A New York Wednesday

I can't believe I live in New York. It's ridiculous. Let's look at what I did today. I woke up early, went to my Cultural Foundations class and discussed Boethius. I then finished up some homework and went to my Middle Eastern Cultures class. I was exhausted by this time (2pm) so I took a 3 hour nap (I'm such a college student). When I woke up, I was faced with two options: go see the ceremonious lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree or meet Jimmy Fallon outside a concert he's MC-ing for 3 blocks from my dorm. I did both, sort of. I took the W train up to Rockefeller Center, but couldn't get any closer than 3 or 4 blocks from the tree. They had a giant screen up, and I guess Lionel Ritchie was performing, but it wasn't worth it sticking around. The crowd was RIDICULOUS. So, I came back down to the Village and stood outside this concert, and I was there for maybe 5 minutes and I saw Sean Lennon. Crazy. And then Jimmy showed up! I got my picture taken with him, obviously, and it was very exciting. Then I just walked 3 blocks back home. This city is crazy. Absolutely crazy. :)

Pleasant music makes for a pleasant mood

The craziness of Thanksgiving break is over. Everyone who went somewhere has made it back. Classes have started back up. We've once again settled into the constant stream of stress and work, like a train barreling towards finals...I can't believe I only have 5 more sessions of class for each of my classes (did that even make sense, what I just said?), and then a week or so of studying, finals, and CHRISTMAS! I'm very excited to go home. I'm ready. Seeing my roommates go home and get even just a few days and nights in their familiar, clean and calm homes, sleeping in their own beds, eating real food, makes me ready to take a break from the city and enjoy some quality suburban action. It will be very interesting to see how I've changed. How people think I've changed. How home hasn't really changed at all.
Thanksgiving was very nice. It was so much fun to see Samantha again and participate in some hardcore tourist action. I loved showing off my city. Although many a time, I would think I would know where we were, and I would be very adament that we were not lost, and we totally were. A common phrase uttered many times this weekend was, "It's really just fun to just walk around New York, too, even if you don't know exactly where you're going..." or some variation of that. Haha. We hit such popular sites as Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park, the completely sad Rockefeller Center tree, NBC studio tour, top of the Empire State Building and 3 shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade. We also spent a good deal of Friday walking around lower Manhattan...the Village, Soho, Chinatown, Tribeca and the Financial District. As one can imagine, that was the day I thought I knew where we were going...and we completley zigzagged around the base of Manhattan. It was a really nice day, though, we had gorgeous weather. Can I just say that Black Friday in New York City is far more frightening than anywhere else? In order to get to the Empire State Building, we had to get off at the 34th Street station. What's right outside that stop? MACY'S. And, consequently, hell. Craziest, busiest area ever. Ahh!
Dinner was very nice, too. No turkey for me this year! As I may have said before, we had dinner at the Odeon, a very trendy and historic restaurant in Tribeca. My professor and his wife hosted the dinner, and I think maybe 5 or 6 other students were there, one of whom is in my Cultural Foundations class. I think Samantha had a good time, too; it was definitely not a traditional Thanksgiving, but it was very fun and VERY tasty (I had a cheeseburger, actually, and molten chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream...yummy real food).
I just wanted to add that the music I'm listening to right now is making me VERY happy. I just keep listening to Paul Simon's "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War" and "St. Judy's Comet" alternately repeating. Happiness. Calm. Yay.
Asssscat was completely crazy last night. Like, not necessarily good crazy, just out of control. Like 20 people were there to perform, including Horatio Sanz, Seth Meyers, Jack McBrayer, John Lutz, Jason Sudeikis, Miriam Tolan (yay!) and Amy Poehler. So, obviously, everything was going to be a bit manic anyway, and things just got ridiculous. Still funny, obviously, always funny. Miriam Tolan is quickly becoming my favorite improviser. I really want to meet her and tell her how much I respect her improv choices. But, of course, in a less nerdy way than what I just typed...haha.
I think on Wednesday I might go to the tree-lighting ceremony in Rock. Center. I want to see if they can make that sad tree look a bit happier and stuff it full of some holiday cheer. I'm assuming it will be crazy-crowded...I'll probably decide last minute if I want to take the 10 minute ride uptown.
Okay, I have to go to bed, Paul Simon has succeeded in making me very sleepy. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Turkey Day!

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving. Did I really make it this far? I'm still alive, still in college, and happy? That's something to be thankful for right there.
Samantha is coming tonight, and I don't think I could be more excited. I haven't seen her in 3 months, and she's never been to NYC, so I'll get a chance to truly show off my mad city skillz. We're going to do some touristy stuff (top of the Empire State Building, anyone? Yes), but I think we're going to avoid the whole Macy's parade, for a couple of reasons. First of all, CHAOS CHAOS CHAOS, and second of all, every year, people in the crowd get mauled by one of those giant balloons that gets out of hand. That WOULD be me. And I just don't feel like dealing with that whole crazy situation. We will have a special Thanksgiving dinner, although I don't think it will be turkey. I got an e-mail from one of my professors who lives with his wife in a dorm, and they're taking a bunch of people to a fancy restaurant. It turns out that NYU gives him money to organize programs for students, so he does this every year, and basically the dinner is paid for by NYU. I asked to make sure it was okay for Samantha to come, and it is, so we'll be dining at the Odeon in Tribeca tomorrow evening...it's a pretty famous place, I guess, "popularized by Andy Warhol and David Byrne and the Talking Heads and the Saturday Night Live cast"...score. I'm very, very excited.
I enjoyed this short week! Antigone was Monday and Tuesday night, so it feels weird to be done with that. It was eating up so much of my time since the end of September, and now I am the Nurse no more...I had to say goodbye to my awful Cockney accent and erase lines like "Oh, my little flibbity-gibbity" from my mind. Very sad. I don't think I'll do the spring GSP production, just because it took up a lot of time, and I know I'll be heading to a few improv festivals with the Dangerbox crew.
I got into SNL AGAIN on Saturday. SIX FOR SIX! It's ridiculous. Did I think last August that I would be going to all the episodes of SNL, and getting to know the cast members (and their families...)?!? It was a dream, that's for sure, but this is so amazing. Plus, I've met my new best friends in the line. We go to every SNL, we all go to Asssscat every week, we love the cast members....and it's all not even in the most obsessed way. We're fairly normal. Awkward, but normal. And that's cool. Anyway, Ludacris was hosting and musical guesting (not my favorite, but still a good episode). Jason Sudeikis did the warm-up again, and it was really adorable, he was FREAKING OUT because he had to do President Bush for the first time. Apparently, they told him he would be doing it the day before and had given him a script that morning. He did an amazing job, and our little section was really happy for him. After the show, I got a chance to congratulate him, and I also got to say hi to his wife, Kay. She's one of my favorite people...she writes for 30 Rock and is so sweet and always makes it a point to say hi to me. Apparently, she's been trying to wave at me during SNL, but I don't even know where she's waving from...
Sunday, I was sort of bummed because I knew I couldn't go to Asssscat because I had Antigone dress rehearsal. However, because we cut so much of the play, it was going to be over at 8:30 or so. Still, they hand out the free Asssscat tickets at 8:15, even though the show isn't until 9:30. I called Natalie and Heather and they managed to get an extra ticket for me! I was so happy, as soon as the dress rehearsal was over, I ran like 15 blocks up to the Upright Citizens Brigade. The show was fabulous (really, did I expect anything different?) and the monologuist was Martha Plimpton (the girl from the Goonies...she's also done some work since then, I think). Ethan Hawke was in the audience. That was weird. The cast was Amy Poehler, Jason Sudeikis, John Lutz, Jack McBrayer, Rob Huebel, Brian Stack (from Conan), a guy from the Colbert Report that I've seen a lot, and Matt Walsh from the Upright Citizens Brigade. I got to sit on the floor again, right in front, on the stage. Kay was there (even times in the past when Jason has been performing, I haven't seen her there), and so during intermission I went up to say hi, and we talked about improv for a bit. She introduced me to Jason's sister...I didn't really know what to say, I was just like, "Um, your brother is funny..." It was awkward. I got to wish her a happy Thanksgiving AGAIN. Good times.
It feels so good to be living in a clean place. I know I said in my last post that I cleaned my room, but it was really just a cursory straightening, so today I hardcore dusted and vacuumed and scrubbed and everything looks so much better. I decided I live in the dustiest, dirtiest place I will ever live. After two days, all the dust will be back. I try.
So, when I pick up Samantha tonight, I'll have to take a bus. And I don't want to. I don't know how the buses run, they go all over the place. I really prefer the subway, which I'll also have to take, but the buses are the biggest mystery to me. I'll take the N or W train all the way uptown to Queens, to Astoria, and then I'll get off and find the M60 bus (???) and take that to the airport. This will be an interesting experience. Hopefully, all will go well, and I can write later of how much better the buses are, and how easy they are to use. Hopefully.
Did I eat today? The answer is no. I should find out if any dining halls are open, and I should take a shower. Happy Thanksgiving!

Gross day, good mood

Who would've thought? It's very windy, VERY grey and just generally depressing outside, and here I sit, in such a great mood! Could it have to do with all of the caffeine I've consumed today? Maybe. But I also am feeling very productive, which always makes me happy.
First of all, I FINALLY cleaned my room. It was a disaster area. Like, when the Weather Channel shows the aftermath of horrific natural disasters, my side of the room could've fit in just fine with all of that wreckage. If it were a part of Sesame Street's "Which One Is Not Like the Other?" segment, all the little kids would fail at finding the imposter, because it looked exactly like a tornado came through. ANYWAY, in order to avoid a philosophy essay last night, I finally cleaned. Well, picked up. I still need to vacuum (and, oh my dear God, DUST), but it's looking much better. I had gotten lazy, and I started working on my laptop IN my bed, which lead to eating cereal in my bed, which lead to cereal boxes and schoolwork collecting around my bed. It was sad. But now it's better. Also, I finally did laundry last night, which always makes me feel good about myself.
In other good news...I registered for my second semester classes today. I was sort of freaking out, because it was like a giant puzzle as to what classes I was supposed to take. It seems like it would be easy, because I have to take level 2 of Writing, Cultural Foundations and Social Foundations. But then there are a million sections for each, and have to coordinate times and Monday/Wednesay or Tuesday/Thursday with a professor. I definitely wanted to keep my Social professor because she's amazing and I learn so much from her lectures, but I didn't want to keep my Cultural professor and my Writing teacher isn't teaching next semester. So, at like 3am last night, I was sitting at my laptop desperately scouring ratemyprofessor.com to figure out which professors were better than others...that whole website is so dumb, too, because people give their professor a grade and then write a comment, and people said things like "BoOoRrRrINg! this prof wuz like waaay to hardd and bad and stupid ugh i didnt learn nething and he like grades super bad". Okay. Am I like that person at all? I'd like to think not. Therefore, I had to use like counter psychology to pick some of my professors, and it was just way too complicated for me to figure out at 3am. I also had to figure out my science elective, because I need to take a lecture and then a recitation. But it's all figured out. I even got into an extra elective (not my first choice...but Acting I was full). Now, the moment you've all been waiting for, my schedule (drumroll):
MONDAY:
9:30-10:45 --> Cultural Foundations II
11-12:15 --> History of the Universe lecture
3:30-5:10 --> Creative Writing

TUESDAY:
11-12:15 --> Writing II
12:30-1:45 --> Social Foundations II
2-3:15 --> History of the Universe recitation

WEDNESDAY:
9:30-10:45 --> Cultural Foundations II
11-12:15 --> History of the Universe lecture

THURSDAY:
11-12:15 --> Writing II
12:30-1:45 --> Social Foundations II

FRIDAY:
NO CLASS!! WOO HOO!!!

So, yeah, I'm pretty pleased with myself. And I'm caffeinated. Score. I need to go buy a costume for Antigone. NOT PLEASED. There are people in charge of costumes...now I need to find it on my own...and pay for it myself. I'm ready for this play to be OVER!!!

My new friends!

These are the girls I went to the Asssscat benefit with; Me, Heather, Natalie, Cat and Chelsea. We have good times. :)
Also, this is part of the cast that performed at the benefit. I did not take this picture, by the way.

I can be mad at tourists, too

The United States population recently reached 300 million. I honestly believe that somehow, all 300 million of those people are in New York right now. Specifically, 49th Street between 5th and 6th. Why? Well, a certain tree just went up...it's not even Thanksgiving...it's the biggest tourist magnet ever. And it's not even THAT big. It looks a lot bigger on TV. Am I being cynical now? Maybe. But it's very weird to hate tourists. I have developed a simmering resentment towards tourists since arriving here, but this past weekend has turned that slight aversion into full-fledged hatred. They walk slow. They take up the entire sidewalk. They don't know what they're talking about at all. I swear to God, I was walking next to a woman who noticed the gallery of Yankees portraits on the ground floor of my dorm, and she just says, "Oh, is this where the Yankees play?!" WHAT. Ugh. But, I have to say, I still have trouble believing I live here. I was walking next to a tourist in Rockefeller Center, and she was trying to describe Greenwich Village, saying it was artsy and weird. I wanted to be like "Hey LADY, I LIVE there!" It was crazy!
I pretty much just had the most exciting weekend of my life. First of all, I did get into SNL AGAIN (5 for 5). I was sure I wasn't going to get in, because I was sort of far back in line and I knew it was going to be a popular episode. Alec Baldwin and Christina Aguilera. So, I basically didn't get my hopes up. However, I did get into the show (I had really bad seats, but I don't even care) and it was clearly THE episode to be at. Not only were Alec and Christina amazing, but the cameos were RIDICULOUS. Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett!!! I watched Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera do a duet together LIVE. I couldn't even stand it, it was such an amazing episode to be at.
Then, tonight, I went to a special benefit edition of Asssscat. It was part of Christmas present from my parents, it was a $50 version of the show that I go to every Sunday (it's usually free), but all the proceeds went to Gilda's Club, this charity named after Gilda Radner that helps people with cancer learn how to cope through laughter. Definitely a worthy charity to support. Anyway, the show was so hilarious (SNL people were there, including Rachel Dratch) and just an all-around amazing cast. I was laughing so hard, I wanted to laugh harder but I physically couldn't. That's probably a good sign. And, to top it off, I know that some of the people recognized me and we said hi after. OH and Alec Baldwin was IN the audience...it was really weird, he yelled out the suggestion for the second half of the show. He yelled out "blowhole!!" and it was awkward.
I love that I didn't do all of this alone. I've met some of the craziest, funniest girls through all my weekend endeavors, and I LOVE hanging out with them! We have similar interests and we make each other laugh.
New York makes me feel like I'm constantly working towards my dream, my ulitmate goals. And it feels really good. If this whole "majoring in Dramatic Writing" thing works out, I think I'm set. I'm so incredibly happy I live here. Goodnight!

Sometimes still a tourist...

I got to enjoy one of those rare weekends where I'm NOT completely preoccupied with SNL, so I decided to really take advantage of all this free time. While waiting in various SNL/Assscat lines, I've managed to meet a couple of "regulars" who are actually pretty normal, like me (in comparison to SOME of the people who wait in line). Heather is from Viriginia and is a freshman at Manhattan College and Natalie is from New Zealand and here as a nanny through a host program. We have a lot of fun. On like Wednesday, Heather sort of put it out there that she really wanted to go to the Statue of Liberty. I got really excited. I wanted to go, too. So, yesterday, Heather and I met up at Battery Park and got tickets for the ferry to the Statue and went. I had SO much fun. We were constantly laughing, mostly making fun of the people who dress up like the Statue to get people to take pictures with them. And how we were practically some of the only people speaking English there. It was a really pretty day, too; sort of cold and windy but the sky was so blue and it was just a really nice fall day. We got on the last ferry to Liberty Island, 3:40, and by the time we got off the ferry at the island and walked around, the sun was setting, and it was gorgeous. Then the moon came out, and it was just very picturesque.
After we got back to Manhattan, we gave Natalie a call to see if she wanted to hang out. We ended up going to see a show at Upright Citizens Brigade (of course). It was really funny, though, it was a one-woman show starring Stephnie Weir of Madtv. We then went over to Natalie's apartment on the Upper East Side (well, the room she gets in the apartment of her host family) and watched some random video clips she had on her computer. I had such a fun day, and I'm excited that I've found some friends outside of NYU. It's a bonus that they do all the SNL/Assscat/30 Rock stuff, too.
No Assscat tonight, I've got an improv show at the old Upright Citizens Brigade theater, actually. Hopefully people will come. It's hard to get an audience once we get off campus. Plus it's $1. Once you post any kind of admission price, most students won't go. It's too bad, too, because it's a really adorable theater/cafe and we should be doing some quality improv. It will be awkward if no one's there.
I'm sad that my weekend is over. I have a paper to do tonight and a midterm first thing tomorrow. Booooo!! Oh well, it will get done.
Enjoy these beautiful pictures.