tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33762005148420219142024-02-08T05:54:20.549-08:00A New York SketchbookBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-17297042606570488532013-11-12T15:46:00.000-08:002013-11-12T15:46:21.823-08:00Street Style #006<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/10828375413/" title="streetstyle by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="streetstyle" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/10828375413_bcb0ea9cf5_z.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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Having moved within Crown Heights (again), I am now in a Hasidic area, where many of the women are impossibly stylish. I love that they can take a basic template (skirt, long sleeves) and make it inspiring.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This woman had a billowing, frothy green scarf which really brightened my day, and a voluminous but structured black skirt. Did she buy it in my neighborhood? Because I really want one.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-31002679518856091192013-10-30T12:33:00.000-07:002013-10-30T12:33:00.694-07:00Working Hard For No Money Amazingly enough, I have reached a point in my career when I can say no to (some) things.<br />
<br />
I've been working in the wardrobe world for slightly longer than two years now, which means I know some people who can get me some work. It's through hard work and a pinch of luck and privilege, and I am extremely grateful for it. I count my lucky glow in the dark stars stuck to my bedroom ceiling every night.<br />
<br />
A former coworker of mine offered me a PA position on a TV show, and through circumstances which weren't under her control, it was not a good working environment. The thing was disorganized from the top down, and it was an insane amount of stress for very low pay and no union hours. I bowed out appropriately, and I wish them the best of luck.<br />
<br />
But things like that make me so angry. Asking somebody to work for 14 hours & get paid $150 is appalling. Maybe if I had never worked on a film before in my life I would stick it out so I could learn something, but the fact of the matter is I have already interned on a movie, so "experience" isn't going to cut it. I can't pay my rent with "experience".<br />
<br />
Some people, I know, will take the attitude of "well that's just how film & TV work." First of all, no, no it's not. And second of all, isn't that why people created unions? So they wouldn't be abused by their bosses? It seems bizarre to me that on a Union show people could still be treated that way, in the name of there not being enough money left over to go around.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-6940740588411989072013-10-28T12:33:00.000-07:002013-10-28T12:33:00.662-07:00A Round-Up of My Past Few Months<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/10463232433/" title="IMG_3552 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3552" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/10463232433_f9f1244046_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been very lucky these past few months. It's possible that I make some luck myself, but some of it is just serendipity.<br />
<br />
At one point this past June, when a show I was working on closed, I got this strange feeling of "I know I am going to be okay." And miraculously, it's been true- my schedule since then has looked something like this:<br />
<br />
-Venice (Public)<br />
-Restoring Hats for a Museum Show<br />
-Shakespeare in the Park<br />
-Disney on Broadway Costume Shop<br />
<br />
I have been trying to nurture this feeling of success. The fewer catering gigs I take, the happier a person I am. The happier a person I am, the more productive I am.<br />
<br />
Since the Disney gig has ended, I have had my first moment in months to take stock of where I am professionally. As I bounce around between freelance gigs, I am once again trying to weasel my way in to the Wardrobe Union. I also have more time to draw, both for love and money. I may even get time to go on a small vacation.<br />
<br />
I also moved, at some point in there. The lease was up on the old apartment, and after an uninteresting saga of bullshit I moved to a new apartment eight blocks from the old one. I don't have roof access anymore, but I do have a backyard, and laundry in the unit. Amazing, I know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-82918604294713293092013-10-23T09:13:00.001-07:002013-10-23T09:13:14.917-07:00Fall Pledge DriveWNYC is doing their fall pledge drive again. This time last year I took the plunge and actually joined during this drive. I decided I had been living in NY & listening to WNYC every morning for two years, so maybe it was finally time I did my part. I could easily do without $8 a month.<br />
<br />
A few days later, we were hit by Hurricane Sandy. I went upstate to stay with my parents to avoid getting trapped in Crown Heights. Two massive trees came down in my parent's front yard, and we didn't have power for a week. If the trees had fallen the other way, I might not have parents anymore.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/10442087545/" title="treehouse by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="treehouse" height="206" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/10442087545_bdc3147525.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
We still had hot water, and my parents have a typical suburban house in a cute little neighborhood; we didn't have to climb innumerable stairs up to our apartment, or fear getting robbed while doing so. We weren't stranded in a city neighborhood by lack of subway transportation, with dwindling supplies at the local grocery store. Overall, we had a pretty okay time.<br />
<br />
But it was cold, and it was dark, and we didn't have TV to tell us what was going on.<br />
<br />
What we did have was WNYC, and Brian Lehrer. All day long, Brian took calls from all over New York and collated the information coming in. He told people where they could get cash, where they were giving out food, and reiterated the official messages coming from the city and state government.<br />
<br />
When I look back on Hurricane Sandy, what I remember is Brian Lehrer, calmly vetting and distributing information. I remember sitting in the darkening kitchen and marveling that Mr. Lehrer had probably been at the station since the hurricane hit. I remember being thankful that WNYC existed, and was able to operate the way it does.<br />
<br />
I even wrote a little sustaining member Haiku:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Hurricane Sandy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuned in to Brian Lehrer</div>
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A voice in the dark</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-37820080280464793882013-10-14T16:52:00.002-07:002013-10-14T16:52:51.275-07:00Tap Dancin' Fools<div style="text-align: center;">
It might be a slog,</div>
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and I may have just consumed questionable leftover Chinese food,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q4FYNF02yEM" width="420"></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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But I get to have the most talented friends imaginable</div>
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<br /></div>
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and most days, that makes it all worth it. </div>
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<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-40012318576539967032013-09-27T21:27:00.000-07:002013-09-27T21:27:20.814-07:00From the Late Nights on YouTube Department<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6R8InADno6o" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
An oldie and a goodie, <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Eleanor Powell and Buddy Rich.</span>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-11850359541916496882013-02-04T22:24:00.001-08:002013-02-04T22:24:40.283-08:00Adventures in Millinery- Mining Felt<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8446118505/" title="Untitled by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8446118505_53c646b4f1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
My first Millinery class at FIT was on Friday, and of course I was given (in our professor's hilarious and roundabout way) a laundry list of things to purchase in time for next class. One of those things was felt fur hoods, the material we put on the hat block to make a hat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Luckily I had enough free time this week to make shopping a two part excursion, so I spent all day Saturday running around buying all of the things I could get outside the garment district, including a thrilling new bag to transport my wares in.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Monday, was for buying everything else, as garment district shops are only open Monday-Friday 10-5:30. City that never sleeps my arse. </div>
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<br /></div>
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One of my first stops was Hyman Hendler and Sons, and while I at first thought I was in search of a hat block, the lovely and helpful lady behind the counter told me they carried felt fur. I dug through the large cardboard box at the back of the store, and came upon a beautiful dark purpley blue color they were calling "capricorn." I asked the lady behind the counter if they had any more in that color. What happened next was a hilarious New York surprise.</div>
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"Hey, Hyman!" she yelled up at the office on the second floor. "This lady would like to get another fur felt."</div>
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<br /></div>
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A harried looking businessman stuck his head out the window and peered down at me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"What do you want?" He scowled.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For the faintest moment I was cowed and willing to leave him alone, but fortunately this city has taught me how to be pushy. "I'd like to buy another fur felt in this color. Do you have any more?"</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Well we've got like... 30 boxes downstairs. It would take forever to find anything."</div>
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<br /></div>
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What followed was an argument between the counter clerk and the manager the exact phrasing of which I wish I could recall. What I can say is that it was obvious that the clerk was used to haranguing and manipulating Mr. Hendler into actually bothering to provide his customers with the service they wanted. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Once it was over the woman looked at me conspiratorially, had me leave my coat behind the counter, and lead me downstairs through a labyrinth of shelves and boxes to the boiler room where there were probably literally 30 boxes of felt fur. After telling me she'd give me a $2 discount per hat if I bought a dozen fur felts, she left me to my own devices. In the basement of their store. By myself.</div>
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<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8447213556/" title="Untitled by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8447213556_eb2a6bc389_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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After a glorious half hour digging through and rearranging boxes of fur felts in the boiler room, I went upstairs with my prizes where I was interrogated by Mr. Hendler once again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Did you get your hands all dusty?" He shouted down, this time not bothering to lean out the window.</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Yes, but I also found the fur felt I was looking for! Thank you."</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Good. Make sure you wash your hands before you go back outside."</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-33646835587394194152013-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:002013-01-23T11:00:36.167-08:00My city she is<div style="text-align: center;">
My city she is a fever dream,</div>
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she is a hot kiss on the mouth, she is</div>
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turbulent and the ruling goddess of my life.</div>
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And sometimes she is too kind to understand</div>
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and sometimes she is</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8408160857/" title="Bryant Park, 18*f by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Bryant Park, 18*f" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8408160857_d94d4615f3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a frigid bitch. </div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-54737044479988926452013-01-06T17:54:00.005-08:002013-01-06T17:54:36.190-08:00Antigone<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine from <a href="http://perchancetodreamtheatre.org/">Perchance to Dream</a> theater contacted me and asked me if I could help to design costumes for their new production of 'Antigone'. Being a firm believer in Kevin Pollock's mantra "if you're not creating you're waiting" (and facing an empty post-catering season), I dove in.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8355315623/" title="antigone by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="antigone" height="227" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8355315623_62ae431d71_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Since I came into the production late and was hoping to make it with less than nothing, I came up with a general plan and made a list of what I wanted. Then I asked the actors what they had in their closets, dug through the costume closet of a teacher connected to the production, and tweaked my designs again.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next came the part I know many designers hate- shopping. Combing through New York department stores during the week before Christmas was a test of my commitment to the task. I longed to be as well established as the costume designers at the Public- to have a team of assistants who I could send out in search of products to pick over, or at the very least somebody to hold my bag and strengthen my morale.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But I got through it, and after sticking things on to actors it was time to record the video portions of the play and I had to let it go. Plus, the masks arrived from Washington, and I got to help the company sort those out.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8347513992/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="VweZrLyPWm8hCvTvhwr30st6lAePNTlmZXpkjA1WwVE copy by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="VweZrLyPWm8hCvTvhwr30st6lAePNTlmZXpkjA1WwVE copy" height="213" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8347513992_6a3bc05bff_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Overall it's a production I'm well pleased with. The actors look as they should, and the costumes help tell the story without getting in the way of the masks or the actors. A few things were changed from my original idea to the finished product (mostly because I couldn't find what I wanted), but it's probably all for the best.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I prefer to do contemporary costume design over period pieces; it allows me to tell the kinds of specific stories about relationships I like to tell. Plus I get to boss everybody around and make them try on clothes like little dolls.</div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">Oh, and of course I doodled during rehearsal. </span></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8346460097/" title="antigone 1 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="antigone 1" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8346460097_e601216cc7.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-27063663001055249502012-12-10T00:30:00.000-08:002012-12-10T10:24:56.111-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
I disappeared.</div>
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Are you surprised?</div>
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As it turns out, I'm not a very good blogger.</div>
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I mean, I'm not good at it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have 500 other projects I'm usually working on-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
knitting,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cooking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
trying to get another wardrobe job,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and illustrating whatever thing has come into my mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So updating this blog,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which maybe twenty people read,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
isn't at the top of my list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was just working on a show </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the Public Theater</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
whose set unfortunately was totally walled in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to draw whatever show I'm working on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even just for my own self,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but the only way to see this show from backstage was to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watch it on the TV monitors-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not so interesting.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I don't even have any drawings for myself,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
never mind you people.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-42786182253049273212012-11-06T17:22:00.002-08:002012-11-06T17:22:44.433-08:00And Jingo Was His Name-O<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/8162782020/" title="And Jingo was his name-o by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="And Jingo was his name-o" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8162782020_e8fdb53733.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In case you had any doubts about where I stand.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-86826795992012302402012-09-14T16:07:00.000-07:002012-09-14T16:07:00.260-07:00Just in case you thought I wasn't a hipster yet<div style="text-align: center;">
YOU GUYS.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know all those trite pictures people in the outer boroughs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are always posting-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ones that are a crappy view of Manhattan from their rooftop?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7980947991/" title="IMG_2013 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2013" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/7980947991_dac45d9e27.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just figured it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can go up to my roof and enjoy some "fresh" air,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and nobody wants to bother me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can read my book in peace without being lectured</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about Jesus, or giving to Charity, or when the world is going to end.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure I have to chat to my neighbors every once in a while,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but that's it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm free to enjoy the Chrysler building as a 1/4" speck</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in peace.</div>
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I'm free to have really lame thoughts about </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how groovy my new nabe is,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how awesome my life is,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how much I love my boyfriend,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or any other thoughts one has while gazing into the sunset</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in peace.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-91428986471017391462012-09-11T16:16:00.002-07:002012-09-11T21:18:55.852-07:00Libraries, personal and public<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7977917703/" title="Shelves by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Shelves" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/7977917703_cfbdddecfb.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My new roommates both work in Publishing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As such, I am spoiled for choice in terms of reading-<br />
if I didn't go to the library</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AT ALL<br />
for a year, I still wouldn't run out of things I wanted to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, I'll still go to the library-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just on the other side of the block!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The library is the first important thing I find in a new neighborhood,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after the Grocery store. The craft beer place is third)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's delightful to have a ton of goodies here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559260654/" title="New Kindle by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="New Kindle" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7559260654_c8fc00519e_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boyfriend purchased me a nook for my Birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Mostly I wanted one to read Gutenberg books- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moby Dick, Ulysses, Greek Myths.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But then I found out I can take out ebooks from the library.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND THEN I found out how much easier</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my ereader is to carry around than 'East of Eden.'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND then I found out I could</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get my newspaper subscriptions on it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
instead of trying to wrestle a broadsheet out of my neighbor's face on the 4 train.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The controls make me feel like I'm using my Dad's palm pilot circa 1999,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's much easier to hand somebody a physical book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to get them to read it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I'm not a total devotee yet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it is goddamn convenient,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7977919874/" title="Shelves by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Shelves" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/7977919874_e470fa427a_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And way easier to carry up three flights of stairs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to my new (newest of four this year) apartment</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
than six boxes of books.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-49900570973286339682012-09-10T20:04:00.000-07:002012-09-10T20:04:00.382-07:00Makin' Movies, or, why nobody likes BG<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7752834142/" title="IMG_1848 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1848" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7752834142_4869041811_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other day it was time to film the wedding scene on the set of The Film That Shall Not Be Named.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wardrobe Team, having been worried about this scene since before we started filming, gets to work an hour early. I'm steaming clothes like a crazy person (seriously, where do you keep this suit? In a plastic bag at the bottom of your closet?) when BG (extras, or background) starts to arrive and, of course, fuck up our shit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(Now let me just preface this rant by saying I understand BG are human beings with thoughts and feelings and needs- like going to the bathroom, or having some water, or getting tired. That's totally cool. I've been BG myself in the past. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But to be perfectly blunt, you are not that important. We need you because a wedding with no attendees is not really a wedding, it's an elopement. You are essentially human set dressing. I need you to sit or stand in the same spot until we are done rolling. I know it sucks, and you're only making minimum wage, but seriously I don't care. You're not going to be discovered as an actor on this set, especially not if you continually piss of the 1st AD. [ And don't fucking tell me about how Nicholas Cage did that, because his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola. Also would you want to be remembered for Ghost Rider?])</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/2640648226/" title="the industry (is counter-intuitive) by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="the industry (is counter-intuitive)" height="310" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3280/2640648226_744e16c4c3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So anyway. BG begins to arrive, and get in the way, and act like I should prioritize approving their outfits over prepping the wedding dress (worn, by the way, by the actress who also happens to be Wife of Extremely Important Actor), when what do I see? a BG who has shown up in a lace cream dress. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To a wedding scene. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For which they were given very specific instructions regarding clothing. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
She was fired immediately.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were of course also little children on set who would not be satisfied by removing their costumes and throwing them on the ground- no, pasta sauce had to also be applied directly to their clothes during lunchtime.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the final straw in my contempt for BG comes when during the champagne toast scene one of them asks me for "a few more empty champagne glasses. I need them for my seltzer." He asks ME. The wardrobe intern, the girl who has only been pestering him about his clothes all day. He is met with a long, hard gaze, and a vacuous but contemptuous "No."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It can be good to be the unpaid help. They really can't fire you.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-91103725113734128612012-09-05T19:50:00.000-07:002012-09-05T19:52:09.693-07:00Neil Himself<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7940962828/" title="NeilGaimanReading by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="NeilGaimanReading" height="148" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7940962828_12f8f1d4e4_o.jpg" width="108" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My father & I trekked up to Bard College this evening</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a reading by <a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/">Neil Gaiman</a>, one of my more favorite authors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His lovely bride Amanda Palmer is the artist-in-residence up there,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he needed an audience for a story he just finished a draft of.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I believe he requested a small classroom space, and was provided with</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the Sosnoff theater, which seats roughly 900.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7940963034/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="NeilGaimanReading 2 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="NeilGaimanReading 2" height="160" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7940963034_47decbf779_o.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The story was good.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He is an excellent reader of his own work-</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
clear, well-paced, animated.</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
There were swords,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
and dwarves,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
and a little bit of magic.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Neil seemed at once perplexed and delighted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have such an audience.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I think he got what he wanted, since he claimed to have</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
learned something from doing the reading.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7940963178/" title="NeilGaimanReading 4 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="NeilGaimanReading 4" height="200" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/7940963178_fbff49d12f_o.jpg" width="102" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7940963262/" title="NeilGaimanReading 5 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="NeilGaimanReading 5" height="200" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7940963262_71fc5fc938_n.jpg" width="70" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We even got a special treat for being so good-<br />
Amanda sang us her ukulele song.<br />
<br />
Neil's look of love and adoration while she played was<br />
perfect, and lovely, and not at all strange<br />
as he claimed the evening had been.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OZaR_4us6Ec" width="420"></iframe></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-39556181395451278442012-07-31T05:36:00.000-07:002012-07-31T05:36:00.443-07:00Thoughts on Running<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7640919622/" title="Thoughts on running by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Thoughts on running" height="211" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7640919622_73968fc685_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-87569565191756568032012-07-27T05:34:00.000-07:002012-07-27T05:34:06.340-07:00NY Philharmonic Free Concert Series<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7586814752/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Philharmonic4 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Philharmonic4" height="218" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7586814752_3aa4035218_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">My friend, her mother and I</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">sat down two hours before the</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Manhattan concert began</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and still weren't close enough to see the stage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We picnicked and chatted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before, during, and after.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7586814678/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Philharmonic3 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Philharmonic3" height="250" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7586814678_848d359823_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A guy behind us kept giving us the stinky stink eye,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we got there first</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he was just a little too serious</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a free event which happens in public. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sky was clear</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the accompaniment was a low hum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of murmured conversations.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7586814568/" title="Philharmonic2 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Philharmonic2" height="308" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7586814568_7915e83890.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is nothing like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the silence of ten thousand people between movements.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-4542922637641593952012-07-23T18:57:00.000-07:002012-07-23T18:57:00.245-07:00Happy Birthday, Sarah<div style="text-align: center;">
I love mail.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sending, receiving, writing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have several pen pals.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorite things is making cards for people-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birthday Cards, Thank You Cards, anything with a theme.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe I love the idea of making something &</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
imposing it on somebody else-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
making a thing and then getting it out of my space.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess I don't really care if people throw them away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559223446/" title="SarahBirthday by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="SarahBirthday" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7559223446_2908097c80.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went to London for a semester when I was in college</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my assigned roommate Sarah and I </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
couldn't have been better matched as travel buddies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We liked to go to sleep early and get up early,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
walk until our feet fell off,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and try to find the best thing to eat for our dollar (or Pound, or Euro).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Birthday, Sarah.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd love to go back to Paris someday.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-91495709955286572502012-07-18T17:35:00.000-07:002012-07-18T17:35:00.577-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weekends ago</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I combined two things I thought I really hated:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
camping,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and landscape drawing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I am not high-maintenance enough to put on makeup every day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(or even brush my hair sometimes),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sleeping on the ground and not showering</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is totally unappealing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559251778/" title="Camping by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Camping" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7559251778_62303f946b_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I was fair pleased when boyfriend </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
brought an inflatable mattress</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a 12-pack of Stella (acceptable).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were lawn chairs we'd toss in the river</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when it got hot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we'd sit and chat.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was plenty of food to be had,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a whole mess of somebody else's relatives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and their dogs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7586814160/" title="Glamping1 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Glamping1" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7586814160_9d2c0c0f73_n.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For a 2 1/2 day trip, I had a lot of free time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hours seem to move differently</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when I know I'm not going inside for two days</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not wearing a watch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I have no obligations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried to do some landscape work,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but all of those textures are damned annoying.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7586814272/" title="Glamping2 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Glamping2" height="242" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7586814272_4c995f471b.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll probably go Glamping again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this summer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I'm not sure I'll bring as many art supplies next time.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-36333660649367117232012-07-12T19:35:00.003-07:002012-07-12T19:36:00.028-07:00Storm King Sculpture Park<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559259338/" title="Storm King by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Storm King" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7559259338_3bdca837e4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Storm King Sculpture Park:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
500 acres of contemporary sculpture</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the mighty Hudson Valley.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Serra">Richard Serra</a>, so I was looking forward to the trip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">I love modern/post modern art.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being dragged though exhibitions of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dutch Masters as a child & young art student</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
causes me to reject most forms of literalism in visual art</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(come on people, we have damn cameras).<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559226320/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Storm King by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Storm King" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7559226320_aabc97f3af_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately the parking lots aren't very close to the Info Center,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so we staggered about in the heat, and I mostly thought</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"oh look, more red I Beams."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suppose for the most part when we encounter art in our daily lives,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially site-specific or installation art,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're supposed to contemplate and draw our own conclusions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But when I go to a museum, I want to have it spelled out for me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a little bit.<br />
<br />
There was one piece, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddeedaniel/6434155561/in/photostream/">Nostoc II</a><br />
by Patricia Johanson<br />
which boyfriend & I<br />
couldn't fucking find<br />
when we went into the woods looking for it.<br />
After a certain point I began to think not finding anything<br />
and looking closely at the woods<br />
was the art.<br />
<br />
Which can be fun,<br />
but it really left a bitter taste in my mouth.<br />
I felt as though I was being openly mocked by the museum.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Overall, I think I will go back</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
perhaps in the fall when it is cooler</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the trees are turning</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and I can wear a sweater</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and bring an easel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7559512738/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="StormKing1 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="StormKing1" height="240" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7559512738_9d7b77c92d_m.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-31126818426905975852012-07-02T15:48:00.000-07:002012-07-02T15:48:00.311-07:00Bored Backstage?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441658602/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="306" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7441658602_614d76b784_o.jpg" width="174" /></a><br />
<br />
I just finished running wardrobe on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'42nd Street' on Long Island,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which included a marathon of costume changes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
during the act I finale- five outfits for 23 actors each</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 20 minutes, I believe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the first week of the show</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't think I took a breath during the entire </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mad dash.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But like anything one does</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
exactly the same way</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seven times a week,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it eventually got routine,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then boring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boring, for me, is what's dangerous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boring is when I forget a hat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or don't keep my eyes open</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and collide with somebody backstage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7405081616/" title="ribbon1 by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="ribbon1" height="344" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5118/7405081616_66caf18416.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But boring is also the best part, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I can challenge myself to get</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just a little bit better</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boring is when I realize how to super streamline the process.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boring is when the dancers really relax into their roles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and start having a blast.</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-39437545165810556782012-06-28T10:42:00.000-07:002012-06-28T10:42:00.927-07:00Tap Dancing a Gesture Drawing<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441659424/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="124" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7441659424_d32d6b1078_o.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Getting to watch the tapdancers backstage was exhilarating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love tapdancing, and to be so close</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to so many talented people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and to (get paid to) watch them every night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
did nothing to diminish my respect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for their craft.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, tap dancers are much more difficult</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to draw than Shakespearian actors</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or even Modern Dancers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my drawings looked like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441659102/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="290" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7441659102_01f43f2333_o.jpg" width="120" /></a> <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441659348/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="250" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5279/7441659348_991519761d_o.jpg" width="120" /></a> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441659032/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="304" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7441659032_e3acbaba46_o.jpg" width="120" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">But most of them looked like this: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7441659540/" title="42nd Street Backstage Notebook by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="42nd Street Backstage Notebook" height="373" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7441659540_c2691a812d.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-61019706080298991692012-06-25T12:44:00.000-07:002012-07-01T20:13:49.301-07:00Getting it Wrong and Liking It<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://trac-changes.blogspot.com/">Trac Changes</a>, a blog I basically want to copy + paste right here</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://trac-changes.blogspot.com/2012/04/on-gradual-process-of-reaching-your.html">recently reminded me</a> of one of the most important things I learned </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from my favorite professor at Bing:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the freedom to fail gloriously.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As clowns and as actors</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Professor Toomey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">would remind us that there's nothing to learn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nothing to discover</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in a small failure.Bigger is better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And that to fail was not to lose,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but to learn another path towards success. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A lot of time, as artists</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(or human beings)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we expect to get it right the first time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We want to be proud of everything we do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know that there's only so much time I'll spend on a drawing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">before getting pissed off & giving up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24715531" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I got the opportunity to sit with Bob Mankoff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he emphasised the importance for cartoonists</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(and all artists) to draw and work and draw</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and then work some more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on refining their style.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because it's only through repetition that </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you're going to be able to reduce the world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to the essentials.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was reminded of this when</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I listened to a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"<a href="http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/2012/apr/10/state-artist/">state of the artist</a>" podcast from WNYC</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where James Murphy described his creative "process"-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2404529256746173" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also had this concept that I really liked called Good/Bad/Good. Like something that’s a good idea in that it’s a really bad idea, which kind of makes it a really great idea. Like it just kind of goes through things twice. </span></span></b></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2404529256746173" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or things that are like, you can say them as a joke, even. Or as an idea. Like oh, wouldn’t that be a funny idea. But then the gesture of actaully working through the problems of what would sometimes be a simple idea, but bringing them up on with as much labor as they take, something beautiful happens.</span></b></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</b><span style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, it was always like, when we did the label, our record company we called “TFA Records”, which was just a series of terrible ideas that made everybody who worked there really happy- where we would be like [...] I had a meeting with my partner were we were like “We need a logo” and I drew a lighting bolt really badly with a ballpoint pen and wrote a little thing in the middle of it and we were like “well, okay, we could use that. And then we were like, no, we could just use <i>that</i>.” We did that, crappy, like we don’t get a designer to come and make that better. It’s not very big, it’s not going to blow up very well, perfect!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #6aa84f; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After doing this for long enough, we realized that, we had kind of kidded, as a means of making something that we wouldn’t let ourselves make if we had said “this is going to be art.” Like we had kidded ourselves into a place where we could be like [...] We had found we had made all these things that we really loved. And we did believe in them, and we knew they were bad. And that was part of what they were to us. That they weren’t pretty, and they weren’t - they were weirdly functional.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</span></span>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-65145171702563071282012-05-04T13:25:00.000-07:002012-05-04T13:25:00.554-07:00What's in my Bag? Work Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/6986927568/" title="What's In My Bag? Work Edition by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="What's In My Bag? Work Edition" height="200" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6986927568_bd002af5c6_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If I worked in the kind of place where I got a desk or a space of my own in which to do my job, all of these things would live in my bottom drawer. As it is, I work backstage and usually put things in a corner. This is my bag which lives at work, and I keep the things I need to do my job inside of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/6986928346/" title="What's In My Bag? Work Edition by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="What's In My Bag? Work Edition" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6986928346_a60f9d3e94.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some of these things stay on my body at all times, while others (like the mug and the notebook) are just nice to have.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7133014881/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="What's In My Bag? Work Edition by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="What's In My Bag? Work Edition" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7133014881_555e6d6a82.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the stuff I always wear: volleyball kneepads (because I kneel often to put on actors' shoes), my knife belt, a pen necklace, and my hip bag. I only wear the wristie when I'm working in the shop- it would get in the way if I wore it backstage.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before I bought this hip bag, I would use a waiter's waist apron. Some people wear a fanny-pack, or buy <a href="http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/setbags.html">something really fancy</a> from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply (the greatest "stuff"-for-clothes store in the world, even if you don't work in a theater), and I believe Makeup artists have a whole other thing going on if they don't have a station for their brushes and palettes. This thing did cost me almost $50, but it's really perfect & has lots of little compartments. Let's take a tour, shall we?
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.jetpens.com/images/a/000/016/16288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://static.jetpens.com/images/a/000/016/16288.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">First of all, there's the structure of the bag itself- I can move the two compartments onto my back if I need to crouch, or put one on each hip if I need to sidle past somebody.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/6986931920/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="What's In My Bag? Work Edition by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="What's In My Bag? Work Edition" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/6986931920_e7ef87706a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I attached a key chain to my safety pins pouch so I can rip it open quickly and easily. My cellphone lives in the zip compartment behind them, since just because I need to run up and down the stairs, doesn't mean I can't look good in a skirt doing it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The headlamp goes on my head, and I find it infinitely preferable to a bite-light, which is a light you put in your mouth and bite down on when you want it to light up- bad for your jaw AND deeply unsanitary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the show I'm currently working on, I also wear a wrist sweatband with french pins and bobby pins stuck in it, as I need to change the actors' wigs frequently.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Inside the pouches on one side I keep my run sheet full of instructions given to me by the Wardrobe Captain, a moleskine for doodling & writing grocery lists, and a spiral-bound notebook of index cards which I can tear out and put in.... <i>the binder.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/7133017197/" title="What's In My Bag? Work Edition by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="What's In My Bag? Work Edition" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7133017197_c4c29333ca.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the other pouch is the binder itself, my most precious totem. I keep all of my notes on what I need to do each show inside this. Although I generally have the order of things memorized after a week or so, it's nice to have a reminder of what I'm doing when I get back from my days off, and a place to keep all of the little extra notes I might accumulate that don't fit on a run sheet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The binder came about when I got very jealous of the stage manager's binder, but knew it would be ridiculous for me to carry a standard 8 x 10 binder around backstage- I would inevitably put it down somewhere silly & forget about it. I came across this little gem in Staples and have been using it ever since. A binder is better than a sheet of paper or a notebook because during tech week, things change over and over, and a page with twenty cross-outs is very difficult to read. With a binder, if the order of something changes I can swap around the order of my cards.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/6354452283/" title="Fancy Backstage Outfit by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Fancy Backstage Outfit" height="320" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/6354452283_89741537d0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So there you have it! My work life in a bag. What are the things you use every day for your job? And what do you always keep inside your bag? I'm nosy & want to know!</div>
</div>
</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3376200514842021914.post-65384780434562396292012-05-01T12:13:00.000-07:002012-05-01T13:29:30.035-07:00Nobody Owns This City; subtitle- HipstersMaking fun of tourists is an old hobby. Making fun of newbies seems to be even more fun. And though I probably shouldn't take it seriously, there is some pretty vitrolic stuff written on various websites like reddit & Die Hipster.<br />
<br />
I have engaged in my own fair share of making fun of hipsters (see my contempt for WilliamsBeard), even though I probably am one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chlorinebeach/6961973189/" title="Comfort Clothes by BefWithAnF, on Flickr"><img alt="Comfort Clothes" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6961973189_b08b53b19d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">But the thing that makes New York great is it's people. All kinds of people come here from all over the US & all over the world (and somehow, the ones from outside the US seem to attract less hatred from these hater types). The ones who work hard enough get to stay.</span></div>
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Most of our most famous people have been immigrants to this helluva town, such as the entire beat generation, the Beatles (who, as it happens, my great grandfather thought "ruined America"), and our most beloved sports stars. </div>
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Which is not to denigrate the authentic NYers like Jay-Z or Lin-Manuel Miranda who contribute the flavors of somebody who has worked and struggled their entire lives to stay in the place they know and love. I celebrate and love the originals, I simply have no patience for those who think outsiders shouldn't be allowed in.</div>
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Shouldn't we be thrilled that ours is the kind of city that attracts artists from all over the world, the place of which Fred Ebb so famously wrote "if I can make it there I'll make it anywhere"?</div>
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Or do we want to be the kind of city that repels outsiders, like Detroit?</div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709377893502729103noreply@blogger.com0