One of my favorite things about living in New York City, is all the filming of movies and TV shows that go on in the city.... Because I have no shame, I don't mind walking on set, taking pictures talk to the crew and the extras, and if I'm really lucky I get to meet the actors themselves.... there haven't been many (yet) but the few I have met have been really super cool! So the latest is the set of Law and Order Special Victims Unit... now their sets I've been on before, but it's always cool to see the different settings, and I've been lucky to have met different actors each time... so here are some pic's from this last time....

Actor Danny Pino and myself... 

List journal blogging.

Last week I discovered a book that has sent the thoughtful and creative juices flowing for me... it was a journal type book that made one make lists of everything under the sun, and as I have gone back and looked at it a few times, it's grown on me...

So, I decided I'd make my own lists, that will help me in my journal-blogging as well.. and I'm starting off with a random list...

List of American Idol contestants that didn't finish first, but I think should have! :) (told you it was random!)

• Carly Smithson (season 7) why? Because she gave one of the most heart wrenching versions of Beatles' "Blackbird"! Seriously!!! Youtube it!!!!!
• Michael Johns (s 7), why? He's not only handsome and has an awesome accent (he's Aussie), the man can sing so my soul gets chills! Check out his version of Aerosmiths' "Dream on"!!! Amazing! (actually any of his Idol songs are worth a listen! Not to mention his whole album "Hold Back my Heart".)
• Blake Lewis (s 6) Reason: he rocked Bon Jovi's "You give love a bad name" and made both John and me a fan! Honestly, kid has talent and I'd love to hear more of him "meshing" beat-boxing and pop/rock songs. For a surprise, see if you can find his version of "Mack the knife".
• Melinda Doolittle (s 6) because: her soul reaches out through her voice and touches yours... if you don't believe me look up her rendition of "How can you mend a broken heart". To be blown away check out her singing "Have a nice Day" by Bon Jovi on Ai!!! or her "Since you've been gone"...
• Michael Lynche (s 9) why? His voice makes me melt into a big wet puddle of goo.. I don't think I could ever be bored of his singing.. don't believe me? Youtube his... wait... just youtube him... any of his songs will do!!! 
• Crystal Bowersox (s 9) because of her "Me and Bobby McGee" simple as that... and last but not least:
• Chris Medina (s 10)reason: he's got the voice and the talent.. and when he left it was probably the most outrageous elimination in AI history, but then he went on to have a HUGE single in Europe, and will probably go farther and be remembered more than anyone else from his season (besides the winner). Check out his take on "Fix you" (by Coldplay).

Waiting for spring...

It's quite amazing how the weather can influence us mere mortals, today the temperature finally rose a little, and the sun peeped out from behind the cloud-cover this afternoon.... it was only for a couple of hours, but I have been loooonging for spring since I came back to the city, so I immediately got on my sneakers and headed out. 

The James Bailey House is a large freestanding house which resembles a castle, and which sits at 10 St Nicholas Place (the intersection of St. Nicholas Place and 150th Street) in Hamilton Heights, Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York. The house was built 1886 to 1888 to the designs by architect Samuel Burrage Reed for James Bailey, most famous for his role as business manager of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. As of 2010, the house is known as the M. Marshall Blake Funeral Home.

The house is located within the boundary of the Hamilton Heights / Sugar Hill Historic District. Among the house's numerous design features are numerous stained glass windows, designed by a cousin of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The interior is richly paneled in hand-carved timber. The AIA Guide to New York City. (2010) described the building, built 1886-1888 as a "rock-faced granite, stylishly Dutch-gabled and corner-towered. Once it was a major mansion owned by circus entrepreneur Bailey, who joined with showman Phineas T. Barnum in 1881 to form the Barnum & Bailey Circus."
In 1951, the house was purchased by a black woman, Marguerite Blake, who ran a mortuary from it until her retirement. In late 2008, she brought the house to market, seeking to sell it for $10 million. As of May 2009, it was being listed for $6.5 million. On August 31, 2009 it was reported that the house sold for $1.4 million, which was only around $170 per square foot

And wow, how feeling good and showing some happiness sure gives way for the positivity to blossom in the people one meets.... I don't think I've had as many flirts, comments and "come-ons" as I had today.... Must have been in the air *giggle* and though I of course brushed them off, it was nice to feel appreciated that's for sure! We all need a little lovin' as the song says I suppose. :D 

So I was on top of the world today, the city seemed to have a buzz about it, and the squirrels in the park certainly had a fabulous afternoon...

The lambs were out at the zoo, the peacocks were... well, amorous, and people were smiling... I think spring is in the air!!! ;D

NYC home of the....

...well, Artists and today I was fortunate to catch a fun one....

after Church I decided to head down to Union Square Park and the B&N there, and as I was walking, trying to also enjoy some sun, I spotted this fantastic guy...