I wanna dance...

And so, after spending sometime with Mi Cariño's family, we're back in New York! And to celebrate, why not a road trip?! To Atlantic City!! To see Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez in concert. We headed out early morning (not too early), Cesar drove, Laura regaled us with fun stories, and Mi Cariño and I lounged in the back seat, praying that we'd make it to AC in one piece. If you've ever been in the car when he's driving, you know what I mean.

But we made it! And we got to enjoy some time at a Casino, at one of the famous Atlantic City Buffets, and of course, the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

What a great feeling to dip your toes in the sand and smell the cool refreshing sea air. I would throw more cliches at you, but there's no need! You get the gist. Then, off to the concert!

Funny beginnings all over: first, Cesar and I sat and saved the wrong seats, and had to have an unfortunate situation with some of them Jersey people where we thought we were right and they were all like "Nah huh," and so we had to make our way further from the stage. BUT, all good since it was still a great view, and a good group of people around us. We managed to go in after the opening act, which was good since none of us were interested in him.

Then Enrique came on. At first, Mi Cariño and I were miffed at the inclination that Enrique was opening for Jennifer - after all, we all know that whomever sings last holds the power! But man, did he prove that his heart wasn't in it. It wasn't so different from his concert in MSG really - just this one was worse. And shorter, of course. But really, just worse. He did the whole "pull a guy from the audience" bit he loves doing. Boring as hell. Then, he continued to do the thing where he expects the audience to sing every one of his songs because he's too lazy to actually sing them himself. I mean, really. It was travesty.

But then, Jennifer came on. And trust, I'm not the biggest Jennifer Lopez fan - hell, I still have nightmares from having to sit through one of her movies back in 2001 when I was attempting to woo someone, again, and again, again. I never thought the woman was an artist, I always thought she was a good businesswoman. But tonight, I've learned she's a show woman as well, because her set made the trip and the entrance fee totally worth it.

Don't get me wrong, she still can't sing. But she has songs that cater to her voice, and she sang all the way through - none of that mumbo jumbo of giving the audience the microphone every two seconds. I paid to hear her sing, and sing she did. And dance. Through almost every single song she danced, and kept the energy going, singing the stuff that made her famous.

After, Cesar managed to drive us back into town in the pitch of darkness in much less time than it took us to get there, and that's even with a pit stop. I'm usually pretty good at putting up with his driving unscathed, but boy did my heart live in my throat that entire ride. We made it home safe though, and am now ready for the last run towards the finish line: I've handed in my resignation, and will be ending my time at StoryCorps in 22 days. For now, thanks to Cease, Laura, and Mi Cariño for an excellent day. 

Deja Vu

Here recording for a day at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, which is a couple of blocks from the Convention Center where Rose, Naomi, and I recorded back in 2009. Here's a view of the ceiling on the third floor. Not a bad office look!

 To bring things all around, our recording partner took us to lunch to The Flying Fish, a restaurant I visited then, too.

Totally worth the second visit! I don't remember what I had the first time, but today I enjoyed me some grilled cajun catfish and veggies. (I'm pretty sure the first time I had hush puppies.) Forgive me for the bite before the picture, but that catfish just needed to be tasted.

When the recording day was over and we had packed our equipment, we walked around the east river market for a bit, and then got in the car. Now we're back in Memphis, getting ready for an early, early, early morning flight back to New York tomorrow morning.

Time for a quickie!

So, on a super quick trip to Little Rock, AR. Usually, trips this far are a minimum of five days (three days recording, two days traveling), but this time we have a three day turn around: Katie M. and I flew into Memphis today. I took a snap to remind myself of the part that I won't be missing when I stop doing this job: the middle seat.

Before making the drive to Little Rock, we stopped by one of the Neely's BBQ restaurants.

I went for my favorite, Brisket Sandwich.

Although it was good, I wasn't bowled over.
After, Katie M. drove us to Little Rock. I tried driving out of the Memphis airport, but there really were too many trucks and highway closings for me (or Katie) to be comfortable.

So now, I chillax in my Little Rock room. I keep thinking of my previous visit here, almost three years ago. It doesn't feel like time has changed at all. I am tired - I flew in from Miami yesterday only to wake up today and make the flight and drive to here - but there's a pool downstairs and I have a bathing suit, and it's hot as good hell here. So, not too bad.

It's All Happening!

I decided I wanted to spend some one on one time with my sweet Cesar. It's been a while, and the last few times we've hung out it's usually at his place - since I wanted to do something different, I woke up nice and super early and stood in line to get tickets to see "Bring it on: The Musical." It's still on Previews, and it'll be open at the beginning of August, so I figured there'd be less chances that Cesar has already seen this one, not to mention that I don't think this is one that he would choose to see right away.

I was the second in line, which wasn't too bad. Cesar had no idea what we were doing, and so he was totally surprised! He suggested dinner before the show, and so we were at Victor's Cafe in the Upper West. Coincidentally, it was Restaurant Week!

We had so much food! Also, I had forgotten that Mami was taking her GED Test just down the block - I would've called her to share our meal. We - well, really, I - downed a carafe of delicious Sangria.

Since on Tuesdays Shows start early, we hightailed it out of there close to 7pm, and essentially ran down to the theater, just like old times. The show was pretty much as I remember it from Los Angeles, but I enjoyed the songs a little bit more the second time around, I think.

Also, we got up and walked around during the intermission, and while doing that ran into Lin Manuel Miranda, and we - well Cesar - got to tell him we thought he was awesome and super talented. I touched his shoulder. It was awesome.

I really enjoyed the show a lot more from up close. The cheerleading routines were pretty spectacular, and the actors are just as great. They were pretty consistent with their work, which was commendable, too. I related to the storyline a little bit more this time around - it's less about cheerleading and more about trying to make it through High School. Really, a smart move from the producers and creators: great way to get younger viewers interested on Broadway.

Happy Fourth of July!

Took a short vacation from work, grabbed my mother, grandma, my niece Chanti, and Mi Cariño and took the bus up to Massachusetts to visit my brothers. It's the Fourth of July! I usually spend it up there and this was the first time that Mi Cariño was coming along, so I was nervous as hell. To say the least. But it ended up being a most excellent "long weekend."

Most afternoons were spent in one of my brother's backyard, hoping to avoid the mosquitoes. Mi Cariño and I also got to take a trip to Boston with my oldest of friends, Fabi, to enjoy some hanging out time. On the Fourth itself, we drove around to see the town's fireworks and then stole away to find some delicious local ice cream at Jaylee's Ice Cream and Go Kart Store.

Gotta love spending time with the family. Happy Birthday, America!