November 2005 Archives
I was an avid reader of fairy tales
when I was a child, but I didn't learn until much later in life that you had to kiss a few frogs (ok ... maybe more than just a few) in order to find your Prince Charming. In that spirit, I have made a new purchase.
Thanks to Josh Rubin's new Holiday Gift Guide over at Cool Hunting, I'm now going to be one uber-hydrated guy this winter. What's that you say, Josh? The gift guide is meant to help people find presents for other people? Sigh. Maybe hydration will make me less selfish this Christmas.
when I was a child, but I didn't learn until much later in life that you had to kiss a few frogs (ok ... maybe more than just a few) in order to find your Prince Charming. In that spirit, I have made a new purchase.
Thanks to Josh Rubin's new Holiday Gift Guide over at Cool Hunting, I'm now going to be one uber-hydrated guy this winter. What's that you say, Josh? The gift guide is meant to help people find presents for other people? Sigh. Maybe hydration will make me less selfish this Christmas.
Smiling when you walk down the street makes you more attractive.
I knew I was off my game when the guy I was chatting up abruptly pulled a dollar from his wallet and strode towards the bar - where a go-go boy eagerly awaited as his wresting gear strained under the presure of his enormous muscle(s).
I knew my chances were dwindling when the guy expertly slid his single deep into the singlet.
I knew I was going home alone when I heard the guy ask the wrester if he was 'working' after closing.
Sigh. You really can't get a clearer signal that you're not going to hook up than that, can you?
Lesson learned: Wear a wresting singlet.
I knew my chances were dwindling when the guy expertly slid his single deep into the singlet
.I knew I was going home alone when I heard the guy ask the wrester if he was 'working' after closing.
Sigh. You really can't get a clearer signal that you're not going to hook up than that, can you?
Lesson learned: Wear a wresting singlet.
... in all the wrong places.
This evening, when I opened my fridge, I realized that the object of my desire has been hiding out there all along. Illuminated by that magical fridge light, a bottle of Heinz Ketchup stood before me in all of its glory. Now, some of you may already know of my unhealthy obsession with this condiment, but besides the exquisite taste, this bottle of goodness possessed two traits I'm always on the lookout for:
Thick and rich. You really can't beat that.
This evening, when I opened my fridge, I realized that the object of my desire has been hiding out there all along. Illuminated by that magical fridge light, a bottle of Heinz Ketchup stood before me in all of its glory. Now, some of you may already know of my unhealthy obsession with this condiment, but besides the exquisite taste, this bottle of goodness possessed two traits I'm always on the lookout for:
Thick and rich. You really can't beat that.
Now, we all know that BAM has some kick ass performances - especially as part of it's Next Wave Festival, but I was unprepared for the journey on which the Compagnia Aterballetto would take me last night when I attended the opening night performances of Les Noces and Petrushka.
Before the curtain even rises on Les Noces, the audience is flooded with the sound of metal 'chairs' being rocked against the stage in unison by their soon-to-be-revealed occupants. Immediately drawn into this hidden world, it's almost a shock to finally get to see the dancers seated frozen-faced along the wings as the curtain races towards the rafters.
I'll refrain from further description for fear of doing the work an injustice. By the end of the piece, however, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Having given up on any attempts to follow a narrative, I was swept into the world of movement - of the surprises that the choreography and music held. The experience was similar to that of a feather gently touching a bare stomach. There is sensation. There is reaction. There is pleasure. But there are no good words to describe the feeling.
Petrushka shocked me by it's difference to the first piece. While the first dripped with restraint (which is part of what made it so beautiful), the second was unrestrained, exuberant, and sometimes (just sometimes) inexplicably creepy. As if their movements were fueled by their deepest desires, these dancers made it look way to easy to perform with such exacting technique. It was quite thrilling to watch.
Oh. And did I mention the principle male dancer for Petruska wears tight camouflage pants and a ripped up punk t-shirt? (droool.)
Normally, I would mention some of the particularly stunning dancers by name, however, I ditched my program before crashing the opening night reception with N. (Thanks, Adrian).
What surprised me most about these performances is that they stuck with me far after I had left the theater. I was touched by the passion with which the dancers embraced their roles ... embraced life, and I was inspired to re-evaluate my own 'roles' ... the ones that I have chosen to play. We'll see how that goes as time goes on, but the experience reminded me of how powerful (and purposeful) art can be.
My only criticism (there has to be one, doesn't there?) would be that the company is way too attractive for their own good.
From the press card:
Before the curtain even rises on Les Noces, the audience is flooded with the sound of metal 'chairs' being rocked against the stage in unison by their soon-to-be-revealed occupants. Immediately drawn into this hidden world, it's almost a shock to finally get to see the dancers seated frozen-faced along the wings as the curtain races towards the rafters.
I'll refrain from further description for fear of doing the work an injustice. By the end of the piece, however, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Having given up on any attempts to follow a narrative, I was swept into the world of movement - of the surprises that the choreography and music held. The experience was similar to that of a feather gently touching a bare stomach. There is sensation. There is reaction. There is pleasure. But there are no good words to describe the feeling.
Petrushka shocked me by it's difference to the first piece. While the first dripped with restraint (which is part of what made it so beautiful), the second was unrestrained, exuberant, and sometimes (just sometimes) inexplicably creepy. As if their movements were fueled by their deepest desires, these dancers made it look way to easy to perform with such exacting technique. It was quite thrilling to watch.
Oh. And did I mention the principle male dancer for Petruska wears tight camouflage pants and a ripped up punk t-shirt? (droool.)
Normally, I would mention some of the particularly stunning dancers by name, however, I ditched my program before crashing the opening night reception with N. (Thanks, Adrian).
What surprised me most about these performances is that they stuck with me far after I had left the theater. I was touched by the passion with which the dancers embraced their roles ... embraced life, and I was inspired to re-evaluate my own 'roles' ... the ones that I have chosen to play. We'll see how that goes as time goes on, but the experience reminded me of how powerful (and purposeful) art can be.
My only criticism (there has to be one, doesn't there?) would be that the company is way too attractive for their own good.
From the press card:
Les Noces and Petrushka, two signature works of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes set to visionary scores by Stravinsky, are sensitively re-conceived by Mauro Bigonzetti, artistic director of Italy's astonishing Compagnia Aterballetto. Known for a repertory ranging from neoclassical to avant-garde to postmodern, the troupe moves between multiple genres with extraordinary ease and grace. These two works are the perfect progeny: proud of their parentage, yet unmistakably a part of the here and now.
Rushing through the doors of the Whole Foods in Union Square, I was able grab a basket, take my headphones off, and get halfway past the wall-o-bread before I realized there was a rather attractive girl running after me yelling for me to stop.
Perplexed, I paused, which gave her just enough time to launch into her spiel.
Girl: Hello. I work for Abercrombie & Fitch, and we're opening a new store uptown. I think that you are just what we are looking for. You should come up and interview next Tuesday!
Me: Interview? For what?
Girl: A job! (giggle)
Me: You think I'm unemployed and can still afford to shop at Whole Foods???
Girl: (enthusiastically) A job as a salesperson!
Me: Um. No thanks. Sorry. I've got a job.
Girl: No problem! Come visit us when we open!
Ok...it's not that I'm not flattered ... but when did Whole Foods start letting people recruit in their store? And Whole Foods and A&F? Not exactly a match made in heaven.
While waiting in the checkout line a few minutes later, I watched this girl work her magic on at least 4 other boys ... with blonde hair ... who were also white ... and ... Hey! Wait a second! I see the pattern now... (sigh).
Perplexed, I paused, which gave her just enough time to launch into her spiel.
Girl: Hello. I work for Abercrombie & Fitch, and we're opening a new store uptown. I think that you are just what we are looking for. You should come up and interview next Tuesday!
Me: Interview? For what?
Girl: A job! (giggle)
Me: You think I'm unemployed and can still afford to shop at Whole Foods???
Girl: (enthusiastically) A job as a salesperson!
Me: Um. No thanks. Sorry. I've got a job.
Girl: No problem! Come visit us when we open!
Ok...it's not that I'm not flattered ... but when did Whole Foods start letting people recruit in their store? And Whole Foods and A&F? Not exactly a match made in heaven.
While waiting in the checkout line a few minutes later, I watched this girl work her magic on at least 4 other boys ... with blonde hair ... who were also white ... and ... Hey! Wait a second! I see the pattern now... (sigh).
