Writers Wednesday: Kid Lit Community Auction

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Kate Messner organized the KidLit community and created an online auction to benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Whether you are a children's literature fan, an aspiring author, or a published author, there's something available at this auction that might interest you.

Check it out.

Donate.

Do good.

Friday Favorite: College Re-Visited. Sort of.

Some things never change. On the way to meet a couple of my college sorority sisters, I got lost.

Don't worry. I only went down two one-way streets (the wrong way) and the other drivers were (mostly) nice about it.

When I arrived at El Guapo's Cantina in downtown Tulsa, it was so much like time spent at The Mont in Norman years ago.  Salsa, queso, and adult beverages. Okay, mine was a virgin strawberry daquiri, but it was delicious.

Steph C and Steph B at the Mont in '04

Even though it was 104 degrees outside and I weigh 40 pounds more than I did in college (due to my current state of pregnancy), I felt young again.

Until we dropped by Stephanie B's home and saw that her daughter had grown so that she was taller than her mom. Then I felt old.

Before long, she may be pledging a sorority herself. In fact, in the same number of years it's been since we rushed, Baby Alexandra will have the option to go through rush.

Whoa! Not feeling so young now.

That night, I drove Stephanie C to my home. We spent a lot of good times in our twenties and early thirties in NYC--hitting many of the hot spots mentioned in Sex and the City. Below is a pic of the night we went to the Meatpacking District, ate at Pasti's, and danced the night away at Soho House. Hey, Samantha may have been kicked out, but they welcomed us!

Before going out one night in '05

Our visit was definitely more domesticated this time around. The next morning we hung out in the shade of the swing set while Max and Garrett played.  Then we had salad and pizza at local yummy place Sam and Ella's Chicken Palace.

Stephanie C and Brandi in 2011

You know...it doesn't matter how much time passes.  Friends are friends and their presence always makes your heart happy.

Friday Favorite: Jim McCarthy's 100 Shows a Year

It's no secret I love theater. One of my first memories was watching Dracula.  I was two.  I longed to be pulled onstage, but was fascinated to watch the story unfold. That show was a high school production, so you can imagine how my soul ached when I attended my first Broadway production.  It's like that serious, mind altering crush that alters one's life's path with a kiss.  Theater was my first love.

My second love was books. Some people like the smell of roses or musk, but give me the smell of a theater or library and I'm home. I'm not certain why I love them both so much. Perhaps the commonality is that they're both haunted by characters.

In the last two years I've had major withdrawals.  I've not been to New York.  IN TWO YEARS. Sure, the food is great and the city is electric, but...Broadway.   I grew accustomed to going several times a year. When we lived there, well, Broadway was my Siren. Does one ever get over her first love?

At the DFW Writing Conference last weekend, I discovered how to live vicariously through another until I can make it to New York City again. I was thrilled to discover the new blog 100 Shows a Year by the stellar agent Jim McCarthy. Perhaps I should have pitched my book to him, but then I'd have missed all of the updates on NYC theater.  I'll definitely send him pages, because he's a superstar agent. Perhaps I should kick myself for not pushing my novel. But how often do I get to talk to someone who may actually be more passionate about theater than I am?

Confession: I fantasize about discussing a book deal over a Starbucks chai frap on our way to see a Broadway show.

But, seriously, if you love theater and concerts, check out his new blog.

The 39 Steps

I took my mother to see The 39 Steps for her birthday last week. I knew it would be good, but I hadn't expected it to be so funny. Four actors played all the roles. In one scene, two men portrayed five different characters by swapping hats with each new persona--one of the guys held a hat in each hand and one on his head! Not only did the show use slapstick humor and physical comedy to get laughs, but it also called on clever allusions to Alfred Hitchcock's movies. It was thoroughly entertaining.

If you're coming to NYC with someone who is less than a theater buff and more of a Family Guy or Simpson's fan, consider this show. Even if the Alfred Hitchcock's references are missed, the other laughs will make up for it.

Superheroes at The Met

I love the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There's so much to see and something for everyone. If you like paintings, they got 'em. If you like photographs, they got 'em. If you like nude marble sculptures, they got 'em. If you like ancient armor for horses, they got 'em.

What's that? You like superheroes? And you like fashion?

They got 'em...through September 1.

A special exhibit links superheroes with runway fashion. It's so cool! Not only do you get to see actual costumes from Superman, Batman (the one not yet released!), Spiderman, X-Men and more, but you also get to see the fashion inspired by them. The show is divided into categories, so when you're examining the actual Spiderman costumes, you also get to see clothes from the lines of major fashion designers inspired by that superhero.

If you're in NYC, check out this exhibit. Like at all museums, though, be sure to read the information instead of just looking at the stuff and walking by. It makes your time much more interesting. I learned a lot about comic books. Plus, I learned that these superheroes of ours are metaphors for what's going on in the real world.

Blogs that should be

I often wish certain blogs existed. One that comes to mind most frequently is Public Restrooms in NYC. I know, I know. It doesn't seem like a big deal. And I certainly shouldn't be blogging about it, right? Finding facilities isn't really something one worries about until it's an absolute necessity. Then it's astonishing how difficult it can really be.

Since bathrooms are a natural human need, I'm not the first to long for this information. My brother told me Seinfeld had an episode discussing the lack of public facilities in New York which made me think someone else may have already created this blog. Well, guess what? A specific blog may not be out there, but some nice people have written articles that have the information.

New York City Travel Information This page contains useful information about transportation and tipping as well. Bathroom listings are specific and general that aren't exactly accurate. For example, it mentions hotel lobbies as if they're all accommodating, which simply isn't true. Sure, a few in Times Square get a lot of action due to location and proximity to TKTS; however, I've tried to enter a few around the city that require a room key in order to enter the lobby bathroom!

New York Restrooms These bathrooms are actually mapped!

Clean Bathrooms This site is probably my favorite because it gives the location and a brief description of each. Once again, though, not all of the information here is totally accurate. This site indicates that Starbucks is a good location. Well.... I've been to two Starbucks in NYC that did not have public restrooms. Some do, though, so they're worth a try.

New York Auto Show

Last Saturday I went to the NY Auto Show. My husband claimed it was the biggest in the nation and I'd be impressed. Surprisingly, for a gal who usually can identify a car only by color, I thought it was pretty cool

The most exciting aspect of the show was seeing this car--even though a bunch of guys and little boys made no effort to get out of my way so I could get a better view. Do you recognize him? It's Bumblebee! From Transformers! I just know that if those people would have gotten out of my way, he would have transformed and had a chat with me. I'd like to ask him why the amazing theme song from the cartoon didn't make it to the movie. Seriously, I was so disappointed that I had to sing it to myself. It probably annoyed the people around me, but does it matter? The song should have been included.

Isn't she pretty? This is my new car. Okay, maybe she's not, but she wants to be. You can't exactly tell from the picture, but this little Jag looks like a kitty cat in the face. Me-ow.