Jersey Boys (the musical)

I am still working on a post from my vacation so stay tuned for that but here is a little ditty about my latest Broadway adventure until then.

Last month a couple of the ladies from work invited me to see Jersey Boys. My mom wanted to see it forever but I couldn't afford both of us so she will have to live vicariously through me for now. It was by far my most expensive Broadway show yet, $130 but worth every penny.

Now I know some of you are like, what does a 30 year old know about The Four Seasons. Those who question this obviously don't know my mother. I grew up on that kind of music and was singing along with everyone else today. Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry Baby, Oh What a Night, I knew them all. Yes I can hang from Frankie Valli to TI. I am a well rounded person, what can I say.

Anyway I don't know if it was the music or the story but my jaw hurt from smiling the entire show. It just put you in a good mood, and I learned so many things I didn't know about The Four Seasons. Plus now that I am a Jersey Girl myself (sort of), I actually recognized the places they were talking about.

After the show we ate at Ellen's Stardust Diner. This is a popular diner in Times Square where all the wait staff sings. It was so much fun and a great way to wrap up a Broadway day.

Bubbly, who me?

The longer I'm up here the more I realize southerners and northerners are two different breeds. I was at a job site the other day and the contractor took us all to lunch. As we were chit chatting he said I reminded him of a co-worker. I gave my usual response, "she must be a fantastic person." He agreed and said that it was my look, and my personality that reminded him of her. Same hair and same bubbly personality. Hold the frickin phone, me bubbly. I must admit this is the first time in my life I have been called bubbly. Now my friend Kelli, she is bubbly, but me? See in the south people say I can come across as mean and up north I am bubbly. What does that say in comparison to every one else up here? Who knows maybe I have changed, or maybe its the medication. Could it possibly be that I am finally happy with my life and that transcends into bubbly? Who knew it would take moving up top to find my true personality, or is it just everyone else is so mean that I just shine? Either way I'm taking it as a compliment and rolling with it.

"Call it like it is. A spade's a spade"

I was invited to Queens for a Bridal Shower my friend Natalie was throwing. Her son just eloped so she was throwing the new couple a belated shower. I did the invitations so she invited me for the festivities. You know I don't turn down an Italian get together, especially with home made food!

Natalie picked me up around 10:30 and I helped her with the decorations. As usual, I was the balloon and crepe paper bitch. I know I am creative and all but damn can I get some other materials to work with for a change. Of coarse I didn't mind, it was for Natalie, I would do anything for her. For those of you who don't remember I went to her house this past 4th of July and enjoyed a fantastic Italian BBQ in Queens. Saturday was no different, however the entire family came out for this event. I met everyone and they're Momma! Natalie was busy playing hostess so I just made my rounds. Ya'll know me. Mostly I listened in on stories from the old neighborhood. My favorite was talking about "crazy and mean" people in the family. "Call it like it is, a spade's a spade," this was the best line from the day. Stories about mean Aunt Netty were my favorite. Evidently she went around calling you fat to your face. Glad I'm not part of that family I might have developed a complex and not love my curves like I do :) I guess her and her husband "kept company" for 25 years because he was Jewish and she wasn't allowed to marry him until everyone was dead. Gotta love the Italian way, but in her defense it was the old days, and you just didn't do that. I love how Italian families really stick together. Maybe if I'm lucky Natalie will adopt me and I can have my own little Brooklyn/Queens Mafia. One can dream!

Enough about the crazy relatives, lets talk about the food. (Warning: if you are hungry don't read, if you aren't hungry, you will be) Now mind you only 35 people were invited to this shin dig. Natalie, in true Italian style, cooked for 300! First she served "anti pas" and no that is not a typo. Real Italians don't say anti pasti, they leave off the ti. They also don't say mozzarella, they pronounce it mozzarell and leave off the a. Don't get it twisted! Anyway the appetizer in itself was a meal. I'm talking pepperoni, sausage, salami, cheese, olives, roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, bruscetta, tomato with basil and mozzarella, and fresh tomato salad. Yes Italians like their tomatoes! Needless to say I was full after appetizers. We sat around and digested then she brought out the hoagie for a pre-dinner snack. Now mind you this hoagie must of been 6 feet long. I had to pass on the hoagie to save room for dinner. Next, dinner was served. Lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, broccoli rob, kielbasa, sausage and peppers, fried chicken, and some white stuff I didn't touch because it looked weird. Lastly we topped off the night with cake, cheesecake, fruit salad and ambrosia salad. And on top of all that I took home two big bags of home grown tomatoes. Needless to say I didn't eat too much on Sunday.

Being around Natalie and her family makes me miss my own. I am blessed that she has taken me under her wing and kind of adopted me in a way. She don't know but there will be a southerner at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year. Ya'll know I'll figure a way to invite myself. I'll make sure to bring the pecan pie and show them how to fry up a turkey. Thanks again to Natalie for making this southern Irish girl feel like a true Italian.

CPT

CPT took on a whole new meaning as well as its original meaning this weekend. For those of you who don't know what this is, ask the one black person you know. Actually scratch that, just goggle it and get more black friends!

Anyway in true form Latrice and Tenya missed their flight out of Atlanta on Saturday morning. Some of this had to do with security but most of it had to do with catching the freaking MARTA train late. Anyway, 4:25 they finally landed, 6 hours late...CPT!

We had table reservations at 40/40 club at 10:00pm so we just stayed in Jersey and hung out til it was time to leave. I am officially NEVER going back to the 40/40 club in NYC. I know it is an out of town thing to do, but it is over priced and sucks on Saturday just as much as Sunday. Whew, now that I got that off my chest... We left 40/40 around midnight and that is when the true NY experience started. As we were walking back to the train we pass a bum on the side walk. Now mind you I am totally oblivious because I just walk by and don't pay them no mind. Well of coarse Latrice and Tenya look in his direction. "Oh shit" and "Only in NY" where their responses. I was so confused until they explained we just passed a bum jacking off with his pants around his ankles. I wondered what the hell he was moaning about. Yes ladies and Gentlemen, they got the true essence of NY! This is the point in the store CPT takes its new meaning of Casualty & Penis Trip.

Day number two we went into the city to do a little sight seeing and shopping. We started at Canal Street, got cheesecake at Juniors and then went to Time Square. Nothing too exciting but, still fun times. We went to John's Pizza on 44th and 8th for dinner. My friend Tonyia introduced me to this restaurant and they have GREAT pizza. We were about a block away and the sky just opened up and it down poured. Thank goodness we had umbrellas, but they didn't do much for the bottom half of our bodies. We dried off and ate a little pizza, then headed home to relax. As we were walking to catch the train, we passed all these fire trucks, and yes the hot firemen to go along with them. God Bless the FDNY! This is where the casualty comes into CPT. As we cross 7th Ave, and of coarse rubber neck like everyone else, we see a white sheet on the ground. In NYC this only means one thing, dead body. Look at that only here a day and Latrice and Tenya saw a penis and a dead body. Welcome to NY ladies! On our walk home in Jersey City we pass a man standing by a tree. CPT strikes again. Here is our next penis encounter. Damned if a man didn't have it whipped out peeing on a tree. Now mind you he didn't move or turn when we walked past, nor did he bother to go behind a bush. The topper of it all was he was in front of the Spanish Church of The Nazaren, praise JESUS!

Monday I had to work so I made sure to tell Tenya and Latrice to carry on the weekend festivities and keep there eyes open for any possible exposures. Around 3:00pm I got a text, SUCCESS. There was a penis sighting on 21st Street. This time wasn't as exciting but there was an old man walking down the street with his fly open and it just hanging down and out. I think this was by far the worst. I mean dang to do that during the daylight hours, save that stuff for night time when the freaks are out and can appreciate it!

Monday night we went to The Pink Tea Cup in the village for dinner. I had heard it was the best soul food in Manhattan and wanted to show Tenya and Latrice a different side of NY. Well I wouldn't say it was the best soul food I ever had, but for Manhattan, they do pretty good. We made friends with the Manager Vincent and spent about 3 hours just talking. He is born and raised in NY, but I told him he had sweet tea in his veins :) We did have some celebrity sitings while we dined, Bebe Neuwirth, who played Lilith on Cheers and Frasier, and Flex Alexander, who played Three G's on the classic film "Snakes on a Plane." Now I couldn't see BeBe's plate all that well but she definitely had too much green going on, and it wasn't collard greens for sure! Flex however had exactly what I ordered, fried chicken, black eye peas, and collard greens. And PS their sweet tea was the bomb! I think I'll be in sugar shock until tomorrow. There bread pudding needs work, but don't worry I offered my menu ideas to my new friend Vincent. It was a great night and reminded me that no matter where you are, you need to just get in where you fit in.

A DJ Saved My Life, Twice.

I made a trip back down south to go White Water rafting this weekend. It has become a tradition with some of my friends so I had to keep the tradition going even though I am all the way up North. This trip definitely tested me. I really think the South was trying to reject me. She was pissed I left and boy did she let me know.

I'll start from the beginning. I flew into Atlanta Friday night, then we headed to TN Saturday morning. Every summer, we go to High Country Adventures and raft down the Ocoee river. We rent a cabin so we can cook out, drink and spend the night. Let me tell you, if anyone earned her Grapefruit and Vodka that night, it was me.

First things first, I should of know our raft was screwed when Sara fell in the river before she even set one foot in the raft. DJ, our rafting guide, prefaces getting into the boat with, "now this is one of the most dangerous parts of the river. Watch your step getting in the raft. There is a step before the drop off." Well I guess Sara was in her own world cause damn if she didn't watch the step and was already floating in the Ocoee before we even got in the raft. Lord help us this is going to be a long trip down the river.

So all 6 of us, Kelli, Michelle, Sara, Cari (yes black people officially white water raft), Charlie and Me get in the boat and head down the river. Clint and Stacey had to go in another boat because they only sit 6. Kelli and I wanted to be in the front because we got the guns to paddle. Well that is what we said anyway. Truth is the front is just more fun. As we go down the river DJ tells us we are coming up on a dangerous rapid. If any of you have ever been white water rafting, the guide will usually call "all down" in dangerous areas. This is when you all get down and sit in the bottom of the raft. Well he warned us we would have to get all down because of the danger in this rapid. Well as we were paddling and before he called all down, damn if I didn't fall out the boat. You know it is bad when the guide starts yelling "NO NO NO" as you are falling out of the boat. Luckily I was able to grab the strap around the raft, but I still had a nasty spill. I rode with the raft through the rapid as I was pounded by the rocks below. Because of the suction it pulls you under the raft. Kelli said all she could see was my yellow helmet. Mean while all I could think was get your feet up, Shannon. Last thing I needed was my big ass foot to get caught under a rock and trap me. I made it through the rapid but I think I swallowed half the river. How DJ pulled me up I'll never know. This man is 5'-1" and about 125. The lord gave him strength that day for sure! As I coughed up half the river once I got in the boat, I told everyone I was OK. Then all I could say was, "oh no I lost my paddle." Needless to say that was the least of everyone else's worries. DJ told Cari to give me her paddle and away we went. Yes, I just cheated death and I still had to freaking paddle! That's how we roll in the front of the raft. Take it for the team!

After I finally settled back down and shared my adventures further down the river with Stacey and Clint in the other boat, we continued down the river. All was going good until yup, you guessed it, I fell in again. I don't know if it was because I was leaning too much or what. Needless to say this time it wasn't as bad. I drank more of the river and only hit one rock. Kelli pulled me in this time. I had the poor girl so worried every time I leaned she grabbed me. I had to tell her I wasn't falling in so she could relax. After that I learned to lean into the boat and not try to dig my paddle so far in the water. Ya'll know me, the events were probably very serious but all I could do was laugh and make fun of myself. I mean what idiot falls in twice, but hey I'm ready to go again next year.

We finished the river with no more problems and headed back to the cabin. We cooked out and just had fun hanging out. It is now tradition to play a few games of flip cup, so we invited the boys from the cabin next to us to partake in the excitement. They said they were 21, but honestly I questioned that. Either way, my team kicked ass! The winners were, Charlie, Cari, Clint and Myself. I must admit we did loose one round. Hey we had to let them win at least once. You know for someone who only learned about flip cup a few years ago, I must admit I am a natural talent. Next year I think we need to do a draft, that way I can get compensated for my expertise.

The next morning I woke up at the crack of dawn like an idiot. I cleaned up and sat outside reading Better Homes and Gardens and listening to my IPOD. I know I think I am turning into an old lady. One of the young guys from next door came out. He lit a cigarette and popped open a beer. "Breakfast of Champions," he said. I was like, "if you say so buddy." Um...my guess is he'll be meeting Betty Ford sometime soon in his life.

As the day went on I slowly noticed the bruises coming out. I guess I got beat up a little more than I thought swimming on the ground of the Ocoee. Oh well, I'll call them war wounds and consider them souvenirs from my trip. That is until someone thinks I am being beat up at home. I'll cross that bridge if it comes.

I had so much fun this weekend and miss all my girls already. You too Charlie! It has been hard making new friends up North, but this weekend really reminded me what great friends I have back home. I know you guys are always there for me and am glad I can put you in my TRUE friend category.

4th of July

Sorry for neglecting ya'll but my life has been pretty busy lately.

One of the ladies from work, Natalie, invited me out to her house in Queens for a 4th of July BBQ. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to not be by myself and to really see what these northern folks called BBQ. She picked me up in her old neighborhood in Brooklyn and we headed to the butcher to pick up the holiday fixin's.

Now you have to imagine Natalie, she is Italian and straight up Brooklyn! She moved out of the neighborhood because too many Manhatanites were taking over. First we went to get "Cwawfee" (coffee) and then headed to meet Carmine, the butcher. This woman talks about her butcher all the time so I just had to meet him. I walked in and there they were, 4 Italian men standing behind the counter. Carmine, the owner, Tony his brother, Vinny a worker and Mike, the one legged man. Yes and he even has a one legged dog, he showed me a picture. They all asked for a hug and you know me, I'm from the south, we ain't afraid to hug. I think they just wanted to see if "they were real", if you know what I mean. Gotta love Italian men. Anyway, they talked shit, we talked shit and got our meat to go. After leaving the butcher we stopped and got the paper at the corner store then headed off to Queens.

I had such a good time. Natalie's husband kept feeding me Vodka and Lemonade, and I had my first official Italian sausage and peppers sandwich. We had meat on a stick, ribs, burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, and cole slaw. There was no BBQ chicken, which is just a sin in my book, but all in all this group of Northerners did pretty darn good. Shoot I would of been happy with just the Vodka :)

Sunday I took my first trip to the Jersey Shore. I did my research and Long Branch beach was the easiest trip to take by train. The train station is literally 3 blocks from the beach. You have to pay to go on all the beaches up here, so I paid my little $5 and settled in. I am not really sure what you pay for. Supposedly to keep the beach clean but I snuggled up next to an empty Corona bottle and quite a few cigarette butts, so I am not really sure where my hard earned money is going. I was just happy to hear the waves, read my book and of coarse people watch. Which leads me to my story...

So I officially know why people make fun of Jersey Girls. As I was walking to the beach there was this chic in front of me with high heels on, big ass gold hoop earrings and her Prada sunglasses. First thing, she nearly ran me over on the sidewalk, only to step into the street and almost bust her ass trying to walk in her heels. Why you wear high heels to the beach, I really don't know. I digress. We both paid for our beach passes, she took off her heels and proceeded to walk down the beach to find a spot. Now granted it isn't that hot up here, but the sand can get kind of warm. Next thing I heard her on her cell phone telling her friend how her feet were burning in the sand. Why the hell didn't you wear flip flops then. On top of that the sand is not that clean, and I know flip flops don't really help that much but it is peace of mind in my book just to know I am not stepping on cigarette butts with my bare feet. Anyway I saw her put her stuff down and made sure I walked quite a bit past her. I just couldn't handle it. Now I know why people make fun of Jersey Girls, some of them are a hamburger short of a Happy Meal!

"You want Wasachi?"

My friends Tonyia, Andrea and Stacey were in town this weekend so I hung out with them and finally made it to Canal Street. I tell you that is the most interesting place I've been to thus far in NYC.


I heard stories about these Asian people who take you to a back room for the knock off bags and how true it was. The experience wasn't quite as sketchy as I would of thought but still quite and experience. You literally walk down the street and people come up to you. "You want Gushi, Lou Paton, Wasachi?" It took about 5 seconds to really figure out what they were saying but I got it. They get on their walkie talkies and signal for fresh meat coming in. It is a well organized operation I must say.

Saturday night we went to a comedy show. People have always approached me for $5 tickets on the street but I never really went. Well this time we went, and even though they get you with a two drink minimum it was still a fun night of entertainment. Four comedians, the first two were OK but the last two were great. You know it is high end though when Ashy Larry from the Chapell show is the headliner.

Sunday I met everyone in Manhattan for some more shopping. I bought 2 pairs of shoes and the girls didn't buy much at all. Who is the one on vacation? Anyway after a long shopping day we all headed back to Canal street to get Stacey's dress. Lord let that child get her damn dress. I am glad we went back though because we got the TRUE canal street experience. Cops breaking up the African sidewalk sales, and best of all, buying watches and purses from a man in a mini van.
When the door to the mini van opened we thought we were getting busted by the cops, but low and behold a strategically designed knock off shop was inside.

After our long day of shopping we went to Jacks in Time Square for dinner and then to the 40/40 club. Dinner was so good and there were more people at 40/40 than last time, but I definitely won't be heading there on a Sunday night again for a while. The girls were nice enough to let me crash with them in the city on Sunday night so I woke up headed to work and surprisingly was good to go for the rest of the day. It hit me the next day though, I can't party like I use too. It was so good to hang out with friends again, and enjoy some Southern Hospitality.

I must admit though the best part of the whole weekend was finding out that the McDonald's in Time Square had REAL SWEET TEA! Just goes to show they ain't all the same. N train here I come!