Seems Like Old Times

Storefronts in Manhattan Plaza on rainsoaked Wednesday

Here I am on day 6 and I am back in the swing of things finally.  It's been a slow week as far as business stuff goes so I've had time to settle in and remember what it's like to live here.  And I'm glad I'm in our old neighborhood even though plenty has changed.

Thursday I went up to Jeff and Erin's place at 103rd and Central Park West to visit for a while.  It wasn't enough time and we have plans for a full evening next week.  You guys remember Erin was my roomie for the second half of tour and Jeff is my "brother".  They've been living together pretty much since the tour ended and are not engaged or anything yet but they may as well be married.  It's been fun to see the evolution of their relationship.

Jinay, Rashidra and I at Bartini

I left there and headed over to Bartini at 45th and 10th where my friend Dani was performing in a holiday cabaret and I was meeting up with my friends Jinay and Rashidra.  Rashidra's friend Arbender was performing as well it turned out so he sat with us as well and he was hilarious!  Jinay and I were immediately obsessed with him and we all had so much fun.  Of course we were surrounded by gays and therefore right at home.  We did a little drinking because we were celebrating Rashidra booking Sister Act on Broadway.  She just got the call that afternoon.  She's amazing, this girl.  It's her fourth Broadway show and she's only in her twenties.  And she's humble and grateful.  A guy in the elevator today said "I'm tired of doing Broadway, man."  I wanted to slap that guy.  Really?

Yesterday I had to do a quick mailing (send out a headshot and resume to a casting director) and run to CVS and then I met Chaz for a coffee date.  Chaz was my Mr. Bumble on tour.  It was nice to catch up and spend some time together.  I needed to go up to Lincoln Center to try to find a script for an audition next week so Chaz came with me to Barnes & Noble after the Drama Book Shop was out of it.  B&N didn't have it either but their shop at 82nd & Broadway did and they pulled it for me and held it at the desk.  Chaz and I strolled up together window shopping.  I don't get up to the Upper West Side much so it was fun to walk around up there.  It really is a great neighborhood and I love the architecture especially.  After I purchased my script Chaz left me to go up to Harlem to see a friend's show.  I would have gone but I needed to get back to the apartment for Coyote's evening walk and dinner.  I wandered back down Broadway a few blocks and ran across a bunch of street vendors.  I could not resist haggling myself into two great winter hats, one of which is this monkey.  Okay, so it's a child's hat but it fit so I decided it was a sign.  Yeeeeeaaaah, that's it.Then I picked up a great chunky silver rosette ring for three bucks! Then I was right outside Zabar's so of course I just haaaaaaaad to go in. I came out with some fresh pumpkin tortellini and a gorgeous crusty, tangy mini loaf of sourdough. I have no idea how I've never been in there before but the place was incredible. It's got every kind of artisan cheese, baked good, condiment, etc.

Today I went down to Brooklyn to meet Michelle at our friends Scott and Lisa's place. They are moving to California to be near his family and needed help packing and turned it into a party of sorts and we drank wine and snacked as we packed. Our friend Christopher came out as well and I hadn't seen any of them, except, Michelle, in at least a couple of years. I had never met Scott and Lisa's daughter, Ivy, who is almost four. She is a pistol, that kid. Super smart like her parents and very funny. Michelle took this picture of me helping Ivy send her a text message from my phone and she picked it up very quickly!

Me and Ivy

Sadly, I couldn't stay too long, just a couple of hours. Time to get back to Miss Coyote. She hadn't had a really good walk today so we went on an extra long walk and to the dog park too. It's funny but in NYC dog owners have sort of their own special little club; they are the only people that really talk to each other whether they know each other or not. It's a City bonding experience. Now I've been hanging out and sharing some popcorn with Coyote (don't tell her mother!) and I'm ready for bed. Time for one more cold walk and potty before bed. Tomorrow I need to clean and prep for a very busy week of auditions and social obligations!