Today another BuzzFeed list. Inspired by a trip to the State Fair and the Art Building (saving that post for tomorrow) But this one takes 25 Classic paintings and revisits them with 25 notable celebs. Some work better than others - the ones where the famed actor actually resembles a more period look and not so contemporary. As always - the entire feed is linked at the bottom and worth the click.
Okay - how many posts have revolved around Arrested Development? It took the years of anxiety as we waited for the rebirth of the series on Netflix and it finally premiered this summer. Rather than do the binge route, I rationed them out an episode at a time due to my busy schedule. I thought it ingenious; the ploy to overlap each episode over the course of the last 6 years with each one from a different characters perspective. The first few demanded patience as the bold premise unveiled itself and moments from one would enlighten another family member when revealed from a different camera angle. Once you bought the idea, it suggested brilliance among the writing team. All the regular tics were there. EVERY character re-emerged with even more baggage and laughs. New roles made for a complex web. (Isla Fisher, Tommy Tune, Ron Howard himself.) And not being restricted by the boundaries of network TV of Fox - buttons were pushed to the max. (Methadone addicts, sex predators, US Drone pilots....)
Foolish me to think that once I reached the end, everything would be tied up with a pretty little bow. Ouch! Netflix is making sure their rapt audience will be returning for more shenanigans, whether on the small or big screen. Is Liza dead or has she just disappeared? And who killed her? Is Gob really finding his new gay identify or is he just floundering in a mid-life crisis? Who was injured in the explosion on the docks? My oh my!
Today felt like the first real day of summer break today. A bit of spare time on my hands to enjoy it. Sunshine and a cool breeze. Leisure time with Waylon playing again in the mighty Mississippi. A haircut, a nap. Feeling pretty good. And a quiet evening in my own backyard with a fire in the firepit, s'mores and some cold ice cream. Dog days of summer.
Another amusing posting from a BuzzFeed photo list. This one from the hands of artists Danny Evans who did some wizardry with Photo Shop at the expense of some high powered celebs. It shows what they might have looked like without the assistance of lipo, botox, a personal trainer or merely the budget to live well beyond their normal means. Pretty funny stuff and it will maybe make you feel a bit better about yourself the next time you look in the mirror and are not totally satisfied with what you see.
Blogging means different things to many people. For some it is a chance to purge inner demons and throw karma out into cyber space. For others it is a chance to share and connect. For me, it is usually more random and trivial. I enjoy tidbits and think of this journal as a virtual postcard of things that I stumble upon in my daily life - like a museum, a sunset or an exotic flower that I would photograph on a trip. It is my way of sharing with others if they happen to take a bit of time to peruse it. Or not. But this post is a bit out of character for me. A personal scream of sorts. Life has been a stressful hand this summer. For those few that I have been fortunate to have a spare minute or two with, this is old news to you. Summer is usually a time for re-energizing, but that has been far from the case this year. If I had more perspective I could say job stress, physical exhaustion at times, maybe a need for a change of scenery.But if I had the answer, I could begin to offset it. Lately I feel like hurling my slow laptop at the wall or slamming in the back fender of the impossibly slow driver in front of me. Although I am well aware of my irritable state, last night it reared its head in an evil way. If I had a top to blow - you would have seen my mental health in shreds on the pavement.
It was to begin with a harmless trip to the grocery store for butter and soap. But it turned into an escapade of tearing the house apart to find a missing set of car keys - almost literally. I knew I had let myself into the house, so logic was beside me as to where they could be. There is the hook right by the front door where habit has them 364 days of the year. After a good hour I found them 2 feet away next to Waylon's dog leash. No clue why. Then on arriving at the store, I found that I brought a phone, but no credit card which would do me no good in the check out lane. Back home again - where of course nothing turned up. I am a practical person and retraced every step from pants pockets to bathroom counters. Apparently I had left it in the receipt holder at Famous Dave's the night before. Absent minded or insane - I am not sure why. But a phone call reassured me that it was there - if I had remembered to bring my ID along in my wallet to identify myself. Yet another trip home. A simple task became a fiasco of epic proportions. Even a day later, I am still not sure if should laugh at the folly of it all. Joey obviously needs to get a grip on his life!
This has been circulating the last few days on media. But I find it fascinating that the secret has been held captive for these 60+ years.
It is the City Hall Southern Terminus of the Manhattan Main Line. Cut glass windows, brass trim and gorgeous light fixtures. It was where the trains ended their route and then turned around after releasing the passengers. But it was closed in 1945 and these same passengers were made to transfer to the Brooklyn Bridge stop. The reason being as traffic increased and subway trains became longer - it got to be too dangerous and cumbersome for passenger safety during these turn-arounds. There were plans to turn the amazing stop into a transit museum, but they never materialized.
Recently, passengers of the 6 train are now able to remain on the cars while the train makes its way to the reversal. Although no one can exit the cars - it is still visible in all its original glory. This is definitely at the top of my To-Do list on the next trip in the city. Amazing history.
Continuing with another BuzzFeed photo list. Seems I have little to say these last few days. (And these links are addicting and curious.) This one collects some of the scariest looking dolls you can imagine. For those that have a clown phobia - this would be right alongside. Possibly a theme for Season 4 of American Horror Story. Bwah!!!!
Now that more and more social media is common place, I am constantly flooded with new means of access, especially on my tablet. Google Currents, Flip, YouTube channel. More than I can ever read or process. I barely read a paper anymore. And books are sadly archaic to me. I have been working on Edna Ferber's Show Boat since Christmas now. But one of the other feeds that always catches my attention are the scrolling photo montages. BuzzFeed and Funnie.st are just two of them. And I have several items in the wings waiting to share from both. I think it is the visual that grabs me since you don't need to take a whole lot of time to read them. Just scroll and look. This one is Adults Recreating their Childhood photos. Some are pretty lame. A few amusing. Here are some copied and then a pasted link to the list itself.
In honor of DCI championships this week, a slight diversion of the marching world. I know I have featured them once before. They are uniquely their own thing. MarchFourth. How to even describe them?
They are based out of Portland and began as something for the Fat Tuesday festival. Part Mardis Gras, Cirque de Soleil, La Cage aux Folles all done in marching uniforms - of sorts. They use a roster of about 30 performers and make up song sets from performance date to date. Sometimes it might be an impromptu parade down Main St or usually a live concert set under a large outdoor tent. If Bob Fosse had lived to see them - they would be the current house band for Cabaret. I missed them on their last trip through town at the Cabooze. It looks like the closest they are coming back is to a Shangri-La Music Fest @ Hamrnoy Park MN down south after Labor Day. But if you have not experienced them - they have to be seen to be believed.
I just managed to squeeze in the fantastic Clybourne Park during its last week at the Guthrie. A provocative play in many ways looking at race in two acts - the first in 1959 and the second 50 years later in the present. So much has changed and yet nothing at all. A great challenge for a cast of actors to inhabit two entirely different roles with small hints that carry over from one to the next.
But one of the scene stealers - pun intended - is the house where the action happens. It begins in the fabulous 50s of suburbian utopia. Although moving day, the house still has the apparent charm of many years wear and tear, like an old cedar chest or fine chestnut piece of furniture. And by Act 2 it is stripped bare of any warmth, gutted and ready for the wrecking ball. This fascinating feature called Behind the Walls lets the audience in on the amazing transformation by the crew during the short 15 minute intermission. Magic!
On this monumental day, I am guessing many of us will be bombarded with the celebration of Legal Gay Marriage in MN. It is a progressive change that will mean many things to many people. Jeff and I partook of the original vote at the Capitol and it was both nail biting and jubilant. Last night we made a short visit to Wilde Roast Cafe which was hosting a mammoth wedding party to count down the hours. It was crowded and claustrophobic with wedding pictures, wedding cake and a DJ. It was overwhelming, but nice to be a part of. But on a personal note, I have a pair of friends that took advantage of the date to commit their relationship legally. Rob Thomas and Joe Strong are old drum corps friends who have chosen to trade the big city life for a more peaceful world in a house with 3 dogs down in St Peter. They are active in the community and school district there with exchange students. They were first in line in Nicollet county and I wanted to give a shout out to their new marriage. 17 years in the making. Congrats dear friends.
I thought it ingenious; the ploy to overlap each episode over the course of the last 6 years with each one from a different characters perspective. The first few demanded patience as the bold premise unveiled itself and moments from one would enlighten another family member when revealed from a different camera angle. Once you bought the idea, it suggested brilliance among the writing team. All the regular tics were there. EVERY character re-emerged with even more baggage and laughs. New roles made for a complex web. (Isla Fisher, Tommy Tune, Ron Howard himself.) And not being restricted by the boundaries of network TV of Fox - buttons were pushed to the max. (Methadone addicts, sex predators, US Drone pilots....)
But one of the other feeds that always catches my attention are the scrolling photo montages. BuzzFeed and Funnie.st are just two of them. And I have several items in the wings waiting to share from both. I think it is the visual that grabs me since you don't need to take a whole lot of time to read them. Just scroll and look.
I just managed to squeeze in the fantastic Clybourne Park during its last week at the Guthrie. A provocative play in many ways looking at race in two acts - the first in 1959 and the second 50 years later in the present. So much has changed and yet nothing at all. A great challenge for a cast of actors to inhabit two entirely different roles with small hints that carry over from one to the next. 
