Underappreciated Electronics

Last weekend I met up with a friend (with whom I am writing a top-secret show - more later), who owns a record player. Sifting through his large collection of obscure records yielded some quality material for listening whilst working. It really got me thinking about music, my love for it, and that certain nostalgia a true music lover has for his or her vinyl. I remember growing up and looking at all my Dad's old records, from the Beatles to Earth Wind and Fire. I remember even having my own Sesame Street record. Why don't I have records anymore? Because I don't have a record player.

On Sunday afternoon, I headed to the hipster-capital of NYC (also a hot spot of musicians, artists, and vinyl collectors) and visited three different record stores. One of the employees highly recommended the Audio-Technical PL-120 as the record player "to have." For the sound and product quality, it's extremely affordable, and all the online reviews echo his sentiments. From there, acquiring an original collection can be fun, easy, and cheap. Just hit up garage sales, thrift stores, and craigslist ads. So - now I know my first purchase after getting out of credit card debt. Rock on!

Unfortunately...

I did not win mega millions tonight.

Fortunately, I had a really fun time at my first ever burlesque class.  Yep.  That's right.

More later.

$50 Million

I think I might be addicted. Today, while walking by a bodega on the way to the subway, a jangling sound from my purse reminded me that I had quarters leftover from yesterday's laundry excursion. Tempted by the flashing "$50 Million Jackpot" for the New York Mega Millions lottery, I headed inside and bought myself a ticket.

I swear, one of these days, I'm going to win. I read "The Secret" - I know what's up.

And then I'm going to buy a loft in DUMBO, a Prius, build a music/film production studio, and open a bar with vegan snacks called "Detox" with Jess. And travel to Germany. And take voice lessons again. Work with a private yoga instructor and get weekly massages. Fly my family out to New York to visit more often. Quit my job and start auditioning as much as possible. Buy All-Clad cookware and order from Fresh Direct every week. Hold vegan dinner parties for my vegan friends (the group is growing larger - it's addictive). Get involved with wine production and learn the family trade. Travel to all the galleries and buy beautiful, original art.

I know that money cannot buy happiness, but I'm already happy... but money could sure buy a lot of fun stuff and alleviate that whole "omg i'm totally broke and living in nyc" syndrome.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Last night I truly reconsidered my decision not to go to culinary school. (Yes, this was something I considered.) Jess and I headed to Williamsburg for a reading/concert at the loft of the sister of one of the girls who helped me post-ice fall. The relationship sounds complicated, but let's get to the point. THIS LOFT WAS GORGEOUS. We only saw the downstairs, but what we saw was entirely too much to handle. Soaring ceilings (we're talking 20 footers), a stainless steel custom kitchen, gorgeous wooden floors, a room devoted entirely to yoga... basically, the perfect apartment. And after I was informed she had worked for quite some time as one of Bobby Flay's chefs - I had one of those [slap leg] "damn!" moments. The event was a lot of fun - inspiring poems and book excerpts, and some great acoustic folk music. Unfortunately, there were no single men in sight. Am I living on Noah's Arc these days? Jess and I proceeded to bar hop through Brooklyn and then Alphabet City... it was a fun night. So today, I find myself with writer's block as I try to compose a story on the topic of "New Beginnings." My storytelling class has decided to continue on and work on more stories together, in hopes of hosting a regular storytelling show somewhere in the city. Such a broad topic, but my initial thought was of my obvious transition in moving to New York. But there's not really one story in there that would warrant an audience's attention. Any ideas for me?

I leave you with this. Because you deserve it.