Something funny I'd forgotten to mention....

Before I begin to tell you about this funny excerpt, I am going to have to tell you about one of the perks of interning for SNL. Since we do have quite a few late nights, for example- every Saturday, NBC wants to make sure that we get home safely (and not get mugged/murdered). So, we have access to a car service, Minute Men, which picks us up in Lincoln Towncars and drives us to where we need to go. I have taken this service home a few times when I have been a wok late, or dropping off/picking up instruments for repair. Anyway, to my story...

After the show this past Saturday, we were invited to an "intern after party" by Matt, one of he interns for the research department. So, after the show wrapped, Brian and I (Julie was still home sick) ventured off to find the Lower East side. We were supposed to take the F-train to... 14th street?- I don't remember. The point is that the train we got on did not stop where we needed it to. So, we ended up about 10 blocks too far south. So we go on the same train in the opposite direction... though this time it did stop at our stop (this still makes no sense to me).

From our stop we were supposed to take the L-train to the east. Conveniently, this station had signs that showed the time remaining until the next train is to arrive. The next L-train was not scheduled to arrive for another 20 minutes... it was already almost 3 in the morning by the time we had arrived at this station. For those of you who don't know, Saturdays we arrive to work at 11 am and don't leave until about 1:30 the next morning, we spend most of the time on our feet. That's over 14 hours of standing- which can be very tiring... So, we decided we would call it a day and just go home to sleep.

So, as we were leaving he platform to go home, Brian seems to be heading toward another train while I am going toward the exit to the street. I call down to Brian "Are you taking the subway home, or do you want to take the car service?". He replies "Yes, let's take the car service". As we make our exchange, another patron of the subway walks by and looks at us and, in quite a mocking tone, calls to us "Yes, of course! Take the car service, just like royalty"!

I could tell that the man was joking, but it was still extremely awkward. I hadn't thought about what I was saying... as much as I hate to admit it, having the car service had sort of become normal to me- I didn't realize what it must sound like to other people overhearing us talk about it..... I'm gonna have to think of some more tactful way of referencing Minute Men in public...

The Korean Food Diet

I have discovered a great diet that will guarantee anyone to lose weight! Whenever you get hungry, go to a Korean restaurant and order Bi Bim Bob! You will be guaranteed to be so grossed out that you will be turned off of food forever!

So, the Pinkberry nearest our house is in the Korean district. Aside from the Pinkberry (and a Red Mango) there are several "Korean Barbecues". Julie, Laura and I decided we would check out what these are.

The concept is similar to that of Fondue. You pay extra to have your waiter bring raw food to your table only to cook it yourself. However, this type of food is prepared at a table-side barbecue. We decided that it was a little too expensive and just ordered from the "Korean Entree" menu. Laura ordered dumplings (a very smart move), while Julie and I decided to be more adventurous and try the "Bi Bim Bob".

As a starter, the waiter brought us about ten small dishes with differently colored and shaped items. I believe it was some kind of mixture of meat and vegetables... but the strange thing was- all of it was served cold!... hmmm....



While the Bi Bim Bob looked good in the picture on the menu... in person it pretty much was a mess in a bowl. It consisted of various shredded vegetables and hamburger meat in a bowl... and surprise, surprise- it was cold too! On top of that, it was served with a small side dish of rice, which was the only edible part of dinner. Another waitress came by and, in her broken English, told us we were supposed to mix the rice with the rest of our meal....

... Clearly, we were not going to do that- we were not going to ruin the only edible part of the meal....

So, after what felt like an eternity, the waiter came and cleared our (full) plates. Just as we were making our escape, on of the other waiters dropped his tray and splattered some sort reddish-orange sauce all over her (favorite) pants. Clearly, we are not rushing to get back to that restaurant.



Anyway, on a brighter note, I wen to the Central Park Zoo this morning. While it was much smaller than I expected- the animals were very active. I managed to snap this great picture of two polar bears underwater. I also got some great video of them plaing around in the water... hopefully I'll get that on Youtube soon!

Asian Fusion Altoid Tins

Wednesdays have become our weekly pot-luck days, for us three music interns. We have decided that every week we'd each make a dish to bring in and share. September 24th was our first pot luck. We ended up with various assortments of dip and microwaved s'mores. It seemed that these dishes loosely fell under the category of hors d'oeuvres. So, we thought it would be fun to have themes for each of our potlucks. The nest week was to be Asian food.

On our way home from Pinkberry one night, Laura, Julie and I stumbled across a Korean Supermarket where I found "Sweet Korean Pancake" mix. That sounded like a good idea. So, on Tuesday night I set up a space in the kitchen. While the instructions on the box were in broken English... the labels for all the packages of mix were in Korean... so I had no idea which one was flour and which was yeast etc... There was also a mytery package which turned my dough green. (I later found out that I had purchased "Green Tea" pancake mix).

So, my batch was far from perfect:



I brought it down to the third floor kitchen, where Julie was cooking. The first thing she does when she sees my pancakes is laugh, uncontrolably. She does brave one and give it a taste. They taste half-way decent, just look like cinder. So, to make a long-story short, I headed out to Gristedes (grocery store) and bought cool whip, chocolate chips and cherries.



Surprisingly, Julie and Brian ate my concotion. Needless to say, Julie is home sick for the second day in a row. Is this because of my food? Or a strange coincidence? You decide!

The eve' of our potluck, the three of us went to see Ben Folds perform at Terminal 5. The concert was INCREDIBLE! He performed quite a few songs from his new CD, "Way To Normal". One of the highlights of the concert was his prepared piano piece, "Free Coffee". He placed Altoid tins in hs piano, creating a very unique sound. I thought that the guy playing synths was accompanying him.... but it was in fact the prepped piano!



Missy Higgins, an Australian singer/songwriter, opened for him. She did well... but I thought a lot of her music sounded the same to me. There were several parts in her songs that were incredibly beautiful- then she began to whine and moan into the microphone, completely killing the mood. Shame.

On another, completely random note (since it was a completely random encounter). I was walking through Times Square tthis morning and saw a Netflix promotional tent set up. I went to get a closer look, and saw this man....

Take Me Out To The... Press Box!?!

So, today was a very exciting day! It all started last night after the show...

... Brian's hairdresser from home is married to a former New York Mets player and they had gotten tickets to the SNL dress rehearsal. Brian told me and Julie that they may be able to get us tickets for the Mets game he next day, if we were interested in going. So, we decided to go!

Julie and I took the train to Shea Stadium in Queens. It was sprinkling when we left 305... but by the time we got to the stadium it was pouring! So, while we waited for Brian to show up we ducked into the Mets souvenir tent. We wandered around five tables of random overpriced clothes, toys and baby bottles with Mets logos on them. I was very entertained by a dancing figurine of Mr. Met (their mascot) that played Smash Mouth's "All Star".



So, Brian showed up and we tried to find the will call ticket line. After waiting for about fifteen minutes in the rain, we got tickets which read "Press" where the section and row should have been printed... which was interesting. So, after some wandering around and getting directions from several security officers we were escorted (yes, escorted) to... the PRESS BOX! It was AMAZING!

There were lots of big round tables set up with tablecloths and floral centerpieces. There were tables and tables of food- shrimp, Nathan's hot dogs, pasta bar, chocolate fountain- it was pretty amazing.





The game itself was pretty incredible. The Mets were playing the Marlins from Florida. This game was being played for the Pennan, which would get one of these teams one step closer to the World Series... so a lot was riding on this game. If they were to win, they would be getting closer to the Series and would play a few more games at Shea. But if they were to lose... that would be the last game to be played at Shea Stadium. They are in the process of finishing a new stadium to be opened this coming spring. So... we would either see the home team get closer to the world championships... or be witness to the last game ever played at Shea Stadum.

Unfortunately, he Mets lost the game. However, this meant that the "Shea Goodbye" ceremony (clever, huh?) would take place. Many of the Mets alums were called to the field to tumultuous applause... most of the people I had never heard of... but some names I had heard once upon a blue moon. Yogi Berra, Mike Piazza (always makes me think of Pizza), and... some others who I have sine forgotten.

They also honored some of the crew who have been a part of the Shae's history, and then had each of the players touch home base for one last time. hey concluded with a fireworks display and people started to disperse.

We were afraid that we would be swamped on the subway, but were lucky enough to have quite enough space on our car. We went back to Chevy's for dinner, where Julie and I ventured to on our very first night in New York... Then Julie and I paid a visit to our dear friend Duane Reed on the way home.

So, in conclusion, given that it rained a lot today, I think it would be safe to say it was a very good day after all. And now, off ot a good nigh of sleep!

Flying Metal Deathtraps to Wingardium Leviosa!

So... let me see what has gone on in these past.... 2 and a half weeks?

This past Sunday we all (Laura, Julie, Brian and I) went to Coney Island... well, we left late in the afternoon because the night before we had the SNL broadcast... and got back home at about 3am...

.... SO, twelve hours later we took the Q subway line for about a good hour to Coney Island, on the southern side of Brooklynn. After getting off the subway we ventured toward the piers.

The first thing we experienced at Coney Island was the Wonder Wheel at Deno's amussement park. The Wonder Wheel is far more than just an ordinary Ferris Wheel. Apart from going round in big circles (which it does), each carriage is hung from its own smaller circle within the wheel. Therefore, when you reach a certain altitude, your carriage is swung violently back and forth as it tries to regain its center of gravity! (See video below) Sounds great, huh?...

.... Laura didn't think so. So she watched as Julie, Brian and I climbed onto the Wonder Wheel. It was actually pretty terrifying. Even though we were inside a fenced-in cart, you could see it was a loooong way down. The first time the car swung (we were thrown back and forth about four times during the ride) I was second-guessing this being a good idea. But the more it went, the more fun it became. And we had spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean... nicely contrasting to the old dump that Deno's was built next to.


We all survived the ride and met up again with Laura. I very much wanted to go on the Spook-A-Rama haunted house ride. But no one would go with me... we all agreed that the people operated the ride were what made it scary... really, you should have seen them.

After mingling our way through the whining six-year olds in the kiddie park, we emerged on the actual boardwalk along the sea. We decided it was an ice cream/elephant ear break. So, we all got a snack and found a cozy spot along the beach to have a mid-afternoon snack.


We walked up the beach a little further before turning around and heading back toward the main strip. We stumbled across the "Irish Festival" which involved a lot of people drinking (and smelling of) beer and a U2 cover band.... and that was about it.









Anyway, it was time for dinner. We ended up going to a place that Melanie had recommended, 'inoteca. It was located in the East Village and served Tapas-style Italian food. Laura did not want to share (jk), so Biran, Julie and I had lasagne, the calamari salad, prosciutto finger sandwiches and the house special egg toast (which was delicious, just don't ask Julie about it!).

Afterwards we ventured a few blocks and subway lines to find Chickaliscious, a dessert bar! They had a large assortment of cupcakes, pudddings, shakes- anything and everything dessert related! I highly recomend it!

The rest of the week has been pretty uneventful. Work has been going well, but I cannot talk a lot about it- so you'll have to watch the show on Saturday (am I plugging it too much?).

Today, however, I was free until 5. Originally, Laura and I were going to go to the MOMA (Museum Of Modern Art), but we were to cheap to pay the $20 entry fee. So we thought we'd explore the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I pulled out my trusty Not For Tourists Guide and found us a subway route- and off we went!

It seems I should pay closer attention to details from time to time- especially when travelling. We ended up in Queens, which, for those of you who don't know, is on the other side of the river. So, after some debating on what to do next we decided we would go above ground and see Queens...

.... A laundromat, fried chicken express and lots of fog....

.... So back onto the subway in the opposite direction. At least we can say we;ve seen Queens!

We got off at Lexington Avenue and proceeded to go north. We didn't have a specific goal in mind, so we just wandered. We eventually turned East and headed down 3rd Avenue- where we found Dylan's Candy Bar! My cousin Amainda had recomended it to me, but had no idea where it was. So, naturally, we had to go in.

I felt like I had stepped into the world of Willy Wonka. There was candy EVERYWHERE! They had a huge pick and mix counter, candy bars, clothes, toys (all candy themed, of course), licorice, etc... There were 3 floors of PURE SUGAR! Even the stairs were decorated to look like candy.

On the third floor they had an actual cnady BAR. Similar in concept to Chickalicious- they had tons and tons of desserts. Cupcakes, cakes, ice cream- I definitely need to make a retunr trip here sometime soon!

After the sugar rush, we slowly headed back West. As we were walking down Madison Avenue, Laura spotted FAO Schwartz. Naturally we had to go in.

I felt like I was 5 years old again. I remember going into he store when I was in NEw York City in... 1994(?), so I would have been about 6 years old.

It was a little overwhelming. I hadn't really remembered how big it was.

They had a Harry Potter section which sold clothes/costumes, wands, etc... based on the books. It was all decorated to look just like the books- it was soo exciting! I never wanted to leave! So, I entertained myself there while Laura went to try out the "style your own barbie" toy. It was quite exciting.

So... that's been about it... Tomorrow's another show, so I will be on my feet for another 14 hours! But it should be fun!!

It's a breath of fresh air!

So, wow- it's been a while since my last post... let's see if I can remember all I have done since the 6th.

Well, the 7th was pretty much a repeat of the 6th for the most part... except that the evening was faaaar more interesting!

After work Julie, Brian and I headed back toward our house for dinner. We ate at the Chelsea.... something or the other. It reminded me a lot of Big Boy, minus the obese figurine at the door. Anyway, I'd say that the highlight of dinner was Julie's beverage.... which was only water. We all had water with our dinner- but Julie was lucky enough to get something extra! Her water had.... pulp...? in it.... It seemed to resemble backwash- though she hadn't had a drink from her glass yet. Calling it a water smoothie made it seem somewhat more bearable.

Anyway, after dinner, Julie had to go meet with her advisor for her other internship with the magazine the Brooklyn Rail. So as she jetted off to watch a punk-music forum, Brian and I decided we would go check out the Upright Citizen's Brigade- he had not been there yet. 

There was a show at 7:30 (it was already 6:40 when we decided to go) and a free show at 9:30. Since we had to be at work the following morning, we decided on the 7:30 show... even if it had a $10 entrance fee. 

We were both low on cash, so it was decided that I would wait in line while Brian found an ATM machine. So, I stood in a line (about 3 times the length of the line on the night Julie and I went), while Brian ventured out to find a non-shady ATM machine. The longer he took the more I worried that he would not get back in time and we would miss the show... Or we had come too late... and would miss the show.

Luckily, he came back just in time and we got in to the theatre. Unfortunately it was standing room only, but we were able to take seats on the floor around the "stage".

Tonight's performance was entitled "Azzcat". The premise was that an audience member would say a random word and the host would build a monologue around or inspired by that word. The rest of the cast would then improvise scenes based on the monologue.

That nights host was one of the writers of "Robot Chicken", so as you can imagine, he had some very interesting stories to tell. The rest of the cast was comprised of various faces, including (from my previous blog entry) "She Tried to be Normal, Scott Adsit ("Pete" from 30 Rock), and Bobby Moynihan (the newest SNL cast member). So I was very excited to see some of these people.... but little did we know what act 2 had in store for us....

.... After a brief intermission, they announced that a special guest would be joining the cast for act 2.  I was expecting some new up-and-coming comedian that I would have never heard about... but when the light came up, they asked us to give a warm welcome to.... ROBIN WILLIAMS!

It was such an unexpected surprise! From where I was sitting, I could have held up my hand an touched his leg! It is such a strange feeling having seen someone on television and in the movies soo many times, to then finally see them in person. You almost catch yourself thinking... "oh yeah, I guess he is a real person"....

So, work has been fun. I love my internship, I couldn't have asked for anything better.... Sadly, I think that is about all I can post, legally.... You'll just have to watch SNL this Saturday at 11:30 pm on NBC!

Anyway, on Wednesday night I met up with an old friend of mine from school in England. Roberta and I were real good friends, and at about the same time, we moved to Michigan and she moved to New York State with her family. We had never been able to get together until now, finally- 9 years later!

It was great to see her again. She's the first and only person I have seen since we moved away from England. It was really nice to talk to someone from that part of my life again. No one that I talk to can relate to those years in my life, because everyone from then (next to my parents and sister) live on another continent- so it was great to relive my British Elementary School memories... ah, I was very nostalgic.... and felt really old.... even though I'm only 20.... how sad s that? haha.

Later that night; Laura, Julie and I decided we would go and find Red Mango. Red Mango is basically an exact copy of Pinkberry (I know, right?) with a different (though not all that different) name and logo. The rest was identical... however, they had smoothies- so I decided I would try one... It was AWFUL! It was all pulpy and sour from the yogurt.... I really do not like CHEWING my drinks..... like Julie's water from the other night... Maybe I didn't like the smoothie because I was subconsciously thinking about that..... hmmm..... could be?

Finally, the exciting event of tonight. I was laying on my bed Facebooking, when I heard this dinging noise coming from the hallway.... kind of like someone is ringing a dinner bell..... turns out that was the fire alarm. Someone from the third floor burnt her popcorn and we all had to evacuate the house. Four fire trucks came- FOUR.... to rescue us from burnt Jiffy Pop. I have to say, I am very impressed by their response time.

Well, time to catch some z's... and try to block out the burnt popcorn smell.... where did I put my Febreze?

I'm a Chameleon!

So... it has been quite a day. I didn't think I was going to post anything today... but this evening's activities were so.... interesting, I just had to write about it.

Anyway, I will begin at this morning. After a slow morning, I went out and got some lunch with Brian- Julie was to cheap to want to buy lunch. Haha- just kidding... it is expensive here.

So we three interns then walked over to a studio in Chelsea to meet the SNL band. They are all great people and I am really looking forward to working with Saturday Night Live this semester.

We then attempted to walk back to 305.... but we were caught in the rains from Hurricane Hannah. Only Julie had an umbrella... a very small umbrella (ella, ella- ay, ay, ay, ay...) and would not share with us. So we walked through the torrential storm, which at first was very cooling, for bout five blocks and arrived at 305 soaked to the bone!

After ordering Chinese food for dinner; Julie, Laura and I ventured into the city in search of a Pinkberry ice cream store. Pinkberry is some weird frozen-yogurt from California. You can choose from thre

e yogurt flavors (original, green tea and coffee), and several toppings (such as yogurt chips, blackberries or bananas). 

It took us a while to locate a Pinkberry- so we googled it and decided to go to the Columbus Circle location. We grabbed our umbrellas and ventured out into the rain- again. We got on the red line and headed uptown. Several stops later we all seemed a little confused as to where we were. I asked if we should get off at this stop right as the doors shut and the train moved on. Turned out, that WAS our stop. So we had to get on another train back to Columbus Circle.

After some more walking around we finally found Pinkberry. We entered a Japanese neon-wonderland of bu

nny-shaped kitchen objects and frozen yogurt. We each got a yogurt and began to

 eat.

None of us were (or, as a matter of fact, still are) sure of what we thought of it. It didn't taste good.... but it didn't taste bad either. It was very confusing.... and what was very funny was that my green shirt matched the interior decoration of the store.

I highly suggest that you go check it out... it's quite an experience....

P.S. Happy 18th Birthday Claire!!!!