Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Scalding Hot Ninja

March 31, 2010

This morning I bid adieu to the love of my life who left for the last five weeks of his tour. You will have my undivided attention once more.

I have been a busy love-struck ninja this past week. But my two-footed love and I met with much adversity from the forces of nature, transportation and the musical theatre gods.

Torrential rain, missed buses and anticlimactic auditions aside, it was a lovely week. I invented a new exercise/game on my crutches (a staple for the one-footed aerobic craze I intend to start, entitled “Core on Crutches”). Holding the crutches with one’s arms locked, the object of the game is to pick up the good foot from the ground and remain balanced mid-air for as long as possible. I discovered it in Whole Foods, perfected my technique at the Regal Cinemas in Times Square, and have been frightening food shoppers and moviegoers all week long! My record is around ten seconds.

I paid a trip to my wonderful orthopedist - he who loves to make the injured wait several hours for bad news - and got an update. 3-4 more weeks - BUT! - I can start putting a little weight on it. And, it turns out I can move my ankle! I guess I assumed they were all connected and my poor foot has lost all circulation from just hanging off the end of me for two weeks. It looks a lot more lifelike now with the frequent ankle rolls I have been incorporating into my busy days.

I had a great ninja workout today, with an emphatic one-legged barre to work my left leg (and ankle, now that I realize I can). And with putting a little weight on my foot, I can get back into my splits, which are still quite arresting.

In honor of Passover, I made a delicious matzoh-brei this morning (fried egg with matzoh, to be enjoyed with maple syrup) for myself and he who makes me hot apple cider with whipped cream and marshmallows.

I shall now relate an amusing story about said apple cider. After an arduous day of auditions, an unpleasant visit to the foot doctor, and a Passover seder where we were seated at the unruly teen’s table, my love and I settled into bed to watch a movie. It was a nice end to a stressful day. We had acquired the supplies for our fall-time treat of apple cider - cider, marshmallows, whipped cream. I had my first sip. Delicious, but very hot. My second, even better, with a melted marshmallow sneaking its way in to my mouth. My third, unbelievably HOT! And not in my mouth, but all over the crotch and upper thighs of my jeans! “Scalding hot va@#$%!!” I shouted out, but was too paralyzed by fear of (further) injuring my foot to move and my wrist remained in the downward motion of pouring the cider onto my person. Not until Chris urged me to stop pouring and start moving did I hobble my way out of the bed only to discover it had seeped its sweet, cider-y way into my blanket and sheets. He who makes everything right proceeded to do an impromptu laundry load while we watched “The Proposal” on Netflix. I tell this story to demonstrate several items: 1) I have the most wonderful boyfriend and am very lucky. 2) It is time I add “being less oblivious” to my list of goals. 3) Even at the time, it was really, really funny. Hot (scalding), but funny.

I would like to give a shout-out to my father for making the best food at Passover time. Oh, and speaking of genetic culinary talent, my angel food cake was greatly appreciated!

In musical news, I began learning “Love Story” by Taylor Swift on guitar today, and it’s coming along well.

I am off to the West Village to return my adorable pup to my dad’s apartment, and, of course, dig into some Passover leftovers. Happy matzoh, folks!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A Ninja in New England...

March 24, 2010

Ninja’s in Massachusetts! My wonderfully sweet and charming boyfriend with whom I am vacationing has actually donned a new stage name for me and my one-leg status -- Peg Leg Jim!

Well, good news, folks. Peg Leg Jim got herself a callback for “Tommy” after that one-footed rendition of “Toucha Toucha Touch Me.” Tragically, her decaying foot will still be “en caste” for the dance callback, so fingers crossed that a pre-fall video of my dancing abilities will suffice.

The trip to Boston was rather eventful. Thanks to the delightful weather and skilled communication of Delta Airlines, he who brightens my rainy days got in a bit late on Monday, and after a high-speed car ride to the bus stop, we missed the bus by about ten minutes. So we boarded the even higher-speed Acela train with our Chinese takeout, luggage and angel food cake. [Sidebar: Angel food cake rocked! I’ve decided I am most successful in the baking department of kitchen duties (although I did prepare a delicious omelette for my blue eyed baby this morning).]

The weather in Boston has also been a particularly accommodating wintry mix, but no matter to me with my strong man who generously bestows piggy back rides! We had an audition yesterday in B-town which went rather well. We got to meet some of the Boston actors who are a rather different blend than New York thespians.

I think it’s nice how my broken foot helps others feel endeared to me. For example, walking down the street, strangers are inclined to shout out positive encouragement, like, “Keep going, honey, almost there!” and “It’s gonna be stronger when it heals” and the especially observant, “Sweetie, your leg gonna be okay!” Much thanks to all these well-wishers and no doubt others who will continue to root me on my one-footed way.

My gentleman and I saw “Alice in Wonderland” in 3-D last night with his family, and it was seriously, stupendously awesome. The chairs were positioned perfectly so I could prop up “le foot”, Chris and I indulged in our preferred cinema snack of popcorn and Reese’s Pieces, and the movie quite simply was visually intoxicating. I highly recommend it to all.

I decided against giving the good foot a pedicure, as I thought it might add to the other foot's its burgeoning inferiority complex. Asian ladies of Manhattan, get ready to blow out all the stops when my cast comes off. I’m expecting my toes to hit the streets of New York with a nice spring pink. Probably in flats.

Taco night tonight at Chris’ mom’s house - woohoo! Judging by her recipe for the Strawberry Mousse (more appropriately called Strawberry Snow in the family), I expect it will be quite tasty. Fear not, health-conscious readers, I will incorporate a one-legged ninja workout rather soon. Off to enjoy a sunny New England afternoon!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Ninjas Can Be Angels, Too

March 21, 2010

It was a good Sunday.

Despite my vow to lay in bed all day and give my weary arms a rest, I rose from my bed around 1pm and hobbled out into the world. I didn’t get too far before I realized I’d left my credit card at home and had to turn around. Clearly this was my weary card’s attempt at a day of rest. Also unsuccessful.

I met my sister at the grocery store to procure the items necessary for making angel food cake. Hopefully the sister of my beloved for whom this cake is a gift is not reading this entry. As the love of my life returns from tour tomorrow for an entire nine days (hoorah! hoorah!), we’ll be staying at his sister’s home in Boston. And what does his sister like in the department of baked goods? Angel food cake. A challenging project, I thought, and one worthy of my efforts on this lovely Sunday.

One tube pan, a set of egg beaters and (don’t tell!) box of Duncan Hines cake mix later, I forayed back to my apartment with grocery bags clanking at my wrists, eager to be released. It’s nice having egg beaters, they’re more efficient than a blender and it’s fun to watch them in action. I also made a fluffy little strawberry mousse to go atop the angel food cake, which should conveniently cover up some of the browner parts. My book du jour is “I Was Told There’d Be Cake,” a humorous collection of essays (New York Times bestseller!!), and I thought an appropriate selection for my day of culinary adventure.

I must say I’m surprised how many two-footed New Yorkers take cabs in such exquisite weather. I stood in line for a cab for about fifteen minutes today behind an able-bodied family of four apparently averse to walking or taking the subway. Well, perhaps they had had a bad experience. We were in the vicinity of West Fourth Street. Were that not the case, even I may have ducked underground rather than stand in the heat for a four-wheeled yellow savior.

My other foot is putting up a fight about the incessant hopping. I’ve put it on warning that further complaints will not be tolerated, but if it’s lucky it may get a massage from he who tells me angel food makes sense when I make it. Ah. I am beyond excited to see my tall and handsome leading man tomorrow. We have a Chinese food date scheduled for the afternoon and then a lengthy bus ride to the city which makes great donuts (Boston cream) and lousy baseball teams (just kidding!!).

I am off to contemplate giving my good foot a re-manicure. It’s not fair that it has to parade around in decay, and yet would not two incongruous feet look even more odd? LIke I said, off to contemplate.

Fearless Ninja Underground

March 20, 2010

Oh, friends. We have a few phrases that need to be eliminated from further conversations between now and April 10th (due date for returned capacity of foot).

1. “Better than you!” (in response to “How are you?”)
2. “Is your foot feeling better?” (I’m ashamed to say I’ve taken to responding to this question, “It’s still broken. It should
be healed in 2 1/2 weeks. But it feels fine!")
3. Gasp! “Are you okay?!?!” (Not a dissimilar answer from above)

I know we all mean well. But it’s not a cold, it’s not a cut, it’s a broken bone. The pain is mostly emotional and probably won’t be better til the damn thing is off and I have a job. But alas...

I woke up at 7am to go to an audition on this beautiful sunny day.

I visited Barnes and Noble in pursuit of an economically priced Japanese learning book, but was persuaded by he who rocks my world to get the more foolproof (and costly) Rosetta Stone. I opted to abide by his sage words and leave B&N’s friendly Japanese for Dummies selection.

This afternoon, in protest of taking a third taxi, I broke down and took the subway. No, NOT the F/V! I’m staying away from that dangerous labyrinth for quite some time. I took the less fearsome 1 train from 23rd Street. Did the hippity hop method going down and up the stairs, and then some serious core work to stay balanced on the one foot. I somehow managed to hit the elusive Saturday afternoon rush.

Chinese food and college interview prep with my sister tonight. Cuddled my adorable newly-groomed pup. Our playtime has been somewhat limited due to his vast desire for hiding under the table and my minor inability to catch him. I’ve had to resort to sneakier methods like luring him out by opening the refrigerator.

I crutched almost all the way back from the West Village to my apartment, a staggering one mile, perhaps? As I hobbled past the cabs stopped in traffic, I knew my heart would have hurt more watching the meter than my arms if I pushed myself the extra distance. When are the Special Olympics held? I reckon I could fare well in a long distance crutch competition.

Ah, it is already Sunday, the day of rest. I am ready to observe.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Return of the One-Legged Ninja

March 19, 2010

Devoted readers, I realize that 48 hours have passed since I last filled you in on the exciting life and times of Manhattan’s favorite (musical!) cripple. Rest assured, the lapse has been due to an upturn in activity and extreme calluses on my fingers from prolonged “jam sessions”.

As per my Irish repertoire, I did attempt the old standard “Danny Boy,” but the tune seems to call for something a little edgier than my acoustic guitar. Perhaps some bagpipes or an accordion? So, I forayed into Canadian repertoire instead! I’ve added the Avril Lavigne hit “Things I’ll Never Say” to my fast-expanding collection.

To be honest, I spent a good part of the day reading this book about the cult. I suppose the author was well-acquainted with techniques to rope you in, because it kept me inside for most of the beautiful day. However, just at dusk I set out on my crutches to meet a friend for dinner. By the way, my new policy is I walk to anything below 14th street. It’s valuable, albeit tedious and painful exercise. Anyway, I’m hobbling along and I suddenly see an entire billboard filled with posters advertising a free concert given by the very cult about which I’ve been reading! And, I see a young guy nailing up another poster! In horror, I asked if he was responsible for the mass of sky blue Sri Chimnoy Concert of Peace posters, to which he gave me a skeptical look and said, no, he was putting up some ska band poster. I think he may have thought I was a cultie! How mortifying.

I determined the absolute worst activity to do on one leg is laundry. Let me preface this by saying, I am very lucky to have laundry in my building. It could be worse. Now, changing the laundry from washer to dryer was unpleasant, as I had to do it practically item by item so my newly clean wardrobe didn’t end up on the floor. But getting the load back upstairs was my downfall. I am a person who likes to fold laundry in the laundry room. I saw no need to change this motif, and I also saw no need to use my crutches while in the building. Well, that left me with two towering piles stacked up against my chin, the remaining items in a bag swung over my shoulder, and much room for error on my return hop home. A few good tank tops were lost to the cause.

I hit the gym today and rather hard. The wide-gapped stairs didn’t scare me one bit, and neither did the fear of exhausting my arms beyond their capacity to crutch. I one-leg rowed and one-leg biked to gear up my good leg for its primary carrier status. The one-leg row is probably the best cardio I’ve found thus far.

I spent some time in the garden by the Church of St. Luke and took some high-quality pictures. I can’t post them, because I left my camera at my dad’s apartment where my dog, Jacques, was being given a bath in the sink and I commissioned pictures to be taken in my absence.

I realize the Japanese language procrastination has gone on too long. It will be amended tomorrow.

I also shopped at a thrift store on my way back from the gym. I think that is a testament both to my love of shopping and mastery of crutches.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling...

March 17, 2010

Alas, it was beautiful weather, so I couldn’t be all that productive today, but I did take great strides (literally).

I walked on my crutches all the way from my apartment on 3rd and C to the Crunch Gym at Astor Place - that’s about seven avenues for those unfamiliar, a journey comprising maybe half an hour - for a second interview to be a personal trainer. I suspect my grace and balance on crutches was rather impressive, because I was awarded the job on the spot! I imagine picking up clients sans leg would be a bit more difficult, but I won’t face that challenge as I don’t start until my foot is healed.

An aside:
Would the drunk St. Patty’s Day revelers of the East Village kindly leave one-legged (albeit no less appealing) girls alone? While hobbling along, I was asked by middle-aged men in green not once, not twice, but three times if they could carry me to my destination!! No thanks, bud, I think I can make it there safer on my own. Let’s also keep in mind this was around 11 in the morning.

Once home and safely out of the midst of chivalrous leprechauns, I solidified my Cockney monologue for tomorrow’s audition, as well as the latest addition to my one-legged musical repertoire. I’m starting to wonder if I should offer up some one-legged pullbacks (tap step) when questioned about dance abilities?

I finished “The Brain in Love” - awesome!! - and am now onto “Cartwheels in a Sari,” a memoir of a woman who grew up being told she was the ‘chosen one’ in a cult. Now my parents told me I was the ‘A’ number one princess angel, and I never complained about that. It was likely what launched me into this incredibly exciting career as a performer! Thanks guys!

Well, I figured the St. Patty’s bar crowds would be a bit too much for me to handle. But I looked up the guitar chords for “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and “Danny Boy,” and both look pretty doable. It’s on tomorrow’s agenda. I figure the Irish won’t mind me putting it off.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Winners Make Their Own Luck

March 16, 2010

Note to auditioning actors: Get crutches.

Casting people are SO MUCH NICER!!!

So I get to my audition today for “Tommy” in Asbury Park, New Jersey. I arrive at the church where the auditions are being held, and I hear someone belting out “Proud Mary” from what seems to be directly below me. In fact, about seventeen stairs below me. I am told to wait until she is done before I make my belabored and noisy descent at the end of which I am greeted by a table containing most likely the director, producer and choreographer of the show. I hobble into the nearby holding room as quickly as possible. An auspicious beginning you may (and I did) think, but not for long.

By the time I was called, I was ready to hobble to the accompanist and hop center stage. I began singing “Toucha Toucha Touch Me.”

“I was feeling done in. Couldn’t win. I’d only ever kissed before...”

I guess something about seeing a very young-looking girl sing about being touched for the very first time whilst balanced on one foot and running her hands through her hair suggestively is pretty entertaining. The three men behind the table were cracking up. I would say it went well. After I finished, they asked if my parents knew where I was and would I please sing another song. See??!! I think the crutches help people see my talent in a completely new (and hopefully marketable!) light.

Now the stairs of Trinity Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey, were not the only stairs which I battled and conquered today. I also mounted the fifteen steep and generously spaced stairs leading to my fancy West Village gym.

Here’s my technique:

Hold onto the railing.
LOOK at the next stair and maintain eye contact (should have heeded that one last week).
Hop onto it.

It’s a fantastic cardiovascular warm-up! At the gym, I did a really neat balancing glute exercise where I stand on one leg (obviously), take a cable in one hand, a few feet away from the machine, and reach it down to my toe while extending my other leg back. It’s great until you realize one side of your bum is going to be quite sore in the morning. But for all you two-legged folk, just alternate.

Delicious Chinese in NJ with mi madre. Golden East Garden, you know how to make a one-legged girl smile. My fortune: “Winners make their own luck.” I like that.

Monday, March 15, 2010

I'm Gimpin' in the Rain...

March 15, 2010

Really? Today is the “Ides of March?” ‘Cause, no offense, but the 10th was a whole heck of a lot scarier.

Anyhoo, today was a lovely day in New York City. I went on my first audition as a one-legged person and was rather well-received. It was for “Singin’ in the Rain,” so as I walked in on my crutches, I simply informed the director that I was a fantastic tapper, my cast would be off in a few weeks, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to audition for one of my favorite musicals. I left my crutches at the piano, hopped center stage and belted out “I Can Cook, Too.” It seemed most appreciated.

I added a new song to my six-string repertoire! (six-string=guitar) “Brown-Eyed Girl.” As I mentioned to my heartthrob of a gentleman, I play it ironically since I am, in fact, a hazel-eyed girl. I hope my neighbors are noting the irony. I also worked on “You Belong...” and “Check Yes Juliet.” Watched the music video of the latter for the first time and confirmed my suspicions that I’m a bit old for the genre but remain undeterred.

I’ve been reading a book my friend Kira gave me (this is a ploy to see if she is reading), called “The Brain in Love.” It’s nonfiction by a prominent brain doctor, and it’s really neat. You can diagnose yourself and those around you and learn what natural supplements you can take to become more attractive/pleasant/etc. to those of the opposite sex.

My newly Cockney-ified monologue is staring to seriously rock. I am pretty psyched to show if off at my audition Thursday. Tomorrow I’m auditioning for “Tommy” in New Jersey, so I went over my audition pieces for that, as well. Seeing as one of my songs is “Toucha Toucha Touch Me” from Rocky Horror where I move around quite a bit, some revisions were necessary. I am also excited to see my mom tomorrow after my audition and have some of New Jersey's finest Chinese food.

Oh! I watched “The Pajama Game” on Netflix (even better than going to Lincoln Center and watching a Broadway show on video!). It has some great dancing, and Doris Day is very charming with her hands on her hips for most of the musical numbers. Sid is kind of creepy, though, the way he strong-arms Babe into kissing him, but I guess it was a different time.

I finished the evening with a 30-minute, '80's themed one-legged ninja routine, and incorporated the resistance bands on loan from my tall Lithuanian prince to do some bicep curls, tricep extensions and chest press. I did these balanced on one foot, which added a nice hamstring workout, to boot.

I'd like to give a shout-out to the creators of Fresh Direct for a) being so thoughtful, and b) delivering such fresh oranges and ripe avocados to my door. You guys rock.

Sleep calls. Night!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

I'm Just a One-Legged Ninja in Love

Happy rainy Sunday!

Did you know how much the physically (temporarily) disabled love rain? It adds wonderfully to the constant challenge of staying atop one's crutches and causing no further damage to one's already weakened person.

Well, a slightly hungover gimp trekked out in the rain yesterday to go see the love of her life, keeper of her heart, blessed giver of piggyback rides. It was well worth a little water from which I was mostly shielded anyway by a pink Fruit Roll Up raincoat from H&M.

Now, even a ninja gimp in love can manage to fulfill her ninja duties. For instance, I spent some time with my new monologue from "The Lucky Spot," a play by American playwright Beth Henley. I've got an audition coming up where I need a Cockney accent, so I decided to do a little dialect work on that one and get it ready to go.

I also did my one-legged ninja workout in the hotel room while my flame eternal was out doing his show. And...can we talk about how much my one usable calf is hurting? It appears my ninja workouts have been a little too effective. I added into my routine yesterday some butt lifts, leg lifts, and kickbacks from a one-legged (duh!) plank position. I also came up with a really great exercise using my crutches: With my good leg firmly on floor, I kick the knee of my other leg up to my chest and do a little crunch motion. I don't want that other quad or hamstring wasting away. I've already accepted that my left calf will pale in comparison to its counterpart, but that's where the asymmetry ends. I’m really psyched to hit the gym and do the rowing machine one-legged, I think that should be pretty intense.

Guitar is going well - full fledged blister on my left middle finger! Please, if that finger thinks it’s getting any attention, it has another thing coming. I played on despite its nagging, and now have another song under my belt - “Check Yes Juliet”, by We Three Kings. So, partially because I have darling, exceptionally bright and charming siblings in their teenage years, and partially because I don’t know how to work an iPod and therefore said siblings have to do this for me, I have something of a taste for punk-ish music. Okay, I may like it more than I let on, but as a newly-25 year old person, I feel the need to be discreet with this information.

I am heading over to meet my sister in a little while to cook something (take note this is an original list item!), most likely of the vegetarian Asian persuasion. That is my favorite cuisine and the one in which I am most adept, but I will not limit myself to this genre at the next culinary opportunity.

Oh, I also learned about time-exposures (photography thing) from the handsome boy who makes me smile all time. Basically how to take really cool pictures at night by messing with the aperture. Know what that is? I do. When I get good, I’ll post some examples and maybe even some tips.

Stay dry, folks, and watch out for wet leaves. They’re a real nightmare.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Drunk Gimp Ninja

March 13, 2010

Drunkie got gimp!!! Yes folks, it’s true. Ditched the list for the night and went to a bar a full avenue away in the rain. Reckless? Perhaps. But surprisingly, bars are rather ideal places for gimps. Once you’re there, you just sit and drink. There’s no moving around unless you’re at a bar in the Meatpacking district where dancing is mandatory. The imbibing is good for the afflicted part of the body as well as the soul of the gimp. And, there’s no guilt in taking a cab home! Yep, even if it’s an avenue away. So, all in all I’ve concluded bars are a very welcoming environment for the injured.

Now don’t get the impression I’ve become a full-time hooligan. I spent a good part of the day yesterday working on my list with gusto. I now have two guitar songs in motion, “You Belong With Me,” and, okay, just go ahead and groan, “Time of Your Life.” You know, it’s like the number one song people expect you to play if you play guitar, so I figured why not get it out of the way. And it’s actually fairly easy, too, which is awesome.

Guess who’s the hottest thing on the one-legged workout scene? Oh, that would definitely be me. I worked out for about 40 minutes one-legged and worked up quite a sweat. I started out with one-legged jumping jacks. Guess what? An even better workout than the original! Then I did some one-legged running in place. Alright, that’s a really ridiculous-looking one, especially with your chest low and arms pumping. Then your classic jumping back and forth over an imaginary line (very similar to my indoor method of transport). Some one-legged squats (elementary) and then a one-legged barre! Not to be confused with my evening activity. I was also able to stretch a bit and even do a split with my left leg, keeping my gimp foot on a pillow. And then of course, tons of abs and some arm stuff. One-legged pushups are also a keeper, by the way. I am a one-legged force to be reckoned with, if I do say so myself.

Oh - my camera! My upcoming photography career! Yes, yes. I spent a couple hours in the morning reading over the manual, which I found to be rather thorough and intricate. So I’ll be going over some of my questions with that loving, dedicated, wonderful boyfriend you heard about earlier when I see him today! He is not only all the aforementioned things, but the best photographer I know. One really neat feature I did learn, though, was “light-colored person” and “dark-colored person.” It is my understanding that using one of these tools you can make people in your pictures look lighter or darker. What a riot! I have serious aspirations for great work involving this feature.

Sang a bit, practiced for some of my upcoming auditions which I intend to go to one-legged. I found that singing one-legged can actually be a bit liberating. Like, you don’t have to go anywhere. You don’t need to step forward to make your point or back in retreat or add in some cutesy little dance step if the song mentions it. You can just - what a concept - act. I will have to remember this when I regain use of leg numero dos.

Well, I have an awesome day ahead of me in which I get to see my amazing boyfriend who is in Pennsylvania today. I will no doubt be adding new one-legged activities to my list.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ninja Training, Day 1

March 12, 2010

Day One of ninja training was a success.

I learned a monologue from a play called “The Lucky Spot.” I haven’t read the play yet, so perhaps that could be a new item for my list.

I went over my guitar chords and found my fingers were much more willing to play an F chord than they were during my first attempt at the instrument. Alright! Score one for fingers, zero for toes. I’ve got “You Belong With Me” almost down. I think when my foot is healed, I could be the next Taylor Swift, so I’m gearing up.

I hit up the Union Square Barnes and Noble and after a while got sick of the elevator and used the escalator. I highly prefer the hippity-hop method of one-legged movement to the crutch method and thus I was able to navigate the escalator. Crutches in one hand, escalator ramp in the other, one small hop, and I was free of that archaic shaft plagued by designer strollers and babies. Sweet! (A passerby didn’t realize the achievement my escalator-riding represented and “informed” me there was an elevator. I proudly - okay, haughtily - told him I didn’t need it, but thanks for the tip).

Now, I realize pleasure reading wasn’t on my list, but I mean, it’s an essential. It’s like my version of tv/video games. No, it’s not productive in the sense of creating something, but I am expanding my brain, aren’t I? I expect no judgement there. It’s also not like I’m reading trash. I am a New York Times Bestseller kind of gal.

I did pick up a Japanese language book, but it was pretty heavy and looked rather complicated, so not to say that I’m crossing Japanese off the list - I WILL NOT CROSS ANYTHING OFF THE LIST - but I deemed it a project for another day. A day when I have no other books in my hand and can devote all my energies to those beautiful but incomprehensible Asian symbols.

Sum total of list items for the day: 3! (blog, guitar, monologue).

And, my dad bought me a camera for my birthday, so I can get started on my photography aspirations quite soon. I may even look over the instruction manual tonight. I don’t think I have ever read an instruction manual for an electronic item in my life. I guess having two functional feet proved too great a distraction.

The birthday is finally over, it’s just after midnight, and I feel I am entering my 25th year a more well-rounded if not more physically able human.

I’ll be accepting song requests for guitar performance - but nothing with a B chord, I haven’t got that one down yet.

Sleep well.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

My Month as a One-Legged Ninja

March 11, 2010


I may have said once I’d sooner eat my foot than write a blog.


I lied.


My foot is broken, and writing a blog definitely seems more appetizing than eating my slowly decaying, throbbing and altogether troublesome foot. It’s the left one.


One day after I found out I’d been cast as an immediate replacement for Curious George in the National Tour of Curious George Live and two days before I was supposed to leave on that tour, I tripped down about seven stairs at West 4th Street station because I saw some other idiot running in anticipation of catching a train that wasn’t even there. That’s the thing with the F train. We loyal riders always run to catch it on the off chance that it is there, because if we miss it, we could be waiting for hours. I tripped over my boyfriend’s super long pajama pants, crunched my foot in the five inch heels I was wearing and watched my Nalgene go rolling across the dirty subway floor. And thought how glad I was that Nalgenes are indestructible. Unlike my foot. It’s broken. Can’t dance or jump for four weeks. And that was sort of the main job description of being Curious George in a musical.


That was yesterday.


Today is my birthday.


It’s going well.


Now, there are plenty of people in the world with far sadder tales to tell, but to be honest thinking of the people swept up by tsunamis or living on a few crumbs a day oddly enough does not brighten my mood.


So while I was hobbling in the shower this morning (first shower ever with a broken foot!!), I thought of how I could combat the immensely negative thoughts clouding my newly-25 year old head.


Write a blog.


Well, that’s not entirely it. See, as an actress with an extremely dedicated, loving, wonderful (and thus time-consuming) boyfriend and an equally dedicated, loving, wonderful (and thus time-consuming) family in the city, there’s not much time to pursue the many hobbies that I have sort of begun over the years. For instance, there was the summer I started learning guitar, and only learned about four chords before I decided my hands just weren’t big enough and abandoned my efforts. There was another summer where I was planning a trip to Japan to visit my uncle and took up Japanese. The only thing I can remember today is “Where is the basement?” Chika-shitsu wa, doko desu ka?


Now, my project for these four weeks of broken foot is to take some of these hobbies I never quite mastered and revisit them. And maybe even start some new ones. I’ve always thought knitting was horribly old-fashioned, but I suppose I could be persuaded to get into that. It is a really great time-killer! Photography also does not (heavily) rely on the use of one’s feet. I think this is a good opportunity to work on my singing and monologues which often get pushed to the side and quickly re-memorized before auditions. And I’ve probably said about fifteen times in the past five years that I was going to go watch a video of an old Broadway show at Lincoln Center and have yet to experience this phenomenon.


Unfortunately, I am not a tv or video game person, so I cannot rely on these pastimes to occupy my injured hours. So, I’ve had to result to productive activities that will stimulate me and enrich my days as I let the third metatarsal in my left foot return to its original locale. Friggin’ vacation-hungry little shit. Just kidding!! This will not be a ranting blog, hopefully just a mildly entertaining and somewhat inspirational one.


My list thus far of things to do before April 10th:


  1. Write a blog. (Done!)
  2. Play guitar
  3. Re-learn Japanese
  4. Learn a new song and get really good at it
  5. Learn 3 new monologues
  6. Go to Union Square on a nice day and take some art-y photographs
  7. Go to Lincoln Center and watch...hmm...maybe Rocky Horror? Not sure yet.
  8. Make a home-cooked meal with my sister
  9. Do a sewing project. Not sure I want to commit to knitting, since I still think it’s lame, but I once made a sock monkey and that was fun. I’ll probably steer clear of monkeys, though.
  10. I can’t think of a tenth thing, but am very much open to suggestions.


There’s my list, and I will be expanding it and keeping you updated on my progress in adhering to it.


I am also going to be coming up with ways to exercise one-legged. I realize my foot may atrophy, but I am determined to keep the rest of my highly exercised self at least up to par. Any recommendations or suggestions on that front would be much appreciated, as well.


I hope you enjoy my blog and contribute as you see fit. They say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I say, “When life gives you a broken foot, kick life in the face (with your other foot) and become a ninja.” Well, maybe I can work on my slogan over the next few weeks, as well. Happy reading. Walk safely.