I Don't Remember Reading About This In Barack's Memoirs

Obama Rama

I hope you watched Barack Obama's speech last night. It was moving, strong, and rocked the packed stadium. Oprah was so moved she cried her eyelashes off.

I don't know who would want to live here, but Heath Ledger's apartment is for rent.

Iowa Central president, Robert Paxton, is in trouble after a photo was released showing him on a boat holding a mini-keg over a young woman's mouth. When asked why, he replied, "I was testing out some experiments for my new class, Mini-Kegs 101."

At first I thought this was a joke or a great marketing scheme to promote Californication. No joke.

Wow, this is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen someone do with a piece of gum.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Calling All Producers- Piccola Cosi

Now that the Fringe Festival has ended, Aja Nisenson is looking to move her one woman show, Piccola Cosi to a new venue. Industry folks who attended the show are telling her the show should be produced. So this is a call to all producers and artistic directors! Jump on the bandwagon now before it's too late.

I feel it's my duty to step in as manager until we find a suitable agent for the talent that is my sister. Isn't that what brothers are for?

From the lack of people on the bus this morning it appears as though the Labor Day Weekend has already begun. Yee-haw. It's your chance to get away one last time before the kiddies are back in school. One last chance to have a summer BBQ and go for a swim.

Sweet Caroline...a refund never felt so good, so good, so good...

Have you always wondered the proper way to do a male pat search? Well here it is! Try it on all of your friends and coworkers.

Back To School, Time To Yearbook Yourself

Don't feel like going through boxes in the attic to find your yearbook photos? Not a problem! Now you can simply Yearbook Yourself! I was hoping to post some yearbook photos of myself but I think the site is actually having some problems at the moment. So, I leave it to you to try it out and send me your photos to post on this blog.

Have you been watching the DNC? Hillary Clinton's pantsuit was so vibrant in HD. First the Olympics had me staying up late and now the convention has me up way past my bedtime. Speaking of which, I would like to thank everyone so much for all of your support. I don't know if you caught the news story on last night's evening news but I was very thrilled with this piece:


Corporate Clouds? Gee, why didn't I think of that?!

It's hard to believe that the Summer is coming to a close and that kids and teachers are getting ready to go back to school. I have been reflecting a lot about this past summer and I hope you have been reflecting as well. I'm looking forward to starting classes and having lots of fun. Isn't that what life's really about? Having fun?

I found some of my yearbook photos...gee it's been awhile since I've looked at these.

Just When You Thought He Couldn't Think of Another Stunt, David Blaine Comes Up With Something Else

David Blaine is back. This time, he will attempt to hang from a thin wire five stories in the air in Wollman Rink for three days and nights. It's the 'ole human bat trick.

So I finally decided to purchase a new tv yesterday and I must say it's really great. Now I can watch the morning news in HD and the food network has never looked so delicious. I'm thinking about mounting it on the wall.

I woke up this morning and didn't like the fact that it's no longer as bright as it was a few weeks ago. The days are starting to get shorter already which means that fall is around the corner. On the bright side...apples, pumpkins, halloween, cider...


Aparently yesterday was Go Topless Day in Central Park and it looks like everyone had a lot of fun. I've never been kept abreast of events like this one.

I really enjoyed the film Paris je t'aime and I am really excited about the follow up film, New York, I Love You. Here's a preview:

"New York I love you" Teaser
by Mollyryan

Have a great day!

A Great Run At The Fringe

The above photo was taken in NYC the other night and for some reason it looks darker on here. The clouds were amazing.

Thanks to everyone who made Piccola Cosi the success that it became. A sold out run is what we had hoped for and it's what we got. Now is when exciting things start to happen. Friends, family, critics, agents, casting directors, theater lovers...thank you.

I can't believe the Olympics are over already! The closing ceremony last night, like the opening, was another phenomenal show. Visually stunning.

Yesterday I helped freshmen and their families move into the dorm. There were many tears and cars of stuff to be unloaded. It was fun but it always leaves you exhausted. I'm resting up today.

Did you hear about the lawsuit against Corona because a one year old was partially blinded by an exploding Corona bottle? I'd like to know what a one year old was doing with a Corona?

If you haven't taken advantage of Restaurant Week why not celebrate Back To School doing so. Restaurant Week has been extended through Labor Day. On Friday night I met some friends for dinner at Steak Frites and later for a cupcake at Magnolia. I had such a great time.

Happy Monday.

Saturday Night

Last night was the second to last performance of Piccola Cosi at the NY International Fringe Festival. I have been trying to figure out how to post the radio piece I heard that mentioned Piccola Cosi but I haven't yet figured out how to. The shows have been selling out and Saturday night is your last chance to catch it so get there early if you haven't already purchased your tickets.

Aja Nisenson is looking for representation so please tell any agents you know about the show.

Have a great weekend! This blog will be back to it's normal format on Monday.

PS. I knew if we gave it some time, the naked cowboy would eventually get his own reality show.

Time Out NY's Recommended Fringe Shows

Please be sure to check out TimeOutNY's home page which lists three Fringe shows recommended this week, one of which is..... Piccola Cosi!

And here's a wonderful review from NYTheatre.com

Piccola Cosi

reviewed by Melanie N. Lee

Aug 17, 2008

Piccola Cosi, a one-woman show created by writer/performer Aja Nisenson, directed by Elliott B. Quick, charts Aja's eight-month excursion as a 21-year-old student "through the underbelly of Bologna's jazz scene." She dares in Italy what she hadn't dared do in the States—sing jazz. An opening video shows the streets and residents of an Italian city. "Italy plays back in my mind like a movie," Aja begins.

An opera student who limited her jazz to the shower, Aja steps into a cave-like club in Bologna. Presenting herself as an American singer, she asks to sing with the band. "Little did I know that singing jazz was the gateway to meeting men, and meeting men was the gateway to singing jazz." A shy virgin whom American boys had overlooked, she's shocked that in Italy, "guys thought I was sexy, even with my sneakers, and for the first time, I let them." She learns to revel in their predatory attention, connecting the release of her jazz artistry with the release of her sexuality.

Aja's maiden voyage into the sea of jazz features a fractured version of "My Funny Valentine"—at first belted in high-octave soprano—interspersed with her inner monologue. ("Smile, it's not a fuckin' funeral!" "Is that man staring at my boobs?") Over time she gains composure, scatting, faking lyrics, dancing, flirting, and stylizing through jazz standards such as "Makin' Whoopee," "Night and Day," "Take the A Train," "Paper Moon," "Besame Mucho," and "I'm Through with Love."

She intercuts these songs and song snippets with acting out humorous portrayals of Italian men, nearly all of them rough-voiced Lotharios with twisted faces. A few unique phrases and twitches barely distinguish one man from another. Her boyfriend, jazz guitarist Carlo, uses heroin, drenches her with ravenous kisses, and owns a jealous cat named Ciccio. She's approached or pursued by other men, including guitarist Dominico ("His breath smelled of cigarettes, red wine, and jazz"), Andrea, who invites her to his place "to sing," and Riccardo, who takes her to dinner and paws her for dessert.

Nisenson's story captures the excitement and danger of coming of age as an artist and as a woman on her own. She portrays well her own bewilderment and growing confidence, as well as the fascination and lust of the men she encounters (although I wonder if too many of these men fall into stereotype). Her singing is expressive and sensual, with a beautiful tone. She's backed by three excellent musicians: pianist Alex Clifford, bassist Pete O'Connell, and drummer Nat Seelen.

I saw this show twice. The first time, the pianist had gotten stuck on the G train, and the video failed. That show ended in a weird place, abruptly and violently. At the second show, the pianist played, the videos worked, and the singer performed an encore—more satisfying, less abrupt. After that first time, I cried—not immediately, but in the street. I cried over risk, over sexuality, over danger as success and safety as failure, over being a woman and an artist. Isn't that what theatre does at its best—cut you to the core?

Written/created by: Aja Nisenson
Directed by Elliott B. Quick

Another Sold Out Show

Aja Nisenson's one woman show, Piccola Cosi, had yet another sold out performance last night. We had to turn people away. The show has gained momentum and it's so great to see people with a smile on their face when the lights come up at the end of the show. If you haven't seen it yet be sure to purchase your tickets! I am trying to post a recording from the radio yesterday of a guy calling into the Joan Hamberg show raving about Piccola Cosi. I'll see if I can figure out how to post it here. It's been a crazy week and it won't be over until Monday.

First the Montauk Monster and now Bigfoot...what is this world coming to?

Sorry for the short posts this week but I'll be back to my regular posting next week.

Piccola Cosi Reviews

The reviews are starting to come in for Piccola Cosi and audiences are loving the show.

Here's the first surfacing review from Backstage:

Piccola Cosi
August 18, 2008
By Ronni Reich
Aja Nisenson is one of very few whose travel photos would be fun for someone else to look at. As full of talent as she is of spaghetti, she recalls in vivid, sidesplitting detail her trip through Italy as a 21-year-old virgin who becomes a sought-after jazz singer.

Nisenson is a natural storyteller, with an ear for impersonations and an eye for glamorous and gritty detail. She captures the leering glances and smarmy come-ons of her woefully subpar Casanovas easily, occasionally even seeming more comfortable in their roles than in her own. Elliot B. Quick's staging is lively and fluid

With Nisenson's amori come her songs. Her first scatting experience — all over the place, from opera to bat mitzvah — ties into her discovery that she's dating a heroin addict. "Fever," "I'm Through With Love," and a version of "Blue Moon" that would never fly in a U.S. club round out her coming-of-age experience, sung sweetly and confidently.

And TimeOutNY says:

Description
**** (four stars) Writer-performer Aja Nisenson puts her own spin on the familiar story of an American living abroad in Piccola Cosi (Italian for “small like this”). Like Sarah Silverman, Nisenson dresses her hot self simply—all in black, with comfy sneakers—as she tells of such adventures as singing opera in a jazz club and dating a macho Italian heroin addict. Backed by a double bassist, a drummer and, usually, a pianist—he was trapped on a G train in Brooklyn on the night I saw the show—she warms up with a Jewish scat version of “My Funny Valentine,” then ponders travel as a rite of passage. (For audience members with a little knowledge of Italian, there's more to appreciate, but Nisenson ensures that nothing gets lost for lack of translation.) The show paints an engaging portrait of that special time of life when nascent adults go overseas to find themselves, and end up getting into cars with strangers. Sexual awakening à la Room with a View, here we…come.—Anna King, Freelance Writer

I do hope you are able to come to one of the performances. Everyone from friends and family to critics to casting directors have attended and it's been a lot of fun. You can most likely buy tickets at the door.

The Show Must Go On

Despite a piano player who was stuck on the G Train unable to make it to her first performance and a faulty video player, Aja Nisenson's one woman show, Piccola Cosi, now playing at the 2008 NY International Fringe Festival, is phenomenal. I know, I know, you think because I'm related I'm biased. But go see for yourself. It's an hour of pure entertainment. Click here for tickets.

I had a chance to go see Tropic Thunder with the movie crew over the weekend and it was pretty funny. Of course, Robert Downey Jr. steals the show but there were other great moments sprinkled in. It was an hour and 47 minutes of goofy fun.

What's with all of the ice cream flavors and brands now? The freezer section in most supermarkets can no longer hold all of the flavors and brands of ice cream because there are just so many. I noticed Edy's already has their fall pumpkin ice cream flavor out. I walked by the aisle long row of freezers filled with all of this ice cream and wondered, do people buy this stuff? Will there be a time when ice cream products reach a saturation point. They can't just keep on installing more freezers. The same thing goes for laundry detergents (how many scents do we need?), chips, cookies, salad dressings, sport drinks...the list goes on and on.


An Aussie mayor is urging all unatractive women to move into town. Let's put anotha shrimp on the barbie.

Remember I posted that Christian the Lion video awhile back? Well it turns out there is a very similar video on the net that has become popular recently because of those guys who pulled a stunt by claiming they had bigfoot.



American Idol auditions!

Have a great Monday.

FringeNYC Weekend!

** On the count of three, everyone clap their hands so that we can free Tinkerbell and Cinderella from their handcuffs**

In addition to preparing for the opening of my sister's show, Piccola Cosi, at the NYC Fringe Festival (perhaps you've heard me mention this before), I will be going to see Tropic Thunder which I have been looking forward to seeing for a few months now. I do hope you will be able to make it to see this show as I have been working hard to get people to come and my sister has spent many grueling hours rehearsing. It's going to be amazing so please come and experience the magic. Oh boy, I'm sounding like a Disney ad.

Speaking of Disney, poor Tinkerbell and Cinderella were arrested for protesting. Peter Pan refused to answer our calls.

More great Olympics last night and there was a point when they had this graphic about Michael Phelps that showed the length of his legs, torso, size 14 feet..they did a whole rundown on his body like he was a machine. He IS a machine.


Heyohhhhhhh....

Brace yourself, the 2008 Vendy Awards are just around the corner.

Today we will know if Harry from Harry and the Hendersons was real!


I hope you have as much fun as these guys did this weekend and I hope to see you at the show!

Summer Olympic Peaches

I was at the supermarket last night at snapped a photo of this sign by the peaches. It caught me by surprise, " A taste of summer in the winter", I thought to myself, "A taste of summer in the winter." Huh? But it is summer! I've been craving a really good Jersey peach lately and I couldn't make it to the farm stand so I went to the supermarket only to find these hard peaches and this sign. This sign should really be up in the winter when peaches are being shipped in from other countries.


Maybe I should consider moving to Detroit?

This is very difficult to watch...I just wanted to warn you. It's a video of Janos Baranyai dislocating his elbow at Beijing while weightlifting.



Hmmm.. I think my novel just got even more interesting.

Let me get this straight, you're a police officer and Dr. Hoofhoffer is an entrepreneur????

A New York artist is planning on recreating the parade scene from Ferris Beueller's Day Off, a scene which would include 600-800 people singing Twist and Shout. Shake it up baby now, shake...it...up... baby.

And now for our video of the day. Remember, if you get a seed, spit it into your cupped hand.

Swimming Through Life

I figured a title with a swimming reference was necessary this morning after Michael Phelps' amazing performance. I think I'm going to start swimming again at the gym. I get a kick out of how excited the announcers get during these races. You can practically hear them jumping out of their seats.

I have some great news for my readers who have complained about my links not opening up in new windows. You will be pleased to know that now when you click a link, you will get a new window.

It's been over a month now and my wound is healing nicely which is good because I was worried about having a bigger scar. There are so many thoughts swirling around in my head that I should really get an early start on National Novel Writing Month! That's right, I have an idea for a novel based on recent events.

Did you hear about the Burger King employee who took a bath in the sink at work? Now that's what I call a Whopper.



Would you like Fries with that?


Apparently in China, looks ARE everything.

Drinking a lot lately? Well perhaps you'll be the next one to be caught on Google's StreetView.

No, not Haziz!

I think offices should start having employees doing improv.

15 Items Or Less

I can never manage to pick the fastest line in the grocery store. I will get on one line and usually switch over to a cashier who looks like he/she is scanning fastest. So when I arrived at the checkout to find every cashier was in training..I just picked one. I thought the sign was funny so I snapped a pic with my phone. Thanks for your patience.

I heard all about this footage but didn't see it until last night:


I'm really glad he's having such a good time over there.

Oh there are some great headlines in the news this morning:

Hey, did you hear something? Holy *$*&

Who knew meteorologists could be so funny?



How many pounds of hail can I get for ya?

I honestly didn't know that there were Kosher Gyms.

I hope you've been enjoying watching the Olympics as much as I have. I switched on NBC HD last night and I don't think I'm going back to regular NBC. HD all the way. The pool never looked so good. Have a great day! And don't forget to reserve your tickets for Piccola Cosi at this year's NY International Fringe Festival! Hey! I told you I would be plugging it.

NYC Fringe Festival Countdown

You may have noticed the countdown widget in the top left hand corner of the blog. That's right, my sister's one woman show, Piccola Cosi, is fast approaching. So if you haven't already done so, be sure to purchase your tickets by clicking here!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I was in Vermont last week and shot some photos with my new digital camera. I've posted some of them at the end of today's entry for you to enjoy. Did you happen to see the Olympics Opening Ceremonies? It was unbelievable. I encourage you to find it online and watch it because it was unlike anything I have ever seen before. It was directed by Zhang Yimou, a very well known film director who did such films as The House of Flying Daggers created this spectacle which cost over $100 million.

This made me laugh...Mr. Olympics himself.

So Cool!

Did he even check to see if she had a scar on her forehead?

Pretty soon, we'll be walking while working...

Here are some of my Vermont photos...


Blueberries at three different stages of ripeness.


Don't they look good enough to eat?


A Lily


Mad Tom Water


Guest barn addition, almost finished!


View from the house

Have a great day!

The Day of Fri

Yesterday, we took a trip to New Hampshire and drove by Hanover, home of Dartmouth. The town is so quaint and so nice it was tempting to get out of the car and walk around. On the way home we stopped off at the Simon Pearce store and restaurant in Quechee, Vermont. Such nice glasswork and a really awesome Mill which they converted into a store and restaurant overlooking a gorge. And for those of you who care, here's the menu. MMM..MMM..MMMMM.


Don't know what to wear to McCarren Pool? This should help you.

Let the Games begin.

26 cheerleaders were stuck in an elevator...no, this isn't a setup for a joke, it really happened. While stuck, the cheerleaders kept busy by playing truth or dare.

In diaper news, a truck carrying adult diapers turned over spilling the diapers all over the road. When asked if the driver was going to get back behind the wheel he replied..."Depends".


How Now Brown and Black Cow


But Dahddy I want a little goat and I want it now.


Fresh squeezed lemonade


Sammy, stop playing with your veggies!
But mom...look at what I made!

It's Friday and I'm heading out to pick blueberries. It's been raining off and on so hopefully they won't be too wet. Have a great weekend! I'll be back in town soon.

Vermont Day #3

Good morning!

Yesterday I went to my favorite museum, Mass Moca (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). They have some of the best exhibits I have ever seen and many of them go on to museums such as the Guggenheim. Here's a blurb about my favorite pieces in their current exhibit Badlands:

Continuing this nod to Earth art are Vaughn Bell’s Personal Biospheres which give gallery visitors their own miniature landscapes to experience by popping their head into Plexiglas domes filled with small working ecosystems. Bell’s new custom biospheres for Badlands will be based on the landscape of North Adams. A micro and macro view of the landscape.

There were even spray bottles so you could water the plants in the biospheres. If you are ever passing by Massachussets, I highly recommend this museum.

In the news today:

Apparently, Italian bees are very aggressive.

NYC's starting their anti-groping campaign.

Alas poor Yorick...

The Fringe Festival has it's big kickoff party tonight! If you haven't already bought tickets to Piccola Cosi, I encourage you to do so! It's so simple to get them online just go to www.fringenyc.org and click on P. Scroll down to Piccola Cosi (small like this) and choose the night you would like to attend. It will take you immediately to the page to buy tickets.

And now, Fair Week Continues with some more photos...


Upside down chickens lay the best eggs


Klan Sheep


Award Winning Peppers

And last but not least..


Fair Hair

Paris For Prez

I'd like to start today's entry with this video. Paris Hilton for president? I like the sound of that.

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

I am currently typing this entry and looking out the window at the beautiful green mountains. There is a low lying mist. Everything is very green and the garden is a burst of color. The new room in the barn has been completed and it looks great. I'll try to post some VT photos this week for your viewing pleasure.

hmm..it's being reported that Britney Spears is going to be playing a killer lesbian stripper in the next Tarantino movie. Sources say her character's money line will be "I'll hit you baby one more time if you're not quiet".

And now, the moment you've been waiting for...the continuation of Fair week!


Get yer cavities right here!


"Can I help you?"


"Step right up and spend all your money on a worthless stuffed poodle"


Rockstar Goats

Diving Dogs!

I was very excited last night when I turned on Letterman because he had the diving dogs on. They were the same diving dogs that we saw at the NJ State Fair. Forrest Gumpy, Colby and Seven were all on and they jumped far into the water. Seth Rogen was the guest and he told Dave that he could definitely jump further so after the interview he ran out and jumped into the pool. Classic. Here's a video I took of one of the diving dogs:



This guy called 911 to complain that the people at Subway left sauce off of his sandwich. Maybe he just got 911 confused with A-1?

Forget the gym, just do a Wii workout!

And now, more photos from the fair!


Award Winning Potatoes! Who wants fries?



"Now son, this is why we don't eat Pork"


Forrest Gumpy makes a splash in the water


Now that's a lot of bull.



Give up? It's a bunny!

Enjoy your day

NJ State Fair Week!

Gooood Morning, or afternoon or evening, depending on when you are reading this. I don't know where the weekend went. This is the first day of my vacation but don't worry, I will continue to be blogging every day. Some friends had a garage sale on Saturday so I spent the day helping out and trying to sell things. It did start pouring at one point so we had to bring all of the merchandise inside the garage. Here's a cell phone shot of us in the garage with shoppers.

I've been talking about the NJ State Fair for awhile. When I went to this fair last year, I felt like a kid again. There's so much to do and see and eat! So many colors and smells and people. I was so excited. I went again yesterday with some friends and it was a ton of fun. We saw many animals, award winning vegetables, mohawks, a robot, a huge sand sculpture, diving dogs, and much more. I took a bunch of photos and will post a few everyday this week to celebrate the week long fair so be sure to check back each day. If you're looking for something to do, I highly recommend taking the trip to Sussex County. We were having so much fun that I forgot to look to see if the tiniest woman was there this year. And now, without further ado, please enjoy the first batch of fair photos!



A shot of the fair with dark clouds behind and using one of my camera's cool features.



Umm, don't I know you from somewhere?


Award winning tomatoes!


Award winning Hay!


Sand sculpture. They were still finishing the bottom yesterday. Amazing.


Be sure to get your tickets to Piccola Cosi! You won't regret it.

Flight of the Conchords

It's Friday and I'm sure looking forward to the weekend and my time in Vermont where it's currently blueberry picking season..mmm.mmm.mmm. It's really hard to believe that today is the first of August! It's been a pretty crazy summer so far and I'm curious to see what August will bring. Definitely not May Flowers.

I've recently changed my seat on the bus home. I now ride shotgun next to this other woman who even saves the seat for me. There's something so great about sitting in the front seat and looking out the huge windshield at the road ahead. There's no one in front of you to put their seat back so far their hair is in your face. It's quieter too! And if need be, it's comforting to know that I would be the one to take the wheel if something happens to the driver.

I've been on a Flight of The Conchords high recently...watching the episodes and listening to the songs. I mean, how could you not like lyrics like this:

Cause you're so beautiful...
Like a tree.
Or a high class prostitute.
You're so beautiful.
You could be a part time model.
But you'd probably still have to keep your normal job.
A part time model.
I could see you at an auto show dancing on a car
Spending part of your time modeling.
And part of your time next to me.


I was channel flipping last night and caught one act on the new Gong Show on Comedy Central. This is what I saw:



Martian water eh? Next they'll be drilling for martian oil.

Howard Stern is involved in some more movie projects including a remake of Porky's which seems fitting.

So Jeff Corwin believes that the Montauk Monster is actually a raccoon...or maybe a dog.

The total eclipse of my heart...

I think I'm just going to go back to sending telegrams.

And now, I leave you with the clip of the day which, well, take a look...