Brooklyn Book Festival

So, Renato was supposed to post on this one since, well, it is the Brooklyn BOOK Festival. But he's off at work, so here I go. Renato spent most of the day at the festival, going to seminars and looking at books and discussing the fancy things that book lovers discuss. If I remember correctly, this is one of (if not THE) largest book festivals in the country. I'm sure some of the people in these photos are famous, but let's be honest, I have no idea who they are.



I showed up for the last hour to be supportive and listen to David Cross, actor/writer/comedian most known for his roll as Tobias in Arrested Development. WE LOVE THIS SHOW. Here he is paddling another writer, and being all kinds of ridiculous.


Oh, and this other guy (sorry I don't remember his name) was doing a solo performance of Michael Jackson's THRILLER. He sang, danced, and everything. What does this have to do with books, you ask? Well, after they read, they had to do a "Risk" to keep things interesting. This was his risk. (For us non-book enthusiasts, the Risk was a VERY GOOD IDEA).

Diana Krall

We had the marvelous experience of seeing Diana Krall live at Carnegie Hall a few weeks ago. She arrived in full force with her trio, full orchestra, and 4 inch clear stillettos (amazing!!). It was quite the performance! As well as playing her standards, Diana performed few songs that I'd never heard her sing, specifically one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite musicals: "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" from My Fair Lady. I don't know why it surprised me that she'd sing something from a musical, cause musicals are pretty cheezy, but it surely was lovely. She was suprisingly funny and talked alot about her husband Elvis Costello, who now I guess I'll have to start liking. I've always found his voice too weird to enjoy, but since I like Diana so much...I'll just have to get used to it. ALSO, Diana is making an appearance in the movie Public Enemies that just opened, so we'll be seening that shortly I'm sure. Here are a few photos we snapped before anyone could take our camera away.

The Latest and Greatest

Okay, so it's been a while.....
But, that doesn't mean we haven't been up to all kinds of fun things. In May, we ran into this graffiti and break dancing competition happening up at the park on 145th street. Renato captured some of the best dancers and artists. Check it, yo.




This year I also discovered a little band called She & Him. The main singer is Zooey Deschanel (from ELF), and her guitarist is M. Ward, a personal favorite musician of mine. Here is one of their signature songs. The video is pretty cookey and cute, just the way it should be.



Also, my first time embedding a you tube video. Easy Peasy.

Marcela: Patron of the Arts.

This February, Marcela, my mother, came to visit Ann and me in New York City. We all had a glorious time eating, shopping, shopping, eating, going to the Gypsy Kings concert at Radio City, eating, shopping, walking, going to the Museum of Modern Art, eating, supporting-the-economy, going to a flamenco rendering of Carmen, going to the ballet at Lincoln Center, getting seriously buzzed on Pisco sours, and, finally, walking through the sublime grounds at The Cloisters museum on her last day in the city. At the entrance to The Cloisters, the petite cashier, looking rather stunned at the amount that Marcela was willing to pay to enter, beamed at Marcela as she entered having paid the maximum amount, which is really a standard price for going the a museum in Manhattan.