New York, New York

April 22, 2008

Last night I got back from Northampton. The trip to New York was amazing.

 

 

Early Saturday morning we got up and packed into a cab to Springfield. Being neurotically early (my fault) left us wandering a little, and I took the above shot near the bus station. Not bad.

 

 

Eventually we made our way up to the train platform and took a seat. I look demented because I typically try to remember to do something to prevent the fat chin in these kinds of pictures. Ah well, not as bad as it could have been.

 

 

I had not taken the train down through Connecticut since before I can remember, so it was interesting to see the path it took. Some familiar, some not so familiar. Above we got to wander around on the platform for a little bit as they swapped out the diesel locomotive for an electric one in New Haven.

 

 

There are some fairly large gaps in here between the images and what we were actually up to, so you’ll have to forgive that. Above is of course the Metropolitan Opera House. The performance of Philip Glass’ Satyagraha was completely amazing. I was in awe the entire time. The tough thing about Glass’ music is that it requires such precision - although they did a tremendous job, it is tough to stay on top of the music as written.

The visuals that went with the performance were remarkable as well. Glass leaves this end more or less up to the director based on the thrust of the scene in question and the libretto, so each new production is a thoroughly new interpretation. This is the only performance I’ve ever been aware of (besides one in Tehran a few years back - wha?), though, so this will likely be the only interpretation I ever see. If that’s the case, then I’m awfully happy it was this performance - it was stunning.

After that we swung by the hotel to get our room and drop our stuff. Sensing that we were going to run into timing issues if we tried to go for a big meal we stopped by the hotel bar and pounded down a few beers and quesadillas. The food was decent, the service not so much so. What can you do.

Then it was off to the Cherry Lane Theater for a double bill of Edward Albee’s The American Dream and The Sandbox. Both were wonderfully executed, directed by Mr. Albee himself. Rachel and I had a few minor quibbles, but overall it was a very handsomely mounted production.

 

 

Sunday morning we got up and tried to figure out what the Pope was up to. Our hotel was right next to ground zero, and we walked through all the preparations the night before on our way back from Greenwich Village.

Of course, there wasn’t much to see out the window. Only a tiny crowd of people on one street corner was at all visible, the rest obscured by our neighbor. I went down to get coffee and received very firm direction from the Secret Service about where I could go, when, how, etc. I am of the belief that Secret Service personnel should be posted at all points where lines are a problem. They were very effective at making sure everyone got through Starbucks promptly.

After a quick text message to Ethan to find an ideal lunch/beer spot, we ended up just blocks from MoMA for a quick bite. Rachel was very good and had a Caesar Salad, I was rather naughty and had the meat loaf paired with first an IPA, then the beer sampler.

 

 

After a stop at MoMA (too many people, though the exhibit was great), it was time to head out to the train. We loaded on and both plugged in to our music immediately. Neither of us had enough rest to chat too much.

Things were progressing nicely until we hit Windsor Locks, CT and were informed that there was a medical emergency on the southbound train that was preventing us from getting past to Springfield. Gee, eliminating the second track on these lines was a real good idea, wasn’t it?

Mercifully Mike was able to rescue us in no time flat.

A great trip and a wonderful time.

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Easter Weekend

April 22, 2008

I took a quiet trip back home to Ellington for Easter weekend.

 

 

Here is my Dad solving the great problems of the universe, or at the very least trying to establish why his transition in Premiere isn’t working they way he anticipated. We solved a number of problems over the weekend, not the least of which was isolating a faulty optical cable as the reason for his temperamental 5.1 Surround Sound issues.

It was a quiet Easter - the Hayes were collectively ill so the backed out of the event. My cousin Christine was working, so that eliminated her as well. It was great to see Robin and Ray, though, so it was a splendid time.

 

 

The rest of the images from Easter are kind of mediocre, so I leave you with pie. Delicious.

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Back in NYC

April 17, 2008

I’ve always been suspicious of New York. While there is definitely something exciting about it, more often than not I am weary just being there. Truth be told, I can’t say that I’ve ever really given the city a chance. It’s just… intimidating.

Saturday Rachel and I are taking the train from Springfield, down through scenic Connecticut, and straight into downtown Manhattan. We have an opera and two Albee one-acts to see almost as soon as we arrive, and Sunday will be spent in museums and whatever other trouble we may care to find for ourselves. We are spending the evening down near World Trade Center, as Rachel was able to score a great Priceline deal on the Sheraton Manhattan. Livin’ large.

Want to keep up with our antics? We will likely be posting updates here.

From where I sit right now I am looking forward to the train trip(s) as much as anything else. With the way last week went it will be nice to climb aboard the train to Springfield tomorrow and just stare out the window for a change. It’s gotten to the point where I even fantasize about my morning commute bus never reaching its destination so that I can just sit there, listen to music, and watch the world.

So my mini-vacation will be a combination of great stuff to see and do and lots of train tranquility. This formula seems to be working pretty well for me. It won’t be long before I am back on the train to Buffalo in May. Twelve hours on the train may sound like pure hell to some, but I have a grand old time.

If the ill-fated Lebanon trip stays off the table for this year (when do I just give up? hmm), stay tuned for murmurings of another stab at the train trip. I have a much better idea how I’d do it this time (my tiny digital camera, less overnight stops in cities), and think I could pull it off quite successfully.

We’ll see.

This is not actually my last trip to New York, but the second to last. Me, Melissa, and Baha went down to see Christo’s The Gates, and Melissa bought herself a fancy new digital camera. This plus my usual web headshot both came from this trip. Nice shots of me! If that’s not an accomplishment…

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