Saturday October 1st, 2011

UWTL geeking out about seeing Elvis Costello!!!

Excellent evening of entertainment from one of my all time favorite artists. The festivities were held way way way uptown in NYC at the United Palace Theater (or as they call it most days, The United Church) in Washington Heights. Was a great evening that was only slightly marred by being unawares that Mr. MacManus had no opener this evening, thus I found myself arriving 15-20 minutes into the 150 minute set. Surely missed some classics/ favorites as things kicked off, but was eating delicious chicken and plantains across the street, so what can you do?

The set was structured around a spinning wheel of track names and other ephemera, which was put into play by various attractive female audience members who then proceeded to dance on stage, usually within the confines of a go go cage to the band's right, my left. I was beyond pumped to see this 80's revival after missing the opportunity in LA back in May (Damn you reunited The Cars!).

 

One big surprise of the evening was that despite personally owning 18 (good god!) of the man's records, 14-15 of which include full length bonus discs, I barely recognized half of the evening's set. This could be attributed to the fact that the man is a freewheeling singer of standards, folk tunes and various other covers, but also to the fact that there must be close to a dozen of his records that I do not own. What can I say? The man is prolific if nothing else (but he is indeed something else).

Highlights of the night were definitely Mary Louise-Parker dancing in a gogo cage on stage during a few songs (man, did I wish I was closer for that). A back to back This Year's Model power pack of Chelsea and Pump It Up. A not so surprising, thanks to the interwebs, rendition of (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes that lead into a cover of Purple Rain, during which my friend and I decided to reposition ourselves up near the stage (by far the best choice of the night). And lastly the apparent closer of Nick Lowe's (What's So Funny Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, one of the greatest pop songs around.

All in all a great night, after a more than solid day. What will day two of the weekend bring? Hopefully many good things.

I leave you with this awesome video of the aforementioned performer crashing in on another favorite band of mine's SNL performance.  Sweet Radio, Radio dreams.

September 30th, 2011

UWTL yet again. Think that makes pretty much every day this week. Think there's a chance that last Sunday ended before 1am but probs not.

This night I actually have a decent excuse, and didn't just space out for hours after a semi-late arrival home. Got home around 3:45, cause why not? It's friday night! Also too cheap to take a cab, esp. considering my investment in an unlimited subway card. Thus departing the East Village at 2:45 leads to a solid hour of walking and subway.

Another day gone by without too much productivity. Started the day super late yet again, and although I got in a nice workout, didn't really accomplish much til the night. Which consisted of probably my most significant standup show since gettin to NY, but even this one was in the dining hall of a NYC Hostel. It was pretty fun and my Jew jokes killed with the foreign and likely anti-semitic crowd, whereas no one outside of the US seems to know who Chubby Checker is, thus that joke ended more or less before it began.

The rest of the night consisted of a decent amount of drinking with a little bit of comedy sandwiched in. The freedom of being out til 2 0r 3 like it ain't know thing, is definitely something I miss. But considering how hard it's been to get the day goin after nights of drinking, maybe I can handle not having that freedom.

Either way, NYC: The Return, has been fun and all sorts of other things, but I'm pretty sure I'll be happy to be back in LA after a month out east and a month abroad.

Alright, the clock outside my window just hit 4:00 AM, time to go to F'in bed.

Thursday September 29th, 2011

UWTL after another day, another bunch o' dollars lost. I am of course referring to the stock market and my own personal piggy bank. You see, although there is a lot of free stuff one can do in NYC, being unemployed in NYC can get expensive. I am starting to feel this for sure half way through my extended stay.

Today was a good day. Productivity coulda been better but I did get a lot in for waking up after noon and not really getting started til two. Nice workout, followed by a classic Italian double feature. The highlight was definitely Fellini's super short feature, THE TEMPTATION OF DR. ANTONIO. A movie i'd never even heard of from one of my hands down favorite filmmakers? Couldn't miss this on it's last day of exhibition at NY's Film Forum.

Mamma Mia

Ah, what do you know, the reason i'd never heard of it is because it was part of a tetraptych titled BOCCACCIO '70 along with other less than hour long films from De Sica, Monicelli and Visconti, all massive legends of Italian cinema. The film, starring Anita Ekberg, had to be an easy enough follow up to LA DOLCE VITA, his previous classic that also costarred the voluptuous star galavanting through Rome at night. Fellini had some fixations alright, i'll leave it at that. Such an amazing, colorful, funny, whimsical filmmaker. If you have no idea who the F i'm talking about, I highly recommend you remedy that. It's hard to believe nowadays, but once upon a time Italy had one of the most interesting and fruitful film industries the world over.

Alright, I have a shot of getting to sleep at least an hour earlier than the last few nights. Gotta wake up bright and early-ish to try and nab Louis CK tix at 10AM.

Goodnight and have a pleasant today.

Wednesday September 28th, 2011

OK, maybe unemployment doesn't suit me much. Another night turns into damn near another morning on the NYC stretch of my fall travels. UWTL for the who knows what consecutive night.

Tonight was a good night, following a day where the most productive thing I did after working out was watching 3-4 episodes of Louie.

Ate some delicious Chinese food, saw some great comedic storytelling, had a few drinks and then hours of nada. Some conversations had, some emails sent and exchanged.

Night night.

Monday September 26th, Tuesday September 27th 2011

UWTL looking out at the Big Apple. The CNN building says it's 2:57 and who am I to argue? Central Park is dark and cars still flow up and down the avenue.

I'd like to say I'm UWTL cause I've been out on the town and such, but no, it's just me and my avoidable Insomnia. Save for dinner with a friend, it's mainly been a night of lonely-ish open mics. Lonely ish being that there were plenty of people there, some old friends, some acquaintances. But despite being surrounded by like-minded others most of the night, there's still an emptiness there brought on by some form of awkwardness or social anxiety.

As far as why I'm up now pass the Matchbox 20 hour (3am), I think I just came to the realization that having any intention to do work after 1 in the morning with no deadline is a foolish and absurd endeavor. Self imposed deadlines? Eh, I guess that could work but it's not the same.

Anyways, today is now yesterday. Another day filled with small victories as well as small failures and other niceties in between. Tomorrow or literally today will bring similar opportunities.

It's cold in here and Ima go to sleep now. G'night.

Saturday September 24th, 2011

Good Sat night in NYC.

Still don't feel like I need to live here anymore, but good to catch up with old friends as always.

Would have more to say, but i'm dozing as a I write here.

Hopefully more to report in the coming days. Hope your saturday was somethin else.

Night.

Tuesday September 20th, Wednesday September 21st 2011

UWTL in NYC. No real excuse for tonight, last night was out late telling jokes. NY is good, not quite the same as it was when I lived here, but enjoying the return.

Think i'll enjoy it more when i'm no longer sleeping couch to couch, and have my own spot for a stretch. Productivity has been solid thus far. Some creative inspiration but I am aware that I really can't escape my work habits and procrastinatory skills by temporary relocation. Think this weeks long stretch in NYC will definitely have some value, but also looking forward to the upcoming Eurotrip.

Couple days in Boston starting tomorrow. Maybe a little more standup but def some good hanging.

I have a headache, otherwise maybe i'd be better times right now.

Goodnight.