November 14, 2010

End of my mini-vacation. Bloody Marys, Wine, Brooklyn Cuvée Noire, Lasagna and Football to steel my psyche back into work mode. A recipe:

1 1/2 ounces (1 jigger) vodka
1/2 cup tomato juice - Sacramento
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce to taste- Lea and Perrins
Tabasco to taste - McIlhenny
Dollop of Horseradish
1 lime wedge for garnish
Combine the vodka, the tomato juice, the lemon juice, the Horseradish, the Worcestershire sauce, the Tabasco, 1 cup ice cubes, and pepper to taste, shake the mixture well, and strain it into a tall glass filled with ice cubes.



The NYT Book Review makes The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers a must-read.


Photo by Joan Marcus

The NYT recently reviewed the Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice with mostly the same cast as the Summer Shakespeare in the park. New York Magazine's Review reminds us that Portia knows what she is getting into: "Since you are dear bought," she tells Bassanio, "I will love you dear"



Village of the Damned is in my DVD collection. You have to love George Sander's performance.



His voice was so smooth. Remember Shere Khan in The Jungle Book.

Sanders told David Niven in 1937, that he intended to commit suicide when he got older. In 1972, he fulfilled his promise, leaving this note: "Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck."

This is a man who was once married to Zsa Zsa Gabor and later to her sister Magda. The line in Wikipedia about the marriage to Magda is classic: "This marriage lasted only six weeks, after which he began drinking heavily."

June 13, 2010

Shakespeare in the Park begins with waiting. Yesterday was Manhattan distribution up at Harlem Stage at The Gatehouse, 135th Street and Convent Avenue. Got there early and was 10th on line. Number one and two arrived at 2:00 a.m.



Then, it was the 8th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.



Working them links.



The music featured musicians from Austin, Texas. Carolyn Wonderland was awesome.



Big Bob Gibson BBQ Booth.



The beer was great.



Best ribs were from Baker's Ribs of Texas.



Then, up to the Park for a Picnic and a play.



Hanging out in the back. Real peaceful and rustic.



Birds and Squirrels abound.



You would never know you are in the middle of Manhattan.


Photo by Joan Marcus

The Play, Merchant of Venice was great. Al Pacino played Shylock with a Lower East-Side accent. A real wild Baptism scene. That Fifth act is a downer, a fill-in. Of course, Shylock is banished, broken, from the stage by then and you know it.


Photo by Joan Marcus

Salar. Why, I am sure, if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?

Shy. TO BAIT FISH WITHAL: if it feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.

The supporting cast was terrific. Especially, Hamish Linklater, Byron Jennings, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

June 11, 2010

Ah, the Internet is a wonderful place. From it I learned: 1) this beer is brewed in Texas; 2) Caramel is added ; 3) Foster's does not enjoy widespread popularity in Australia.

The oil can Beer was only $2 for a 25.4oz can, 5.50% ABV, ESB (for "Extra Special Bitter") Style. Not great, OK beer, will do until I can get something good.



Tomorrow is the Big BBQ Fest at Madison Square Park.




Will be trying to get tickets to Merchant of Venice. Al Pacino as Shylock. Hope it don't rain. A very busy weekend: BBQ , Beer and Shakespeare - what more can I ask for ?

May 30, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend treat.


“He’s Alive,” 1963

R.I.P. Dennis Hopper. The above shot is from an hour-long Twilight Zone. Paul Mazursky has a supporting role.



"...Remember it when you hear a name called, a minority attacked, any blind, unreasoning assault on a people or any human being. He's alive because through these things we keep him alive."



Getting ready for Pacino as Shylock in Shakespeare in the Park.