There’s that beautiful weather I’ve been waiting for
Friday night a few friends and I planned a get-together at Central Park for the annual free concert by the New York Philharmonic in Central Park. But alas, the pending rain and ridiculous humidity scared us all away. With my late-afternoon free (I swore to myself that, come hell or high water I would quit work by 4:30 p.m. on Friday), I decided to take a walk through Central Park anyway (with umbrella, of course) to see what all the fuss was about in the first place about the Philharmonic’s outdoor concert series.
It looked great–tons and tons and tons of people with big blankets and balloons identifying their location to their friends, picnic baskets and bottles of wine and kids running around everywhere. It looked wonderful. It also looked risky, with the storm abrewin’ in the distance. A long, long walk ensued, followed by dinner and a movie in air conditioning and it was a lovely night, lightning storm and all.
Saturday morning I awoke to an absolutely gorgeous day, with the humidity subsided and a crystal clear, blue sky on the horizon. So nice. The morning was filled with a haircut, java and grocery shopping, followed by a three-hour rollerblading trip along the Hudson. Bliss. I even stopped along the way to chat with a few friends on the phone, and read another chapter in the most excellent book I’m reading right now: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. And the evening: a fish dinner, followed by the production of BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL on Broadway, which was worth every penny of the full-price ticket (well, almost every penny…that’s damn expensive).
As a side note to the show, it’s really a remarkable story of truth, tension and ultimately overcoming adversity. And to an artist, it spoke to me on a number of different levels, personally and professionally. I saw the show many years back in London, and it was nice to return it again, more mature with more worldly experiences under my belt.
And Sunday, well, I basically ate my way through the city with the help of a couple of friends. Paige and I got together for a much-overdue brunch at 10 Downing, a great West Village / Soho-ish restaurant, followed by a viewing of The Hangover (which is hil-ar-i-ous) at the cinemas. And then for dinner, I got got together with the one and only Rachel She-Never-Ceases-to-Shock-Me-Anton. It was great to see both gals again. Last night, I crashed. So tired. Ready for the upcoming week.
I have started my great apartment search, and already have seen a few different properties that I quite like. I’m hoping and praying to find that perfect studio apartment someplace in Midtown or downtown–a place that will be quaint, clean, perhaps relatively new or recently renovated, in an awesome location that I can make a home…my home. It certainly does amaze me what landlords get for the tiniest of apartments in New York City. Absolutely amazes me. We’ll see…I’m optimistic.
Oh, to be French
My “great European adventure” has been blessed and wonderful for so many reasons, and certainly, the French Riviera was the perfect way to end a whirlwind 16 day vacation. First of all, Nice is beautiful (really, the whole French coast is). Second, the food was delicious. Third, the weather was absolutely perfect (hot in the sun, cool in the shade, and not a cloud in the sky the entire time we were there). And finally, the friendships and conversations were, simply, enjoyable.
It’s that last one–the friendships and conversations–that I loved most, perhaps, about the entire trip. Traveling with new and old friends, I was also introduced to many new people: friends of my friends’, who warmly extended their hearts and time throughout various moments of our trip. In Nice, we got to meet Aimee’s friend Emily, a sweetheart who is enjoying a European adventure of her own (we almost went to Barcelona with her this morning, before my conscious butted in and reminded myself that I needed to get back to work). Even after Aimee left for America a day earlier, we still got together with Emily for dinner and drinks or to just lay on the beach and swim in the Mediterranean.
Dmi, Emily and I on the beach in front of our hotel, enjoying a (second) bottle of vino.
More photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/tedstephens3/FranceNice03?authkey=
Gv1sRgCIn2vI-fxqHP1AE#slideshow/5358051199109375522
Nice also allowed for really good talks, long talks after a good meal, walking back to the beachfront hotel we had that was at the end of the Promenade. There’s nothing like listening to the waves, feeling the breeze on your face, and being engaged in honest conversation.
We were going going going the entire trip–hopping around from city to city, visiting different sites and enjoying each and every minute of the time shared. The French Riviera allowed for true reflection, for relaxation and for a damn good tan. A damn fine one, if I do say so myself.
Flying away today from Nice (I got back to New York about an hour or two ago), I asked myself how I can apply some of the things that Europeans in general do to my daily life. There’s a casualness to their everyday life that says, “Everything is going to be okay.” “No need to stress out.” “Chill out and have a glass of wine, and then pick it up again.” “If you need to nap, close the store and nap. The work ain’t going anywhere, and no one’s going to die.” You get my drift: There’s a balance between responsibility, health and a general love of life. They know how to do it.
The thoughts are jumbled, but the outcomes of this trip are clear: I learned new things, about myself, my friends and the world. Learning. It’s so great.
I think I have an issue with Olympic host cities
It might not be a fair assumption, but it certainly is my personal observation: I think that the Olympics sometimes have a negative effect on host cities after the hoopla of having the games has ended. I felt this way after leaving Atlanta, Georgia, six or seven years ago (I have since returned and experienced a nicer side to Atlanta) and now, having spent a day and a half in Turin, Italy, host of the Winter Games a few years ago, I feel the same way.
Here’s the problem: I think these cities are built up to something bigger than is sustainable once the crowds and games have left, leaving boarded-up restaurants and big parks that can’t be kept clean. Such a turn-off.
And while Turin was simply a “stop-over” en route to Nice, it was a big disappointment overall. That landmark tower that NBC showed time and time again, hovering over the city, is a museum committed to cinematography (which is great, but really…I thought it was going to be some historical museum). There was graffiti everywhere, piazzas empty. It was just…ugh.
But still, our hotel was nice (despite the fact that we found out two days ago we got overcharged) and we found a nice river walk where we were able to enjoy a quiet night with a bottle of, what else, Prosecco.
Oh, and I should mention–despite the crazy driving in Italy, the drive overall from Switzerland to Turin was GORGEOUS, through the St. Bernardine Pass and some beautiful, quaint villages in northern Italy.
A picture is worth a thousand words
If a picture is worth a thousand words, than the photo above might best describe my three days in Leukerbad, Switzerland, a natural spring spa resort in the Swiss Alps. Absolutely stunning. And relaxing and peaceful and happy. And surprisingly, fairly reasonable in terms of price (given that this is considered an “off season” for tourism in the Alps).
More Leukerbad photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/tedstephens3/SwitzerlandLeukerbad?authkey=
Gv1sRgCNzVp7Hs0PWnywE#slideshow/5356508255583296642
With the trip quickly coming to a close (I am in the Pittsburg of Italy tonight–Torino, Italy) with four days in the French Riviera starting tomorrow around nooner, I find myself reflective and appreciative to have had this whirlwind experience in Europe.
I realize more and more that I need to take time like this for myself, to both look back and look ahead. And just as important, to acknowledge the present. I have much to be thankful for.
So as for a Leukerbad recap (also referred to as Lieker’s bath, in a random shoutout to M@): We arrived on Tuesday to our Alps hideaway after a beautiful drive in the mountains, that included loading the Mercedes on a car-train that took us through some of the higher, snowy regions of the Alps, and proceeded to head instantly for the warm natural springs. Wednesday took us on a long hike through the mountains to a restaurant for a fantastic lunch, followed by a wine tasting and more swimming. And Thursday brought us through the Grand St. Bernadine Pass and to Torino, Italy, where we’ve more or less relaxed and rested up. Really, Torino–home to the Winter Olympics a few years back–has been disappointing to say the least. Granted, it was more of a stop-over than anything, but still…
At least we managed to find a cute restaurant along the river tonight to take a long walk on and share a bottle of Prosecco.
French Riviera tomorrow. New York City Monday!
Swimming in Evian bottled water
I have absolutely fallen in love with Zurich. I find it to be one of the most quaint, beautiful and relaxed cities in all of Europe, if not the world. There’s something about the pace and energy of this city that suits me quite well—the fact that you are in a major metropolitan area, coupled with the fact that there is so much to do recreationally has made this a favorite on this great European adventure. In fact, we’ve fallen in love with the city so much that we extended the stay an extra night, and are already making plans for a return trip sometime next year (or perhaps this winter to go skiing).
Photos of Zurich here: http://picasaweb.google.com/tedstephens3/SwitzerlandZurich#slideshow/
5355396033581574098
The Swiss have figured things out—how to surround themselves with people and places and things to do that make them happy. Take for instance the incredible waters of Lake Zurichsee. It’s a gigantic lake that ends in Zurich, and then flows into a river. The waters are from the mountains—snowmelt that has come down and ended up in the lake. And it is clear—crystal clear, just inviting you to jump into it. And the Swiss indeed do that, with a number of areas to swim in the lake, and river. My favorite: jumping off a bridge just outside the Marriott hotel we’re staying at here, and allowing the current to just take me down the river to a dock where people are lying about, drinking Prosecco or beer, munching on big pretzels, conversing with new and old friends, you know…stuff that the Swiss do on their leisurely time. It’s perfect, and refreshing.
In fact, I was joking with Gilliam, a friend who lives in Zurich that has met up with us a few times, that it feels like I’m swimming in Evian bottled water, as it is so crisp, clean and refreshing.
Photo of people floating down the river.
Zurich also has its fair share of delicious restaurants and cafes, and clock towers, and churches—lots and lots and lots of churches. I love visiting them, deconstructing the architecture of the churches based on when they were built and depending on what denomination they are (or in some cases, were). And I love just sitting in them for a half hour and thinking, reflecting on the past and present and in some cases, looking ahead to the future. It’s nice to sit in a church and acknowledge the spirituality of the moment without the pressures that I sometimes feel from religion.
And finally, Zurich just has great design. In fact, f-ing fantastic design—and I am enjoying soaking it all in. It is inspiring so many creative thoughts and ideas in my own head, from a business standpoint but also from an artistic viewpoint. I can’t wait to see what this trip does to my work, and how it might open myself up to new approaches to daily living. We’ll see what happens.
Tonight’s my last night here—we’re getting ready for dinner at a vegetarian restaurant that my friend Marky Mark recommended–the Hiltl. tomorrow morning we’ll jump into the Mercedes Benz we are renting and head to the Alps—Leukerbad, to be exact, which is a tiny village community in the central region that is known for it’s natural springs and incredibly scenery. Two days there, one day in Turin, Italy, and then the final leg of the trip: the French Riviera.
I continue to count so many blessings each and every day of this trip.
Almost ate a sausage in Germany
Almost.
But then this vegetarian chickened out, or was just really afraid of what the effects of such a stupid act might be on the body. Still, my whirlwind tour through Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich, Germany, was a nice surprise–the people lovely, the cities beautiful and the wine…well, that was one for one (the nasty apple wine that you mix Fanta and Sparkling Water in was dis-gust-ing, while the clean white wine I had on our last night in Munich was actually delicious).
Here are some photos from this leg of the trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/tedstephens3/GermanyDusseldorfFrankfurtAndMunich?
authkey=Gv1sRgCLTYicDW4-zwmQE&feat=
directlink#slideshow/5354879302784782962
In Dusseldorf.
I’m in Zurich now–have been for two nights, and absolutely love it here. I need to run out now to explore the day, but when I have some more time, will post more about the trip so far. It’s been such a beautiful, happy experience for me. I feel so fortunate.
Biking past castles and swimming in dirty canals
As we made our way throughout these tiny, tiny villages in Holland yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice my breathe again. And while I understand that to many it might sound cheesy, for myself it was a personal reminder that I forget to really do that in New York, when I’m engulfed in the hustle and bustle of my home. [Attempting] to ride that bike amongst the open fields, forests, farm animals and canals of Holland, I noticed things about myself and my personal happiness that I perhaps don’t recognize everyday.
The trip thus far continues to be absolutely special, just mind-blowing and wonderful in so many simple ways. I feel so fortunate to know Alessandra, not because she lives in Holland and has been generous to open her house to us, but because she is a beautiful spirit–she clearly knows what she wants out of life, and how she wants to live that life, and surrounds herself by people and places that make her happy. Yesterday was typical for her, taking us on a bike ride for god-knows how many miles (we biked and biked and biked and biked) throughout Holland. We stopped at beautiful castles, took a ferry across a canal, met some random strangers that live on the canal waters and jumped into the dirty canal swimming, had a delicious dinner at an outdoor restaurant hidden back behind the forests and met some local people, and completed the evening outside at Alessa’s house with her wonderful neighbor Ans decompressing life.
Rewind two days, and you would have found Dmi, Aimee and I in Amsterdam for the day, checking out the Anne Frank Hus and Museum, the Red Light District (um…!), a canal tour of the city, being awkward Americans giggling in a coffeeshop and a lovely dinner back in Laren that evening. While I could have spent much more time in the city, I actually prefer this part of Holland–where life is simpler, quieter and more relaxing.
Tomorrow I head to Frankfurt for the evening, followed by a trip to Munich for a few days. In the meantime, here are some new photos that you might enjoy from the trip (click on the link below to view my Picassa photo album):
http://picasaweb.google.com/tedstephens3/Holland?feat=embedwebsite#slideshow/5353018826436977698
No luggage, but I don’t care
After a three hour weather delay on the runway of JFK Airport in New York and a rather bumpy flight through some lightning storms, with the help of a little Xanex and a glass of white wine, I made it to the Netherlands, or the Nederlands, or however you wish to spell it. And while my luggage didn’t make it (here’s hoping they don’t deliver it before 9:30 a.m. so I can get $300 toward a new wardrobe), I am so happy and totally relaxed. In fact, the only time I think about work is when I realize that I’m not thinking of work. Bliss.
So I’m here–right outside of Amsterdam, in a charming bucolic village called Laren. It is incredible. I mean, they only have a police force from 8 a.m. to noon daily, and everyone rides a bicycle. Aimee, Dmitry and I were met at the airport by Alessa, and she whisked us away to her house for a nap, followed by a lovely barbeque and then a night in town, where there was an outdoor concert going on.
I need to keep this short, but I’m just so happy and grateful to be here, with good friends and having a wonderful time. More reports soon. Until then, here are a few photos:
Alessa’s house in Laren, where we’re staying.
Dmitry and Alessa in the kitchen, making dinner.
With Alessa, her little sister visiting from Brazil, and Dmi.
Champagne
With Alessa’s sister, Aimee and Alessa.
Concert in Laren.
Smile, dammnit: 400 versus 17
There’s something about “being back into it” that I really love–the excitement of the unexpected (see previous post) that comes with living in New York City. I feel like I’m never here, and while in many cases that is literally true, I am grateful for the weeks and weekends like the one I’m currently in that I get to take advantage of all that my city and my work has to offer.
For the first time in a long time, I’m feeling like my productivity is going way way up, not in a “I’m checking things off the list” sense, but rather, in feeling like there’s some pretty damn good work coming out of my mind, my designs and in the written word. It’s refreshing, because admittedly, there are days that I feel like I’ve been sucked dry and have nothing left to offer. This week, it’s more of an exciting anticipation to get to my computer first thing in the morning and see what kind of creativity I can churn out of this body of mine.
My bedroom is a mess…papers and files and piles for work everywhere (ignore the bottle of champagne on the floor…ha!).
This week is an exciting one socially for me, as I’m getting to see so many good friends that I haven’t seen in decades (not so literally, but it sure feels like it). Last night was a fantastic birthday celebration for Dmi at Lure Fishbar in Soho, where we dined on an amazing seafood platter of oysters and crab legs and squid and jumbo shrimp, accompanied by a most-excellent bottle of wine. I also took the time to walk through the West Village on my way home, grabbed some of my favorite ice cream at Eskimix and dreamt a little about being able to find a cute, tiny studio someplace downtown. Le sigh.
Tonight is Jeff’s (as in the boyfriend of the lovely Jessica Ires) birthday at Dave and Buster’s in Midtown, and then tomorrow I am finally getting together with the fab socialite Kristina Bramhall in the Village to see CORALINE from MCC Theater (one of the theatres I work with) and nabbing some drinks afterwards. And then Friday, I’m uber-excited to finally see South Pacific at Lincoln Center (landed some sweet-ass orchestra seats) and use the weekend to prep for my pending trip to Seattle and, hopefully, Europe, which begins early on Monday morning.
As I rapidly approach the ending of this book on geographical bliss, I learned something new yesterday:
A baby smiles, on average, 400 times a day. Adults smile 17 times a day.
Yikes!
These days, I’m choosing to act like a child, in a sense…embracing the now and looking ahead to the future. At times as I reflect on where life is leading me, I question how things have turned out the way they have. I don’t have the answers. And I guess, in some strange way, I really don’t care to. Instead, I am interested in appreciating all that has come before, and all that I hope to earn and accept in the future.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On an unrelated note: This news excites me, as posted on playbill.com. It’s one of my favorite plays, and a role I’m dying (like, seriously, dying) to play. Ashton can take the role, but can I be the understudy? Anyone? Anyone?
Things I know, things in limbo, and a comment on unpredictability
Writing on my blog seems to be a bi-weekly thing these days, and I am sorry for it–sorry for myself, most of all. I miss the daily rantings that I used to go on about whatever unimportant thing was going on in my life in a specific instance. But these days, with hopping planes every other week and early mornings and late evenings of work becoming the norm, the writing just ain’t happening.
Despite the craziness of Monday-Friday, I continue to do well with the weekends–shutting off the work computer and enjoying the days and nights in the city (or elsewhere) with friends. That time is very much needed, and I’m grateful for it.
So: I’m back in New York City. Until next Monday, when I catch an early morning flight for Seattle, Washington, for work. It felt really good to be home after a rewarding/tough couple of weeks in South Dakota. The beautiful and vast openness of the Pine Ridge certainly play with my mind: In one moment, I love the eery quietness and comfort that comes with the land and it’s people. And the next, I find myself anxious for stupid things like the sounds of kids shouting on the subway or a long line at Whole Foods. It’s funny how you miss some of the things that you (on most days) despise when you’re home. It confuses me, but also reminds me how attached I’ve become to where I live–this city, and the people and cultures that are part of the make-up of it.
There have been a number of celebrations lately, and many more this week. I have many great friends doing many great things in their life, and I feel fortunate to share a small piece of that with them. New jobs, birthdays, exciting new things happening in their personal life. It runs a spectrum of different happenings, and it’s all thrilling to watch.
On the work front, life is quite grand. After the great trip at Red Cloud for the past two weeks, I return home with the confirmation that I’ll be joining their staff on a part-time basis this July as their Director of Communications. I’ll of course continue my work from home, and continue growing my business. With Red Cloud, the position will allow our team of people to move forward with some strategic goals and allow myself (and others) key leadership in the implementation of those goals. It also means that I will have health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and some other important “life things” (which should make the parental units in particular very very happy). I’m excited to continue this relationship with the school, and am grateful to all those who played a role in bringing me on-board in this capacity.
I’ve also been doing some exciting work as of late with MCC Theater, that super-rad off-Broadway theatre that I interned with a year and a half ago. They recently hired me to design their 09/10 Season Brochure, Renewal Piece, some e-mail campaigns and some banner ads. It’s always so great to work closely with them (and with a theatre that I totally believe in), as well as the opportunity to establish a new “brand” for them with some fine-tuning to their design. Working with marketing gurus Ian and Isabel there, I think we’ve come up with a pretty bad-ass design approach to the season that will further the identity, graphically at least, for MCC in the coming year. So great.
Then there’s the vacation front, which could be in limbo. I tentatively leave for a two-week trip in Europe on June 26, but may have to push the trip back due to a potential work conflict one of my friends going on the trip may have (I’ll know more midweek). If we have to put it on hold, it’ll be a total-bummer, but also, frankly, not a big deal at all. We’ll just go a month or so from now. As far as I can tell, Europe will still be there this fall. At any rate, I’m totally pumped to step on European soil again real real soon. Cross your fingers it’ll be in two weeks.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Finally, something totally random.
I’m reading a most-excellent book right now about happiness. And I came across a passage:
We in the west think of unpredictability as a menace, something to be avoided at all costs. We want our careers, our family lives, our roads, our weather to be utterly predictable. We love nothing more than a sure thing. Shuffling the songs on our iPod is about as much randomness as we can handle.
I gotta say: I love unpredictability. I think it describes many, many aspects of my life. And for those who have known me forever probably think this is a big change. It probably is.
But for me, it makes sense. To go through the days, weeks, months, etc., and “notice what I notice” and allow really great things to happen. I think that that is why I am finding so much happiness and completeness in my life right now. I’m surrounded by special, important people whom I love and love me, in a place that, for all the craziness, still puts a smile on my face. And still, I’m also not settling. I’m curious what might happen next: A move to Miami? A move to a different apartment in NYC? New career challenges? New friends? Travel? Rest? Naps? Restaurants (ha!)?
Even tonight is unpredictable. I think I’ll work a bit, to prep for the week.
But then again, I can’t say for sure.
An Actor, Unedited 
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