When Tara Met Blog: May 2006

Toronto Travels

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I spent a lovely holiday weekend in Toronto (my third visit there) in order to see my pseudo little (6'2) brother graduate from Upper Canadian College. He just received the honor of being dubbed the #1 high school drummer in the whole country (Canada). As a result, paired with his many academic achievements too, he's received several scholarships. Everyone was very proud.

Since I've been to visit the very clean city before, I didn't do the usual tourist stuff that I did before like go see a show at Second City or ride up the CN Tower and visit the Blue Jays stadium, but rather I was hanging out like a real Torontonian (Yeah, I made that term up). I even went disco bowling and scored a 113, which is high for me since I haven't played in at least several years. I did some bragging as a result, yup I'm that girl. Being an observer of the city once again, I couldn't help but be reminded of some unique things that make the city in fact in another country like the large English, French and Asian cultural presence, the fact that bathrooms are labeled "washrooms," and that there aren't just liquor stores but large beer stores, which are operated by the government. Another highlight that I noticed the last time and again this time was the fun sidewalk art that's throughout the city. I don't mean art that is on display on the sidewalk, like Central Park/China Town style, but actual chalk pictures drawn on the sidewalk a la Mary Poppins. It's all very charming, although I can't say the same for the many punk looking white kids walking around with spiked colored hair and numerous piercings, who just looked like they stepped out of an 80s video instead of menacing or displaying angst as I'm assuming is their intent. Also during the graduation ceremony I was able to actually hear the words to their national anthem beyond the repetition of "Oh Canada," but it obviously didn't pack the same punch for me being a "foreigner."

The bad news though is that I missed Fleet Week in New York City. Ah well, maybe that was a blessing in disguise...lead us not into temptation ;)

Here are some photos from the trip:

A dress named Tara

Friday, May 26, 2006

I just came across a very expensive dress online from Ralph Lauren that has my name, Pintucked Cotton Tara Dress. It's very pretty but there's no way--even on sale--that I would pay that much, no matter how obsessed I am with my own name! Too bad though *sigh*.

Oh and I've been meaning to mention that I walked by Paul Rudd on 8th Avenue just below 14th street on Sunday and my friend saw him the day before on the Subway. He was dressed in jeans and a jean jacket. It had just started raining again and he unfortunately didn't have an umbrella. I'm not sure if it was my stare, the rain or both, but he was booking it. I was heading in the opposite direction to my apartment, otherwise I would have shared my umbrella. Rudd is currently on Broadway in Three Days of Rain, but I'll still think of him has "Mr. Crap Bag," Phoebe's husband on friends.

Currently in: Toronto, for a friends graduation. Be back after the holiday weekend!

My DVD Review: Rumor Has It

Drinks and the Fortune Teller

Monday, May 22, 2006

After sharing a bottle of Cabernet Sauvingon and then sipping down another glass over dinner, my friend Stef and I giddily decided to go get our palms read on Saturday night.

There's a place on the corner of my street that I've passed for the last two years but had never gone in. I often look at the people inside, the many little kids that the palm reader always seems to be watching, plus at the cute black cat that stares at me as I walk by. The woman & co. obviously live behind/above the store front which has a tacky neon palm sign on its window.

Anyway as I sat down on the leather chair, she took my hand and told me in a soft voice that I am good at making friends with lots of types of people. She also said that I have a long life line and have many past lives (I've often been told by spiritual friends that I'm an old soul, so that wasn't new to hear) and saw me previously as a lawyer, photographer and a teacher (all professions that I've been interested in). Meanwhile she didn't mention to my friend her past lives during her reading that followed. She also said that I'm a creative person and that she sees a lot of paperwork in my future for the month of June (great!). She then asked if I had a creative job and I said yes, I work in PR and write a lot. She then said, still holding my palm that she sees that I'm at peace with the choices I've been making lately and that my aura is very light and lavender right now. Also out of the blue she says that she sees the West Coast as a positive place for me and that someone with an M in their name will be a good influence career wise out there. No bells rang on that, but the idea of moving has been on my mind. She also said the years 2000 and 2003 were difficult years for me--the first year yes the latter no.

My friends' reading had a very opposite take and focused more on relationships, but was also pretty accurate on some points especially over the fact that she'll be making a career change and that the guy that she has been sort of seeing isn't her soul mate. I swear I would have paid the woman to have said that to her, thankfully I didn't have to ;) She also focused more on her energy but didn't mention the colors. I just thought it was interesting, true or not, the different and eerily relevant readings she gave for us.

Three Turtle Doves

Saturday, May 20, 2006

A few weeks ago when there was actually sun and not all this rain, I went out onto my balcony (fire escape) for some rays. As I was lying on my back, I spotted upside down a pretty beige dove laying on a nest underneath the iron fire escape step. I guess NYC birds have to settle for fire escapes instead of trees. Usually they nest underneath air conditioners too.

I've been leaving bread out for her these last couple of weeks but she'd always look at me so cautiously that I'd try to do it as silently and as unobtrusive as possible. Today though when I went out on to the escape there were two baby doves next to mommy dove. They look pretty big already too and they can't be more than a week old. Here's a birds eye view of them, yes I love using puns.

Hmm what should I name them? I wonder how long they will stay there.

Link: You can check out the beauty products that When Tara Met Blog voted for in Glam.com's beauty awards and vote for your favorite hair, makeup and beauty products here. Go Mac makeup!

You Scratch My Blog...

Friday, May 19, 2006

Don't you just love networking? I don't mean in the salesy or fake type of way, I mean just meeting people of similar interests and introducing yourself to strangers at social gatherings and learning about each others professions and passions. Well, I do. I always find it thrilling to meet new people in general even if it's just for a night.

Let me explain the reason for my above tangent. Last night I went to a launch party for Coutorture, (cute name, but I get tongue tied trying to say it) a new fashion blog. The party was sponsored by Glam and held at the unpretentious Lucky Jacks bar on the Lower East Side, but in the downstairs room where the bartender was serving Peanut Butter and Jelly Martini's, pretty weird no?

While there I spoke with Lesley Scott of Fashion Tribes who I heard speak in a panel back in February at the Blogging is the New Black breakfast. She was super friendly. She also has podcasts that can be downloaded on iTunes, which I plan to start loading and listening to while on the subway to work.

I also ran into Pamela, the very cute founder of Bag Trends who happens to be the very same person who sent me my kick ass Kooba bag and she remembered. In fact, she said it killed her having to send the bag away, but I said hey, at least she got to see it again since I was wearing it that night. Oh and another thing we had in common is that we both studied journalism at NYU and are now doing PR and blogging. It's a small media world after all.

Being a fashion event, every one of course was dressed very chic. I was complemented on my necklace several times and given the sources it made me even more elated.

The party also allowed for me to be introduced to a new blog Clothes Pin and its writer Karen whose site's motto is "hanging style out to dry for the whole neighborhood to see." She features emerging fashion talent and was very nice to meet. As was another woman, Conlyn that I met who is a lawyer by day and an image consultant on the side, which means she remakes straight men. I'd like that job but I doubt I'd be very good at it.

There were of course a few people there who were working the crowd a bit too hard, but that's with any networking event, right? So that was my night, well that and then watching the Will & Grace finale on my DVR. Check out the Boston Globe article Series finale had plenty of will, lacked grace.

News: Blogs now have a world of influence

Panties in a Twist

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Nope not mine, my friends. See, I have several girl friends who hate hearing the word panties being said by others. I find this so weird since it doesn't bother me.

When I think of panties I think of pretty frilly ones, what else can you say, underwear? Underwear makes me think of what you wear when no one's going to see them or those thick banded CK ones.

I was watching a rerun of Will & Grace last night and Will mentioned that Grace doesn't like the word panties either. Who knew there was such widespread detest? Does it bother you?

Speaking of under garments you should check out Danae, a fellow Glam blogger's site Knickers Blog for some great lingerie reviews, coupons and trends.

PS: I posted a corporate blog update about the Revelon Run/Walk that I participated in with my office last week at Caring about Cancer.

Call Me Irresponsible

Saturday, May 13, 2006

So over the last three days I managed to lose $70+ and I don't mean I spent the money on useless stuff or gambled it away, I literally got swindled ... twice.

Here's how I lost the first ten. After a seven dollar cab ride back to my apartment I gave the driver a twenty and asked for $11 back. He handed me two bills with a one on top and I didn't bother to really check until I was out of the cab, yes in hindsight stupid but after three years in the city I never had a problem before. So after making sure I had my bag, I hastily exited to allow the couple waiting outside in to find upon entering the market next to my apartment to buy some milk that he only gave me two one dollar bills.

How I lost the rest: Two days later and still fuming over the stupid ten with every new purchase I made. When buying a sandwich I chose not to get chips thinking, well if I had that extra ten I could buy like eight bags. Stupid how we dwell on such things or try to rationalize stuff. After a wonderful Saturday night dinner at Superfine (don't you love the fun name?) eating fresh food and hearing blues music I let my gold clutch. fall out of my coat pocket at the York Street subway. Yet, I managed to hold onto my cheap umbrella, grr.

The thing is I usually carry a house sized purse around but I chose a less cumbersome cutesy & stylish clutch for the evening and even crammed my phone, license, credit card, lipstick and $60 inside it. I didn't realize it was gone until I went above ground at Times Square. Don't you hate that feeling when you realize you did something so stupid and careless like that? You can sort of feel the punch in the gut as your blood drains from your face. And it's not the first time I've done something like this. Feel free to read my hoboken story from last year.

I've been incredibly careless with my possessions having lost an umbrella, cell phone, scarf and several pairs of gloves over the years. It's like I can't have nice things because this is what happens, I go all flighty with them. Anyway, yes, I've been yelling at myself for some time now, but I was hoping Karma was on my side since just last week I mailed someone a folder of important documents that I found in a cab and I didn't even provide my return address.

I then mentally went through a list of all the repercussions losing my clutch meant like having to go to Connecticut during the week to get a new license, cancel my card, locate all my friends' contact information to store in new phone, get a new phone (which is also my land line) etc. First I canceled my credit card and right after I did my mother called my friends' phone saying that the York Street ticket booth called saying they had my phone and clutch. Thank goodness I had programed her number as my ICE (in case of an emergency) contact in my phone after reading about the idea in Newsweek.

So I gleefully traveled back to Brooklyn, repeatedly thanking Karma, the person who found my purse and whatever miracle was at play and hoping everything would be ok. I obviously wasn't worried about my phone since they had that or my credit card since I canceled that, but my license and deniro. Everything was there except the money. The woman behind the booth said a man gave it to her, so apparently he took did a semi decent thing and I obviously couldn't't be too upset since it was my own damn fault and at least I had my other items returned. Although the woman at the ticket booth could have taken it too, who knows? I just feel like I got beat up this weekend is all. At least I wasn't mugged, right? And at least I had a somewhat happy ending, after all a little bit is better than nada.

New Film Review: Friends with Money

Video: The Evolution of Dance. Man you forget how many weird dances that are out there and I've done more than several, lol.

Shining Light

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

In honor of the NYU Class of 2006 (that includes upper classmates like me and my classmates) the Empire State Building's tower was lit violet and white-- NYU's colors. I thought that was pretty cool. So although I was already in my pajamas when I remembered that tonight it would be lit in honor of our graduation, I ran out to take a photo of it. Luckily I can see the Empire State Building by just walking East three blocks and there it is in between an opening in the sky line.

I often stop when I'm on that corner to see what color the lights are that night. But now I can actually check online too since they list the schedule of lightings on the official website as well as the meanings behind each color pattern. My camera however didn't do too well taking a photo of of an object that far away and in the dark. Ah well.

I do recommend walking around the meat packing district in silk pajama bottoms and an Italia soccer sweater, holding a camera and passing everyone eating outside at posh restaurants. Definitely an attention grabber whether you want it or not.

For those without a ticket

Monday, May 8, 2006

Yes, my blog is quickly becoming a vlog lately, but now that Tribeca is wrapped and no other graduations in sight, there will be more normal text posts to come, but first one more clip. Here is the video my Stepdad captured of my convocation ceremony today. It's like being there but without sitting through the 1,000 other recipients, bag pipers and the boring speeches. Although the GSAS Dean said a nice speech and even poked fun of David Blaine.

Meanwhile outside Lincoln Center and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony, the lines of people watching David Blaine were ridiculous. I got a great view of him inside the water bubble from the balcony before lining up for my walk to the stage. Crazy stuff. Former coworker, PJ, was among the crowd since he came up with a funny related story to do for GearLog.

I walk the line

Monday, May 8, 2006

I'm getting hooded today, in the non white supremacist sense, but the higher education way. Despite finishing up the journalism master's program at NYU back in December, I officially graduate and walk today. So I'm taking a half day off from work and participating in the ceremony with my classmates and family present.

For a master's degree apparently you get hooded with a special master's hood. My robes are purple like NYU's colors, which I'm inordinately delighted by. My past robes were white for high school and black for my undergraduate degree at Wheaton College. The robes cost $62 just to rent them for a day, do you believe it? I don't even get to keep them for that price, talk about a rip off. The ceremonial robe business is worse than the funeral biz for raking in money.

Anyway, I wasn't really excited about going through the process of graduating since it's been a few months since I had to do any work for my degree although it thankfully seems longer. But now as the date gets closer I'm getting excited. For all the students graduating from New York University's Graduate School Of Arts and Sciences (that includes the J-School) convocation is being held at Lincoln Center. It coincides with the nutty David Blaine's last day in the water bubble right next door. I see the appeal of the stunt of holding his breath but why did he have to be in the water for 7 days? We are human beings we aren't meant to be in the water for that long, we're not aquatic. Crazy!

I was looking at my notebook that I used for several of my night classes and I have two things written on the inside of my class notebook for motivation one is from my horoscope the other is from my professor, can you guess which is which? lol:

"Also, think back a few years ago to the dreams and plans you made, and give yourself a pat on the back for coming so far so quickly."

"Better NEVER than late."

My Tribeca Review: Poseidon

Tribeca Closing Night-- Poseidon

Saturday, May 6, 2006

For the Tribeca Film Festival's last day, it concluded with the premiere of the upcoming thriller and remake by Wolfgang Petersen (Troy, Neverending Story) Poseidon starring Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Josh Lucas & many more.

This was by far the largest media turn out I've seen yet during the festival, the red carpet line was extended and nearly doubled in size. By the time the actors got to me I was warned I could only ask one question and unfortunately all Kurt Russell could do was smile and say "Hi" to me and keep going. The big shocker among the media was that Goldie Hawn wasn't there with him, maybe recent trouble in paradise rumors are true? Hope not. I did get to briefly interview the other attending stars besides Kurt though and take some more red carpet clips (see below).

First to arrive was actor Andre Braugher of Thief, Glory and City of Angels who carried himself with such sophistication, as he does on screen as well. In the film he plays the unfortunate Captain of the luxury liner. I had asked him if it was hard making a film with so many special effects. He responded that the special effects aren't the hard part. "The hardest part is the emotional content, the emotional despair that the character have to go through," he said adding with a nod that "But I think we pulled it off."

Then came 19-year-old Emmy Rossum from Phantom of the Opera, wearing an elegant red Ralph Lauren dress and a sweet smile. I had asked her if before accepting the role in the film if she had ever seen the original 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, which the new Poseidon is based on. She admitted that she had never seen it and still hasn't, but that Poseidon "is not a remake but more of a rein-visioning" (Pretty solid PR messaging there!). I also talked to her about being from NY and how she was happy to be at the festival and got it all on film... even when her costar Josh Lucus came by and goosed her.

Next to make it way down the line to me was Mia Maestro, who I was most looking forward to seeing since she stars on Alias. She looked beautiful in a black Audrey Hepburn like dress. While speaking with her I said she is no stranger to doing action scenes due to Alias but I asked her if it was hard pretending to be on a flipped over cruise ship. She replied in the affirmative saying it was a completely different action, fun but challenging. I then dropped the film and moved to what I was most interested in--Alias. Although it's not as great as it was two years ago, the series finale is coming up and I asked if she had any information she could share about the shows end. She laughed and said "I can't!" She did throw me a bone by saying "A lot of the old characters are back." I didn't let it go by saying I just saw you wake up in the last week's episode and she said, "I'm dead, yeah but I'll be dead but present." Hmmm, I now have visions of Yoda and Obi Wan like appearings happening on Alias.

Maistro's costar Victor Garber was there as well, but quickly walked by since he's not really in the film. I did find it funny that he also appeared in a sinking ship film as well--Titanic. Joan Allen (super skinny) and Hayden Panettiere (who I liked in the Lifetime Christmas film If You Believe) also were guests at the premiere.

I briefly spoke with the director Wolfgang Petersen too, who said how he was very glad to have his film at the festival for closing night and how he previously spoke with DeNiro years ago about having Troy premiere there too, but it didn't work out.

Sadly all good things must come to and end and like the film festival so does my red carpet coverage. I'll be posting my review of Posedion, which opens on May 12, on Film School Rejects' site shortly, since I was able to get into the auditorium after the press line broke up this time.

For two more videos that I took including a shot of Kurt Russell and an Interview with Mia click here. Enjoy!

PS: Earlier that morning I did the Revelon 5K for Women's Cancer's with my office. I jogged 3.1 miles in 40 minutes, which is pretty good for me. My friend K did it in 36 mins.

One man's garbage ...

Friday, May 5, 2006

is another New Yorker's find.

After dinner with a guy friend from high school that I hadn't seen in two years, although he claims it's been four--it hasn't. Anyway, while walking him back to the PATH train to Jersey City, we passed a mini NordicTrack stepper out on the side of the curb with the garbage. It's in good condition and about the only size of exercise equipment that I could possibly hold in my bitchin besides my thighmaster (yes, I own one).

Well after lugging it back to my apartment I realized it's much heavier and bigger than I first thought, especially after putting it in my place and cleaning it up. It's also harder to use than I expected; I was fatigued after 10 minutes.

I'm debating whether or not I should keep it though. I'll hold on to it for another week or so and see. I just wish I had a place to store it. But it's the second thing I've found from the street and brought back to my apartment, not including men--just kidding. Last year I found my red chair just outside my apartment and it has been a great addition to my place ever since.

Win a trip to Amsterdam

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

When Tara Met Blog is now one one of the blog sponsors of a contest for a complete trip to Amsterdam brought to you by the off-Broadway play Red Light Winter. Why Amsterdam? It's where the first half of the play takes place. To enter the free contest just plug in your details here. Good luck and let me know if you win... or need a guest to take ;) For a review of the play check out my previous post below.

You Can't Tell a Man by His Nails:
It's a bad state of things when you get hit on while at the nail salon getting a mani/pedi. No, I wasn't getting picked up by another female, but from the guy drying his nails in the dryer next to me. First gyms became meat markets now nail salons? hmm I can tell you which I'd prefer at least. I'm not saying guys can't get a manicure just don't try to flirt while doing so please.

This is my ...

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

During the last week alone this has been a topic of conversation among several of my friends, coworkers, etc. What topic? Couples that do not or are afraid to say that they are boyfriend and girlfriend in public, I know several couples that are like this actually, so the below example is definitely not an isolated case.

A guy friend of mine has been seeing this girl for over a year now, well coming up on a year at least. They are exclusive, go out on couple themed holidays and for special events. Yet, he always refers to her as his 'friend' and that's it. When introducing her to people he'll say 'this is my friend Chelsea.' Once he mentioned to me that he and a friend went on vacation the other week, leaving me wondering if he went with a buddy and left Chelsea behind for a guy weekend or if he went with her, but no, turns out she was the friend and they went together. Maybe he doesn't consider her a girlfriend? I don't see how he cannot though. I think parents have been introduced at this point even. Keep in mind he calls me his friend too and we don't sleep together, so how can you distinguish one friend from another when it's all so vague?

My friend (a real one, I'm not inferring anything here ;) was just saying that she could understand if they were just starting to see each other, or if it had only been a few months that they would chose the safe option of saying 'this is my friend..." She thinks the reason for his vagueness is that he does not want people to know that they are intimate and wants to play the field a bit and appear single. Yet, she and the guy she's seeing have not had the talk yet and she'd personally rather not call him her boyfriend.

Do you think it's simpler, more modern or safer to say 'friend' and leave it at that? Maybe he or even her are not comfortable with the bf/gf terms in general? I don't know, but it sometimes brings up more questions for them then it would if they simply admitted that they are an item in the first place.

*sigh* look at all the red tape relationships go through, crazy! And I'm not saying there has to be labels in a relationship to be considered one, I just think the above cases are funny since they have caused speculation and not just by me. I think in most situations though it's like a catch-22, neither seems to want to be the first to call the other person their girlfriend or boyfriend. I know I wouldn't want to be the first to, so I can't really talk. Sorry for the circular post, just thinking and typing, thinking and typing.

Tribeca Review: Al Franken: Godspoke (2006)

Live from another red carpet

Sunday, April 30, 2006

I'm filmed out after seeing all these films this weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival, taking notes and analyzing. Not that I'm complaining I just feel a bit 2D. To break it up a bit yesterday, I got to briefly ask questions to the talented Laura Linney and Harry Potter's Rupert Grint at the premiere of Driving Lessons. The film is about a shy teenager (Grint) living in London who is trying to escape from the clutches of his religious mother (Linney). He finally gets his chance when he meets a retired actress (Julie Walters) who whisks him off to Edinburgh, where he learns to drive, dance and pick up girls.

Dressed in jeans a camouflage jacket and weathered Converse sneaks, Rupert Grint was sweet and spoke in a soft voice. Outside the screening room meanwhile was a line of screaming fourteen year old girls wanting to meet him, who knew Ron Weasley was such a heart throb? I did notice that his eyelashes like his hair were red but a lighter shade. Either way he was barely 5'6 and still doesn't have his license. He told me that he never drove before but had to for the film. He laughed remembering how he forgot to put up the parking break and the car started rolling backwards down a hill towards the film crew. He also said that he goes every year to NYC for the Harry Potter premiere, but he said that he likes the city and that he especially like's New York gangster films like Goodfellas. It was his first time at Tribeca Film Festival in fact he said it was his first film festival in general.

Laura Linney dressed in a brown trench coat, jeans and heels. Her smile was constant but not fake. She spoke elegantly and was very nice to me but got flustered on my question of her favorite New York film since she said that their are so many great ones but she kept trying to think of one, then she apologized with a smile and said that she was tired. Regarding an easier question she immediately said that what most attracted her to the role in Driving Lessons was the script and director Jeremy Brock's charm and enthusiasm when he flew out to meet her and to discuss the project.

This time I took a quick video of the red carpet arrival instead of still shots. Enjoy! Sorry I couldn't film my interview with them myself, I'm not that ambidextrous.

Pages

Search This Blog

When Tara Met Blog