Happy Birthday My Dearest Ems!

There's nothing cuter than a baby smearing whipped cream and ice cream all over her face and the wide eyed expression created when trying pizza for the first time. It was so lovely to see you and help you celebrate your first birthday Ms. Ems. Hope you like the presents and I can't wait to see you in Indy!

Much Love,
Tito Brian

Oh What A Circus!

Today is the official start of Restaurant Week in NYC and my brother and I decided to try out Osteria del Cirque. The atmosphere was quite festive with its big top theme- metal monkeys and lions, canopy, etc.... And the food- hmmm, certainly not the best, but very above average for the outstanding price of $24.07. They did trick us into getting "distilled" water as opposed to just the plain tap water that we wanted so we ended up paying another $8 for the bottle. $8?!?!?! Now that's an expensive bottle of water! But the portions certainly were quite healthy and left me full for the rest of the day. And the service at this family run and owned establishment was quite good- a little less on the formal side and bit more on the friendly, relaxed side which is fine by me. Tomorrow, it's off to Porter House at the Time Warner Center for some steak and then my final shift at the J. Crew. The countdown has begun....

Diet Secret...Shhhhh!

Ok.... I don't know this for a fact, but I think my latest drink addiction is keeping me thin. I'm kinda hooked on Arizona Green Tea at the moment. Now I know that green tea is known for it's natural abilities to "flush out the system", but can this really be working that well. Since I've moved back to the city, I've not been to the gym once. I do walk quite a bit more, but I certainly eat more poorly than I did before (that damn Bouchon Bakery upstairs!). Someone test this theory with me. Report your findings. And if it is true, keep it between you and me. Because at 99 cents for a "40", it's the cheapest diet I've ever seen!

Doors, Windows, and Ice Cream.

My day started with me getting back home at 7:00 AM after completing my last overnight work shift at J. Crew. I fell right to sleep and enjoyed the warmth of my bed until my phone rang at noon. It was the casting department for The King And I - Asia Tour that I recently had a callback for. I let my voice mail pick up- partly because I was still sleepy, partly because I knew why they were calling. As expected, it was a call to let me know that casting was complete and that I would still be considered as an alternate should they need a replacement. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Kind of like the Indianapolis Colts, but hopefully their luck will change this Sunday! Anyway, though the news was no surprise, it's still never fun to deal with the rejection- one of the harsh realities of being an actor. But when one door is closed, a window of opportunity is opened. So with that in mind, I proceeded with my day. I went to Equity to turn in my contract for my next show which made me feel a little better. I have to remind myself that I am a working professional actor. Not everyone has that luxury. And after that I thought, what's a better pick me up than seeing a B'way show! I decided to do the lottery for Wicked. Winter has finally arrived in NYC- 25 degree weather!, and I thought my chances of winning would be better today since no one in their right mind would want to stand in the cold. No such luck as there were still several hundred people there to win tickets. But low and behold, I won! I've tried at least half a dozen times to win this blasted thing with no such luck, and today, of all days, I got in! The show was great from the front row and was just what I needed to complete the day. To make this story come full circle, I got a call from Cos Cos, my friend who is on that blessed Asian tour, saying that he's in town. I kept him up in the air about the whole thing, since we like to toy with each other's minds on such things. But if he faithfully reads my blog, as everyone should, he'll be privy to the whole days events. And now here I am, typing today's entry while finishing a pint of Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Why is it that on the coldest days of the year, ice cream seems to be the most appealing dessert treat? I'll leave you with that thought.

Whatever Happened To Class?

So yesterday I went to The Lion King audition. After years of submitting while I was non-equity and not being able to be seen, they had to see me and.... I think it went fairly well! They liked my song. They were attentive during the whole minute I sang. I think they were pleased. Anyway, let's chat about the waiting room for a minute. Now, when I go to the waiting room to sign in, I like to do just that, find a nice quiet spot on the floor, and listen to my music until I'm called up. I'm not one for phony chit chat or tap dancing (AMDA Kids!). Yesterday was unbearable! There were so many disrespectful people shouting and laughing at the top of their voice. So many insincere conversations about theatre. Ignorant and disillusioned actors, clearly not right for the show, taking up valuable audition time. Ughh..... so frustrating! I know people have nervous energy, but come on! And then let's talk about appropriate audition attire. One does not go to a singing call dressed in a tank top. I don't care how body beautiful you are. A lime green sweater does not make you memorable, it just makes you unfashionable. And hairspray is not going to fix that tired 80's hairstyle that you're sporting! Jeez! Ain't there no decency left!?!

Life Is A Cabaret.

Tonight, while at the apartment of some good friends for a dinner party, I was able to hear some wonderful cabaret music that I haven't heard in a long time- David Friedman, John Bucchino, Nancy Lamott. It certainly saddens me that the Cabaret scene here in New York isn't flourishing as it did 10 years ago when I first moved. I remember going to places like Feinstein's, Eighty Eights, and Don't Tell Mamma's , to catch some brilliant performers sing some of the most moving, truthful, hilarious, heart wrenching songs I've ever heard. They didn't always have the best voices, but they were captivating in song selection, in their personal stories, in their honest deliveries. These songs, more than any, spoke to me. Told my story. They found those simple, yet perfect words to describe all those confusing thoughts in my head. John Bucchino's song, "Unexpressed", is my theme song at the moment. A Sample:

Sometimes I think my heart will burst
Like a balloon inside my chest
With all the love that's waiting here unexpressed.

Fingers that ache to intertwine.
Warmest of chords but missing tune.
Where is the laugh to echo mine. Send it soon.

So poetic. My kudos to the new generation of cabaret perfomers, especially fellow school mate Brandon Cutrell (www.brandoncutrell.com) for keeping this art form alive. And now it's time for me to dig out those old CD's!

Focus and Shoot

Today I started cleaning my apartment and getting it in order for my subletter that will take it over in a couple of weeks. It amazes me how quickly dust accumulates in a place that I don't even spend that much time in. Where does it all come from?!?! In the process of purging old checkbooks, papers, and such, I stumbled across a whole bunch of old pictures that I've taken since I've been here in New York. Do people still take photos? The type that you need to get developed and are printed on paper? I am all for moving into the digital age, but I must confess I do like to hold a photograph in hand.

It was eye opening to flip through these stacks and look at how much my life has changed. 2007 marks my 10th Anniversary of moving to New York. The things that were important to me then don't hold so much weight now. Some friends that were so close to me when I moved here are no longer in my life. I tend to look at the bigger picture instead of focusing on the hear and now. They say a picture says a thousand words. I wonder what my current photos will reveal to me 10 years from now. One things for certain, it's always better when you smile.

The Devil Wears ABBA

I was thoroughly pleased to read that Meryl Streep has signed on to play the lead role of Donna in the big screen adaptation of the musical Mamma Mia! For those of you who are Musically Challenged, Mamma Mia! uses 20 or so ABBA classics in a story revolving around a daughter trying to discover which of her mom's three lovers is her father- just in time for her wedding day! The show is loads of kitchy fun and will hopefully transfer well to the big screen. While we're on the topic of movie musicals, what's up with all these movies being turned into musicals? Legally Blonde? High Fidelity? Shrek? I know it's all a money game and that tourists and theatre goers around the country want to see stories they know with "Household Names" (I won't even get into discussing Ashlee Simpson playing Roxie in the London production of Chicago!). But can't there be a place for original stories with original music and super talented "no name" theatre performers. Wasn't that place once called Broadway? Sigh. Save Meryl in Mamma Mia! for the big screen. I'll pick Carolee Carmello in Parade over a film any day!

Jolly Holiday

Today was my day off from work and in an effort to satisfy my inner Brit, I had afternoon tea at Tea and Sympathy and went to see Mary Poppins this evening. I don't know why I have this fascination with all things British, but I do! I miss my yearly jaunt across the pond. And I am a sucker for a genuine British accent. God save the Queen! In any event, tea was quite lovely- I do love a good scone with clotted cream and preserves! And the show- a bit long, a little off in pacing, but overall quite entertaining and at points, quite moving. It was a jolly holiday with Mary! Alas, it's back to the cruel, brutal reality of life tomorrow. As Mary Poppins says, "Just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down." And on that note, it's back to my leftover sticky toffee pudding.... laters!

iphone

Ok, for someone who was dragged into the cell phone era, I'm certainly obsessing over this new product that Apple unveiled at their Mac Conference in San Francisco yesterday. I mean, have you seen this thing! It's sleek, it's sexy, it's super cool... and I want it! I know I just got a new phone less than a month ago ( the also very sexy Motorola Slvr ), but everything pales in comparison to this new must have gadget! OK- if I have an extra $500 or $600 dollars come June, I'll buy it (yeah, right!). Here's hoping Cingular will give me a sweet deal!

Proud Uncle

As I have no children of my own, I have to post one of my niece, Emma Magnolia, who will be celebrating her 1st Birthday in a couple of weeks. Oh what can your dear uncle get for you on such a special occasion? Hmmm.... while I'm thinking about it, I'll have to grab a cupcake tomorrow in your honor!

It's Gonna Be A Happy New Year!

My Faithful Readers,

A new year. A new layout. A new commitment to blogging. Here's hoping that 2007 will bring some great things to talk about, obsess over, lament, get angry over, celebrate, and most importantly- simply share. For what good are all of these musings if you have no one to share them with. 2006 brought much joy to my life- a niece, an equity card, a new apartment in NYC proper, some great J. Crew clothes, new friends.... 2007, you have a lot to live up to!