Dreams Come True (at the Opera)

I started to call this post “my life is better than yours” but that felt too harsh. But life is really good…and living in New York just gets better every day. This is why I settled on the above title:

Madame Butterfly is my absolute favorite opera (I give full credit to Malcolm McLaren. Sampling music should be lauded. What better way to introduce youngin’s to the classics?). The opera had played earlier this year at the MET and was immediately sold out. Without a modicum of shame, I begged and pleaded with every one of my friends and their parents to see who could get me a ticket, to no avail.

When we went to see The Magic Flute I was told by several people “you have not seen Madame Butterfly until you’ve had seen this one.” The show came and went (I was sad) and then it came back this October!!! I was ecstatic. My dream came true. This rendition is directed and designed by Anthony Minghella of “Talented Mr Ripley” and “The English Patient”. And, yes, it was spectacular. Minimalist yet so evocative. Wow. It was like living in a dream state for 3 1/2 (yet felt like 1) hours. (a dream came true.)

Blog Spotlight: Bag News

(and really, you should already know about this site).

Today I attended my friend’s Meetup group, New York Financial Divas. Essentially a bunch of cool ass women discussing their finances. I really wanted to attend today’s event on money & money images in the movies. Being a cinematographer (and an analytical film nerd at that), I knew I’d have lots to contribute to the conversation.

My Ultimate Idol: Richard Branson

Could I possibly admire this man more? He’s good looking, laughs at life (and himself), he has an accent (it matters), he’s got balls, business savvy and he’s a philantropist. Everything I hope to be when I grow up. I just read that his newest venture airline, Virgin America, will have essentially an internal AIM system. So, as Richard says, if you see someone you “fancy” who is aisles away, you can still flirt. Finally someone who understands American priorities!

I Just Unzipped In Rainbows

IMHO, most people in the music industry are idiots.

But there are those blessed few hustlers. Prince, of course, comes to mind. He is more prolific than God and just gives his music away. Or Moby who licensed his music for countless commercials. (and find me one person who doesn’t own “Play”). And this morning, I received the latest Radiohead CD (what exactly do I call it? A CD? An album?) “In Rainbows” via their “pay what you wish” pricing. Because the music is so accessible, it’ll probably end up on my mom’s iPod. Damn brilliant.

Follow the Crew’s Director

Who needs Time Out Magazine when you have friends like mine? One of those friends is Aaron Castellano (aka The Crew’s Director) at Limachips. Thanks to him, I am never at a loss for events in NYC or Worldwide. Limachips is doing their fabulous “1 on 1″ party again this Saturday. These parties are the perfect concoction of cocktails, networking and bootie shaking. The event is free. All you gotta do is rsvp. And after you’ve rsvp, check out Aaron’s blog. He always provides an excellent read. Maybe with enough pressure, he’ll write more.

Details:
Limachips “1 on 1″ - featuring DJs: Carol C & DJ Moni
DEKK: 134 Reade Street - NYC
Saturday Oct 6th - 10pm - FREE

Blog Spotlight: Get Some Honest Chit Chat!

One of the joys of being an only child is that I find myself hysterical. I laugh at all of my jokes. I’m always curious to hear what I have to say. I don’t even need to read someone else’s blog to have a good day.

However, occasionally I like to do a “Blog Spotlight” on someone else’s rambling that I particularly enjoy. I usually do this type of post on The Arsonist, but until we clean up some bugs in the system, it will move to here.

So - today’s Blog Spotlight is on Girl Talk: Stories, Tips & Advice with Spice. Don’t let the playful girlie title fool you. She’s quite enlightened and honest. And witty too.

NYC So Rocks

If you’ve followed this blog and still have not moved to or at least experienced a long term visit in New York City, then you are truly clueless. If you currently live in New York City and say that its too expensive, you too are truly clueless.

Today, after enjoying a free screening of Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild” and being reminded why I went into filmmaking, I ventured back downtown. I thought I’d cut through Bryant Park, which is always a nice way to head east and pow! Little did I know that it was some India Appreciation/Tourism festival in the park. At 9pm at night. The park was lit up. There was music, dancing on a big stage, rug and fabric sellers. And tons of people. I was just telling a new friend of my love for Bollywood and how much I’d love to shoot one of those films, and this was a wonderful dose. I had no idea what they were singing about, but I was enchanted.

Do Your Homework

At my parties, you’re not allowed the luxury of freedom of speech. There is no democracy at the House of ACSE. There are my rules or the door. (somewhat a joke. Somewhat).

However, outside the domain of my gatherings, isn’t that one of the fundamental rights of this country? I know it’s very “au courant” to slip on the freedoms of this country (remember back in the day when there was a separation of church and state?) but can’t we still allow people to say what they need to say?

How to Throw a SpeakEasy Party

I keep getting requests for this specific information, and really, its like asking “how do I join the mafia”. If you know someone, you’re “in”. If you don’t know someone, you do what you see in the movies.

Since “Auntie Carrie” is all about education, a stiff drink and a side hustle, I will share some tidbits to make your speak-easy themed party a success. For starters, everything mentioned in “How to Throw a Party” should be addressed. Here are my other ideas, most of which I have used at my get-togethers: