Altar Boyz: Off-Broadway
Last night my friend Mike was kind enough to bring me to the awesome off-Broadway show, Altar Boyz. It's SO funny!! It's about a group of singers from Ohio who form a pop-group and go across the country to cleanse evil souls and preach about God or as they say G.O.D.

Each character embodies a certian archetype of a pop-star. There is the Justin Timberlake leader, the Enrique Iglesias/Ricky Martin guy, the rapping white dude, the still in-the-closet Clay Aiken type (who stole the show), and the talented Jewish song writer and singer with wacky gelled hair. Each one was amazing!

The songs were very original and hilarious, as well as the corny choreography that mocks N'Sync and other boy bands while putting in Catholic gestures.

One song is called, "Girl You Make Me Want to Wait" (which he sings to a woman picked out of the audience) and "Jesus, Called Me On My Cell Phone."

The theater is on 50th Street so it's not that far off Broadway and its an amazing space. Very modern, like you are going to an art gallery.

I enjoyed the show from the minute they walked out on stage and I urge everyone to go see it if they have the chance. Tickets are pretty reasonable too.

Review: N'Sync meets Nunsense, with the apostles of pop: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham!

Former owners
Have you ever wonder who owned a text book or the novel in the used book shop before you?

When I bought an old copy of The Grapes of Wrath, I wondered who would get rid of such a nice edition. They even took the time to put their name on the inside cover. Then I wonder, did they move and need more space, did they pass away and some relative of there's discarded it? Even back in high school when you are given text books, I loved adding my name to the list of names under "This book belongs to..." Knowing that next year someone would be reading my name and wondering what kind of student I was. Maybe they would even know me and say "oh yeah, that's my sisters friend." Then again maybe I'm the only one who cared about stuff like that.

Anyway, right now I'm reading a used copy of Nothing if Not Critical by Robert Hughes. It's a collection of essays on art and artists and on the inside flap there's the signature of Dorothy Faison Meder. As the previous owners, she obviously thought the book important enough to write her name in it, but yet I was still able to acquire it over Amazon. Also on one of the extra blank sheets towards the back of the book, there is an intricate blue print scribbled. It looks like its a drawing of a bedroom, complete with arrows that show the distance that doors would be opening to and closet space. Maybe the illustrations indicate that she was bored with the book, but why not erase your name then? Very message in a bottle if you ask me ;)

I only sign my name in the books that I lend to friends and would like to get back at some point. But if I'm selling a story back to a used book store, I always make sure my name is no where on it. I also don't want to ruin the book either, one man's garbage is another man's treasure. Like me and The Grapes of Wrath book.

PS: This is where I go to eat some aweseome crispy fries at 4a.m. in an attempt to combat hangover later that day, it's also right around the corner from my apartment. Check out the NY Times article: A Fanciful Bistro, but Not Too Fancy

Earth Day and Everyone in da Driveway Getting Tipsy
I participated in Volunteer in the Park Day also known as VIP Day. It's organized by NYU, and students, faculty and residents volunteer to plant flowers, pick up garbage and paint benches. I did an hour and a half in Washington Square park doing all those things. I'm proud to say that a green garbage can and the two big black urn-like flower pots in front of the famous arch, were painted by moi! So that's my NYC claim to fame. Just think of all the people who take photos in front of the arch and thus also with the big urns. And to think I painted them ;)...and practically most of my sweat pants in the process too, haha. It was a beautiful day so I was glad I was able to be out to enjoy it and to do something nice for Earth Day.

later that day... in Connecticut...
Have you ever been drunk with your family? And then try to pretend that you aren't by covering up and using big words like "decor." And whenever you say something that you think sounds intelligent your mind is saying "Yay, decor, that was perfect! You are so great Tara, you have them all fooled and you are so freaking drunk, and they have no idea, lol!" Then you have to bite down on your smile due to your own self congratulations and laughter that is going on in your head.

Well, this evening wasn't too bad, because no matter how tipsy I was from some red, red wine that was making me feel real fine, I still ended up the designated driver. After all, my mom and her friend were doing martinis and were definitely beating me.

While I was dropping off our friend and temporarily parked in her driveway, my mother goes "I love this song" and flips up the volume on the radio, blasting Hall & Oates "I?ll Be Around." There was some clapping, snapping, pointing, crazy arm-waving dance moves, leading up to all three of us girls putting our faces near each other and screaming "Whenever you need me, I'll be there!" lol, good times!

PS: I walked by Tyne Daly on Bleeker Street!

Article: The Lying Game: In an Internet-hookup culture, even sensitive guys think they?re players. By Amy Sohn in New York Magazine

It's Balloon Time, Boys and Girls
Just as I was swiping my pass for the subway, I heard my train arrive at the bottom of the steps. I sprinted down them, but the train carts that were closest too me were already filled to capacity. So, I ran further down the platform until I saw one with enough space for me to jump in, but then I noticed that people were fleeing it and running for the more crowded parts of the train. Finding this weird, but having no time to think since the doors were about to close, I jumped in. I figured I?ve ridden with drunks and panhandlers before, what could be the big deal?

I was totally surprised when instead of seeing a guy mummbling out loud or smelling some foul odor, two dozen helium balloons came floating towards me, whopping me on the head. No, I was not on a circus train with Bozo or Coco the clown and I was not dreaming this. It was either a haggard father or some party planner, trying his best to reel in silver and gold ribbons that held an assortment of helium balloons, which were rapidly engulfing the passengers in the seats. I swear this is true. He held the bunched together ribbons like a bouquet in his hands, wrapping them around his fists. I have no idea how this man was able to stuff all the balloons onto the train before the doors shut on him. Better yet, I don't know how he?ll ever get them off safely. Thankfully none of them popped during my two stops because I know I would have been the girl who screamed and jumped like a freak.

When I got off at my stop a few minutes later, my hair had enough static electricity to jump a stalled car. See, these are the many things that happen to me that make me believe that I?m on some reality show that is unbeknownst to me ;p

News Story: Aww! TKTS Booth Becomes Surprise Wedding Proposal Site

Ashes and Snow
First The Gates, a large scale public art project, overtook Central Park. Now, Ashes and Snow, a photography exhibit, literally sits atop the Hudson River on Pier 54 near West 13th Street. It is also the largest temporary exhibition space ever created in Manhattan.

Built on an abandoned waterfront pier, the Nomadic Museum, a 67-foot-wide by 672-foot-long, privately-funded traveling museum is made of 148 stacked steel cargo shipping containers. Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the exhibition, Ashes and Snow, consists of portraits taken by Canadian-born artist Gregory Colbert.
Elementary school teacher, Heidi Laudien, 38, said she plans to bring her students to the sight.

?I love the idea of a museum made from recycled materials and I want my kids to see that creative part of the exhibit and how it illustrates the transience of the space,? she said.

The exhibit and the museum will be displayed through June 6 in the 45,000-square-foot temporary structure. Afterwards, it will be dismantled and resurrected in Santa Monica, Calif, then off to the Vatican City in 2006, as it continues on its nomadic adventure.

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Link: www.ashesandsnow.org