Day 42/365 (September 29, 2008)

This picture makes me happy/amazed

happy:
1. well it uses wicked as an adjective, and although i don't use it often anymore it is one of my favorite words
2. NYers dont really use wicked in that sense, so the fact that they are makes me smile
3. I saw this on a bus about a week ago but couldnt get my camera out in time so i am glad i was finally able to

Amazed:
1. the fact that Wicked is secure enough in thier branding that they dont have to also mention on their that they are a musical.
2. Wicked began becoming green over a year ago and i love that they continue to do so, and encourage others to as well.

Day 41/365 (September 28, 2008)

This is (albeit craptastic) a picture of New Kids On The Block performing at TD Bank North Garden in Boston. I also call this a major life goal complete!

I loved NKOTB back when i was a very young little girl. I remember loving the songs and being jealous of the girl that Donnie touched hands with (and i think pulled on stage) in the video for Cover Girl because he was my favorite. (it started young people).

I was never able to go to a concert back then because well quite frankly i really was too young and even if i had gone i doubt i would have many memories from it. That being said as soon as i found out they were getting back together and touring i knew i had to be there. It may not have (technically) been the best concert i have been to, but it was without a doubt an evening that i wil always cherish and remember. I finally saw the songs from my childhood performed live and shared the experience with some great friends... and what better town to see them perform in than their hometown of Boston...

By the end of the night i watched (many others too, but these were the big deal numbers):

Cover Girl

Step by Step

Hangin' Tough

The Right Stuff

Tonight

Let me tell you they can still dance, and joey can still hit those high notes!

they were also loving performing in Boston and i think turned on extra charm and energy for us... seriously this was major!

Day 40/365 (September 27, 2008)

Mary, Karolina, and I went to Providence, Rhode Island to see Jay in Legally Blonde.

It was raining.

It was raining really hard.

Umbrellas did not matter and by the time we got to the hotel (Hilton baby!) the stuff inside our bags and us were soaking wet.

We spent the time pre-dinner/show using this hairdryer to dry our clothes and shoes… burning rubber and crazy times.

Did I type this enough in a “See Spot” manner?

Day 39/365 (September 26, 2008)

This was just after the last time i was able to see Xanadu. I really can't believe the roller coaster ride of Xanadu. I hated it at first, then i went to see it again because of KDM (and would have for MT if he went on). Who would have thought i would have fallen in love with it... really sorry it closed.

This is Jacob Ben Widmar, who was the final Thalia... he was so cute and funny! i think like ABz Matthew makes me go gaga no matter who he is... i think the same is true for Thalia in Du.

Day 38/365 (September 25, 2008)

I saw the Rent Cinecast

As a Final Show: It was beyond dissappointing. The billed it as the final show but snce .2 seconds from the final show was actually used it didnt capture the true power and essence of that show. Also why they cut the the final SOL with the OBC is beyond me!

As a memory of what Rent was like: It was amazing... excpet for a few small things it managed to capture the important-ness of the show

i am beyond happy this was preserved and shall try not to complain too much, nit many people are fortunate enough to have their favorite show captured

Day 37/365 (September 24, 2008)

I finally began the actual act of moving into my room, which resulted in the entryway closet finally taking its rightful place in the world. I was very proud of how it turned out. Although in looking at this picture i realize i need to fix the tail on my turbie twist... it isn't folded neatly.

This closet is also an example of chez tamra et krysta... we either don't have it, or have a plethora of it; this closet contains:

3 air matresses

8 blankets (more when laundry is done)

3 sheet sets (even more when laundry is done)

8 towels

7 (at least) pillow cases

This also mean that my clothes are now hanging in my room closet and i have taken most of my stuff out of the livingroom, my room is not going to be unpacked for a long while... but i am officially living in it!

Day 36/365 (September 23, 2008)

PINEAPPLES! besides being my favorite fruit (when ripe) i think they look fun. I went into Food Emporium and found a shopping cart abandoned with them and it made me happy. They also make me think of one of my current favorite shows Psych!

Day 35/365 (September 22, 2008)

Taken at 11:59 p.m. thank you very much! This is Wamu... the bank i switched to from the little North Middlesex Savings Bank... it was just like NMSB except it had more branches... everytime i passed by one i would sing my Wamu phrase... I decided that night that i was leaving them because they are on the brink of a take over... i feel really bad because they have been so good to me but sometimes you have to do the mature adult thing and do it... So farewell Wamu, i will miss you!

Day 34/365 (September 21, 2008)

It doesn't look it, but yes i took this photo myself. I was kinda nervous going into the weekend of babysitting, and despite some stressful moments the weekend actually went pretty smoothly and i enjoyed spending time with them since i dont really get to anymore because i am so busy. This is a funny picture because it looks like he is hurting me, and was giving me a hard time. In actuality he was the easiest of the three (surprised me) to take care of and he was just having fun... i just flinch in anticipation of who knows what!

Day 33/365 (September 20, 2008)

I was a "soccer mom" this past weekend... this is Dennis. Watching him play was really cute and funny. He spent the second half of the 20 minute "game" trying to take his blue jersey off... this was one of the rare moments he had the ball, and almost made a goal!

I feel bad i don't have as many pictures with the girls.

Day 32/365 (September 19, 2008)

It's scary how adept children are with technology. I was at my cousin's house for no more than thirty minutes when my five year old cousin, Dennis, took my phone and said i am going to take a picture... his mom also has an iPhone. However she has only had it for about a week, he grabbed it, slid the slider, clicked on the camera icon, and took this picture.

Day 31/365 (September 18, 2008)

This billboard location in Times Square seems to have a profound impact on my life. Rent has closed and I have begun to accept that. Little things keep happening that make me pause and think about it, then I say to myself… OK you have that shock over; this was the final nail in the coffin. Alas I am always wrong. I recently walked by the Nederlander a few times and brought myself to terms with it and thought I was OK.

I was walking in Times Square and happened to look up. Logic says I should have realized the Rent billboard would come down, but of course logic doesn’t always cause your brain to catch up. I looked up and was caught off guard. I am glad to say I at least did not cry, though I did start to get a little teary-eyed. This is progress people!

This billboard was actually my first indication of Rents closing way back before an announcement was ever made about it. I remember walking in TS and looking up and seeing that the purple/brown Rent board was taken down and freaking and calling my mom and saying Rent is closing. Then when I told her it wasn’t announced I just figured because the board was taken down (I assumed to save costs) she thought I was being silly. Then a few days later I looked up and saw the black and white one and called her saying I must have been wrong, they are just switching to go back the original. At the moment I said unless they are going back to the original logo to close out the show… I then told her I wasn’t going to think about it.

It is funny how telling a sign can be, LOL!

Day 30/365 (Spetember 17, 2008)

Check this out... taken on the 1,2, and 3 subway platform... they actually clean the floors hardcore!

Day 29/365 (September 16, 2008)

This is Frisco Verdes. They are a band... they are a great band. I love this picture for so many reasons. First you can actually see the drummer in it (yay Garry), then you can also see the other two (Austin and Dom). Then the fact that i took this without flash and it still came out so well! What was awesome about this particular gig of theirs was the location. It was at the Tada Theatre and whatever show they have going on now has this as their set, so between the set and the performers (especially the one who looked like he was in his pajamas) it did not feel like we were at a gig, it felt like we were invading someone's house and having a show in their living room. Not quite sure what is blocking the bottom of the picture since i was in the front row... ah well!

Day 28/365 (September 15, 2008)

Went to the NYMF Opening Party and it was good times. Matthew and I danced, we mingled (well only slightly), and then we got dinner at midnight! This was taken whilst on the dance floor… if you can call what I was doing dancing. I like it because you can see the pretty background that is the walls, and my eyes are looking very bright! Then you have Matthew and it makes for a great picture.

Random-ness of the night ran into Judy from Montreal. She is actually from NY but I met her in Montreal. She introduced me to Tim Jerome and we spoke about Nero, (LOL!) Also ran into a few other people including Caleb who was in Forever Plaid which I saw in Ohio! (I love how small this world really is!)

Day 27/365 (September 14, 2008)

This is Thad DeBrock... he is all kinds of fabulous... he performed a few songs with Gallagher at his solo show. We chatted after... it was a nice chat, except for the fear of speaking about The Spring Standards within feet of Gallagher... Good times, but i was amazed that some of my pictures actually turned out great without using the flash!

Day 26/365 (September 13, 2008)

This picture is a great representation of the whole crazy trip. This was taken after seeing them perform at Café 939 at Berklee. Here you have the three of us, and we were kind of in a crazy mood. We are doing our kind of theme of the weekend which was shhhh-s-word-shhhh It took a while for us to figure out the logistics to get the picture (my fault). Apartently Cleare is in the background (over Megan’s shoulder), and above us was a menu that had the title “The Hot Standards” and “The Swingin’ Trio”

It was a great end to our crazy fun weekend!

Day 25/365 (September 12, 2008)

The next stop for The Spring Standards brought me back to my home territory of Lowell, MA. I was able to stop in Dracut for a bit which was really weird. This is of a little hut, or whatever you wanna call it that is next to a rotary. When I was really little I was convinced that this is where Santa lived when he wasn’t in the North Pole, and it made it even better because close by were life-size “candy canes.” I had seen an old plump man with a big white beard go in there one day and this is why I believed Santa lived there, no adult or child of course believed me until one day there was a fire in there and the FD discovered that a man had been living in there… ha see people! You should always trust Tamra ;)

Day 24/365 (September 11, 2008)

Thursday began my “hat trick” of The Spring Standards. I convinced my mom to meet me in Bridgeport. CT so I could see them play at Two Boots. This worked out far better than bus, because it was a sure thing I would make it to MA on time, unlike unsteady bus. We found the restaurant and the only place to park involved driving by the van… I got all giddy with excitement and joy when I saw the decal they later told us makes people ask them if they are a landscaping company. I am posing here with my “stolen” poster from the restaurant… all kinds of amazing!

Day 23/365 (September 10, 2008)

This is my roommate Krysta… I could say lots but feel too lazy to, but I am very glad that she is my roommate and well just yea :D

Day 22/365 (September 9, 2008)

Tuesday I was surprised with the news that my friends had gotten me a standby ticket for Hair in central park. I had seen it a few other times between this year and last year, but I hadn’t gotten a chance to see it with Christopher J. Hanke as Claude. I ended up with best seat in the Delacourt I had ever had and even though Act 1 got paused briefly because of the rain it was still amazing. The cast of this show is so incredibly talented and I am excited they are moving to Broadway but I think some of the magic of the piece will be lost in doors. It will be difficult for everyone to dance on stage at the end, and one of my favorite parts is the end of Act 1 when they have all run off stage, and are singing and you can hear their voices echoing up from underneath you. I managed to get a Be In flyer and a flower right before the tribe was called in because of the rain and I stuck the flower in my head. It started off tucked in my ear but that didn’t work so I stuck it in my ponytail, and I ended up being told more than once (separately) that I looked like Cindy-Lou-Who :D

Day 21/365 (September 8, 2008)

This is from the closing party of Rent, but it was taken after midnight so it counts for this day. I still can’t believe that all of us were able to go to the party and the night was really the only way to spend time after seeing the final show. This was how the centerpieces of the tables were set up…. Lots of pretty candles.

Day 20/365 (September 7, 2008)

There are just really no words for my emotions and experience at the final performance of Rent. I am so grateful and fortunate that I was able to be there and we were allowed to take pictures. This is a shot of everyone involved out on stage celebrating the end of a very special thing and I think it shows a little of what everyone was feeling that night.

Day 19/365 (September 6, 2008)

It rained a lot on Saturday… I mean it got to a point where my umbrella wasn’t even helping and I just gave up on it. In the span of 5 minutes I got soaked to the core. The plus side was I finally let myself stand in front of our open fire hydrant and let it hit my legs… It took two days for these clothes to drip dry before I could put them in my laundry basket!

Day 18/365 (September 5, 2008)

So on Friday I went to a place called Uncle Mike’s to see Frisco Verdes perform. This was a far stretch from my comfort zone, and we ended up waiting ages for them to start. I give the place credit for having such an eclectic line-up of music guests. They had a guy singing about vampires who kept serenading us off stage while singing, they had a Frank Sinatra-esque band and of course FV. The other band they had was named Rahway and as they were setting up they had this chilling on one of their boxes. We saw it and thought OH NO! Their music may not have been my favorite but I can at least recognize talent and they were incredible for that respect. I love this picture because (at least on the computer) when you look at it you can kind of tell what it is, but when you look at it from the side you can see the skull and cross-bones much clearer!

Day 17/365 (September 4, 2008)

One of my favorite new things to do is going to Karaoke at the TOL on Thursdays. There is nothing like chatting with some good people, and getting up and embarrassing yourself by singing! I have gone four Thursdays in a row now, and am sad i cant go next Thursday.

This picture was from me singing Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray of course! Later that night (well after midnight) this couple that was in the lounge as well ran into me and Emily on the street, and in a very cute heavy some kind of accent the woman told me that i had a very nice voice. i thanked her, then whe i was safely out of range aknowledged that she must be tone deaf, but whatever i will take the compliment and can say someone thinks i sound good :D

I am sure i dont sound as bad as i make nyself out to be, but i know i am far from good, but i still love to sing so... WHY NOT? (oh i should have Hilary Duff songs downloaded next time!

Day 16/365 (September 3, 2008)

There are so many things going on with this picture.

We can start with the obvious... it is just funny. It said sassy but the way she was wearing her hoodie, well it brought out the junior high schooler in all of us.

What you can't see from looking at this picture (unless you are in the know) is how meaningful it is. Here we have a picture that would not have happened if i had not run into this old friend. This is one of the many things that i will miss about Rent being no more. Running into friends without planning on it because you are drawn to the same place. Even though you can't see anything to do with the Nederlander Theatre all of the tell-tale signs are there. You have Bar 41, and the reflection of Red Lobster in the window, you even have the Target ads that plague us. (ok i know why Target is advertising there but still!) The final thing that i love about this picture is the pinkish bracelt she is wearing. I havent taken mine off for more than a few hours since the day i put it on two years ago. (only taken it off for job interviews).

Day 15/365 (September 2, 2008)

I really do have a lot of fun times in my life and last night was definately one of the best. Who says you need alchohol to have a good time? First Devon, Karolina, Mary and I saw Altar Boyz together, and after not seeing it for two weeks, and sitting together well there was some crazy laughter, giggling, and snorting! Then we did what we do was head over to TOL and this time to celebrate Mary's birthday... there was some crazy stuff, and LOTS of crazy pictures... even though this is dark and Mary is not technically in it, this was my favorite shot of the night... the camera was on the floor, Mary got bored waiting for the self-timer, and left... but then she put her foot over to cover the lens, and i pushed it out of the way just in time for this!

Day 14/365 (September 1, 2008)

Happy Labor Day!!!!

Today was a day of nothing! It was so nice to be a lazy bum in bed... i did actually clean the livingroom AND do some more filming for the Rent documentary. I am so glad that she is such a fab person! The best part of my day was watching an episode of Psych... i would have watched more but our internet connection keeps being bad, and it took two hours to watch this ONE episode but man i love it! This was my view staring at the screen :D

Day 13/365 (August 31, 2008)

Many wonderful things happened on this day... but this picture is what showcases our absolute delight at one if the best parts. Emily and I decide to go see Party 'n Play at Joe's Pub because The VGL Gay Boys (Jeffery and Cole) are seriously outrageously funny. We had already seen the show when they did it earlier in the month but we love Joe's Pub and we love them. The show was even better and they had added some things to it, and i laughed just as much, if not more, than last time. They had a "sound effect guy" who also dispensed "advice" and that was Michael Arden.

This picture was taken on the subway after we left Joe's Pub and said quick hello/goodbyes to the boys of the night, and even Michael.

I also love the look on the face of the guy in the back... LOL!

Day 12/365 (August 30, 2008)

The nigth before (although time wise technically this day) The Spring Standards made their national television debut on Conan O'Brien... what made that even better was knowing they were playing Rockwood that night at 10 pm. I wasnt able to watch them on TV, but i did almost as soon as NBC.com had posted it on their site. To watch that and then go see them at Rockwood, which is one of my favorite venues was just an incredibloe time.

A S.S. Funship show is something you shouldn't miss and everytime it is unique. At one point during their gig James Smith reached down and grabbed my camera off the table and took a shot of the room. The whole room obviously could not fit in the shot but still this is one of my favorites. Its a small palce but everyone in their is just filled with love and excitment and well know i have this photo as a reminder of that.

Day 11/365 (August 29, 2008)

This was taken while we were passing time waiting for Frisco Verdes to take the stage. I was trying for a random candid shot of us, but she saw me pull the camera out and leaned in to pose... clearly i did not have a postion for a "nice" picture, but after her not letting me delete it i decided that i liked it. It is kind of representive of the time we spend together... crazy, fun, random, and unexpected.

p.s. i am a little freaked out that blogger knew to rotate this picture all of their own!