertainment career. Anyway back to me ;) there was a boom mike over my head and a camera interviewing PJ in the cubicle next door. Then I did a little bit in the kitchen with PJ in front of the camera and they also interviewed me at my desk, asking me how he changed after coming back from the reality show. Yeah, I wish I did not look exhausted or felt like shit. Whatever. The show is hoping to get picked up in October and will probably air some time next year. I'll keep you posted.

Just in time to be too late

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

I took the local subway train to work today, since I was too lazy to continue to wait on the crowded platform for the express to arrive. Especially after having just missed the express by mere seconds due to a woman in high heels who decided to take up the whole stairway tiptoeing and teetering down the steps. I swear I almost pushed her down them. I don't mind if people want to take their time and are not in a rush, that's dandy, but then they should not be standing in the middle of the steps blocking traffic. Simply move to the side and continue walking, while letting the rest of us frustrated commuters pass. I missed the closing doors by a fraction of a second, they literally closed in front of my face. I felt like I was in the movie Sliding Doors.

Make Your Own Search Engine:

Just click on the photo and then "Google Logo Maker" and then you can have a personalized Google search page whenever you open IE or Firefox.

For Just in Case...
Since no one programs the word "husband" or "sister" into their cell phone, rescue workers waste precious time sifting through a patient's phone book in cases of emergency. In the wake of the London tubestation bombings, a national campaign was launched to get Brits to add the acronym ICE (for "in case of emergency) before the name of their closest friend or relative or simply add an ICE contact in your address book along with your usual contact names. You should also make sure your emergency contact knows your medical conditions, allergies and what medications you are on if any. For more info read the MSNBC article ICE could save your life.

Katrina Fundraising Efforts

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

After the tsunami I was very impressed by America's efforts to help victims overseas and of course I was not surprised to see that it has been the same way with Hurricane Katrina efforts.

I noticed that younger kids have especially been getting involved in the relief effort. Over the holiday weekend in Stonington, Connecticut, two young boys probably about 10-years-old, were sitting in the sun collecting donations for hurricane victims. My girlfriends and I donated a few dollars that we had in our wallets, but I didn't have much cash on me so I donated online this morning.

Also in Milford, CT on Labor Day, a bunch of little girls, all under the age of 10, were on the side of a busy cross section selling lemonade, holding signs that were larger than themselves and waving at passing cars in order to get their attention and raise money for victims.

In the lobby of my office building there is also an empty water cooler already filled with money for the Red Cross.

I know, many human victims have suffered due to the hurricane, but I also can't help but be concerned for the four legged creatures down there too. I think I might donate to the ASPCA's relief efforts as well. Take a look at their pet version of the Astrodome HERE.

News: Small survivor: US Airforce Lt. Nathan Brosheal holds a kitten rescued and airlifted to New Orleans International Airport in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

PS: How is it September already, never mind the 6th?

•2: The number of women I saw wearing white pants the day after Labor Day, tsk tsk.

Saturday, September 3, 2005

• 1 in 8: The chance you have that a first date will call you for a second date after 24 hours have passed.

• 11: The number of single friends the average 27 year old has.

• 110 Million: The number of single adults in the United States.

• 79%: of men will take 15 minutes on a first date to determine whether or not they would see the person again.

• 71%: of women prefer not to date someone within the same profession

• 38%: of female attorneys don't like dating other attorneys.

• 0: The amount Tara cares about these stats, lol.

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I'm off on my family's sailboat for the weekend, I go every Labor Day Weekend with them, 4th of July too. I packed all my white dresses and pants, so I can wear them one last time before Labor Day.

Thursday Confession

Thursday, September 1, 2005

I sleep with an eye mask. My eyes are light sensitive, so I have dozens of fancy eye masks that I use at home and on the road. I started this way back when, kids in sleep away camp used to tease me, lol. Oh well.

I loved this one mask that I got recently at DSW, which had velcro straps and was super soft, but I left it on the plane coming back from SanFran and cannot find a replacement :(

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News: I just got our client in Mobile Enterprise magazine :) Cashing In

Shout out: to Heather and Joey, my Canadian friends, ay? ;) Thanks for lunch!

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