It all started when my friend, Courtney, from the theatre program at the UofU told me that Alan Rickman was going to be doing a play on Broadway this Fall. We both love many of the same things, mostly the same English actors, including Mr. Rickman. She suggested that we go to NYC and see it. Around the same time this was developing, I was also discussing visiting a friend I met over the Summer at WB who lives in Mississippi. I had never been to the South, so I decided to make this one grand trip to see the South and NYC. Without getting into the details, thanks to Courtney and her mom the trip became a reality.
Thursday, the 20th, I had a long day of airports to try to get to Mississippi. I was flying standby and it was somethin' else to get to Dallas. I had planned on getting into Memphis Thursday afternoon and having that day, but it didn't work out that way so I ended up getting into Memphis around 10pm. My friend, Sherrod, picked me up and had Memphis BBQ ribs waiting for me in the car from Rendevous Ribs. They were amazing - a great dry rub.
I scarfed them in the car while we drove towards Indianola, Mississippi to stay at the home of his Grandma, Mama Dorris. As it was dark outside I missed out on seeing the lovely drive, but had a great time catching up with Sherrod. We arrived at Mama Dorris' in Indianola and continued snacking on ribs in the kitchen and chatting. It was a lovely home and I stayed in an adorable guest room. The next morning I woke up and peered out the window to see my first glimpse of Mississippi by the light of day. It was glorious.
Sherrod and Mama Dorris were still sleeping, so I wanted to go outside and explore. There was an alarm on the house, so I woke Sherrod to let me outside of the house! and then I explored. It was really beautiful. They have tons of farm land and the lovely house is surrounded by beautiful land. There's marsh land, huge green grassy lawns and trees. It was crisp air, peaceful and a perfect way to start my morning in Mississippi.
While I explored, Sherrod made breakfast for all of us. Mama Dorris got up and I met her: she was adorable, a sweet, lovely lady. We chatted and ate and then Sherrod's uncle Hulbert came by. I had a nice long chat with him. They were so very nice.
Sherrod and I then headed out to tour the Mississippi Delta. We first went to Leland, Sherrod's hometown. We visited the Kermit/Jim Henson museum. Jim Henson lived in Leland as a boy and they call Leland the "birthplace of the frog." It was a tiny little museum, but cool to see Kermit and other Henson memorabilia. The curator was hilarious - a little old lady who talked on and on about Jim Henson and then talked some more! We drove around town, I saw Sherrod's childhood home.
We stopped at a mennonite bakery, got some sugar cookies and picked up cinnamon rolls, which we ate all weekend. Sherrod LOVES his cinnamon rolls! We then went to the B.B. King museum in Indianola. It is in an awesome old building, the old cotton factory that B.B. worked in. It's a really impressive museum.
We then went to Greenwood and had lunch at the Crystal Grill. Sherrod ordered us up breaded veal cutlets with gravy, baked potato and we finished that off with a chocolate pie (so good). We then explored around Greenwood - went to Mississippi Gift Company where we I met some ladies who Sherrod knew and one whom tried to set me up with her son that lives in L.A. - haha. Saw some other little shops, including the Viking store (Viking headquarters are in MS) and the Alluvian Hotel. It was a cute downtown.
Then we headed to Oxford. Oxford is where Ole Miss is, where Sherrod lives. The drive to Oxford was gorgeous! So green, so many trees. Just gorgeous. We stopped at some cotton fields which are crazy and such a unique sight to see. (we took a ton of pics as the sun was in a hard spot)
We dropped my stuff off at Sherrod's house, changed for dinner and then headed to the square at Oxford. It's really cute - lots of shops, restaurants etc. Went to City Grocery for drinks - it's cute.
Then had dinner at Lenora's along with Sherrod's roommate, Matt. After that we headed to a bar, where there was a band playing and just had fun hanging out. It was a rollercoaster of a night emotionally. I'll leave it at that. But it was necessary. What a night.
Saturday was the big Ole Miss football game. It is a big deal. So many people. We walked through the circle on the way to the game where people had tents set up. I'd never seen a huge marching band kicking things off. I was amused by "oh I wish I was in the land of cotton...." as we had been singing that all weekend.
I had learned the cheer and did my best to keep up! Are you ready? Hell yes! Damn right! Hotty toddy, gosh almighty, who the hell are we? Hey! Flim Flam, bim bam, Ole Miss, by damn! The poor Rebels are not doing well, they looked promising the first half, but then fell apart the second half. But glad I experienced the spectacle of it all. Shelee joined us - she's great.
We then went to the Grove. The famous Grove. Tent after tent is set up of tailgaiting folks.
We then toured the campus - a gorgeous campus, with lots of old, cool buildings.
I saw the new law school where Sherrod spends his days.
That evening we went to Taylor Grocery for dinner. Another beautiful drive to the restaurant. It's super popular, so we put our names in and had a two hour wait. We went back to Sherrod's and hung out until it was time. In the meantime I pissed off another of their friends and she stormed off. Haha. She wasn't amused by my sense of humor. I gotta be honest I was kinda glad, the four of us had a great time at dinner.
Taylor Grocery was amazing! I loved loved loved it. The ambience was radical. I ate fried catfish, fried okra, fries with Rotel (people were shocked I had never had Rotel - a cheesy, salsaey sauce) and hush puppies. Yummy. Then pecan cobbler and peach cobbler for dessert (would have had the chocolate cobbler too if they weren't out!). The waitress was impressed by this northern little girl going to town. I loved it. Really great restaurant. Then we headed back to Sherrod's, talked, watched SNL.
Sunday morning we went to church at Sherrod's lovely old church building (Presbyterian).
The weather had changed that last day and it had gotten really chilly, overcast and rainy.
After church we went to brunch at Ravine. A really nice restaurant. I had a pork chop, cheesy grits (yum) and fruit. We had a good talk. It was revealing and hard and nice all at the same time. But a good close talk to end the visit.
He then drove me around Oxford, saw gorgeous homes, I mean this town is just stunning.
We went to William Faulkner's grave.
We went to Faulkner's home, Rowan Oak. It had started raining, so we shared an umbrella and strolled along the paths at Rowan Oak - a very romantic Southern setting. So pretty.
Then we headed to Memphis and Sherrod dropped me off at the airport. It was great to hang out with Sherrod and see his homeland. He's a good friend and I'm glad I could visit and see beautiful Mississippi.
I ended up having a couple of hours to kill to catch the later flight out of Memphis, so I went to downtown Memphis and was able to explore a bit. (below Mississippi river from my taxi)
I saw the Peabody Hotel, famous for their ducks. The ducks march from their rooms in the morning onto the elevators and down into the lobby fountain and then march back in to the elevator and up to their rooms in the evening. I was able to get back to the hotel before going back to the airport just in time to see the event.
I went to Beale Street, strolled around the restaurants, bars, record stores and shops. Saw the Orpheum. Ate some more ribs at Blues City Cafe.
Flew to Dallas that night, needed to spend the night in Dallas in order to fly to NYC in the morning. Unfortunately my bags didn't spend the night in Dallas with me but had went on to New York. Blergh. So around 10:30pm I was trying to track down some necessities. I finally managed to find a way to have a driver from the hotel next to mine drive me to a Walmart, got what I needed and after convincing the driver to wait for me while I shopped, got to my room, had a few hours of sleep before getting up super early to head back to the airport and on to New York City.
Monday afternoon I arrived at LaGuardia. I had to kill some time to wait to meet up with my friend Ashley, who I stayed with, in order to get in to her place to drop off my way too many bags. Met her in Brooklyn and got to her place. It was a great apartment, totally roomy for a NY apartment. I then headed to Manhattan. I went to Time Warner Center to go to Bouchon Bakery. I was very happily surprised to find they had a Conan art display going on: NY Coca Moma. It was all art of Conan and so much fun. There was a huge loveseat shaped like Conan's hair that moved and spoke, that one could sit on and get a picture taken on. So funny to come from Burbank, from the lot that Conan tapes on and go to New York and be surrounded by more Conan (as he is taping there this week).
I then ate lunch at Bouchon - got an awesome turkey sandwhich and then bought lots of cookies from the bakery: French macaroons in cranberry, pumpkin and pistachio, and a homemade Nutter Butter and Oreo. Columbus Circle and Time Warner are so nice, so just fun to look around.
I then headed to see Colbert Report. As Courtney didn't arrive until that evening, and as it was Monday and therefore dark in the theatres, I thought Monday eve was the perfect time to see Colbert. I freakin' love him. So I was next to a group of four girls in line and the show asked if we'd mind being on the front row! Woo hoo! So I got to sit front row, center, right in front of Colbert's desk. He came out before the show, as himself, to chat with the audience and answer questions. He was utterly delightful. The entire time before and during the show he was silly and goofy and funny and happy - just an awesome awesome dude. One person asked him if in the light of the movie coming out, if he thought Shakespeare really wrote Shakespeare. Colbert said that yes Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare, that there's no evidence saying he didn't, that people just don't want to believe that a regular guy could do something great. He then said that the movie had created pamphlets and was handing them out to schools. When he said that I gasped and I suppose it was audible because Stephen said "yes! exactly! who gasped?" I raised my hand and he talked to me - he said something along the lines of "you gasped at pamphlets! if you gasped at pamphlets you're in trouble we have a whole show ahead of us. you are a frail, tender thing aren't you?" So rad for Stephen to be joking with me, talking to me! I love him so much! So the show was fun. Super funny. That particular episode was a lot of taped bits, but it was fun to watch him watching the taped bits, because he was so amused and delighted with them, it was cute. The guest was Jon Huntsman - which was interesting to have the Utah Mormon there the same night as this Utah Mormon. I'll tell you, he came across really really well. Like the audience of what I can only assume are mostly liberal democrats were applauding and cheering him at some of the things he was saying. I was impressed. I like him - he's a moderate, which is great, but which means he will never get the nomination because the party wants extremes - boo. Anyway - super fun - so glad I got to go.
I then headed back to Ashley's and got to hang out with Ash and Courtney (who had arrived in the meantime). Court and I ordered a pizza and we just had a great time hanging out, eating pizza and my Bouchon cookies (well, I ate my Bouchon cookies at least!). I love these girls and loved being able to chat with them (more on that later).
Tuesday morning early I got up and headed to Broadway to try to get rush tickets for "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" - and I did get tickets for $30 for the front row. Woo hoo! I then stopped at Amy's Bakery and got Almond Brioche Toast and hot apple cider - delish.
I then met up with Courtney in Chelsea. My favorite place I went in NY was Chelsea Market. I frakin' loved it! It's an indoor market full of amazing fresh food, cheese, fruit, bakeries, meats, nuts, chocolate, gifts, baking & cooking supplies etc. It was so fun. They also had a photo display of Stephen Colbert throughout the building. I could have spent forever in the baking/cooking wares shop. I love that stuff and it does make me feel like I should do culinary school (but I don't think I will...now at least). Anyway, loved Chelsea Market - will totally go back.
We then headed to the East Village as I wanted to go to Crif Dog - great great hot dogs. I ordered two I had had before, but which are great: one that is bacon wrapped with terriyaki sauce, pineapple chunks and green onion and another bacon wrapped with avocado, sour cream and salsa. Great.
Then we checked out a few other places, like Pomme Frites (but too full to do more than sample) and ended at Max Brenner chocolate: got iced banana chocolate drink, crazy yummy, I slammed it and then had to deal with a lil lactose intolerance (worth it).
Next up, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I can now say I've walked across the Golden Gate Bridge (just a few months ago - sorry never posted those pics here) and the Brooklyn Bridge. We ended up at Brooklyn Heights and then headed back to get ready for the show.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was great. We were front row, so some things were hardish to see, but seriously $30! it was great and really fun to be like a foot away from cute little Daniel Radcliffe. He was so impressive, he gave it his all and was delightful. It's a really fun, quirky show. Had a great time.
Wednesday we went to the 9/11 Memorial, which Courtney had gotten us tickets for. Really glad we could do this. They have two huge fountains which go down for what looks like forever. The scope of these spaces was surprising and makes you realize just how huge the twin towers were. It was a really nice memorial, sober, of course, but I'm glad I could experience it.
We also saw some of the Occupy Wall Street folks.
Went into this cool church, St. Paul's.
Then headed to lunch at J.G. Melon, where we had great hamburgers and fries. It was a cute little place, authentic, liked it.
Next up the Guggenheim. This was disappointing because it turned out that half the museum was closed off for a new installation, which meant the architectural awesomeness was blocked off. Still cool to see some great works, but sad we couldn't really experience the museum.
Tried to go to an awesome Austrian bakery, but it was closed for a private party, so we ended up in a bakery called Two Little Red Hens, which happened to be next to a German restaurant called Heidelberg (where my dad once lived).
Then we got ready and headed to the Public Theatre for King Lear. We walked through the neighborhood surrounding the theatre beforehand - and it was full of fun little restaurants. I grabbed a sushi roll from one called Je Bon Sushi & Noodle and HOLY COW! it was the best sushi I have ever had. Had a Mango Tango roll and it floored me - I would go back just for that roll.
Then King Lear, 3&1/2 hour King Lear. It's a cool theatre space and it was a cool performance. Sam Waterston was great. It was interesting and different than I would have expected - he was different than I'd ever seen him. He kind of played Lear as a petulant child at times, spoiled, stomping his feet, which was so interesting coming from Sam. It made total sense and again, was unexpected, which is always nice, as opposed to safe and boring. Also his losing his mind, the dementia etc. was so believable and sad and real. Bill Irwin was the Fool - and is wonderful - like perfect at those clown roles. Other cool actors like Frank Wood and Michael McKean were in the cast as well. So, let me tell you this, if you don't know: I love Sam Waterston. My favorite show is "I'll Fly Away" - it is a perfect, beautiful show - which I wish they would release on DVD already!!! It is where I fell for Sam, he was great on it. And then I, of course, watched him on "Law & Order". I have had a re-occuring dream about meeting Sam for years. It's always different, but usually outside of theatres and it never ends well, for whatever reason in my dreams he was always not that nice and it would be scary. So after the show, we waited to meet him and there he was. So tall. Now, I see famous folks all the time in this town, and it's just whatever, but Sam is Sam and I got totes trembly and nervous. I told him how great his Lear was and then I told him that "I'll Fly Away" was my favorite show and he took both my arms and gave me this amazing look which was like a "glad you get it, i loved it too". I also told him about my reoccruing dream of meeting him, but that it always ended badly and he took my arms again and basically said that we need to change that. He was so soft-spoken and lovely. It was radical to the max. Bill Irwin was walking out and I stopped him to tell him how great I thought he was and man, was he awesomely nice. So cool. I told him he was the perfect fool. He asked if I had done clowning (told him only a couple of classes, but enough to appreciate how great he was). Anyway, fun night.
Then back at Ashley's we talked and laughed the night away. I loved our nights of hanging out with those ladies. They are just the best. They made me feel empowered and happy and hopeful and not alone. I am just sad we are in three different states spread across the U.S. We will just have to do more trips in the future together.
Thursday. It rained. I had some mega struggles with cheap umbrellas breaking. I went to a bakery called Balthazar - really cute, French. I got a pumpkin donut and a chocolate donut and cider. I was trying to carry them and my umbrella which kept blowing in the opposite direction, I'm spilling hot cider all over and I went to a Duane Reade store and shoved that umbrella with all the angry fervor I had into the trash. Courtney later told me that a man saw my angry trashing of the umbrella and she just said "her umbrella broke" - ha, I must have looked like a crazy person. Anyway. The donuts were amazing - so good - can I please have one right now?
We then went to Dylan's Candy - fun.
And then lunch at Serendipity 3. Courtney set it up and arranged for us to sit at the table where John Cusack sat in the movie "Serendipity". It was a really cute, fun little restaurant. I had a turkey, brie, apple, alfalfa sanwhich on raisin pumpernickel bread and Courtney got the foot long hot dog with chili - yum! We also had what they are most famous for the frozen hot chocolate - oh, baby, it was delicious.
We then did a little shopping on 5th Avenue (mostly just the huge H&M). Courtney then went her way to meet up with some people and I went mine to meet up with J.C. for dinner. J.C. is my old school chum and it was great to be with him again. I adore him. We went to little Italy "Vincent's" and I had Shrimp Balls with Linguine.
Friday. We went to Rockefeller Center. Did not anticipate the NBC store, but ended up buying some stuff - I forgot that "House" is NBC/Universal, so had to get some merchandise. Got a really cute gym/tote bag with London 2012 olympics logo.
We went to the top of the rock - the views were fantastic. Gorgeous. Worth it.
Courtney then met with a couple friends and they went to a rehearsal of Jimmy Fallon. I almost went, it would have been rad, Fallon is great, but this was the last day and I still hadn't gotten to Central Park, which was one of the big things I really wanted to do on this trip.
So I headed off on my own to Central Park. I had really only been to a teensy bit of the park in the past, so I loved exploring. I saw Belvedere Castle.
The Conan blimp was flying overhead.
I met up with J.C. for a few minutes, as I forgot to get pics of him the night before!
Then I strolled along the Mall. It was a pefect, beautiful, crisp day, just lovely.
The Alice in Wonderland statue was awesome.
Really glad I did this.
I then met up with Jonathan Eggers in the West Village. He was a legal intern this last Summer and lives/goes to school in NYC, so it was really fun to see him. Grabbed a Big Apple Sushi roll, caught up in a quick visit, grabbed an Almond Chocolate dip cookie and headed to "Seminar".
"Seminar" is what prompted the whole trip. Alan Rickman. I barely made it by the hair of my chiny chin chin (scary!). A few of Courtney's friends joined us as well. It's a new play and I really enjoyed it. Alan was great. I love how he uses language, how he really explores the words and tempo, takes his time. He had several long speeches and hit all the right words in them and keeps one captivated with each thought. Hamish Linklater was also in the show, the other lead, really, and he is fantastic. I loved him already and loved seeing him in a more dramatic role, yet still he is really funny. He was so comfortable on stage, relaxed. One of the actresses I was not so in to, but I still really enjoyed the play. Just super fun to see a new, modern play. Afterwards we did our best to meet Alan. At first we were able to wait right outside of the stage door and while waiting a dude in a huge monkey suit came out, stopped and then whipped off his mask and there was Jerry O'Connell (also in the show) - he took pictures with us and was seriously the nicest guy ever. We then were asked to wait at the end of the drive with all the other folks waiting for Alan, oh well, we tried. Alan came out and was radical in that he took the time to sign all the autographs, pose for all the pictures. Really cool of him. We got a big group pic, where my little eyes are just peaking out. I was just trying to get in there and get close to him, haha, kinda ended up being where's waldo, but who cares. I then went back and asked for another pic and snapped it myself with a far too shakey hand, but there is it. He's lovely and it was fun to see him up close and most importantly to see him act live.
Then our last night at Ashley's. Again, just so fun to be with those ladies. We sang and laughed and laughed. Ashley and I created a black mambazoish version of "Row Row Row Your Boat" and the three of us worked on the opening of the Beach Boys' Barbara Ann (much to Courtney's chagrin!). Super fun. Althought it did mean we ended up with two hours of sleep (probably less for Courtney, who had to get up twice to get us checked in to our flight). We dragged ourself to the airport and were out on the 7am flight. There was one first class seat left which Courtney let me experience (she's the best) - first time receiving hot towels and breakfast on china. Here I am - looking insanely exhausted:
Really nice and then the rest of the flight to Dallas and then the flight to Burbank was a lot of sleeping and waking, sleeping and waking. And then home again, home again, riggity jig.
I had an amazing trip. I can now say I've been to the South. I was able to hopefully find some closure (or at least work towards it) in the personal sphere. Mississippi was beautiful. Sherrod was a great, thoughtful host. Being in New York City again was wonderful. I love that city. I love how incredibly easy it is to get around. I love the Subway system!!! Can't say that enough. You can go anywhere, at any time - brilliant. Being with Courtney and Ashley was so uplifting. They are the best examples to me. They re-focused me on what matters. They were supportive. They are hilarious. And I wish I could hang out with them every week! Courtney was so generous. I in no way would have or could have done this trip without her and her mom helping me out. She also inspired me to make some major career changes (more on that in the future). She was so easy to be there with - she was willing to trudge along to all the random eating establishments I wanted to go to as I completely gluttoned-out on the trip. Ashley was so kind to let us crash her place for the whole week. Ashley shared some great, empowering books with me. Courtney showed me a gorgeous Aussie, whom I want to meet! haha - but these both just kinda made me realize my future can hold great things. Who knows what or when or how, but I am excited for that future. Now is the time for me to take hold of the reins and make my life great. I am up for the challenge.
