And This Is Why I Love NY....

Hooray for me, I finally saw a show! YES!!! I've officially arrived in the city. If you don't know, I love musical theatre. Love, love, love it! Is it cheesy? Sometimes. Is it realistic? Rarely. Does it require unbelievable talent? In a word, yes.
And what was my first show to see? Young Frankenstein. Ha! So, its not the most groundbreaking new musical to hit Broadway but it was very entertaining and I got to see it for the bargain price of $27! Woohoo! Granted I was in the balcony, but no big deal. I tried for the lottery tickets that allow you to be spit on in the front row, but I was not chosen.
We had a couple understudies but the female leads were there. This included Megan Mullaghly (from Will & Grace), Sutton Foster (from so many Broadway shows, so talented) and Andrea Martin (from My Big Fat Greek Wedding). I had forgotten Andrea Martin was in it and as soon as she walked on stage I wanted to yell, "Joppa!!!!" (how do you spell that?) She was hilarious!
Naturally, being the the theatre dork that I am, I waited by the stage door after the show. I care nothing for autographs, but it stalls the actors long enough to have a brief encounter. During the wait, I chatted with some girls standing behind me. They too had entered the lottery and won front row tickets. Both from Georgia, both lived in the city and one worked for 'The View'. How great is that? Now, I don't imagine many men out there watch that show. Anyway, she said all the women on the show are all genuinely nice people. (she gets to go over 'hot topics' with them in the morning) She gets to chat daily with Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters! Crazy! Anyway, we exchanged email addresses cause we're both theatre dorks and we said we'd try and go see some shows together. I like making new friend!

Funny moment: On the way home, a guy hopped on the subway with his zipper down. I was already in such a good mood from the musical I laughed out loud. Oops! Hope he realized it eventually!

Celebrity Sighting...

I actually just used that title to grab your attention. I do not at all think this person qualifies as a celebrity, but that title works much better than "person who is on a stupid, teen soap on the CW sighting". Not nearly as interesting. Ok, now who watches "Gossip Girl"? Don't be shy. Its a guilty pleasure for several of you. And for the rest of you, its something you watch and just say how stupid it is... while you're watching it yourself. Anyway, I saw the little blonde girl who plays the younger sister of the sweet, nice guy. As you can see, I have (ashamedly) watched this show but not enough to know names. I saw the girl in Chelsea the other night after dinner. I don't hang out in the right places to see anyone, really. I mean, who come to Brooklyn?
I visited one of NY's fine eateries today... teh Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. This is a burger stand that is only open during the warm months in NY. The line for this place was ridiculously long. I waited for an hour. Luckily I was meeting a new friend (also named Erin), so we had lots to chat about to pass the time. Delicious burgers and we tried a Raspberry Jalapeno custard. Yes, I said Raspberry Jalapeno. Strange but delicious.
It was mom's day out at the park with all their little strollers. I saw one woman pushing an empty stroller. Curious. Oh, and if anyone cares, this park has free Wifi. The whole NY should have wireless anywhere concept actually applied here. I love that! Same with Bryant Park. Just FYI!!! I love technology. Tomorrow I am determined to see a show of some kind. It is my mission!

I found TEXAS in NY!!!

Ok, everyone... I am pleased to announce that at the conclusion of the weekend I have found accommodation for the month of July. Ready for the best part? I only have to move 20 feet! Not 20 blocks, 20 miles, 20 feet! Monica (a roomie) is moving to Philadelphia for a job. Her friend Morgan was going to sublet her room, but she decided not to so.... I GET IT!!! Woohoo! Really I cannot find a better deal than this, and I've looked. Not sure exactly what the rent will be, but it has AC, Wifi, great roommates and I'm already stinkin' here so I just have to switch rooms (and find a mattress). The call couldn't have come at a better time too. I had just left the sketchiest place I've looked at and I was feeling so defeated I actually walked into a McD's. I know, blasphemy! Anyway, the are serving sweet tea for $1 and I needed some southern comfort. That McD's will forever hold a special place in my heart. I enjoyed my tea with great fervor.
OH! I went into the Plaza Hotel! I've wanted to visit that hotel ever since I saw "Big Business" as a child! Its still under renovation, so there wasn't a whole lot to explore. I was a bit hesitant at first b/c I do not belong in there and I think its quite obvious just by my appearance. Its like walking into Tiffany's (which I still have yet to do). The entire staff watches you like a hawk b/c you don't belong. I did not feel that bad though b/c there were folks in the lobby snapping pictures. I was at least subtle about my intrusion! Sheesh! Some people!
I decided to continue my tour of "hotels that will never be in my price range" and headed over to the Four Seasons. Just wanted to check it out and make sure they were "Getting It Right, Getting Me Right, and Wowing the guests". The property is gorgeous! I walked in with confidence. Who knows, maybe I'm a trust-fund kid who chooses to dress in cheap clothes. I'm an actress, right?! So I stroll in and the lobby escort greets me (check). I asked to be shown to the Concierge. The 3 concierge that are there are each on the phone and one guy has two phones going, one on each ear. Despite their preoccupation, I am greeted quickly (check). I explain that I'm an employee down in Austin and just wanting to see the property and find out about the city. Jenifer (i love nametags) handed me a magazine called Time Out New York with everything I needed to know. It was actually her copy and she gave it to me (i was 'wowed'). Then she took me over to the Front Desk and asked if there was anyone available to show me some of the rooms. An intern (Sarah) took me up to a suite. She would have shown more but they were booked. The room was nice, not huge but the view was incredible! Only $2400/night!
Ok, so today... Sunday! I decided to go down to see the big park here in Brooklyn called Propect Park. I accidentally got off one stop early, but it worked out cause I stopped at a little place for breakfast and guess what they had... Breakfast Burritos!!! Que suerte! Es mi favorito! So for the bargain price of $5.50 I got a massive burrito with black bean salsa (not the greatest, but alright). I enjoyed my breakfast and wandered around to find a nice place to park it for my version of "church". I downloaded the latest sermons from Austin Stone (i love iTunes) so I explored with book of 1 Corinthians so more. There was a group of couples who had decided to meet at the park and have a picnic and play croquet! It reminded me of Grandpa and Grandmother's backyard and how we'd always play back there! Oh and I thought of you, Tricia, cause some at some little kid's birthday party there was a live guitarist and he sang "you can't always get what you want". Do you remember that horribly annoying commercial that used to play constantly when we worked at Blockbuster? Ha! It was a perfect morning. Check out 1 Cor. 1:18. Amazing verse!
So I was due to meet a couple friends from class at a flea market, which was actually located right down the street from where I live. Unfortunately, I was no longer near where I live and there was no simple way up there. Its a little difficult getting around Brooklyn on the subway, especially for someone directionally challenged like me. I walked a lot today. Oh! But I found a Target. Woohoo! I bought some Clif bars (thanks to Pam, i've fallen in love with these). It took me a lot longer to get there and by the time I made it up to the market the girls had moved on to Williamsburg for lunch. Fair enough. I was able to catch them doing some shopping on Bedford Ave. I accidentally got on a train going to wrong direction so it took me a bit longer to meet them, which they don't know, unless they're reading this now... I was meeting Kasia (thats Ka-sha) from Australia and Line (lee-na) from Denmark! This is part of the reason I love NY. Its so international. I love that I got to have an international day!
These girls are great fun and have such a wonderful style! The shops in Brooklyn are really unique and once I have some money to spend I will return and actually make a purchase. During our coffee break we discussed our classes. I was impressed to learn they just had a phone interview and that is all. They just came. Such courage. Denmark is far and so is Australia! What if they hated it? I suppose its only 6 weeks, but still... They are both talented and I love watching them work. Its so interesting to watch the students from other cultures work with this technique b/c I think it just brings a new layer to it. I can't articulate this well, but I always learn from watching one of their exchanges in class.
OH! I haven't told you the best find today... Ok so I had found out about a BBQ place in NY devoted to promoting Texas barbecue from Lockhart and the Austin music scene. Random? A little bit, but so welcome! That is actually what got me out of bed this morning. I saw the posting on Craig's List and immediately wanted to go apply. Of course, I didn't make it over there until after 9 p.m. but what can ya do? It probably worked out better cause I got to meet one of the managers and fill out an application during a very slow, quiet time. I hope they call me. It was nice being there! Very comfortable and it was voted one of the best bbq in town and top 10 bars in town (i might be a little off on some of that). Now I've made it home safe and sound. Tomorrow begins Week 2!

A Day in the Park...

I must start with an apology... I had planned to finally upload some photos and show y'all my beautiful day in the park but my battery died. This would not have been a problem if I had packed the correct charger! GRRRRRR!!! Frustration! Perhaps I should have checked the label before leaving and I might have realized that I brought a Nikon recharger thing and my camera is an Olympus. I'm gonna try to see if it will charge anyway, but for the time being I'm sorry no photos. Its too bad too cause I took some good ones today, if I say so.
So many fun and funny things happened today, but of course as I sit here and try to recall them all I draw a blank. My housing search took me to a new part of Manhattan... the Upper East Side. The place was alright. A large closet for the bargain price of $725. Only 10 min walk to the park though and probably the best neighborhood I've been in so far. It actually felt like a neighborhood.
I spent the rest of the morning in Central Park. I don't think I've ever been that far north in the park before. Lovely around the big water part. I can't think of the name. I think its named for Jackie O. So much of my "park day" coinsides with my pictures so I don't want to tell you about it without my visual aids. Sorry. Patience.
Class was great today. Tomorrow will be devoted to the housing search. I think I've got 5 places lined up for viewing. I foolishly tried to look at a place in Harlem again. What am I thinking? I'm never going to live up there. I hope to take Sunday off. That will be God's day. Better get some rest for tomorrow though. Sorry about the photos.

I got a FREE cookie!!!

I am in love with the person who decided to do the $5 footlong promo at Subway! What a deal!!! Sure the choices are a little limited, but you load that puppy up with a ton of veggies and it can last a couple meals worth! LOVE IT!
So, as you might guess, I went to Subway today. Yes, yes, I know how very boring of me to eat at a national chain restaurant when there are so many great places in NY. Well, you know what... it all comes down to money. Surprise, surprise. If the 'mom and pop shops' could offer a similar deal I would go with those. Until I get a job, its Subway or Quiznos (cause they've started a similar promo). Anyway, I was paying for my $5 footlong and the man asked me if I wanted a drink. I said 'no, thank you", but I guess he was feeling flirty or in a good mood so he asked again. I smiled and told him that I was too poor to afford anything more than the sandwich. He told me not to worry, if I start working in the city I won't be poor anymore. I just smiled and said, "well, for now I am poor". So I sat down and ate my sandwich and about 5 min. later he walked by and put a chocolate chip cookie on my table and said, "because you are poor". Ha! And who said nice people don't live in NY?! So what if he was flirting, or trying to get me to come back. You better believe I'll go back to that Subway. Such a nice man. Its little things like that brighten my day.
That is my fun NY story for the day. I've got to get to bed early tonight cause I've got an appt. to look at a place in the morning. Pray that its the one. I'm really sick of this. I'll be back with more soon!
Oh, yesterday I went to the Apple store. The entrance reminded me of the Louvre in Paris. Anyone who has been to both will understand. If you haven't, I'll explain later. Its also across from the Plaza Hotel. Made me think of Big Business. Love that movie. If I hadn't been so scruffy looking, I would have tried to go in the lobby just to look around. Another day...

Texas Cxn

Thank you Ben Davies for my first 'comment'. Good to hear from ya!

Someone told me that they think NY is 75% Texan. I don't believe them, but it makes me feel proud of our state, unlike the Naked Cowboy who stands in Times Square in his tighty-whiteys (a disgrace to the race of cowboys). However, despite my skepticism I had an encounter with a Texan today. Due to the fact that I am homeless in a matter of weeks, I have been spending every free moment on Craig's List. Tonight I stopped in Bryant Park (quickly becoming my favorite place in the city) and hoped online to do a little searching. I phoned about a place in Harlem and left a message. My call was obviously being screened cause Jenny, said poster of ad, called back immediately. And guess where Jenny is from... Ft. Worth! Love it! She said she wasn't sure if my call was someone from home or someone about the ad. We had a lovely chat and set up a meeting for tomorrow. Its way the heck out in Harlem (the safe part, though), so I'll time it tomorrow and see how long it takes to get to midtown.
I had my other classes today: Movement and Voice & Speech. Movement was ultra-relaxing. The guy who teaches it is Canadian, eh?! The point is to have your entire body connect with what you encounter and experience while acting. Its kinda hard to explain but basically its using your whole body as your instrument. Adam has the euphonium, Mattie has the piano, I've got my body. We basically hit the same point in Voice & Speech. I really like the teacher for that class. She actually taught at Carnegie Mellon (brush them shoulder off) and somewhere else too. I spoke with her after class about singing. She said our work in class will help me a lot and we could possibly set up something supplemental on the side. Uh, awesome!
So it was a great day. OH! Bryant Park! Has anyone been to Bryant Park? This is my favorite place. Its not huge, but its beautiful. Little cafe tables and chairs (reminds me of France). And the best part is free internet.... outside! How great is that. There are so many cool things in this city and I haven't even gone down to SoHo or Chinatown or Lil' Italy. So much to see and do. I'm glad I'm here for longer than a week.
Just a warning: I'm pretty impressed with myself for writing everyday so far. However, I doubt this kind of consistency will continue. I feel like a live several days in one 24 hour period. This city drains me. Its good cause this is kinda my public travel diary, and I will try to continue but lets face it, y'all probably don't read it everyday anyway. Thanks for those that do. And on that note, I will sign off. Thanks for joining me for another day in NY.

Tennis anyone?

I went all over the place today and only missed my stop once! Woohoo!
I began my day with a trip out to Queens. Now you might be asking yourself, "self, what is Erin doing in Queens?" Yes, I went there intentionally. The US Open was having a job fair, so I thought "what a great way to see some amazing tennis and get paid for it." So I took the train all the way out there. First the G line (which was voted worst subway line in NY) then the F train up to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Beautiful. I wasn't quite sure where to find this amazing job fair, so I just started walking around the giant USTA Tennis Complex. Flushing Meadows park seemed nice. I realize I have chosen the wrong way around, but I did get a full view of the grounds. As I was coming around Court 9 I noticed some folks playing on the court. Hmmm, that looks a lot like Venus Williams. What do ya know! It was Venus Williams!!!!!!! I casually sauntered over to watch (she totally saw me cause then she went behind the giant bush, blocking my view). Tragically, I didn't have a lot of time cause I still needed to go apply and then get to Manhattan and I had no idea how long that would all take. So I continued on. But as I glanced back to have one more peak from the other side of the court, I noticed someone else hitting on that court too! Oh my goodness.... it was Serena! I had to stop and watch for a little while. I was the ONLY person around and I got to watch the Williams sisters practice. They're good. I also spotted some hefty grounds crew men squeezed into a little golf cart around the corner sneaking a peek. So that was cool.
The job fair turned out to be a bust. All the other applicants seemed a little shady. You know its not a good sign when the application asks if you graduated from grammar school. I'm supposed to bring back photos and IDs to continue my application process but I think the next time I'm in Queens, I hope to be watching the tournament instead of working it.
So I make into Manhattan with plenty of time to spare before my class. Trying to break that Nelson curse of lateness. I headed to Jamba Juice for a little pre-class boost. Delicious! Around 1/4 to 2 p.m. I decided to go on in to teh studio. Early but not freakishly early. You know those folks who are always so excited and show up 30 min. early. Secretly that was me, but I restrained myself and waited til the appropriate "cool" time to arrive at 15 til.
I walk into the assigned studio... dead silent. Which immediately makes me laugh. The other eager beavers are seated and most of the class arrives in the next 10 min. Its the typical acting studio with rows of chairs in the back facing the playing area. So with 20 people all sitting facing forward... its a weird awkward silence. Again, I found this funny. Our instructor for the 6 weeks is Suzanne Esper, wife to Bill Esper for whom the studio is named. Honestly, I'm too tired to give you the rundown of the entire class, but we did a lot of listening and a couple exercises. Basically, what I came away with is that this woman knows her stuff and she will definitely make me better! She will not sugar-coat it but she will instruct with purpose. We were given a partner at the end of class to work with on a listening/repeating exercise. If you really want to know what we're doing in these classes, you can just pick up Bill Esper's book. Its in there verbatim...almost.
My partner is a guy named Ben Davis. He has been acting 8 years and goes to Rutgers. We decide to work right after class, but grab some food before. During our dinner (i had an over-priced salad. delicious, but over-priced) we learned a lot about each other. He seems like a really nice guy. Loves Broadway, as do I. He actually has an internship with the producers of Chicago, so I might get the hook-up there! YES!
So we decide to go work at Central Park, cause my apartment has 4 girls living in it at the moment, and he lives in New Jersey. As we're walking to Central Park the sky starts to grow very dark. Determined to get some work in, we both establish that we have umbrellas and are totally game for powering thru the weather. We find a nice spot off the beaten path to conduct our repetition exercise. Of course, the sky opens up on us a few times. We were under a tree and we had umbrellas so it wasn't too bad, but after an hour or so I was a little damp. I finally had to pull the plug on our work cause I was about to wet myself. We quickly walked to the nearest Starbucks, (you're never far from a starbucks, kinda like Vancouver) and... you know.
I was exhausted so I said goodnight to Ben. I'll see him tomorrow. He is in my Movement and Voice & Speech classes. On the way home I missed the stop to transfer from the C train to the G train. My only mess up of the day, directionally. I don't count the morning at the UTSA b/c it ended with me seeing the Williams sisters. Did I mention I saw them today? Great Day!

Day 1

I love sleeping in. (Sorry, I left my camera cable at home, so I can't show y'all anything). Love the apartment. Its that that long skinny floorplan that is just so popular here. We just got a AC unit installed in my room. Awesome. So I slept until I remembered that I was in freakin' NEW YORK and I needed to get my butt out of bed.
I got dressed. Beth made me a little map of the neighborhood so I could get to a coffee shop and grocery store. I grabbed my keys, bag and headed out the door, only to turn back around to come get my umbrella. Oh yes, it was raining. Determined to go out anyway, I power walked to the coffee/sandwich shop. I bought a $7 pannini, I love NY prices. I killed time there on the free wi-fi and waited out the rain.
Now, before I left Austin I started doing Bikram yoga (they say practice yoga, but that is silly so i'm not going to say it). And there are a few studios here in Brooklyn. Que suerte! I walked to the nearest studio, which took me to Park Slope (a pretty fair walk). I found it, thank you very much. Then I decided to walk down Flatbush. I glanced over and saw a few tents set up on 7th Ave. (sorry for all this street talk, but I'm thorough). So there was this huge artisan market all the way down 7th Ave. Best thing ever. It reminded me of First Thursday in Austin, only it was Third Sunday and not Austin. Anyway, a few highlights include the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, or something, with 5-6 yrs olds playing violins. So cute. I also heard a live band playing some salsa and people dancing in the street. I love this city! So great!
Later I met up with Beth for church. It was great. This is exactly where I'm supposed be. Class starts tomorrow! Woohoo!

Has anyone ever ridden on Space Mountain at DisneyWorld?! For you poor,poor souls who haven’t, it is a rollercoaster in the dark. You can’t see where it turns and dips, which makes the ride so much fun… and scary.

This is the closest comparison to flying thru turbulence. It may not be in the dark but you definitely have no idea when the dips and dives are gonna hit! And the passengers don’t quite know how to react. Our first few shakes and bumps are just endured with nervous glances and half-smiles to fellow passengers. “This is normal. Always a little bumpy thru clouds,” everyone assures themselves. Then you hit some serious ups and downs. The kind of stuff that makes your stomach drop. Even the occasional, “whoa,” from some folks in the back.

My flight today endured the craziest turbulence I’ve ever flown thru. I was trying to nap thru this but my feet came off the floor, which woke me up. Several “whoas” and lots of nervous faces. Personally, I have a sick enjoyment of these things. Kinda fun and I’m too optimistic to think I’m going to die in a plane crash. I find amusement in the way adults act when situations get a little tense. Its ok for kids to freak out, but we “mature” adults (yes, we) should not fear such inconsequentials as turbulence. Perhaps it was the fact that we sat on the ground for 2 ½ hours before leaving b/c something wasn’t “plugged up” right, according to the pilot, that caused so much panic and concern.

To be fair, the turbulence was persistent and intense but eventually subsided. Recovery tactics were classic. Some people immediately put their heads back on the headrests and cranked the AC to calm down. Other panic faces relaxed into smiles and began chatting it up with their neighbor about what had just happened. Phew, we survived. People are funny.

Now, in the airport in Atlanta. I thought for sure I had missed my connecting flight to NY, but thanks to Mother Nature, LaGuardia Airport is grounded. I surrender this whole day to Mother Nature... and global warming. She is mad and taking it out on the airline industry! Maybe we should give Al Gore another Nobel Peace Prize for stating the obvious. The earth wasn’t meant for all these fuel-burning machines. Ok, I’m coming down off my soapbox. Sometimes my Southwestern education goes into overdrive and I ramble.

So now I sit. It costs $8 to connect to the internet, so this will be posted later if and when I arrive to NY. The latest news from the counter: they will update us at 11 p.m. Not board us, just update us. Awesome. Burger King is even starting to look appealing, but I must remember I’m a full-time struggling actress now. I’m only allowed one meal a day. Ha! I gotta save my cash for the cab anyway.

Note to folks with rolly-bags… keep those suckers in line behind you and not dragging four feet. Its as though some people are pulling a sled. Forget trying to get around them. No way. You go left, all the have to do to block you is move their arm slightly to the left and the thing shifts to block your path! I had to do a little hippity-hop to prevent my toes from a painful rollover. I’m not sure if its necessity or instinct, but I find myself walking very quickly and purposefully in the airport. No slow saunter. You must be focused and alert. Lots of cross traffic. Travellers with bags you don’t even see until you nearly trip over them, children lagging behind (unless of course the parents have invested in the human leash… totally opposed to that), and then you’ve gotta watch out for the cart people who just repeatedly yell, “Cart!” What an amazing place to observe human behavior. This is where people are truly themselves. I consider myself to be a sociologist or is it anthropologist… amateur of course. Maybe we’ve got some updates at the gate. I’m being hopeful now. That is what the airport tries to take from us… hope. I will not surrender. I will get to NY!

p.s. I finally got in at 2:30 a.m. Thanks Beth for staying up to help me and the cab driver find the place.

Start Spreading the News....

I'm leaving today... I'm gonna be a part of it.... New York, New York!

Well, I'm off. Fixin' to leave (gotta throw in the country slang) the comforts of my parent's home in safe, familiar Texas to explore the dangerous, crime-filled streets of New York City! Heaven help me! In all seriousness, I've been assured NY is much safer than we southern folks think. So rest assured everyone, I will be fine.

In preparation for my departure, I have tried to think what I will need in the big city for the summer. Much to my dismay, I will not be escaping the heat as NY is experiencing a massive heatwave with temps. in the 100s!!! Lame! Of course, the past year I have been at a job that provides a uniform (totally lame) but this left me with no clothes. Great.

My brother has just pointed out the time. I must go now. Don't worry everyone, I'm only going to NY. Not that I don't appreciate all the phone calls, but several of you are treating this like I'm going abroad and you won't be able to talk to me for several months. NY is still in the US. I'll still have my cell phone. And if you really need some "erin-time" you can catch a flight up here that will probably cost less than flying anywhere else in the US.

I miss y'all already! See ya in August!