A Different Kind of Experience

It was dreary Saturday in Manhattan. The skyline was like Gotham, bleak and gloomy. It was cloudy, on and off drizzle and some heavy rain. It was muggy and foggy the whole weekend. The lousy weather didn’t keep us from going out though.

Saturday we met in Grand Central Station by the big clock at 2 PM then we walked down to 2nd Avenue and 42nd Street to catch the M15 bus to downtown for late lunch at Grill 21. It was crowded when we got to the restaurant so we waited for 5 minutes to be seated.

After our delectable lunch (of sinigang na baboy, daing na bangus, and mixed pancit), we headed back to M15 bus stop to lower Manhattan for the circus-cabaret show that camp out in north side of Pier 17 South Street Seaport.

It was a night of clever seduction, passion and deceit not to mention breathtaking displays of acrobatic wonder; a theatrical circus experience that will take you backstage at the greatest nightclub. Boy meets girls meets girls meets boy meets boy. At least that’s the plot of “Désir”, the jewel of Paris, in the early 20th century.

“Désir” is a different show that I have had seen in New York City. It is a cavalcade of beauties and hard bodies that I found myself voyeuristic that suggests some couplings (and tripling) acrobats and high-flying exercise in between ground and air. It was also like watching Victoria’s Secret runway show where performers were so attractive that you might develop such crushes. Then there was the charming floppy-haired Persian walked on a tightrope. That was a show stopper.

“Désir” was a whole different kind of experience and yet interesting and entertaining.

Proud and Gay

Clay Aiken is gay? Wow, that’s a shock. It’s like being told that Chris Daughtry is bald. Or that David Cook uses hair gel. Or that Ruben Studdard is fat. On a recent issue of People Magazine, Clay comes out – just like Neil Patrick Harris did. Nevertheless, kudos to him for being candid about his sexuality and he should be proud for coming out courageously. He did the right thing. Good for him.

The Forum

Landmark Education was initially introduced to me by Shanna six years ago. Until this Saturday I did actually sit in and participate through the invitation of a very good friend Honey (scroll down for Wednesday Blogger). She also happened to be our speaker. I’ve known her for quite a while and yet I didn’t know how passionate she was as a “lecturer” and surprisingly humorous. Though I was outnumbered by six females, everyone was responsive and the mood in the room was unexpectedly friendly and respectful. It was the moment when we shared opinions, past experiences and plans for the future. Learning from each of them how they cope with distress, frustrations and disappointments impelled me to rethink about living and relating with others in a more positive way.

Wall Street

These days it is inadvertent not to talk about the slowing down of the U.S. economy. Even around the water cooler the Wall Street meltdown has been our topic since Bears Stearns’ demise then recent fallout of two big financial institutions. These failures have significantly impacted us psychologically; about our well-being and the integrity of the financial system. The economy is likely our top priority in the upcoming national election in November that will spur a much greater focus by presidential candidates.

September 11

Today marks the 7th anniversary of 9/11. This morning I overhead on the subway train two women shared opinions about the 9/11. It got me when one woman said that "Why can’t New Yorker just move on?" I felt I needed to get involved with their thought-provoking conversation but I hesitated not to stir up the flame. These two women were already heated the argument of should or shouldn’t continue to honor and remember the 9/11 and move on just like everyone else. Some passengers rolled their eyes and their faces painted with dismay and shock of what they were hearing from a callous heart. Though I respectfully agreed with her that we should move on and yet it would be shameful not to remember and honor the innocent victims of the 9/11 attack. I know I am not like everyone else. I will never forget that one of my college friends died and his remain has not been identified. My friend’s family clings to hope that someday or soon that Michael’s remain will be identified. Michael's family needs closure.