Oct 30
An Attitude of Gratitude
This month’s issue of O, The Oprah Magazine is about the power of gratitude. It’s an emotion I’ve been feeling a lot lately, thanks to some truly wonderful events and milestones.
October began with a family celebration of my dear Aunt Lydia and Uncle’s Joe 50th anniversary. My cousins Dana and Carla hosted a lovely party at Long Island’s Colonial Springs Golf Club, complete with their wedding video on a loop, delicious food and a fantastic doo-wop group singing classics like “Stand By Me” and “In The Still of The Night.”
Aunt Lydia and Uncle Joe celebrating their gold anniversary
As I watched my aunt and uncle dance to their wedding song “More,” I found myself thinking of another couple whose devotion and commitment to each other endured—my beloved parents. They would have celebrated their 45th anniversary this year. I knew they were smiling down on all of us and I felt blessed all over again to have grown up in the light of their abiding love.
The next day, I was back at Penn Station again—this time for a girls night out in New Jersey with two of my best friends, Sara and Lisa, followed by an afternoon of apple picking at New York’s Masker Orchards.
Sara, me and Lisa
We did a lot of laughing, talking and swooning collectively over the movie that everyone’s been talking about (justifiably), A Star Is Born. In a word, spectacular. Do not miss it!
Speaking of fun with friends, galpal Lori and I made our own to trek to Jersey, to see Phil Collins at Newark’s Prudential Center. It had been almost 25 years since I last saw Phil live and, once again, he didn’t disappoint. Despite ailments necessitating that he remain seated, he put on one hell of a show, in fine voice and backed by a fantastic band and backup singers.
Phil was in fine form at Newark’s Prudential Center
One musician in particular stood out—Phil’s 17-year-old son Nic. Taking over for his legendary dad on the drums and piano, Nic played with the talent and ease of a veteran rock star. You could feel the connection between them, and Phil’s huge pride in his son. It added a moving dimension to an already memorable evening. The set list had just about every song you could have wanted—from “Against All Odds,” “Take Me Home” and “Sussudio,” to Genesis hits like “Invisible Touch” and “Throwing It All Away.” One of the most unforgettable moments came when Phil stood for “In The Air Tonight.” It was the only song he did this for and a powerful illustration that at 67, he’s still got plenty in him. Bravo, Phil.
It’s also been an exhilaratingly action-packed month at work, from the kickoff of season two of Broadway At The Pierre with the dazzling N’Kenge to the hotel’s annual celebration of Diwali: India’s Festival of Lights. These ongoing traditions are part of why The Pierre isn’t just my dream job—it’s the job of a lifetime.
All smiles with my Pierre family at Diwali
I feel so supported and appreciated by my incredible colleagues. They were truly behind me as I finally accomplished something I’ve been working toward for several months. When I thanked one of them for his part in making it possible, he replied—
“We’re a family here and we wouldn’t have done anything less.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Achieving this long-desired goal reminded me how you never know what’s around the corner. And how important it is to cherish and be thankful for every day you’re here to rediscover that.
Sep 1
A Summer To Remember
With Labor Day weekend here and the first hint of fall in the air, I find myself thinking not only about how quickly this season has gone by—but what a special one it has been. Summer is about reconnecting with the outdoors and taking time to recharge. I’ve been fortunate to do plenty of both.
Nothing is more quintessentially summer than feeling sand between your toes. I enjoyed that heavenly sensation several times. First, during July 4th fireworks with family on beautiful Wells Beach in Maine. Then, a picture perfect sunset stroll at Point No Point in Washington State with my sweet Benji and friends Lisa and Deane.
And most recently, during my first-ever visit to New York’s Fire Island. On a bright, breezy afternoon, my beloved cousin Carla and I took the ferry out to this popular hamlet, indulging in lobster rolls at Maguire’s overlooking the water, ice cream at Scoops and a walk along Ocean Beach. 
Summer days don’t get any better.
Speaking of perfection, my five days in Colorado visiting dear friend Lisa B. was exactly that. In addition to quality time spent catching up, indulging in delicious meals and being couch potatoes, we took in her home state’s majestic beauty. From an old-fashioned train ride through the mountains to evening walks with Benji under a sky full of stars, it was everything vacation should be…except too short!
Here at home, I savored how my city comes alive when the temperatures rise. I partook in street fairs, dining al fresco at neighborhood favorites (thank you, Beach Café and Five Napkin Burger) and for the first time in years, the US Open and one of NYC’s most popular annual traditions, Shakespeare In The Park. The musical production of the Bard’s comedy Twelfth Night was witty, charming and colorful. Mother Nature clearly agreed, as the forecasted rain didn’t begin until the talented cast had taken their final bow.
I think she may also be a fan of Perrine at The Pierre’s Summer of Rosé series. For Smash Bash, our final outdoor event of the season, the weather held out as we celebrated tennis with food, wine, music and 2017 Wimbledon Champion Garbiñe Muguruza.
Three hours later, at exactly our scheduled end time, the heavens started to open up. Everyone took cover under the hotel awning and immediately started dancing up a storm (so to speak). DJ Neil Nice capped off the night with a medley of Empire State of Mind and New York, New York, the latter sparking an impromptu chorus line. As I kicked up my heels, it hit me that Sinatra’s ode to the Big Apple is again finally what it is supposed to be.
For too many years, I dreaded hearing the timeless song — because it was my late mother’s favorite and a painful reminder of her loss. But on this #PerfectlyPierre night at my dream job, surrounded by friends and colleagues I love, the timeless tune made me smile. It once again became an affirmation of my good fortune to live in the world’s greatest city–a place that I will forever adore and be so proud to call my hometown.
Jul 8
Celebrating My First Year With Benji
One year ago, I drove out to a home in Queens to pick up my foster dog Benji. As soon as the front door opened, Benji ran right to me, affectionately jumping up like he knew he was coming home. In that moment, I knew too–this was my baby.
It didn’t take long after he stole my heart for Benji to confirm that we are kindred spirits. Like me, he loves to eat, sleep and travel. And how we have traveled together! Over the last 12 months, we’ve been to Delaware, Maine, Ohio and Las Vegas. Whether we’re going by plane, train, ferry or car, Benji takes it all in stride–something that rarely go unnoticed.
Every time we hit the road, especially while in flight, at least one person remarks in astonished awe about his calm, easy temperament. Not a bark or a peep during 5+ hours on a plane! His only request–to come out of his carrier so he can sit on my lap and look out the window. Watching him enjoy the sky-high view has quickly become one of my favorite things.
Of course, we’ve gone through our share of trials too. From food poisoning and eating a toxic chestnut to surgery on his front right leg, Benji has braved it all with grace and courage as I have been a nervous wreck.
I often wonder what Benji’s life was like before we found each other. Who was his family before? How could they have abandoned this extraordinary creature? Then I think about how grounded, affectionate and well behaved he is and I know he was loved by whoever had him first. And I thank them for taking such good care of him until God decided it was our time to be together.
Much has been said about the healing powers of animals and I know why. No matter what challenges life may bring or what kind of day I’m having, seeing Benji’s sweet face makes it all disappear. Just before I adopted him, one of my best friends said he would fill all the spaces. Indeed he has, in ways I never anticipated.
Until I brought Benji home, I viewed my life in two very different parts–with and without my parents. Their painful loss is, thank God, no longer what defines me. Now, I think of the timeline of my life as being before and since Benji. There are no words to describe what this changed perspective has meant for me. Though I will always miss my parents, the heaviness in my heart has finally lifted, replaced by the soul renewing comfort of having Benji. He is my best friend.
French poet Anatole France said until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. Truer words were never spoken.
Happy Gotcha Day, lovebug!
Jun 9
It Could Have Been Me
Like everyone around the world, I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. But when I first heard the news about each of them, I was also struck by something else.
It could have been me.
The CDC reported this week that suicide rates increased by 25% across the United States between 1999 and 2016. According to AFSP, there are nearly 45,000 suicides every year in the US. Two years ago, I was almost one of them.
I had it all planned, right down to the day and time. Will updated, goodbye letters written, method decided (prescription drug overdose). Living no longer felt like an option, let alone desirable. Depression had me in its vise-like grip, intensified by two tumultuous cross-country moves and a painful breakup, plunging me into a despair unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was convinced I would never feel like myself again. What soon followed was a relentless voice in my head asking over and over–why even be here anymore?
By the grace of God, something stopped me on that December night in 2016. And an enormous part of what pulled me back from the brink was unfailing support from family and friends. Three loved ones in particular made me realize I needed help. They saw the warning signs and cared enough to do something about it.
Be that person. Trust your instincts. If someone you know seems off, ask the hard questions and continually reinforce they are not alone. Depression is a beast that creates shame and isolation. It deceives you into thinking that being a prisoner of your own mind is a failure of character. Those who are fighting it with everything they have need to be reminded help is out there.
A New York State partnership with the nonprofit group Crisis Text Line will allow people to connect with a crisis counselor by texting “GOT5” to 741-741.
The devastation wrought by suicide inevitably comes with the haunting question–why? How could two extraordinary individuals like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, so accomplished and adored, both with loving partners and children, reach a point of such overwhelming hopelessness? I remember being on the receiving end of similar disbelief after revealing what I had gone through. People often don’t understand that mental illness doesn’t discriminate. As Bryan Cranston poignantly observed on Twitter today–
“Success is not immune to depression. We all need to be more aware of our friends who are suffering.”
I know the self-loathing I felt at my worst. I can’t begin to imagine the exponentially more intense feelings Ms. Spade and Mr. Bourdain were battling because they were public figures. Especially in this age when social media makes it dangerously easy to bully, attack and harass with the touch of a few keystrokes.
We need to change the conversation around mental health issues. To remove the stigma of it and applaud those courageous enough to share their stories. Mariah Carey got more attention for alleged weight loss surgery than she did for her brave, candid interview revealing she has been battling bipolar disorder for years. What kind of a message does that send to the many who are also struggling with the disease?
And make no mistake, depression is a disease. But unlike physical illness, the treatment for it is not an exact science. I know this from the terrifying roller coaster of being on multiple medications as doctors scrambled to figure out which combination my brain would respond to. It took two hospitalizations, two outpatient programs and a brilliant, determined psychiatrist to put me on the long, hard-fought path to recovery.
I still remember the day I finally threw out my stash of anti-depressants. That’s the thing about a near death experience. As anyone who’s been there knows, you never forget it. Like the impact of an earthquake, your emotional geography is forever altered. I view life and its fragility through a very different prism now. All the platitudes about living life to the fullest and making the most of every day–these are my cornerstones now. Having come perilously close to losing it all, I don’t want to squander a single minute of the second chance I’ve been given.
As we mourn the heartbreaking losses of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, there is comfort in their beautiful legacies. The lessons they taught us–to live life in color, to challenge ourselves to embrace the new and unknown, will endure.
May we honor these two souls by taking their wisdom to heart–and each doing our part to help those who are suffering find their way back to the light.
May 26
My Fabulous First Year At The Pierre
This month, I am celebrating one year of my dream job. And what a year it has been!
From producing special events to managing TV and magazine photo shoots, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting projects of my career, with colleagues who represent the best of both hospitality and humanity. It takes a lot to deliver five-star service every day. And that’s exactly what The Pierre does.
With my boss Ernesto and General Manager Francois at The Pierre’s 70s-themed holiday party
Following the great example set by our leadership team, everyone at The Pierre is guided by the dual principles of doing what’s right and what is true to the DNA and 90-year history of the hotel. One year later, I am still in awe of the kindness, dedication and excellence of my coworkers. Going above and beyond is the rule here rather than the exception. Often when I’m speaking with guests, they express gratitude for the genuine warmth and caring of The Pierre team. I feel the same way. In these turbulent times, it is such a blessing to spend my days in a place that brings out the best in people.
Valentine’s Day selfie with colleagues (from left) Kim, Deb, Jackie and Vanessa
Of course, it’s no surprise that a hotel of this caliber attracts quite an extraordinary clientele. And it has given me the chance to meet iconic figures from so many different fields. I’ve had afternoon tea and talked about “Downton Abbey” with handsome, witty UK actor David Robb (Dr. Clarkson). I coordinated segments for two national morning shows, including one with legendary anchor Jane Pauley and the utterly charming, hilarious Bill Murray. Fun fact: an ex-boyfriend of mine went on an archeological dig in Cyprus with Bill. Laughing with him about this and sharing our experiences of working Down Under in Sydney with Jane was sublimely surreal.
In the hotel’s iconic Rotunda with Jane Pauley & Bill Murray
Perhaps closest to my heart, I’ve had the privilege to launch Broadway At The Pierre, a cabaret series that revisits the hotel’s long tradition of showcasing musical theater’s brightest stars (The Pierre hosted a similar program back in the 1940s and 50s!). Broadway was a big part of growing up in the Big Apple so working with its extraordinarily talented and equally gracious performers means a great deal to me.
Broadway At The Pierre: Kicking off the series with WICKED alums Hayley Podschun (Glinda), Jennifer DiNoia (Elphaba) and Musical Director Benjamin Rauhala
Just a few weeks into year two, the momentum continues. I have managed photography of celebrity departures for the prestigious MET Costume Gala — including the exits of Uma Thurman, Anne Hathaway, Kris Jenner and Shawn Mendes.
Uma Thurman exiting the hotel on her way to the MET Gala
I coordinated a TODAY Show segment filmed in The Pierre’s beloved Two E lounge. I had the pleasure of listening to Michelle Obama speak about balancing motherhood with life in the White House. And I witnessed an epic Mother’s Day performance by the three incredible leads from The Phantom of The Opera. As I shared with them that night, it was the first time since losing my mom almost 20 years ago that I actually looked forward to the holiday. Words can’t describe what a turning point this is for me.
All smiles on Mother’s Day (!) after PHANTOM’s epic performance
An acquaintance observed that my face always lights up when I talk about this extraordinary hotel. My dear friend Sara’s mom says I have finally found my home. I couldn’t agree more. The Pierre anchors me every day, continually inspiring me to evolve and grow.
Dream job? Job of a lifetime!
Apr 21
Vegas Encore: Part Two
After my heavenly meet and greet with Ricky Martin, Brittany graciously escorted me to my upgraded VIP seat–and what an upgrade it was! Plush banquette seating just a few steps above the stage, offering a perfect unobstructed view along with table service for ordering cocktails and snacks.
As I settled into my seat, I noticed a familiar face nearby– longtime Fox 5 New York anchor Rosanna Scotto.
All smiles with Fox 5 NY anchor Rosanna Scotto. One of the highlights of my trip!
The last time I had seen her was years ago during my own days in TV news, when she graciously took the time to meet me and offer career advice. She greeted me warmly, sharing that she got married at The Pierre when I told her that’s where I am now. Rosanna had just come from interviewing Ricky for an upcoming special and confided that he had pulled a leg muscle so he was receiving acupuncture to get through the show that night. Of course, Ricky at 80% is like other entertainers at 100%.
Despite a pulled muscle, Ricky was in his usual fine form. Wepa!
This was my fifth time at ALL IN and it was just as epic as I remembered. After almost 20 years of seeing Ricky live, I have to say this is one of his most dazzling productions ever. Amazing choreography and the set list is a perfect mix of his English and Spanish hits, with a few perfectly pitched nods to iconic Vegas performers. At 46, Ricky more than matches the energy of his younger dancers and, yes, he looks mighty fine and fit! In his recently aired Fox 5 interview with Rosanna Scotto, he said he treats his body as an athlete would and it definitely shows. Too many artists today lip sync because they don’t have the stamina to dance and sing at the same time (Britney, JLo, etc). Ricky’s residency is aptly named because, injured or not, he gives it all at every concert.
Unfortunately, his pulled muscle forced him to cancel the second concert scheduled for that weekend. Hearing the news was a little easier to take since it came directly from the Park Theater’s General Manager Dan. Dan thoughtfully told me in person while I enjoyed a delightful complimentary dinner with my good friend Tiffany at the Monte Carlo’s new restaurant Primrose.
Tiff and me at Primrose. The beignets (also pictured) are a must!
Part of the hotel’s $450 million+ renovation and rebranding — it will become the Park MGM — Primrose is a charming bistro with a fantastic menu and attentive service. Inspired by the South of France, Primrose features a “French-ish” menu with garden-inspired dishes and an outdoor terrace. Our server Mark took great care of us, sharing his knowledge of signature dishes and excitement about being a new dad. Everything was delicious, most especially the mozzarella croquettes and beignets. I might have to pay another visit to Primrose when I go back in June for the final weekend of Ricky’s residency.
Up next…celebrating one year at The Pierre and how my colleagues gave me one of the best nights of my life!
Mar 25
Vegas Encore: Part One
Last weekend, I returned to Vegas to see my beloved Ricky Martin once again. Much to my great relief and delight, MGM’s Monte Carlo Hotel and the Park Theater brought their A-game following two disappointing previous VIP experiences.
All smiles waiting for Ricky
After receiving an email that stated only one digital photo from the meet and greet would be provided, I attempted multiple times to connect with the venue on social media. When that failed to yield a response, I tracked down the name of the Monte Carlo’s General Manager (thank you, Linked In).
His reply back was swift and apologetic. He connected me with Dan, the Park Theater’s affable GM. Less than a few hours later, Dan called me, eager to hear my story about what happened even though he had already read my blog post about it. Not only did he apologize, he laid out what he would do immediately–including reversing the one photo restriction and changing the impersonal meet & greet email confirmation. He then offered me a complimentary dinner and upgraded seat for the concert. His genuine desire to make everything right and quick actions exemplified the best of hospitality.
As soon as I arrived at the Monte Carlo on Saturday, I could tell it was going to be a much more enjoyable experience. The box office agent double checked with her manager that meet and greet credentials would be provided upon check-in. When I got to the venue, I was warmly welcomed by Dan, VIP manager Shelby and the greeters. Even security was noticeably more upbeat than it had been during my September visit. Instead of just pointing to an escalator, Shelby escorted me upstairs, engaging in friendly conversation along the way.
Thankfully, the crowd for the meet was about half the usual size (38 versus 70 people last time). It made for a much more relaxed, intimate experience–even though Ricky was running late (with good reason, as I later found out).
And then finally, he was there. Looking as age-defyingly handsome as always and making me completely forget the missed flight to Vegas on Friday and $$$ spent. You can’t put a price tag on the level of joy and uplift that comes from spending even just a few minutes in the light of his warmth.
He gives the best hugs!! 🙂
“Hi Gorgeous, ” he said sweetly, greeting me with a big hug and kiss. I congratulated him on his recent marriage and showed him a photo of me at one of his Puerto Rico concerts back in 2007. And I thanked him for so many years of incredible performances.
“You’re the best,” he said with that killer smile of his.
After a silly pose and one more hug and kiss, sigh, it was over.
The photos captured every precious moment including this one.
I waited until after the concert to look at the photos, just in case they didn’t live up to my hopes. What an amazing surprise I found–22 professional photos, the most ever from a meet and greet! Sincere thanks to Cashman Photo and the Park Theater for capturing every second of my cherished moment with Ricky. This, my friends, is how you deliver a truly five-star experience. And there was much more in store.
Up next, all about running into a beloved New York TV anchor and my fifth time at Ricky’s ALL IN residency!
Mar 10
MGM’s Park Theater in Vegas: An Epic Fail
When you work in hospitality, you quickly learn it’s often the little things that make a big difference. Knowing what matters to your guests and making them feel appreciated is what it’s all about. MGM’s Park Theater at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas has deliberately chosen not to remember that.
This is how you communicate with premium customers?
Last night, I received the above email from the theater’s “premium services” team—a term I use very loosely here. It contained confirmation details for my upcoming meet & greet next weekend with Ricky Martin. Amidst the usual laundry list of terms and conditions, a new addition stood out in red and all caps–
“ONE APPROVED PHOTO WILL BE TAKEN AND UPLOADED DIGITALLY. THERE WILL BE NO ALTERNATIVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE”
Um…What?? One photo for the exorbitant price of nearly $700?? Clearly, the Park was responding to their faux pas during Ricky’s first All In residency last year, when they neglected to inform attendees that only one image would be posted online but BTW you could request by email the others taken. Instead of rectifying this lack of professionalism, the venue has chosen to penalize VIP customers, proving yet again that it doesn’t have the first clue about how to deliver a premium experience.
September 2017: I almost missed out on this treasured photo because the Park Theater didn’t upload it online.
Last fall, I purchased two meet & greets with Ricky. On both occasions, just about every Park Theater staffer was rude or ill prepared. Upon retrieving my lanyard from the box office, I joined the VIP line with that, an e-ticket and PDF confirmation. Even with all of these credentials, the greeter asked me to log in to my Ticketmaster account. Apparently the box office rep had failed to give me whatever additional documentation was required.
After going back and forth for several minutes, it finally occurred to her to check the VIP list, where she immediately found my name. Several Ricky fans have encountered similar issues—among them, receiving lanyards with the wrong date on them and total mismanagement of the general admission standing section.
It must be said that this disorganization and inability to effectively run a meet & greet is in no way a reflection on Ricky himself. As he always is has been, Ricky is gracious, down to earth and completely present. He genuinely cares about making it a special experience. If only the same could be said about MGM and its staff at the Park Theater.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve attended several meet and greets with Ricky at first-class venues including Madison Square Garden, Mohegan Sun and Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. Along with providing at least 3-4 photos, they offered admission to the pre-concert sound check as well as a catered reception–all at a more reasonable cost than The Park Theater’s nearly $700 price tag. This was MSG’s email confirmation:
This is how a VIP email should look.
Note the welcoming tone and attention to detail, including names and cell numbers of the event hosts (not an impersonal 1-800 number) and—imagine that!—exact info about how to download photos. The only thing you had to think about was arriving on time. Quite a difference from the Park Theater, which leaves you wondering if they’re going to let you in or if the one photo they deign to share will be halfway decent. And do we really need to see the m/g rules in red font and ALL CAPS? We get it. Your only interest is in shuttling us in and out like cattle as quickly as possible.
Meet and greets by their very nature require time constraints. Having managed several at upscale hotels here in NYC, I am well aware of the need to keep things moving. But that doesn’t justify how the Park Theater is treating Ricky fans. The venue is making money hand over fist—at our expense.
By cramming in 60+ people, the Park takes in approximately $40,000 in gross revenue from the meet and greet. Not too shabby considering they have no real hard costs. There’s zero food or beverages and the only souvenir is a plastic ‘commemorative lanyard.’ Clearly, they have come up with a formula—higher prices + no hospitality = more profit.
“I did not buy any meets this time just because the experience was not what I wanted it to be anymore,” said one longtime Ricky fan.
“I’d rather watch the show 7 times for that price,” declared another.
“Not worth it,” says yet another RM devotee. “Not even close to being worth it.”
Especially for those of us who travel a long distance—many from faraway places like Macao and South America—just to enjoy a few cherished minutes with our beloved Ricky.
The community of Ricky Martin fans is a fiercely loyal and global one. We have braved bad weather, long lines and even longer journeys many times and spent our hard-earned money to support our all-time favorite artist. We do this because Ricky’s music, grace of spirit and humanity speaks to our souls. And quite frankly, we deserve better treatment—far far better—than what we’re getting from MGM and the Park Theater.
Back in September, I shared critical feedback on the venue’s Facebook page. And received the same radio silence that I did to my email complaint this week about the new photo policy. I don’t know why I’m surprised—this place continues to operate well below the legendary hospitality standards of MGM.
Want to voice your opinion to the theater’s so-called premium team? Call 702.730.6975 or email premium@parktheaterlv.com.
“Hopefully, everyone will get it together to do the best for his fans who have been supporting him so long,” says a Ricky friend.
Are you listening MGM, the Park Theater and RM Entertainment?
Feb 26
Backed Up And Restored
This summer, I will celebrate 10 years of blogging—first as Single Gal In The City, now as New York City Gal. Last weekend, I thought all of it was irreversibly erased.
My saga began when I called web hosting company Bluehost with a billing question and the tech I spoke with mistakenly deleted my account. He failed to mention at any point that doing so would result in my content being wiped from their servers. I caught his mistake before getting off the phone and he assured me all would be reinstated within 24 hours.
The next day, neither website is up so I call again After half an hour and being transferred to a ‘level 2’ tech, I’m told there are no backups–even though Bluehost backs up on a daily, weekly AND monthly basis. I couldn’t believe it. Ten years of writing completely gone?
Devastated, I post on Facebook. Friends near and far rallied around me. Some revealed their own heartbreaking data loss tales, others offered advice (the Wayback Machine!) and encouraged me not to give up hope. Two of my best friends Natalie and Lisa call. They both reassure me that my content has to be somewhere and to follow up with Bluehost again. Sure enough, the third tech I speak with says the backups are indeed there. Relieved, I attempt multiple times to download the files–unsuccessfully.
Several Facebook messages, tweets and two more phone calls fail to yield anything except Bluehost’s insistence that their backups were missing certain files needed to restore my sites. Meanwhile, I could see right on my screen that all of the necessary data was there.
My temper now sufficiently flared, I place call #5 and give the tech on the other end all of my ire and frustration. Without missing a beat, he states that I’m lucky to have found the most competent rep on his floor. His self-confidence turns out to be well founded. Within less than ten minutes, after a few clicks on his keyboard, both Singlegalnyc.net and this blog are live once again. Thank you, Charlie Black at Bluehost!!
And heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out to say that my writing has meant something to them.
“For all those who enjoyed sharing all your amazing adventures,” said Jenny Liu, “I am sure your words will forever be in their hearts and memories so it will never be lost.”
Author/blogger/writer extraordinaire Jaden Hair made me smile with her effusiveness.
“We don’t need a blog to remember all your stories!!!!! You’ve got a tribe of bloggers and friends right here. Can’t wait to read about your next adventure!!!”
I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Anyone who’s honest will admit writing is a pursuit that brings with it self-doubt. A few years back, I was reminded of this when I attended the Writers Guild Awards ceremony. In a room filled with TV and film industry honorees at the top of their professional game, there was one noticeably repeated refrain–you’re always unsure of how what you put out there is being received. You hope with all of your heart that it strikes a chord. Getting actual feedback that you’ve succeeded is such a gift.
Thank you again to my dear readers and, of course, to my IT savior, Charlie at Bluehost.
And yes, I now have long-overdue separate backups. Lesson learned!
Feb 6
A Celebration of Whitney
One of the most fun and rewarding parts of my job at The Pierre continues to be working with the Broadway community. Their talent, generosity and grace never cease to amaze me–as it did last Monday at Kevin Smith Kirkwood’s Classic Whitney: Alive!
The evening at Joe’s Pub began with a delightful dinner at signature restaurant The Library. Though I’ve been to Joe’s Pub many times over the years, this was my first visit to The Library and it didn’t disappoint. Good friend Lori and I loved the cozy, inviting vibe. I chose from the three-course $42 Winter Restaurant Week menu (cleverly described as Acts I, II and III). The salmon tartar, cauliflower cassoulet & gala apple crumble with vanilla ice cream and caramel were all excellent. Restaurant Week runs through February 9th and The Library is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Whitney as channeled by Kevin!
Our satisfying meal was the perfect preamble to Kevin’s dazzling show. From the moment the lights go down and he enters the room wearing angel wings and declaring, “Whitney is in the building!” you are transported to another time. A time when Whitney was deservedly the queen of pop.
After opening with a rousing rendition of “Joy To The World” (from the movie, The Preacher’s Wife), Kevin dons a patriotic track suit as he belts out “One Moment in Time,” Whitney’s majestic anthem for the 1988 Summer Olympics. Then, slipping into a sparkly one-piece jumpsuit, he raises the roof with classic hits like “Saving All My Love For You,” “I Have Nothing,” “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” and “Exhale (Shoop, Shoop).”
Kevin rocked this one-piece Whitney-esque jumpsuit
That Kevin not only loved the late, great Miss Houston but has studied her most memorable performances is apparent throughout his 90-minute set. He infuses his soulful singing with Whitney’s distinctive mannerisms and on-stage banter telling her story. Having had the great good fortune of seeing Whitney at the height of her career in 1993, I can honestly say that Kevin becomes the very essence of her during the show. With his powerful pipes and glamorous fits-like-a-glove costume changes—and brilliant support from Musical Director Drew Wutke– Kevin transcends impersonation and makes you forget you’re not actually watching Whitney.
Some of the night’s best numbers are when Kevin is paired with backup singers playing key people in Whitney’s life (including mother Cissy and brother Gary). One showstopping duet—“When You Believe,” as performed by Whitney and Mariah Carey at the 1999 Grammys. The gal portraying Mariah nailed the diva’s vocal trills and melodramatic gestures.
Encore, Encore! The grand finale (photo credit: Neal Bennington).
The evening ended with “I Will Always Love You” and an encore of “I’m Every Woman.” Kevin pulled out all the stops for both songs, garnering a well-deserved standing ovation.
Afterward, Lori and I had the pleasure of congratulating Kevin and Drew. They both spoke of how Classic Whitney: Alive! was created with love to be a joyful celebration of the beautiful music and memories she gave us.
Mission accomplished.
For more info about Kevin’s upcoming shows, visit his website. Future Whitney dates are in the works!
