Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Dropping In

I haven't seen many celebrities in NYC. You hear all the time about people spying celebrities everywhere, how many New Yorkers call them neighbors--heck, there are entire websites devoted to tracking their movements throughout the city. But I've never really run into anyone of note. The biggest celebrity I've seen, and yes I do consider him one, was when I was introduced to Bill Nye. (He was incredibly funny, by the way.)

I like to think I don't see celebrities because, quite honestly, I'm not sure that I would recognize many of them. Especially without all the camera make-up, fabulous clothes, etc. There are a lot of beautiful people in New York, so maybe I just don't pick out the ones who also happen to be famous.

Last night I went to Caroline's to see a friend who is trying her hand at stand-up. I've been to a few of her shows now at Caroline's and the Laugh Factory, and she's very funny. (Thank goodness! You always want your friends to be good, but it's especially pleasing when they actually are!) Last night was not only one of her best performances, but the other comics were great as well. Then, at the end of the show, they announced a special guest had dropped in. Up to the stage walks Darrell Hammond of SNL fame. He was hilarious, although I could not actually tell if his claim of being high on vicodin at the time was true or if he was acting.

When he was done, I figured that was a great way to end the show. But the host came back and announced another special guest. Who could possibly follow Darrell Hammond? Up to the stage comes none other than Rosie O'Donnell. She was there to try out some new material before her upcoming show at Lincoln Center. She refused to talk about "the V" or the "the T" (the View or the Donald), but did a long set of jokes about her family and her experiences with Kabbalah. She was very entertaining. It was a great show.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A Gradual Catching of Breath

Autumn is a great time of year--my favorite. I love the colors, the smells, the cooling temperatures. I love apple cider. I really love apple cider.

It's also been an exciting time of year for me this particular fall. I returned, relatively unscathed, from the trip across Italy and Paris. I'll try to write more about that as time permits. Not long after that, I was down in New Brunswick opening a new Chapter of my Fraternity. And perhaps the biggest change in my life thus far, this weekend my fiancé moved into my apartment with me.

Fortunately, it's a two-bedroom apartment, so we'll have plenty of space. It's an adjustment, and one that is not completely without a bit of turmoil, but it's one worth making.

Now, as my favorite season comes into its own, I can work on the little things. I can build a daily routine; something I've been waiting for quite some time to do. I can rediscover my city. I can upload some pictures of my trip. I can settle into a home that's new, despite my seven months of living there. I can buy some apple cider at the farmer's market. Things can slow, things can settle. Contentment is just over the horizon, and it smells like autumn.