SORT OF SPRING

Is it Spring or what?
Sprouts are blooming and green is the color outside, but the temperature is UP then Down..Is this Global warming? No real Seasons, just spurts with sprouts?
The city is jammed with construction and noise and people. The sirens seem to blare at the most annoying times..mostly when you try to cell phone.
On my way to auditions and appointments it is like dodging a barrage of projectiles. either noise or objects, in a Video game!
Since I love to take photos I try as much as I can to take them without people in them. To find the serene beauty or majestic facades that are all around us. I have to look around and remind myself how wonderful parts of this New York is before they tear it down or bury it behind more of the garrish new high rises that are also sprouting along with the blossoms of this Sort Of Spring.
The joy of strolling is now made a chore as one has to keep aware of traffic, construction debris, and the ubiquitious baby prams that clog and block one's path.
Since they are deconstructing a building across from our building on 9th Avenue
we are awakened EVERY morning at 7AM. Who knew they changed the LAW and they are allowed to BANG RAM AND SLAM at that early hour. But THEY ARE !
The city is spawning a sort of mean spirited and selfish attitude beyond the likes of what I have seen before.
The prices of food and sustenance are getting out of control and people, even if one can afford it, are rightfully cranky and outraged. But they take it out on each other.
The politcal unrest and the Circus of this absurd Democratic primary campaign is a daily source of gall and angst.
We are definitely in the throes of a very odd time in history and our sense of balance is constantly at odds with our sense of values.
We are a nation in dire need of GROWING UP as we have been so dumbed down.
What are we, or those young people coming up the road, to aspire to?
What are we/they inspired by?
And why are we/they not motivated to do better. I say look back on the last 30 years and especially the last 8 years and therein lies the rotten answers.
Greed and Money and all the limits that puts on a society are in play. Instead of opening up things with one's wealth we seem to be set on closing things tighter around us.
Progress is looked on as a plaque, and intellectual discourse is likewise anathema to the mindless desire to be forever on a sophomoric level of stunted growth.
One hears street talk as one navigates through all this. What was once stimulating and exciting, thought provoking, intellectual pursuit is now not only about real estate and business deals but in foreign tongues.
We are not who we think we are. And certainly NOT who we were. It is a loss of amazing proportions.
Although New York is looking very beautiful and shiny in many ways, it has lost its edge and its stimulating essence. To see the throngs of people frantically buzzing about the main areas like midtown and the theatre district one isn't aware of the loss. But the real excitement of this city used to have a constant and tangible beat that one felt even in the late and early hours of the day. The empty street had the residue and patina left by the gushing energy of all it's amazing inhabitants.
We have moved this place into a homogenized blandness to the point that even trendy and fashionable Fifth Avenue is not anything more than a thought once realized as a thriving commodity.
It is a kind of mall for the transient visitor. Not the mainstay it once was of the best of the best.
Still outrageous price tags flutter at SAKS. But the joy of the unique is gone.
The sections of the city that defined its beautiful wanton maverick and seductive grit has been washed into a pleasant and polished universal blandness. And since corporate minds see and make a profit from this there is no end in sight.
I mourn the loss of this electric and eccentric energy as I mourn the loss of a loved one.
Things change, is the universal addage we are forced to swallow. Yes, they do change but for what purpose and for whose benefit.
Yet when one sees the Spring flowers and the green lawns of Central Park, the fountains of the various pocket parks and the window boxes overflowing with a profusion of fresh colors and leafy tendrils that dance in the wind, one remembers that maybe somewhere and somehow the beauty and joy that stimulated and energized the great minds and hearts of New York is still there. Perhaps dormant like the 17 year locusts waiting to finalyl burst forth in a Buzz of new life and real progress. I hope I am around for that and glad I lived through it.
When a society or a people are deprived of experiences they have no basis to meausre the experiences they are having and soemhow want to not hear from those who had experience. It is a closing of the doors of your life.
I was brought up to be curious and to listen to those who might know something I do not. Then to filter and to assimilate and finally digest and use all that I learned to form my opinion and my paths.
Today it seems young people, who are dreadfully underpaid and overworked, have no desire to learn anything but how to make lots of money as an end in itself.
OK..Then what..???
Bet they get some land or a window box and plant something with some life in it and watch it grow!
HAPPY SPRING AWAKENING.

Keybored
APril

SPRING IN THE CITY

APRIL SHOWERS are HERE!! Happy APRIL FOOLS DAY!
Had to go to get Blood test today at Lenox Hill and afterwards walked South along Fifth Avenue and across Central Park at 72nd Street through the IMAGINE circle.
It was a moody, warm and rainy afternoon. Very New York! Or NEEW YAWK.
The little bit of seasonal flair we are now allowed was in abundance in the Park.
The buds are budding and the birds active and chirping. The Squirrels ..are..well Squirrely!
The walkways were mostly deserted but people who were there were taking pictures and jogging. Some with their baby trams being pushed by a bouncing lycra clad parent.
The air was humid and still and the placid mirror-like lakes and park waters were reflecting magically.
Not much more to report.
Enjoy the 65 degree Weather!
XXX
Keybored

POO POO POLITI-POOP

Hello. Been away and very busy trying to get work and manage the NEW YORK life!
So I apologize for not Blogging in a while. A long while.
Lots has ensued. But the Flap about OBAMA and that fire and brimstone minsiter and then HILLARY behaving oddly seem to take hold of our limited attention spans.
Meantime there seems to be a rev-ing up of WAR WITH IRAN.
This is scary huh?
I heard there were American Planes flying around Iran with Bunker Buster Nuclear Bombs. These bombs will kill millons and cause radiation poisoning and all sorts of horrors for others nearby. And Bush has 50 of these Bombs at his ithcy trigger finger!! OY! And Cheney's visit to Saudi Arabia caused the German Press to print an article about how to navigate Nuclear fallout if there is a conflict. JESUS!
This is really strange and something to really consider what the hell this Administration is doing. And McCain wants to keep "staying the course!" HELP!!
Quote from headline on Huffington Post:
McCain On Iraq: "We're Succeeding.
I Don't Care What Anybody Says"
Anyway..
I suggest people we all start acting responsible and like adults.
Enough scolding.
Saw ADDING MACHINE musical at the Minetta Lane Theatre. In itself a political view of mechanization from Elmer Rice in the 1930's yet!
It was atonal and cacophanous and off-putting to the ear. To the eye it was stylish. People walked out during the first 20 minutes.
Saw THE BANK JOB movie and enjoyed it a lot.
We went to Mary Weiss of the Shangri Las at the Blender Theatre. She is a doll and it was a trip to hear the LEADER OF THE PACK and WALKING IN THE SAND. She belted those out with gusto.
Here's her MySPace link: http://www.myspace.com/maryweiss
It was a fun evening and we met with her later. Nice evening for sure. She goes on tour in Europe and some American cities in late April.
A good friend just booked a commercial with Uma Thurman in SPAIN!!
Never been there and would Love to go..and get paid for being there.
Who says this business doesn't have some perks..even for Scale payment!
I recently did a workshop/reading of a new musical called CUBA LIBRE written by the Rock team of Desmond Child and Davitt Sigerson. They wrote some haunting melodies and very catchy and bouncy Latin rhythms. They are a very lucrative writing team and wrote many Rock hits including Ricky Martin's LA VIDA LOCA.
Eduardo Marchado wrote the book and the glorious Graciela Daniele directed it.
It went very well and was attended by over 100 producer/ backer types.Even Stephen Schwartz and Donna Murphy (whose talented husband Shawn Elliot was in the show)represented the creative side of things.
The piece needs some reworking to my eye/ear. But it has some really salient featrures for sure. I met some terrific actor/singers. I suggest keeping an ear/eye out for Martin Sola as his wonderful voice, embracing sound and swarthy good looks are a sure fire ticket to a major career. And he is a helluva nice guy. His girlfriend Michelle and he were Lun Tha and Tup TIm in KING & I. More perks from the Biz..huh?
All us actors are in major audition mode as the summer stock and CLO's are in town to see talents.
One terrific thing about auditions is seeing old pals and trading tales.
So many older types have had major health set backs but are doing fine.
I also had a wonderful conversation with a group of three younger actors while waitng to audition. I nudged my way into the conversation when I heard one of them say that Paiiti LuPone hadn't won a TONY.
I BLANCHED..WHAT??
Hey I was in EVITA and she GOT THAT TONY FOR SURE.

Here is the paste up from the TONY website;


Actress (Musical) Winner - Patti Lupone (Evita)
Nominees: Christine Andreas (Oklahoma!)
Sandy Duncan (Peter Pan)
Ann Miller (Sugar Babies)

We started talking and they were amazingly on track when it came to their vision of the way the business is running along.
Nice to hear from bright young artists how they see their involvement in this mix.
So we'll all see what might matures into some jobs that might morph into a career for us, who are still trying to exercise our abilities.
Not much more to impart.
Hope that Spring has SPrung for most of us.
And I am waiting for the weather to catch up with that. We had NO real Winter and that "SPRING IS ".. N O T.. to quote the song; "...HERE"
The Wild weather Photn is of Atlanta's Tornado.>SCARY !!

OSCAR-FIED

Have been negligent in Blogging. My Apologies!
I got very Busy with Academy Awards and daily confusions and appointments.
Hope you all enjoyed the OSCARS.
They were a bit Dull to my eye and ear. And it was posted that there was a 20% drop in ratings for the program. I SAY ..as much as I love John Stewart..BRING BACK BILLY CRYSTAL!
I was knocked out by the beauty parade of our Actresses. Even Pregnant they are stunning. Helen Mirren, however, wins my vote for the classiest and most commanding of presence. Don't get me wrong they all looked sensational. But Mirren has that thing..uh..Star Charisma...so Anglicanly Understated!
Was thrilled that Marion Cotillard won for LA VIE EN ROSE..Absolutely deserved beyond question. She not only inhabited that role she ABSORBED and EXUDED it.
In our voting however I did the Politcal thing and voted for Julie Christie. I will NOT do that again. I will vote my heart!
Daniel Day Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD was horrifyingly amazing and drained my resources just watching him in that part.
I think the most bypassed of the films this year was 3:10 TO YUMA which was brilliantly acted and constructed.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN was one of those great films that is not pleasant to watch and since the ending was NOT HOLLYWOOD HAPPY it was off putting. But sensational throughout!
I rented IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH and watched it last night. THAT is another film that is worthy of more accolades!! The message is so vile and indermining. IT shows what WAR and COMBAT, especially with no holds barred (as we see in IRAQ), can do to the human soul and spirit. Making the unspeakable and unacceptable commonplace and reasonable. The human dilemma of the parents and the soldiers and all involved is so multi layered I am still assessing how anyone can handle the conundrums.
Stellar performances in that as well. Charlize Theron takes roles that are so interesting and she does them so well you have to search for that glorious beauty you know is there.
One thing Bugged me..It ws the 80th EIGHT OH..Year of Oscars. I thought there was not enough significance put to such a landmark Birthday event in the broadcast.
Anyway..I hope you all had a Grand Oscar Party to attend. I spent it by myself as I was on the verge of getting sick and managed to fight it off by staying in.
I think it was becasue our bodies don't know what weather to fight with. It is snowy and cold in the morning and then melting rain and higher temparatures by the afternoon.
People are over dressed or underdressed and coughing in over-heated subway cars and buildings. Some of which never get fresh air.
Am anxious to see GYPSY with LuPone and now have heard enough about NOVEMBER to see if I can get 1/2 price for that.
Saw TAKE ME ALONG at the IRISH REP at 132 W 22nd Street on Thursday night.
That was a lot of fun and some trrific singing and acting on the part of Beth Glover/WIlliam Parry and Anastasia Barzee. I am always intrigued by the production values nCharlotte Moore brings to that small space. BRAVO!
Pal LONI ACKERMAN is thinking about doing the METROPOLITAN ROOM and I wouyld suggest you run to see this amazing performer. GOOGLE her!
She was Grizabella in CATS for 3 Years ..Originated Eva Peron in the LA Company of EVITA and is a Broadway veteran since 19 years old in GEORGE M!! She has a bunch of Broadway,as well s Off- Broadway, shows to her credit including the LEAD opposite Robert Morse in the ill fated SO LONG 174TH ST..the musical of ENTER LAUGHING.
She is dynamite-plus and old school old PRO to the MAX! As wel as being a great gal. SHe raised 2 sons Jack & George and is amrried to Sound Maven Steve Canyon Kennedy. So she has been off the grid Mothering for a while but is back and ready!
And in Great shape too!!
Not much else to BLAB ON THE BLOG about.
Friends continue, as I do, to seek jobs and creative outlets.
Friends and Colleagues Dan Wackerman and Kevin Kennedy who run the Pecadillo Theatre Company have acquired the manager-ship of the Off Broadway ST.CLEMENTS theatre and are preparing THE MIRACLE WORKER for a debut there. It is a teransfer from the Papremill Production. These guys are very savvy and are focused to bring good American theatre to all. They run the BANK STREET THEATRE ansd now the ST. CLEMSNTS joins their team. They are also doing backers auditions for the Musical version of A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN for Broadway. So keep their names in your sites.
The pigeons on our windowsills are trying to nest in the plants so I have to go and scare them away.
Hope your nesting is more reliable.
XXXX
KEYBORED

SUPER VOTE VOTE VOTE

CONGRATS TO GIANTS AND GIANT FANS!
Eating at a retaurant on SUPERBOWL SUNDAY on Amsterdam Ave last night was accompanied by loud screams and cheers from the Bar.
I am not a sports fan but was almost drawn into the Bar from the huge amount of joy coming from the gathering.
Later the streets of the Upper West Side were alive with horns, sirens and screams of Joy. It lasted almost to midnight when we ventrured to Broadway and 85th for a cab home.
I hope tomorrow's SUPER TUESDAY results in as much CHEER and JOY.
We need change and I pray whoever is the Democratic candidate can push change and PROGRESS. After all these stagnant and toxic seven years a house cleaning and policy revisions will be so welcome.
Time some ADULTS ran or lead the country instead of these Fraternity Sophmores.
ENOUGH.
VOTE VOTE VOTE !
Got NEW PHONE SERVICE from CREDO. We decided that Verizon as part of the Verizon & AT&T's willingness to allow their records and our private calls to be HANDED TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION illegally was a strong reason to leave them.
They offered nothing more than the same deal as Verizon, albeit onb the SPRINT system Network, but they do not share their records and also support Progressive organizations like the ACLU. SO I encourage all to investigate GREEN companies like Credo. We have ALLOWED complacency and BIZ AS USUAL to go unrestricted and with no accountability for way too long! So until that changes we can CHANGE where we put our dollars.
Anyway..
Hope we have the ACADEMY AWARDS.
It seems like the writer's strike msy finally reach an end. I hope they get their residuals for the Internet advertising revenue that the producers are already enjoying. And by passing not only the writers contribution (WHICH IS THE PRODUCT) but also any compensation for the writers USING the wrtier's material they the Producers have been enjoying a windfall of unshared revenue!!
The movies and performances that are Oscar worthy are to my eye varied and many.
The Golden Globes went overboard rewarding the defunct SOPRANOS I thought.
There were many performances and programs as worthy of honors I thought.
It has been very mild in NYC and although the Groundhog predicts another 6 weeks of Winter one wonders WHERE this Winter will be?
Many friends are excited and ready for tomorrow's voting and we all hope WE THE PEOPLE will get our lazy & complacent butts to the polls and make our Constitutional right to vote an experience that helps change the spirit in this country and gives us a candidate that will help us back to HOPE!
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!
XX
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Keybored!