Yet Another Random Post

Here is yet another catch-up post! Just a few random things I've done recently that I hadn't blogged about yet. The good news is that I feel like I'm on the brink of being totally caught up and hopefully that will make this whole blogging thing seem less overwhelming and more enjoyable again!

Stacy and I grabbed burgers at a new place near work one Friday night. Bill's Bar & Burgers at Rockefeller Center. Although, I keep calling it Bob's and actually typed that here first and then went to double check the name and realized I was wrong yet again! Bill/Bob same diff, I guess. Anyway, it was surprisingly delicious! I was a little wary because it's a HUGE restaurant in a very touristy area. It reminded me of Olive Garden or Hard Rock that are in Times Square. I try to stay away from those places. But, the burgers were great. And, they had cupcakes and I was SUPER wary about those, but Stacy really wanted one, so I joined in and they were so good! Anyway, it's kind of exciting to have a new place within walking distance of work that's decent because mid-town is pretty lacking in that department.

After our yummy dinner, we headed to Lincoln Center where we met Megan for a showing of Social Network. I loved this movie! But, something was terribly wrong with the sound in our theatre - several people complained during the previews, but the theatre staff kept saying it would get better for the movie. Well, it didn't. It wasn't horrible, but I'd kind of like to see the movie again with normal sound. I should have demanded a comp ticket so I don't have to pay for it again! Anyway, brilliantly created movie and interesting story!

On another evening, Joy and I went after work to see a play, "Time Stands Still". It is starring Laura Linney, Christina Ricci, and Brian d'Arcy James. It was so good. It was about a couple who are war photographers and have just come back home and the struggles they have after seeing all the crazy stuff in the war-torn countries. Afterwards, they we were treated to a "Broadway Talks Back", which is a newer concept shows are occasionally doing on Broadway. They had 3 war photographers from Getty Images there who were interviewed. Laura Linney was on stage for this as well, but insisted that it was to be about the photographers and she was just listening in. It was very interesting to hear the stories of the photographers and to also hear how they could relate to what the couple in the play went through. And it was fun to see Laura on stage just being herself. She seemed very sweet and humble.

I took a calligraphy class! I had been on the waiting list for 9-10 months for this class and was so excited when I got an email saying there was finally a spot for me. It was taught by a lovely calligrapher in her own home, not far from my apartment. She had a great apartment and space in her living area for 8 of us to be able to take the class at once. It was a 3.5 hour class, but it went by way too fast. I think the main thing I learned is that calligraphy is really hard and I'm really bad at it. The teacher told us it took her a full year of practice before she could do it well and that we would need to practice for 15 minutes every day. I haven't been practicing, but I really want to start. I think it is the type of thing I could eventually perfect, but it will take time.

Class started by us receiving our very own pens and nibs and jars full of ink.  The teacher explained to us that different people like different nibs and the ones she bought us were antique and she feels they were made much better back in the day.  So, I thought that was pretty cool and it was nice to be able to take something tangible home with me. 

Here is my practice page of some of the lower case

letters.  If you see any on here that look pretty good,

then they are probably ones the teacher did!

And some of my upper case letters. These

were a lot harder for me.

The teacher obviously did my name that

you see in the middle - pretty, right?

So, I had dreams of coming away from the class and putting an advertisement on Craigslist and starting a calligraphy business on the side.  But, I now know that was pretty unrealistic and it's going to take a lot more before I can actually do something professional!  I am on the hunt for a desk so that I have a place where I can sit for 15 minutes a day and really practice.  We'll see where I've gotten a year from now.