Thanksgiving Weekend (11/26-11/28)

The Thanksgiving holiday was a much-needed break. I spent Thanksgiving day with my family, which currently, of course, means my Mother and Father. We had our dinner at the Richards, a very nice family my parents know from church, plus a couple other lovely folks. I admit I was a little reluctant about having Thanksgiving dinner with people who to me are just acquaintances, but it turned out really enjoyable because they are a very warm bunch of people. After dinner, we watched a bit of the hilarious movie Galaxy Quest. Mom, Dad, and I sadly had to leave that party early though and we reunited with some extended family of ours--a couple of second cousins whom I have not seen in probably a decade. It was so great to see them again and reconnect. We took a stroll in Riverside Park and then escaped the evening chill in our apartment to eat pie and chat. Talk. Discuss. Converse.

Okay, so the rest of the weekend was pretty fun too. The parentals dragged me out to Tarrytown again, but this time we stayed over Friday night at the Tarrytown House hotel thingy. It was a pretty snazzy joint. Friday we visited a couple historical sites of the Hudson River Valley: Van Cortlandt Manor and Washington Irving's Sunnyside cottage. I got some pictures as you'll see below, but they're really not very exciting. Ah, well. We also checked out all the beautiful but somewhat creepy graves at Sleepy Hollow Cemetary. On Saturday, we took a very brief tour of Philipsburg Manor before we had to return our rental car and return to New York City! Which is where I live. Which is awesome. Can you tell I feel like being brief? It's very late at night right now and I'm tired.

PS: I love Adam Lambert and his album For Your Entertainment, which came out November 23. I've been listening to it non-stop. Highly entertaining. You should buy it. You know, a little holiday treat for yourself. Allison Iraheta's album Just Like You also rocks. Grab that one too. That's my plug for the night.

New York Botanical Garden: Holiday Train Show

It's a kind of memory exercise trying to blog about stuff that happened almost a month ago. It's now actually December 18, and I haven't updated for a while because school consumed my life--or rather, I let it consume my life, sadly. But let's move on and talk about some November fun stuff.

So, on this date (Nov. 21), I had another enjoyable excursion to the New York Botanical Garden with Mom and Dad. This time, we went to see the "Holiday Train Show" exhibit in the conservatory. Funnily enough, it wasn't so much about the nifty little model trains. The exhibit consisted of intricate miniature models of iconic New York buildings made entirely of plant matter, with the little model trains running through the miniature communities. The artistry of these structures was very impressive. Some of the pieces include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Guggenheim Museum, the Chrysler Building, and even Yankee Stadium. Plus a lot of the buildings were representations of some of the fine architecture throughout New York City's more residential neighborhoods. And for good holiday measure, there were some twinkly lights on the bushes and stuff--because the exhibit really wouldn't be all that "holiday-ish" without the lights. Well, take a look at the "Holiday Train Show" of the New York Botanical Garden (plus a photo of my parents by a big Christmas tree at another part of the gardens).

We also took a look in the gift shop and bought a few nifty things. Dad got me a book about Japanese Gardens as an early Christmas present. It's a beautiful book with stunning photographs of gardens that I dream of one day having in my own backyard.

Afterwards, we got some yummy New York pizza and... went home. I can't remember anything else in particular about this day. Okay. :-)

New York Botanical Garden: Kiku in the Japanese Autumn Garden

Today Mom and I went to the New York Botanical Garden. The fall exhibition is "Kiku in the Japanese Autumn Garden," so of course I couldn't miss it! The photos in the slideshow below best speak for the beauty of the gardens, but I'll just tell you a little about what we saw. The courtyard of the main conservatory was full of kiku (chrysanthemums) of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Underneath these Japanese-style awnings they had gorgeous arrangements of kiku trained to grow along wire structures that shaped the plants into works of garden art. They also had some beautiful bonsai trees, some of which were shedding their leaves for fall. The ponds in the courtyard had koi fish swimming about. I loved the zen feeling of it all, and the colors of the fall leaves and the kiku were just stunning.

After spending some time taking photos of the kiku, we went out and took a tour of the rest of the garden grounds on a tram ride. I couldn't get over how beautiful the trees are in the fall. Then, we checked out the gift shop, which was awesome because they had all sorts of Japanese stuff (books, dishes, knick-knacks) to go with the Japanese theme. I wanted to buy all the books with photos of spectacular Japanese gardens. But I didn't end up getting anything this time.

Moving on, there was a group of Taiko drummers (also in keeping with the Japanese awesomeness) that performed at intervals on the lawn outside the conservatory. I'm so glad we caught their performance because they were brilliant! It was a group comprised of all ages, and the little kids were very impressive. They gots rhythm! I wish I was that cool when I was a kid. Anyhow, the drums were just exhilarating to listen to. What is it about the pounding of Asian drums that gets me emotional? I think I was Japanese in a past life.

Mom and I proceeded to walk around the grounds admiring nature's beauty and taking photos. I think that about sums up the day. Take a look:

A video clip of our tour:

Taiko Drummers:

Halloween Leaves

Halloween has not been a fun holiday for me ever since the year I stopped trick-or-treating. But this one wasn't too bad. The parentals took me out to lunch at our little O-bento Japanese restaurant on 94th between Broadway and Amsterdam. Dad and I love that place. Yum-o! as Rachel Ray would say. After that, we went to Blockbuster because I wanted to get the movie Hocus Pocus to watch later! Hocus Pocus is my (only) Halloween tradition since forever. I was obsessed with that movie as a little kid. Bette Midler, as Winifred, was basically my idol, haha. You see? I've always been gay. Anyways, we lucked out and bought the last copy of Hocus Pocus from Blockbuster.

Then we walked to Central Park because I wanted to see all the pretty colors of the fall leaves and take photos. Dad headed back to the apartment early because he wasn't feeling very well, but Mom and I stuck around for the afternoon and had fun taking pictures of fall scenery and such. All the different colors of leaves were gorgeous. Mom insisted we go to her favorite part of the park, the Conservatory Garden, where recently-planted chrysanthemums were overflowing onto the pathway surrounding the fountain. Beautiful! Mom and I also managed to collect some pretty fall leaves, although they don't look so pretty now that they're all dried up. Sad face. Anyways, once again, it started to rain a little bit after a while so we walked hurriedly back home. Here's the photographic results of my stroll.

Our apartment building held a little Halloween party in the lobby in the evening--festive Halloween decor and all--so Mom and I popped in there and grabbed some free food. We didn't hang around though. Sickly ol' Dad was lonely up in the apartment. We watched the movie The Proposal, which was a pretty funny, entertaining romantic comedy but pretty damn conventional as well. Then we watched Hocus Pocus, of course! Good times. Meanwhile, we got just a handful of trick-or-treaters at our door. It's been so long since we've actually had the whole trick-or-treaters thing, since back in Tucson we got none in our boring neighborhood. So yeah. After Hocus Pocus... well, I guess that was pretty much it! Happy Halloween? Kind of. Yeah.

A Rainy Day in Tarrytown

The title sounds familiar, no? Damn, it rains a lot here. I'm not used to this.

Well, it was still a fine Saturday. Mom and Dad decided to rent a car and we drove north out of the city into a small, very quaint village called Tarrytown, which is adjacent to the legendary Sleepy Hollow! We visited a charming antique shop called Pretty Funny, which mom adores of course. It was actually a fun place though. I found a non-antique book about Wabi-sabi that I wanted, and Dad graciously got it for me. Mom was indecisive about whether to buy a gold vintage coat that she liked, and before we almost drove off and left, she decided to dash back in there and get it! That's my Mama for you. We proceeded to drove around town and looked at all the charming homes and fall leaves. We didn't really have a plan, and I admit I kind of got frustrated because Dad was just randomly driving around according to the direction of Mom. Of course, the ominous rain clouds weren't helping our options of stuff to do.

We stopped by Washington Irving's home among other places until we finally settled on checking out the Lyndhurst mansion. It's a spectacular gothic-revival style historic mansion on a huge lot. We made it to the last tour of the day. I took lots of photos outside, as you'll see below, but we were prohibited from taking photos inside the mansion. Too bad, because it was stunning! I love Gothic architecture. I felt like I was in one of those vampire mangas. Well, after the tour of Lyndhurst it really started raining harder. We drove off again and looked for a place to eat dinner. We settled on a bustling tavern type restaurant called Horsefeathers. Funny name, huh? We ordered off the burger and sandwich menu because everything else was uber expensive. The food turned out to be quite delicious! After dinner, we drove home, which took a while because Dad got us lost in the Bronx, although he probably won't admit it!

Where the Wild Things Are

Tonight, I saw a most fascinating movie, Where the Wild Things Are. I was very excited to see this movie since the time I first saw the exceptionally crafted trailer. Turns out the film itself, directed by Spike Jonze, was even more of an exceptionally crafted work of art. It was a delightfully bizarre, unconventional, and at times unsettling experience. Max's trip into the world of the Wild Things was rich in psychological symbolism and emotional depth. It explored some very dark, troubling feelings and conflicts that everyone experiences, whether child or adult. It also strikes very personal chords within me, making me remember distinct frustrations and impulses I haven't recalled since I was a child. (Dirt clod fight, anyone? Heck yes, let's chuck dirt clods!)

I love how the story unfolded naturally and spontaneously, unlike most Hollywood films that stick to structure and plot points. I felt it was Miyazaki-esque in that way-- it allowed things to happen and characters to act in ways that are unexpected and unexplained but full of meaning, nuance, and expression. These days I kind of feel jaded by Hollywood movies, so Wild Things was a welcome departure from convention. Spike Jonze, co-writer Dave Eggars, and everyone involved took creative risks, allowing creativity to flow freely like artists before a canvas. For me, this is what filmmaking should be about: art, expression, meaning. It should also be entertaining, of course, and Wild Things is certainly that--but it's because of that artistry. We're not spoon-fed a sugary story here; we, children and adults alike, are moved to feel real things, see beauty in the rough, and think about our lives while simultaneously escaping them.

And how about that Max Records? What an incredible young actor. His natural, heart-warming performance as the wild yet endearing Max is the beating heart of the film. I vote Max Records for Best Actor in a Leading Role! The voice-actors for the Wild Things were also fantastic and charming. The music by "Karen O and the Kids" and Carter Burwell was beautiful. I bought the soundtrack album from iTunes after I got home from the movie, and I also hope to buy the score album sometime. But even more, I hope I can see Wild Things again soon, and revel in the wildness of childhood yearnings that tug at my own heart. I highly recommend Where the Wild Things Are, if you're ready for something unusual and deeply affecting.

Kiril Kulish's Final Performance in Billy Elliot

If seeing Billy Elliot: The Musical was a dream come true, then seeing it the second time was nirvana.

Several weeks ago, it was announced that Kiril Kulish would give his final performance as one of the original Broadway Billys on the evening of Saturday, October 3. I could not miss the chance to see this special performance--not only because Kiril's autograph was the last one I needed to complete my collection, but because I think he was the best Billy. From clips I had seen before, I could tell that he was the superior dancer--a graceful, precise, and expressive performer. Kiril is truly quite a prodigy in many ways. So this was my sure chance to finally see him in the show and to get his autograph. I was only able to get a seat towards the back in the rear mezzanine, but really it wasn't too far from the stage because the theater isn't huge. It was also the cheapest seat I could get, same price as last time.

Thus, after the awesomeness of the Anime Festival the weekend before, I was poised to have yet another incredible and special weekend here in New York City. I was going to see my favorite musical again! I had been anticipating the event for weeks, and yet when Saturday October 3rd came around I had the strangest feeling that it came much too soon. It was very odd, I almost wished it could wait another week. Perhaps it was because I was still buzzing from the weekend before, or maybe I was fearful of the reality that, like all good things, it would quickly pass by in a flash with hardly a chance to take it in. The night came before I knew it, and I was powerless to stop the speed of life.

I grabbed some pizza around the corner from our apartment, and then dashed back home because I forgot, of all things, my ticket. I then rushed to the subway, arrived at Times Square which was as crowded as ever, and walked as briskly as possible to the theater. After waiting to get in with the rest of the mob of people, I found my seat and was pleased enough with the view, as I mentioned before. Then, before the show started, came the first surprise of the night: out of stage right walked none other than Stephen Daldry--the Oscar-nominated, Tony Award-winning director of the movie and musical Billy Elliot! "Oh my gawd," I uttered aloud. But I knew why he was there of course. He said some words of praise and goodwill for Kiril Kulish, "one of our original three Tony-Award winning Billys," announcing that this would be his final performance as Billy. It was a brief but heartfelt speech and it set the tone for the evening. The crowd cheered Stephen off the stage. On with the show!

Where do I even begin to describe this experience? I'm struggling to find the words. I think the best way to express my impressions is in thoughts, rather than a fluent paragraph:

-The show took on a whole new meaning because it was Kiril's last.

-A couple minutes into the show, the audience applauded when Billy first entered stage left, though he didn't yet say a word.

-The effects of puberty were evident in Kiril's raspy voice, try as he might to sound younger. He struggled to sing the higher parts of some songs, like the latter parts of "The Letter" and "Electricity," and sometimes used a slightly uncomfortable falsetto. This didn't distract from his performance. Rather, it was just another nuance that added to the poignancy of his final show and reminded us that Billy was growing up.

-The interactions of the characters felt genuine whether the scene was quiet or loud, calm or angry, joyous or sad. All the actors knew it was Kiril's night.

-Every moment was infused with a new emotional honesty--when Billy kissed his grandmother's hand, when Billy shared the letter from his late mother with Ms. Wilkinson, when Michael kissed him on the cheek, when he finally had to say goodbye to his brother, his dad, the memory of his mum, Ms. Wilkinson, and Michael.

-The sense of finality and nostalgia pierced me to the heart. I know exactly how Kiril felt that night. It was just like my final performance in the Little Theater at CDO High School. I felt so connected with him. My heart was filled with empathy and understanding. It was overwhelming.

-The story and the dialogue gained new emotional nuances as they echoed the very emotions Kiril was experiencing as a chapter in his life was coming to a close.

-You could tell he was giving everything he had for his final go. He was laying it all out on the stage. He danced with relentless passion and vibrancy. We, the audience, burst into uproarious applause with every finish. For his show-stopping (literally) number "Electricity" we gave him a deserved standing ovation. "Electricity sparks inside of me, and I'm free..."

-Kiril's performance moved beyond acting--it was a real and brutally honest farewell. This is what I mean by a "whole new meaning." When Billy said goodbye, he was really saying goodbye.

-Towards the end, when Billy's voice cracked and he started crying as he read his goodbye letter to the memory of his deceased mum, the tears and the pain on his face were absolutely real. I could see it on his face even from where I was sitting. He could hardly sing the words. "Love you forever..." And then...
"Bye, mum. See you soon."

"No, I don't think so. Do you?"

"No. Not really."

-In the final scene, when Billy and Michael have to say goodbye to each other as Billy leaves for Ballet School, instead of using their characters' names, Kiril and Keean changed the dialogue to truly heart-wrenching effect:

"See you, Keean..."

"See you, Kiril..."

I died right then and there. It killed me.

-Those final scenes were so powerful and poignant, I was heartbroken. It was like the entire truth of the universe was contained in that moment, or at least the entire truth of my life. I felt like I was up there with him, dying inside. It brought back to me all the mixed emotions I had when I had to say goodbye to the theater and start a new chapter in my sad little life.

-It's those cathartic and emotionally trascendent experiences that make everything else in life seem so utterly pointless. It made me question whether anything else has meaning or relevance to my own existence. And yet, I still return to the trifles of daily life. Why?

After the finale number and for the final curtain call, we gave one last exuberant standing ovation for Kiril Kulish. Then Greg Jbara took the stage and once again gave a little ode to Kiril and invited his family to the stage. Only Kiril's sister made it up there in time before the curtain closed again, though, because as it happens, his mother and brother were sitting way up in the row right in front of mine (I think it was them but don't quote me on this). Who the hell knew? I wonder why they sat so far away? Anyways, after a little bit, the curtain rose again and you could see the cast gathered on the stage around Kiril, taking turns giving him hugs, congratulations, and condolences. I tried to take pictures of this moment, but guess what about my camera?

Well, I gathered my stuff and exited the theater at the back to find a big mob of people crowded around the stage door, where I waited with everyone else for the chance to get Kiril's autograph. I saw Trent and Tommy again there, just as a random side note. I was sort of stuck far away from the actual door since the crowd was bigger than my previous experiences at the theater (that was to be expected on this particular occasion). After a few minutes, a sudden cheer erupted from the crowd as Kiril came out... of the door. (Haha, oh I crack myself up... ) The cameras started flashing and Kiril started signing autographs, greeting fans, and pausing for photos.

He appeared to be understandably overwhelmed by the mob and all the people vying for his attention. I mean, good lord, the kid just gave the performance of his life and his final one for the show. He'd been crying and he was no doubt emotionally exhausted. I wonder whether he was happy to soak in his Billy Elliot fame for one last time, or whether he just wanted to go home. I wouldn't blame him either way. It took a while for Kiril to make his way through the crowd and please everyone, but finally I got his attention and he signed my program for me. He/I couldn't say anything more than "Thank you so much" before he moved on to the next customer. He gradually made his way towards the street with his family, and the remaining crowd gave a final cheer for him as he got in a car across the street. I didn't even see him leave.

Oh, and guess who else popped out of the stage door after the crowds began to disperse? Stephen Daldry. Stephen freaking Daldry. I basically freaked out and then asked for his autograph. Stephen Daldry--Tony-winning, three-time Oscar-nominated director--signed my program. Yeah, bitches. He then walked away towards Times Square, strolling as if he were just any other guy walking down the streets of New York.

I took a series of photos outside the stage door, most of which look like crappy paparazzi shots or something, but I'll share a few with you. My circumstances were not conducive to getting in a picture with Kiril, about which I was exceedingly disappointed.

This gives you an idea of the mob that awaited Kiril outside the stage door:

Yeah, this is him:

Signing autographs for fans:

Voila, my souvenir program with my completed collection of autographs:

I also got some crappy videos to capture a few moments. I felt like a paparazzi:

To see some great photos (by Peter James Zielinski) of the final curtain call that very night, I encourage you to click here! They're awesome photos. You can even see the tears in Kiril's eyes. Breaks my heart.

Walking away from the theater that night, and riding alone in the subway, felt like walking away from a dream while half asleep. I spent the next two days in quietude, accomplishing nothing in particular, just wondering whether all of this other shit in my life is going to turn out to be worth it. Paying a hundred bucks to see a prodigy bare his soul on a stage one last time while I experience a soul-bending catharsis within my very being just by witnessing this transcendent act-- now that is worth it. That is the stuff of dreams. Hahaha! I laugh at everything else. I laugh because what the hell does anything mean compared to this? Incredible.

Well, folks, I might not be able to update my blog for a few weeks since I've got midterms coming up and I need to hit the books. You wouldn't really want to hear about that anyway, would you? Peace.