It was a wild last few days, and by wild I mean I left the house and spoke to people.
On Wednesday, I had a long lunch with my friend Noel, who is an extremely talented and funny musical theater composer. He told me what to see and what to avoid on Broadway this year. Here is one of his songs I found on YouTube —
“Marry Me” by Noel Katz
On Thursday, I sneaked into the end of a corporate demonstration of some new-fangled kitchen blender. The event was being held at the ritzy Mandarin Oriental. A company had FLOWN female bloggers from around the country into NYC for the big moment! I have a feeling you are going to be seeing a lot of “positive” reviews for this “mind-blowing” kitchen appliance this week on about fifty blogs. I was there to say hello to some blogging friends, and procrastinate from writing. After their catered lunch, I guided a few into Central Park for a “tour” until I realized that I had nothing of historic or city lore to convey.
“Uh, and this is a TREE in Central Park,” I told Sarcastic Mom.
On Friday, I went to a reading at a small theater downtown. The show was titled Expressing Motherhood. Ten mothers of different ages and styles told stories, some funny and some sad, about motherhood. It was terrific.  It is an on-going event, and there is a new cast each time, so you can audition yourself for the next LA production!
In this NY cast were Liz of Mom101 and Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored. I wanted to support my fellow bloggers, even if they are evil mommybloggers, even if most of my recent interaction with them was complaining about their “Blogging With Integrity” badge. It was certainly difficult to reconcile my previous image of them as mommyblogging dictators with the friendly mothers on stage, telling funny stories about their kids (even though Mom101 was wearing these cool leather boots, but they were way more sexy than anything Mussolini ever wore). Both bloggers were wonderful on stage.
On Saturday, I met more bloggers. Yvonne of Joy Unexpected, a long-time online friend of mine, was in town visiting HER buddy, Isabel of Alphamom. The night with this group of bloggers such as HeatherB and Torrie (so many freakin’ names and links to remember!) is a bit of a blur. I know we started out eating cheeseburgers at the Shake Shack, which is a snootier NYC version of California’s In-N-Out, but without the New Testament quotes on the wrappers, but somewhere, somehow, there is apparently a video of me singing Prince’s Little Red Corvette at a karaoke bar.  I didn’t get home until 3AM.
I hope one day to get drunk and sing karaoke with all of you.
Tonight is Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. I don’t want to give the impression that I am religious in the traditional sense, but I do fast during the day, and I like the idea of the High Holidays.  It is also a day of remembering family members who passed away. You light small candles, called yahrzeit candles, that stay lit all day. It made me a little sad to see how the number of candles has increased throughout the years.
I’m not sure they had Cole Haan in Mussolini’s era but no doubt they would have helped his image. Very much appreciate your support at the show. (Or I think I do. It’s a little hard to tell right now). So glad you enjoyed it.
Also? 49 blogs.
Tzom kal, Neil. May your introspection tomorrow lead to further poignant blog posts.
I’m glad you got out of the house. It’s something I’m working on as well.
Those candles make me feel sad. Maybe I need to get drunk and sing karaoke with you.
How have I never noticed the New Testament on my burger wrapper?
Real people sound like fun, glad you’re enjoying yourself.
threeboys1mommy — on the wrapper AND the bottom of the cup at In-N-Out
Have a good fast…! I’ll be fasting, too. Sounds like a blast. All of it. I have to get my cheaty little hands on that karaoke video of you!
Nothing can compete with In N Out. I hope you have a wonderful Yom Kippur Neil! Also, I’m really glad you got out of the house. I hope you got laid several times while you were out and about! : )
Hugs!
I still can’t believe you got up there and sang Prince.
Nor can I believe what happened WHILE you were singing.
I am still laughing about it.
Thanks for coming out to see me.
I’m still stuck on—some company FLEW people to look at a BLENDER? Man…that’s all I can say.
I hope your fasting passes with ease.
So you didn’t take the girls to Strawberry Fields? The Mandarin isn’t very far. 😉
I want to see you singing!
Lvoe karaoke – and while I’m not very good I am enthusiastic. Would love to hear you sing and “Y” – what happened while he was singing – intrigued.
Sounds like a great weekend brother. L’chaim
I hope your new year is sweet and happy.
I do believe this is the first time I’ve run across some blogging name dropping.
And I have to admit I’m jealous. Damn you and your connections, Neil Kramer, she said as she shook her fist in the air.
I would have stood star struck and these folks you mentioned would have written something like, “I met Cardiogirl. She’s not like her online persona.”
Glad you had fun!
I hope your Yom Kippur went by quickly and contemplatively, and that you had a good time breaking your fast.
Yes, as we get older the candles do become more numerous as I guess. As I’ve also found my backaches, foot bunions, creaks and other complaints.