Last weekend I ended up taking the train down to Washington DC. We ended up having a little bit of a partial family reunion which was really fun. It was my grandparents, my mom, my aunt, her sons (my cousins) and their wives, and my grandma's cousin. So lots of family!! It was basically your run of the mill trip to Washington DC. We took a tour bus tour around the city, did a tour of the capitol building, a lot of the touristy things like that. It was fun to be with family and I was glad to get to hang out with my mom again :) Also the last time my grandparents had been in DC was 49 years ago! So I think they had fun seeing all the sights and how the city had changed over nearly half a century.
Since I got back I've been trying to get caught up on all of my homework and my work work. My final exam is due next week and then it will really be summer, at least for a couple weeks. There is still quite a lot I need to get done for the fall in regards to prepping my thesis. Once I have a better grasp on what that exactly will be I'll post more about it, haha. So anyway, since there is so much going on this will mostly be a pictorial post of the trip. There were a ton more photos, but these are some of my favorites.
This lady has been protesting since 1981!
The FDR Memorial
The Korean War Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial
I'm trying to push over the Washington Monument!
And now I'm just chilling out, leaning against the Washington Monument
The likeness of Alan Alda on the Korean War Memorial
This is where my cousin works
Oh yeah, and I took my picture with the president ^_^
We were the talk of the town!
So as the photos probably show (I hope!) We had a great time touring around the city and just generally hanging out with family :)
Today is my second day in Washington DC, otherwise I would have written this post earlier. I'll write a post on the DC trip when I get home next week :)
Anyway, a couple nights ago my friend and I thought we'd try and enter our names into the lottery to see the new musical The Book of Mormon. We tried last week and didn't get our names pulled. BUT, it was our lucky day! My friend's name actually got pulled so we were able to buy two tickets (at $30 each) to a show that is sold out until November!
The winning ticket!
We were soooooo excited! I've been wanting to see this musical for a while because it has gotten amazing reviews and is clearly very popular since it has sold out so far in advance. We figured we'd have to go down there and play the lottery a lot of times before we'd ever be lucky enough to get a ticket. Basically the way the lottery works is that about 500 people enter their name for each show and probably around 10 names get pulled depending on how many seats they have open. Each name that gets drawn can buy 2 tickets. So if you go with a friend and you each enter once, you have two chances to win since if either of your names get drawn you both can go.
Standing in front of the theatre
For those that haven't heard the phenomenon that is this show. The Book of Mormon is the brain child of the guys who created the TV show South Park and the guy who wrote the musical Avenue Q. The musical follows two mormon missionaries to Uganda where they see the terrible conditions the local people are living in. Oh, and it's a comedy. The show is lively and funny, the music is great, and, oh, did I mention it has more curse words and other what could be considered offensive material than probably any other Broadway show ever? Basically this show is hysterical and I loved it but you do have to have an open mind when you see it. If you are easily offended...this is not the show for you. The show is definitely shocking but much in the same way shows like South Park is shocking. Basically the 2 1/2 hour show completely flew by and when it was over it felt like we couldn't have been in there more than an hour. It flows really well and you find yourself caught up with the music and the characters. This is a show that I would definitely like to see again if I get the opportunity.
I already posted a clip of this show from the Tony Awards (in my review of my favorite moments) but here is a pretty good interview and overview of the show from CBS Sunday Morning. The beginning also shows you what the lottery is like - and yes, it was just as crazy when we tried.
After the show we waited outside the stage door and got autographs. Since the actors in this show (while amazing and some of them are already Tony winners) are not as well known as in some other shows, there was not a huge population outside the door meaning we were able to be up close. All the actors were really nice and honestly seemed to enjoy the fact that there were so many fans of the show.
My signed playbill
Me with Andrew Rannells - one of the leads in the show
Me with Josh Gad - another lead in the show
Overall it was an amazing night and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see this show!
Last night I finally saw one of the new tony-nominated musicals from the 2011 Tony Awards. We saw Catch Me If You Can! It is indeed a musical based on the hit movie starring Leo DiCaprio and based on the true story of Frank Abignale Jr, a con man who pretty much stole almost 2 million dollars before he was 21 through forgery. He also impersonated a pilot, doctor, and lawyer before he was caught. After he was caught he then worked for the FBI for 30 years helping them catch people doing exactly what he had done. (Hmmm, this also sounds like the show White Collar, is that a coincidence or is that show also based off this story?) The show is set up like a tv special narrated by Frank as he tells his story (with occasional interjections by others).
I was pleasantly surprised by this show. I had heard that it was "a good show, not a great one, but a good one". One of the things that really made this show great was the Tony winning performance by Norbert Leo Butz in the role of Agent Carl Hanratty, the main FBI agent who ends up catching Frank. Butz is not an actor that is widely known outside of the Broadway community, but he is brilliant. He was also in the original Broadway cast of Wicked and originated the role of Fiyero. Butz is who you will see singing the main part in the usual show clip found at the end of this post.
Catch Me If You Can is a good classic musical. The songs are lively, the story moves well, and an ensemble of maybe 12 people manage to be everywhere as both the backup dancers and every other smaller part in the show. Going into the show the only big name I knew was Butz, but I was surprised to see a couple other big time names in the show as well. Kerry Butler plays the romantic interest. I wouldn't have really known who she is, but after looking at her bio I realized she really knows her way around a broadway stage including originating the role of Penny in the original Broadway production of Hairspray!
The actor, however, who when I saw his name I thought to myself, well now he sounds familiar, some of my readers may know. Some of my readers probably know the name Tom Wopat? Yes, he played Frank's father in the show and was really good. Apparently Wopat has actually done quite a bit of theatre, but is probably best known for his role as Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard.
So there you go, I went in with low expectations and was surprised to find a fun show with very talented people!
And, as usual, here is your taste of the show from the 2011 Tony Awards.
I can't help putting this in too. If you found that interesting, here is an extended preview of the show, which showcases a lot of the other numbers and actors in the show.
One of the reasons we went to the show is that my friend's sister is in town visiting so afterwards we wandered around Times Square and got to play tourist a little bit. It's always nice to wander around a place that you've been a million times before through new eyes.
On Monday I finally saw the last installment of the Harry Potter movies. Yes, I know, you must be shocked that I, Allison, self-proclaimed Harry Potter fanatic and obsessee (is that even a word?) not only didn't go see the midnight premiere but waited a whole 3 days before watching the movie. But here's the thing. I just don't care that much about the Harry Potter movies (waits for gasps all around). I know I know, it's crazy, but the movies always make me a little bit mad. They always seem to leave out things that are really important while putting in random things that don't make any sense. Also, I've done the whole midnight movie premiere before and to tell you the truth...I don't find it that exciting unless I'm with a whole bunch of friends. So there were several reasons why I waited so long to see it. One, I didn't really want to, Two, I didn't really have anyone who wanted to go with me to see it at midnight, and Three, well there isn't a third thing but lists should be in threes.
So anyway, before I get completely derailed, the point of the story is I did go see the movie and I learned something. Did you know that if you see a movie before Noon then it is SOOOO much cheaper? As in a normal movie in NYC that starts after noon costs $13, a 3D film is $17 and an Imax film is $20. $20 for a movie!?!!? Now that's crazy. BUT before noon the prices are $8, $10, and $13 respectively. You have to wake up early, but the savings are amazing. With pricing in mind, a couple friends and I decided that if we went before noon we could splurge for the Imax 3D version....at 9am. So yes. I got up at 7 in the morning in order to get down to the theatre and watch a 9am film. Now that's dedication. The best part was there were barely any people in the theatre (maybe 20?) and when we left the theatre there was already a huge line forming for the next showing. So basically it was a win all around.
As far as the movie itself goes, I really enjoyed it. I think the series really went out with a bang. Of course there were parts of the movie that bugged me, but for the most part I thought they did a good job. And yes, I even teared up a little when certain characters met with their demise. It's weird to think it's over. I guess it will never be completely over and I feel less sad at the end of the movies than I did at the end of the books, but it is still weird to think about. I hope JK Rowling always pulls something new out of her sleeve.
I started reading the Harry Potter books just after the 4th book (The Goblet of Fire) was released. That was 2000. That means I've been a part of the phenomenon for 11 years! That is almost half of my life! I've been to two midnight book releases (it would have been 3 but we were in DC and couldn't find a bookstore close enough to our hotel that was doing a midnight release). I've been to one midnight movie release. I've been to two Harry Potter conferences (one in Las Vegas, the other in Toronto, Canada). I was a part of Harry Potter Club at Willamette for 3 years, and was a co-president for one of those years. I've done Harry Potter themed crafts, I've made Harry Potter themed foods, and yes, I own a complete Ravenclaw House Hogwarts uniform including robes, wand, and a pleated skirt (my mom made the skirt).
It's weird to think that the series has come to yet another ending. But never fear! It still exists in the hearts of people like me :) Plus there's always a trip to the Wizarding World at Universal Studios to dream about!
On Sunday I went to see the Broadway production of Hair. It had closed but I guess it was so popular that they decided to bring it back for a limited summer run. I was happy about that since I never had a chance to see it when it was on Broadway before. It is actually a really really fun show. It's definitely a hippie show and the music is awesome. I had a great time! During the show the actors come off the stage and dance and interact with the audience. We were sitting in the mezzanine and they even came up there! At one point, right before the characters are all going to a rally to burn their draft cards, the actors came up and handed out flyers and daisies :) (See picture below). Also, at the end of the show they invite anyone who wants to to come up onstage and dance with the cast! So tons of people crowded on stage and they sang a reprise of "Let the Sunshine In". It was pretty cool.
Note to self: Buy more bell bottoms.
Flower and Flyer from the show
The title song ("Hair") is one of my favorites from the show. Here it is presented at the 2009 Tony Awards :)
One quick note before I start this post. Have you noticed that a lot of my post titles include the word "Adventure"? I just realized that. I think it's because life is an adventure.
But anyway, what I'm here to talk about is a little thing I like to call clamming. While I was in Oregon I was sitting around, minding my own business, when my mother turns to me and said, "Victor wants me to go clamming with him tomorrow morning. Do you want to go?" What followed was a very long and involved conversation about what time we would have to wake up (4am), whether or not I had a rain jacket left at home (I did), whether or not I could even go if I don't have a shellfish license (If I don't actually do any of the digging I could go to watch), whether or not I had waterproof shoes (I didn't but I could borrow my mom's). I was almost convinced but still a little wary at getting up so early in the morning when I was supposed to be on vacation when I was bribed with the idea that I could bring along my video camera and document the trip. So I packed up all my gear, said I'd see how I felt when it became 4am, and went to sleep.
At 4am my mom and I dragged ourselves out of bed and got ready to go meet Victor. Now let's talk a little bit about why Victor wanted to drag everybody out to the beach at low tide. One, apparently he thinks these kinds of things are fun (ok, so actually it was a ton of fun but shhh, that'll be our little secret). Two, Victor (and Charles) write this really amazing blog call Savor The Taste Of Oregon. It has all kinds of stories and recipes, all having to do with food and fun in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The blog is very cool, especially if you enjoy cooking so definitely go check it out.
Here is the post that Victor wrote about our adventures and while you're there you can check out the rest of their blog. On it you can see a shortened version of the video I made (see full video later in this post) and you can also see a pretty cool video of how Charles ended up cleaning the clams. GO CHECK IT OUT! www.Savor The Taste Of Oregon.com
Anyway, so now that you've read the full description, here are a few photos and the video from our adventure.
Just a quick note to inform everyone that I did indeed arrive home safely to NY. My first flight had many many screaming children but at least it wasn't delayed and I had my own little tv set in my seat. Headphones are remarkable inventions. The second flight got delayed WHILE they were boarding it! That's never happened to me before! They were in the middle of boarding zone 3 when the airline person looked at the board behind her and noticed it had started flashing our take off time as 7:40 instead of 7:04. So she stopped the boarding process and made a few phone calls. Turns out our flight was delayed. So the people who had already boarded I guess just sat there on the plane while the rest of us sat in the terminal for another 30min or so. Oh well. The rest of the flight was ok, it was a little bumpy as we neared NY and the landing was the roughest landing I think I've ever had on a flight. It definitely went kerchunk and hit the ground really hard. I guess the pilot didn't want anybody sleeping? It took a long time to wait for my luggage to come out on the conveyor and then the line for taxis was really really long. So even though I arrived a little after 11pm, I don't think I actually go into the taxi until about 12:20am or so. Then there was so much traffic because of all the construction. But I finally made it close to 1am!
I can tell I'm definitely jet lagged lol but hopefully that will go away soon.
Today my goal is to unpack, see some friends, and hopefully the boxes I shipped will arrive today. I do have an adventure to talk about from my trip to Oregon but I'll write about that later after I wake up a little more.
I've had a lovely visit to Seattle this last week! We've been celebrating my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. 60 years! That's a long time! So basically we've been doing all of the touristy things that one does when one visits Seattle. It's definitely a cool city. Here are the highlights:
The Pikes Place Market
The Space Needle
View from the Space Needle
Another view from the Space Needle. That funny looking building is the EMP
Sculpture inside the EMP - The EMP is the Experience Music Project
Basically it's a huge museum for music and sci-fi
I got my fortune told!
Me with my grandparents :)
My Grandma got crab...mmmm
On the ferry to Bainbridge Island
View of the city from the ferry
And that's the trip! I still have a few days at home before heading back to the big city. It will be nice to relax a little!
For one of my lunches with a friend this week we ended up going to the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. The only other time I've ever been to a Hard Rock Cafe was when I visited Spain in high school. We didn't end up eating there because it was so expensive, but I do remember I bought a t-shirt. :) So anyway, this was the first time I've ever eaten inside a Hard Rock and it was actually pretty cool. They have a lot of really neat rock and roll items up on the walls and the food was actually quite yummy. It's not somewhere I would want to go all the time but on rare occasions it is a pretty fun place to go.
The inside of the restaurant
On the Sunday before I left for Oregon my friend and I decided to check out Dylan's Candy Bar. This place was AMAZING. It is a giant candy store owned by Ralph Lauren's (the clothing designer) daughter. It has two floors full of candy and the 3rd floor is a small cafe where you can get ice cream and other treats. Basically it was awesome!
The stairs were actually made of candy!
This was on the landing of the stairs
Ice cream!
The booths were shaped like cupcakes!
The rest of the cafe
And then, as a random side note. During the day when I've walked past Columbia there have been these giant inflatable rats set up. It has something to do with someone protesting something about Columbia but I don't really know specifics, I just thought the rats were kind of creepy so I should share :)
This has been such an insane week. Not only did I get to see How to Succeed again on Saturday and then the Tonys were on Sunday (see previous post), but the entire week was such a wonderfully fun and exciting week! I got to have lunch with several friends which is always a good time. Then, on Wednesday, I got to see Darren Criss perform live!! For those who may not know, Darren Criss plays the character of Blaine (from the Warblers) in the tv show Glee. Darren Criss is also adorable and seems like such a cool, funny, down to earth, and extremely talented guy. So anyway I found out a couple weeks ago that he was going to be performing so I got tickets and went with a few friends! The line turned out to be crazy and it was a standing concert but it was completely worth it!
Waiting in line
The line outside the theatre - it actually wrapped around the block
Darren Criss!
Here is a clip of Darren Criss from the concert that somebody filmed and put on youtube. This was taken from a heck of a lot closer than I was standing haha!
Funny story - after the concert my friend and I were taking the subway back and we saw one of the actresses in How to Succeed! She was heading home (I presume) after the show that night. Having recognized her, we decided to talk to her and she was the nicest person ever! She said how much fun she was having in the show and she seemed to enjoy the fact that we recognized her and were gushing about the show. It was Ellen Harvey, who plays Miss Jones in the show. She's the one in the Brotherhood of Man clip who sings and goes back and forth on the table. So that was very exciting!
Then, on Saturday was the Glee Live tour!!! Now that was a blast. We were pretty high up in the arena but we had a great view of the stage and could see the actors close up on a big video screen, plus I brought my binoculars. The show was at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island so we had to take a train to get there. But we figured it out and everything went off without a hitch!
On the train to Long Island
The stage before the show
Me!
So long story short......I love Glee and they are all amazing performers and singers and put on an incredible performance!
