Sunday, October 27, 2013

What SWEETHEARTS! - Yaremis, Sara, Adam, Gretchen, Shahla

Thanks to Yaremis Felix, Sara Wildavsky, Adam Reich, Gretchen Amstutz, and Shahla Atlas for their generous contributions to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! The demo is now up on the website - click here to give it a listen!!


Yaremis:
laughter's contagious
an epidemic of mirth
is what the world needs

Sara (in honor of her brother Dan):
hear tunes with Sara
eat some burgers by the sea
perfect day for Dan

Adam:
a life in the arts
the magic is in doing 
when all else is loss

Gretchen:
she is living proof:
if you follow the music
music follows you

Shahla:
just look at those boots
if you need fashion advice
she's the one to ask

Thursday, October 24, 2013

what a SWEETHEART - Julie Sax

soaring melodies
hot riffs right in the pocket
how she plays her horn*

*in Julie's case, the saxophone!

Thanks to Julie Sax for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! The demo is now up on the website - click here to give it a listen!!


what a SWEETHEART: Annbritt DuChateau

she lifts her baton
with a commanding gesture
upbeat: giocoso

Thanks to Annbritt DuChateau for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! The demo is now up on the website - click here to give it a listen!!

what a SWEETHEART - Sherrie Lavelle

singing in a group
can be very relaxing
sometimes there's food, too!

Thanks to Sherrie Lavelle for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! The demo is now up on the website - click here to give it a listen!!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Haiku #385 - Amazing Jellies

Allison Posner and Eli Bolin front the Amazing Jellies
their name describes them
they're a band that makes great jams:

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Haiku #384 - Mama's Backyard Cafe

Cappuccino and mini chocolate cannoli at Mama's Backyard Cafe in Queens
simple little things
life should be filled with pleasure
as much as can be

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Haiku #379 - Sheri Sanders in Concert

me with my friend Rebecca and her friend Sam
Ready to see Sheri Sanders rock!
a force of nature
happens when you know your stuff

Haiku #378 - Perfect Broadway Day



church bells are chiming
"no business like show business"
at quarter to two

Every Wednesday at 1:45 pm, the church bells at St. Malachy's on 49th St. call theatrical parishioners to matinee by chiming "There's No Business Like Show Business". Today at that time, I was sitting across the street by an open window in the rehearsal studio, alternately playing dance breaks for a Book of Mormon rehearsal and reading a book about Irving Berlin, who wrote that song, as well as many others that form part of the American soundtrack. Perfect.

After rehearsal, I had sushi with a friend and colleague, saw the evening performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, and had a nightcap of matzo bowl soup at a nearby diner afterwards. Perfect.

Not every day is this perfect, but there truly is no business like show business, and I wouldn't trade it for all the cute babies in day care.
Can you believe I'd NEVER tried matzo ball soup before?!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Haiku #376 - Broadway Cares Flea Market

Surrounded by my Mormons at the Book of Mormon's booth at the
Broadway Cares Flea Market
playbills for a buck
never know what you will find
at the flea market

Marc (waving, on the right) and some awesome Broadway-bound kids
working the Broadway Workshop booth
I also stopped by Revolucion Latina's booth, but forgot to take a pic! I love how the Broadway community comes together to take care of each other!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Haiku #375 - L'Shana Tova

I have to confess that I had little to no awareness of Jewish culture when I moved to New York, short of having read a few books like Number the Stars as a kid. There are simply not very many Jews in New Mexico, and aside from a childhood friend named Rachel who was culturally Jewish but didn't know much about that heritage, and two short-term college roommates who halfheartedly tried to keep kosher with their three Gentile compatriots (at least we had 2 fridges?), I was clue-free about the Chosen People until I moved to New York. I've had many Heebpiphanies, if you will, from my first real bagel to realizing my coworker whose last name was Levy was not, in fact, a light-skinned Latino (of which there are many in New Mexico). Even now, I usually become aware of approaching Jewish holidays via facebook, or in this case, my lovely delivery grocery store, Fresh Direct (order now! we will sell out of Rosh Hashanah meals!).

I love living here, where people of so many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds coexist in relative peace - a politically correct, sometimes slightly hostile peace, but peace just the same. That is a fact I won't take for granted after trying to educate myself about Syria this week. There was a graphic that caught my eye that purported to explain why the conflict got started: a color-coded map showing all the different religious and ethnic sects living in close proximity. I suspect a map of Queens would look much the same. So...there but for the grace of (fill in the blank with your preferred higher power) go we. Still...there must be a way. But I think peace has to be the goal, not just a byproduct of some other goal.

To that end, to my Jewish friends, and all friends who wish to celebrate peace and new beginnings, from your Shiksa friend, with love:

L'Shana Tova
may we all have peace and sweet
apples and honey

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Haiku #374 - Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm back! After taking (most of) the summer off, it's now past Labor Day, and I have no more excuses. So I'm starting off with a total cheater haiku, a 17-syllable quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. Despite its cheaterness, it's a lovely quote for starting the academic year - no matter how long I'm out of school, this time of year always brings with it the feeling of excitement, new projects and pursuits... 

My writing partner is getting married to her badass fiance this weekend, and next week is the first stage of the Sweethearts of Swing demo recording session, after which all the rest of our generous contributors who picked the haiku-perk will begin receiving their thank-you haiku. Lots of new things afoot!

Also, Happy New Year to all my Jewish friends!

the future belongs
to those who believe in the
beauty of their dreams

near West 72nd St and the West Side Highway


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

what SWEETHEARTS - Mom & Dad

parent paradox
make me strong to fly away
catch me when I fall

Thanks to Anne and Paul Sherrell for their generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing

Please visit our fundraising page - only 28 hours left to reach our goal! Every little bit helps, and for a contribution of $25 or more, I will write you your own haiku!

what a SWEETHEARTS: Kurt Crowley

it takes courage to
face the birds in the plaza
ev'ry single day

Thanks to Kurt Crowley for his generous contribution a couple days ago to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! His donation put us over the halfway mark!

Please visit our fundraising page - only 36 hours left to reach our goal! Every little bit helps, and for a contribution of $25 or more, I will write you your own haiku!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

what a SWEETHEART: Erin Lecocq

sometimes you just need
a forkful of green chile
and a new best friend

Thanks to Erin Lecocq for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! Every little bit helps, and for a contribution of $25 or more, I will write you your own haiku!

Please visit our fundraising page - 3 days left to reach our goal!

what a SWEETHEART: Carin Cahn

it stays on your skin
sparkles and catches the light
life needs more glitter

Thanks to Carin Cahn for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! Every little bit helps, and for a contribution of $25 or more, I will write you your own haiku!

Please visit our fundraising page - 3 days left to reach our goal!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

what a SWEETHEART: Cynthia Vaughn

lovely melodies
echoing through the Front Range
Magnolias sing!

Thanks to Cynthia Vaughn for her generous contribution to the fundraiser to record a demo for The Sweethearts of Swing! Every little bit helps, and for a contribution of $25 or more, I will write you your own haiku!

Please visit our fundraising page - 4 days left to reach our goal!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Haiku #372 - Dorian Gray

Picture of the menu at Dorian Gray. Yummy pub food & drinks in the East Village!
why can't the [Irish]*
teach their children how to spell?
I just want a beer.

*unskillful, I know, but it's so hard to decide between literary/nationalistic accuracy and a good musical theater reference! For the record, I drink draft AND draught beer. And sometimes bottled. I was discussing the spelling of the word with a friend yesterday, so this caught my attention. Also, I forgot to take a more New York-y picture today.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Haiku #371 - Pride

warm friendly city
where everyone's accepted -
except slow walkers!

The Empire State Building decked out in a rainbow for Pride!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Haiku #364 - Madison Square Park

a perfect may day
roscoe conkling* is lucky
tulips at his feet

*from another time of turmoil in the Republican party...
learned something new today. Thanks, statue!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Friday, April 26, 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Haiku #360 - Conservatory Garden: Spring

Great minds and nature-starved city dwellers think alike.
people snap photos
of daffodils raising their
faces to the sun

I was one of those people!
Grateful for the Central Park Conservancy



Monday, April 22, 2013

Haiku #359 - Fresco Gelato

salted caramel and espresso gelato from Fresco Gelateria in the East Village
Note to self: next time, get flavors that aren't the same color.
we're all thinking it:
"hello spring!!! suck it, winter!"
time for gelato

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Haiku #358 - Fishtag

Radium (right) and me leaving Fishtag, having been well-fed and taken care of
masterful skill turns
ev'ryday ingredients
to sublime flavors

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Haiku #357 - Columbus Circle

Columbus poses in front of Central Park.
He must not be afraid of heights.
ev'rything you need
here at Columbus Circle
nature and commerce

Monday, April 15, 2013

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Haiku #355 - Friends in NYC

don't have much money
but my life's full of riches
my friends' hearts and minds

(Obviously this isn't specific to New York, but I was just marveling today at the friends I've gotten to see this week, and how awesome they are as individuals and friends.)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Haiku #352 - Badass Women: Yvette

Yvette is an actress, producer, and curator of this awesome hug blog!

one hug ev'ry day
or maybe six or seven
makes it all better

Monday, March 25, 2013

Haiku #350 - Badass Women: Cherie


Cherie, practicing one of her many talents

stage manage, play drums
take pics, make a mean cocktail
she can do it all

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Haiku #347 - Badass Women: Unknown



smiles into the wind
waiting for the bus to come
nothing keeps her down

I don't know who this lady was (so yes, this is kind of a voyeur pic), but her outfit caught my eye, and her free-spirited attitude. We exchanged a smile through the window as I ate my soup, and a couple minutes later, she and her silver boots climbed aboard the bus to whatever adventure awaited her next. I hope I'm as awesome as she when I'm her age.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Haiku #346 - Badass Women: Nat

Nat's and my iconic arm-wrestling moment from Nat & Kat's Adventures with the Time-Traveling Piano
collaborator
we climb mountains on deadline
fire under my ass

Monday, March 11, 2013

Haiku #344 - Badass Women: Christina

Christina and me geeking out over earthquakes in San Jose while we were on tour last year 
she's often quiet
but if you know her, you know
she has a big voice

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Haiku #343 - Badass Women: Sarah

At our high school graduation with our buddy Dustin
Sarah's & my friendship predates digital photos, but I was dismayed to find that this is the only one of us of which I have a digital copy!
Need to document our next visit... 
been counting on her
since 1987
she's one you can trust

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Haiku #342 - Badass Women: Tamara

making a gingerbread house w/ big sister Tamara (right)
she stands out a bit
a tall blond woman speaking
fluent Japanese

Haiku #341 - Badass Women: Sarah Elizabeth Foster

Joline, left, and Sarah, right, in front of Sarah's Wall o' Powerful Women
We recorded Joline singing one of Sarah's songs in her studio
recording music
in a studio filled with
powerful women

Sarah has a 100 song project to inspire her next album - check it out here!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Haiku #340 - Badass Women: Mom

Mom, wearing my nephew's Gryffindor scarf at Christmas
logodaedalist
keeps the plates and words spinning
big words and small plates

Friday, March 1, 2013

Haiku #339 - Badass Women: Erin

My college best friend, Erin, is simultaneously taking on the challenges of law school and motherhood.

to say at week's end
"I've given it all I've got"
that's satisfaction

Haiku #338 - So Simple, So True

Concluding February's love-themed haiku...

hang onto these words:
do not lose your faith in love
so simple, so true*

*tonight's haiku is in honor of/stolen from a song I really like by a band I really like, the Spring Standards. It's one of my go-to songs for melancholy days; I appreciate that it doesn't try to explain or reassure - just: don't lose faith. 

I also really like this song by the Spring Standards. The lyrics, esp the 2nd verse- internal rhymes and faint blasphemy!? Go listen, and buy their CDs so they can keep doing what they do, and I can catch them on tour sometime (I'm bummed I have a rehearsal scheduled during their one NYC gig this spring...)!


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Haiku #335 - Adventures in Dating (5)

the first time we met
i trembled when you held me
as we danced til three*

*well, it wasn't actually 3, but sometimes one needs to reference Gershwin

Haiku #334 - Adventures in Dating (4)

we had just ordered
when he conceded "weakness"
emergency room

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Friday, February 22, 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Haiku #331 - Adventures in Dating (3)

it was his first date
since the divorce was final
my friend said - after

(he was very sweet
i had a lovely evening
have to start somewhere)

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Haiku #330 - Fooooooooooood!

"There is no love sincerer than the love of food." - George Bernard Shaw

bacon is awesome
french fries are pretty great, too
cookies are the best

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Haiku #329 - Adventures in Dating (2)

forty-five minutes
is a long time to be late
and expect third date*

*you see, he was 45 minutes late both times we went out...and then he told me I was rude when I plead busy to his invitation to a concert the next week. hmm.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Haiku #327 - Happy Valentine's Day!

never be alone
learn to do one simple thing:
be your own best friend

I'd like to expand on the 17 syllables today -
1. simple but not easy 
2. relationships are great, but I find it irksome that romantic love is exalted so far above any other kind. And, those relationships are not always perfect or permanent either. I have the love of my family, friends near and far, a most awesome kitty cat, and - most important - a me I've taught to take care of myself, draw boundaries, persevere when things don't go my way, relax - and reach out a friend when I alone am not cutting it. All valuable things, single or no. Hooray for love!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

Haiku #324 - Unexpected

love knocks on your door
it's not quite what you ordered
still, you let it in

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Haiku #323 - Loneliness

don't beat yourself up
loneliness is bad enough
without guilt or shame

Haiku #322 - Blizzard

I've got my cat to keep me warm.
the wind howls outside
inside is warm and cozy
time for a snuggle

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Haiku #316 - Tour Buddies

Kurt & Cherie made everywhere feel like home.
i could be marooned 
on a bus and truck with you
for decades and smile

Haiku #315 - When I'm Very Old

when I'm very old
I won't have much, but I'll have
loved you for so long

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Haiku #314 - DiFara Pizza

So, good intentions...yeah. What a boring theme! Can't wait for February. But here's a Monday pizza haiku about - wait for it - the best pizza in New York:


DiFara pizza
made the same way for decades
it is worth the wait
Daniel shows off his slices. I almost forgot to take a pic,
I was so excited to eat by the time the food came. 
A totally unassuming corner pizzeria in Midwood, Brooklyn, DiFara's pizza is not a quick slice, reheated from under a heat lamp. The owner has been making each slice/pie to order, no shortcuts, for coming up on half a century. Definitely worth the trek and worth the wait.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Haiku #313 - Flexibility

Sarah's attempt at a Mona Lisa smile...
we were having too much fun.
She intends to be flexible & open to new opportunities!
get rid of your couch
you're gonna work in Dubai
advice to restless

Friday, January 11, 2013

Haiku #312 - Feeding the Good Wolf

not always easy
you must make the choice each day
to feed the good wolf

There were many websites with the "good wolf" story; I linked to a blog geared toward military veterans because 1) it does me good to remember that I get to spend my life playing the piano and writing seventeen-syllable poems and 2) it's a really good post that elaborates on the old Cherokee story in modern terms.

Today, my good wolf ate:
15 minutes of yoga (better than nothing!), a mostly crossed-off to-do list, and a conversation with a friend when I was about to throw my bad wolf a big ol' steak drowned in A-1 negativity sauce. So, good wolf wins for today. Must remember to feed him again tomorrow...

Haiku #311 - Live Like a Playwright

Natalie Wilson, living like a playwright (see blog, link below)
live like a playwright
nothing ventured, nothing gained
maybe you'll succeed

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Haiku #310 - Crock Pot

throw in the crock pot
chicken thighs and pasta sauce
easiest dinner

I hate spending more than I can afford to. So, in the lean freelancer month of January, when my thin wallet, determination to eat better, and relatively ample free time coincide, I cook more. But I hate to cook, so "cooking" in my world usually involves a maximum of one pot/pan and 3 ingredients (5 if I'm feeling fancy). 

Monday, January 7, 2013

Haiku #309 - The Road to Hell

my resolutions
make for a very smooth ride
on the road to hell

Nevertheless, this month's haiku theme will be resolutions, habits, good intentions, etc. I'm going to run a 5K with Nat at the end of the month! I also need to finish all my cookies and chocolate before Ash Wednesday... maybe the two will cancel each other out!