I shot at least 10 rolls of film today alone. Somebody stop me before I do damage to myself and others.
Operation: I wish I were James Fee goes well. Our next photographic assignment is to write a report on a famous photographer, then submit images in that photographer’s style. Because James Fee took so many pictures in NYC, I’m capitalizing on the opportunity. Good timing, huzzah. Anyway, today first we cruised for snaps* at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which started right outside our hotel. My dad snuck beyond the barricades to get better angles, then when he was questioned by the Fire Department Chief, told him that he respresented the Dallas Morning News. ::facepalm:: What’s a bit of larceny among friends? Oh well. It worked. We both got some great shots. Next, Bryant Park, where all but two of the New York pictures in my art section were taken. Later, waiting outside MoMA QNS, I also shot massive numbers of pictures of the truck yard across the street. Then, going into Fee-mode, we rode the subway (finally! I’ve been working on my dad for three days about the ease of subway trains!) to Brooklyn Bridge, where I played with our wide-angle/fisheye lens extension. Finally, we went to the docks at the southern tip of the island to try to shoot the Statue of Liberty, which unfortunately was just too far away, even with my mom’s 300mm lens. Ah well. A highly productive day!
* “Crusing for snaps” was coined upon the realization that all photographic terms imply violence. “Shooting” film, “taking” pictures… in photography class, we came up with a bunch more. “Cruising for snaps” became our friendly alternative.
Last night, I blogged about my fabulous experiences at Man of La Mancha and La Boheme, but the skanky computer ate my entry and I didn’t feel like retyping it. Suffice it to say, both shows were marvellous. MoLM, which I saw Saturday night, was remarkably innovative with sets and props, and Brian Stokes Mitchell made an utterly phenomenal Quixote. His performance was unbelieveably good. Also remarkable was Mark Jacoby, as Padre. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Aldonza, however, left quite a bit to be desired. I really disliked her envisioning of the character. But the show gave me dozens of ideas for the Jesuit production, so all was not in vain. I got my script autographed by several of the actors, who all wished me good luck in my performance. One of the Muleteers, an understudy for Quixote, actually went to Jesuit in high school. What a coincidence!
La Boheme, which I saw yesterday, was simply divine. The voices were all magnificent, and the acting was beautiful and touching. I especially loved Alfred Boe as Rudolfo and Daniel Okulitch as Schunard. I wasn’t as fond of Wei Huang’s (Mimi) acting, but her voice was so gorgeous that it didn’t matter. There was not a dry eye in the house at the end. As an added plus, it was rather cool to pick up on all the tidbits that inspired Jonathan Larson to write Rent. Awesome.
And now, the answers to your questions. In reverse order, because I’m lazy and that’s how they showed up when copy+pasted from my comments field. Continue to submit questions if you so desire.
Johanne: Have man kind actually walked on moon?
Yes. Anyone that tells you otherwise is part of the government conspiracy trying to instill doubt that we have walked on the moon.
Jia: What vegetable goes best with carrots?
Arugula (ouch — okay, close enough)
Allison: Do you think that, given time, I can become as cool as you are?
Forsake all winter coats and travel to Antarctica. Maybe then you can be truly cold. Actually, because I find I’m never really cold, it’s quite easy to be cooler than me.
Jo: Er… What is your favorite place in New York City and why? :)
Broadway, for obvious reasons. Stalking actors is always fun, as is actually seeing said musicals, as well as taking pretty pictures of blinking lights.
Alicey: Do you like cheetahs?
They never win.
Claudia: Did you go visit ‘ground zero’?
No. I don’t think I could.
Matt: When do we get to see the sexy table dancing?
April 30th and May 2nd, at 7:30 PM. At least, those who know me IRL will. All others will have to wait until I get the footage uploaded.
Joel: If a train is going 150 miles an hour and it needs to get to Toledo which is 562.45 miles away, how long will it take to reach the station?
It would be faster if he took the subway. ::glares at dad::
Brenna: Is Santa Claus real?
Yes. He killed your favourite pet tortise, Igbert.
Brenna: Are you Don Quixote, the man of la mancha? and if you are, can I be your sidekick sanchez guy or something?
Nah, I’m no one, I’m nothing, I’m only Aldonza the whore. Or actually, I’m only Aldonza, that’s all. Yay censorship. But you’re welcome to be my Sancho any day.
Renata: whaaat is your name? whaaat is your quest? whaaat is your favorite color?!
In order: Inigo Montoya, to find a word that rhymes with orange, and slightly ecru.