LIBATIONS AND LIVELY CONVERSATIONS IN QUEENS

Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that really make the human experience satisfying and fun. For me, it’s getting a bubble tea at the end of the day, finding a cheesy bargain or not-so-cheesy bargain at a Queens discount store. Many times it’s engaging conversation, in English or Spanish, at my corner laundromat, but more often, it’s finding something cool in the least likely places.

If you’ve ever been trapped at La Guardia airport, you know that in downtown Flushing, New York, you will find the Sheraton La Guardia East. It’s very Asian inspired in its décor and feeling. For many years, I never even went inside to check things out—a few shops, a bar and a restaurant named Deluge. That’s about it. Finally, this past winter, tired of traipsing to Manhattan on the weekends to pay $12 a drink to seek out good conversation with strangers at piano bars, I opted to finally check out the bar at the Sheraton.

Upon entering the lobby, you’ll find that there is a small bar and lounge area with about four chairs. The lighting is harsh, so it’s not very cozy. The first time I went there, I almost didn’t stay and have a drink until the upstairs bartender told me about Deluge, the larger bar downstairs in the restaurant. As I made my way down the stairs to the lower level for the first time, I was a bit confused because I didn’t see a bar. Upon asking, I was told that it was behind a wall in the back of the restaurant, just off the kitchen.

As I turned the corner, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there it was—a quaint bar with ample seating and little side tables and ambient lighting, which made me want to come in and sit a spell. Fully anticipating the smiling face of a gentle, overly-friendly Chinese woman at the bar, I was surprised to see 5’10”, beautiful, Irish redhead at the helm at the bar. Kate’s her name, and she makes the best drinks in Queens. She is also a great conversationalist and let’s me talk hour after hour, which I just love! I think she finds it entertaining and it helps her pass the time, since the bar is never usually that crowded. Therein lies the justification for why the little things in life make life living. I don’t enjoy crowds and I love quiet. Good drinks, good conversation, and Kate’s sunny disposition, combined with a little bit of Irish fire make a visit to the bar at Deluge worth the while.

Rumor has it that the bar can also be an intriguing place with dramas and indiscretions unfolding daily. Word on the street is that some people who regularly traverse the friendly skies also regularly make the sheets at the Sheraton friendly when they meet their lovers there, so you never know what you might overhear at Deluge.

In addition to the outstanding dramas, so too, is the food at the restaurant outstanding. It’s created and made by a professional chef, who understands fine cuisine, and it’s as good as any restaurant in Manhattan. My new personal fave is an order of beer-battered onion rings that is served with a horseradish dipping sauce that will have you wanting to eat them 24/7 until you finally collapse from cardiac arrest. Also, Kate made me a delicious raspberry mojito, garnished with fresh mint and chocked full of fresh raspberries, which was utterly beautiful and cool like the lady herself.

One of the best things about Flushing Main Street is that there many cultural things to do—shopping, eating, music and karaoke. The hotels are also a third of the price of what it costs to stay in Manhattan. They are also situated right on two main transit lines (the 7 train and the Port Washington line of the Long Island Railroad). From Flushing Main Street, New York’s Penn Station is only a $4.00, 15-minute train ride, and it stops a mere half-block from the Sheraton in an intriguing cultural world that you won’t get outside of San Francisco, Vancouver or New York’s Chinatowns. Whether you live in New York or are just visiting and are looking for a quiet, inexpensive alternative to Manhattan dining and drinking opportunities, visit the lounge at Deluge at the Sheraton La Guardia East. It’s worth the trip to Queens.

DUTESCO & "CHASING WILD HORSES" STUNS AND AWES AUDIENCE

For those of you who love to watch Bravo, be on the lookout in the next couple of months for the documentary "Chasing Wild Horses," a film that chronicles one of former fashion photographer, Roberto Dutesco's three visits to Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia. Having first seen his work on the living room wall of a former associate who met him in the Hampton's, I was later excited in 2006 to notice the creation of his SoHo gallery, located at 13 Crosby Street, dedicated to his project "The Wild Horses of Sable Island." Dutesco co-founded the gallery with his business partner and curator of the exhibit, Peter Tunney. Weeks later, I had the pleasure of attending the exhibit's opening night party and was in awe of the gorgeous, almost other wordly, photographs that he had taken while on his photographic journey to Sable Island.

This past Friday, I was invited to the screening of the film "Chasing Wild Horses" that documents his visit in 2007, and it is altogether, spectacular, completely uncommercial (in the best sense of the phrase), and emotionally stirring. I was utterly transported to this very special world, which exists on a piece of land that stretches only 40 kilometers long, and where about 350 horses have minimal contact with a small staff of scientists that look after the place. The film points out how natural selection is well at work on Sable Island, where the strongest survive. It begs us to ask the question, should humans get involved there at all? The film references a male horse who had broken his leg four years prior, and still limping, was looking to mate, showing the horse's resiliency. Dutesco, unexpectedly found himself narrating this piece and he brings a wealth of emotions to his recollections of his experiences. Perhaps, the most poignant part of the documentary is in its final minutes, in which the audience gets a glimpse of Dutesco nuzzling with a group of horses, in the most natural and fundamental way.

It was hard not to leave the intimate venue at the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park South without having shed a tear and having been changed in some way. Days later, I am still both haunted and delighted by what I experienced.

For more information on the documentary read the piece in Halifax's The Coast.

SEE CLIPS OF DOCUMENTARY HERE!!!

TIM RUSSERT HAS US THINKING...

Am I alone in perceiving that the passing of stellar political journalist Tim Russert has gotten us all thinking about where we fit in the world and our life's purpose this week? The idea that Mr. Russert passed way too early at age 58, reminds me of the fact that I am driven by the idea that I must make my mark and contribute to the betterment of the world before I leave this place. The problem is that at age 38, I've yet to discover what that is. That's okay, though. Tim Russert thought that he would stay in Buffalo and become a lawyer, and look how his life turned out. The truth is, that none of us knows what tomorrow brings. I hold to the words of a hymn that I grew up singing in church, which gives me confidence and understanding that my job is to ride the wave and see where it will take me, taking care not to steer--that's ever so hard, isn't it?:

"Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen; Bright skies will soon be o'er me, where darkest clouds have been.

My hope I cannot measure, my path in life is free; my Father has my treasure, and He will walk with me."

There is so much comfort in that hymn, which starts with the lyric "In Heavenly Love abiding..."

The truth is that we all have an opportunity to make our mark in this world. We may not end up in the public eye like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears, but who really wants that kind of notoriety anyway? We may never have the power and cache of a Hillary Clinton or a Barack Obama, and that's okay. We do have power in other ways. From the server who pours your coffee at the local diner, or the sweet Korean girl who gives you sushi "on the house" or to the piano bar performer who sings your favorite song helping you to end a stressful week with a laugh and a tear, these are the contributions that really matter. These are the things that remind us that we are all onstage in this gig together, and sometimes we're front and center stage and other times we're doing backup. This is hard to remember on a day to day basis, but tributes like we saw today on "Meet the Press" remind us that it is possible, and you have to work every single day to be "part of the group."

It's very strange that today is Father's Day, normally a day of celebration, and it feels so somber. The funny part (not in the "ha-ha!" sense) is that I didn't even know Tim Russert, but I felt like I did when I'd watch him on "The Today Show," and, occasionally, on "Meet the Press." He always had a way of making someone like me (not usually intrigued by politics and current events) interested and engaged in what was happening in the world of Washington. Never having thought about whether or not his on-air personality was the same as it was off, the last couple of days have taught me that undoubtedly, what you saw, was what you got. As a matter of fact, Tom Brokaw referenced that Russert was truly an "authentic" person and that carried over into everything he did.

I have been touched by the sense of loss in the lives of people in my life who worked directly with Tim Russert--from my boss whose son spent considerable time with his son Luke, to an ex-boyfriend, who interned with him in the early 90s. This morning was characterized by raw emotions--upfront and ready to push me into a weeping fit--due partly to feeling the loss communally of a legend, but mostly in response to contemplation of what I am doing in my life that will allow me to touch as many lives as he did.

The truth is that none of us knows what impact we have on each other's lives. Once, when I was in college, I had the opportunity to go back and tell my eight-grade choir teacher that she made a difference in my life--helping to raise my self-esteem and teaching me things that were the basis for my work ethic as a performer. The truth is, if possible, we must go to those who have made an impact on our lives and tell them so. We have so much power to change the planet just by words. There will always be the neurotic, frenetic energy that we give off in the office, with family, or wherever, that will try to conspire against us to keep others from being the best they can be. That's all crap and doesn’t matter. It’s all the good things we do that really count-- From consolations about relationship breakups to accolades for an overlooked co-worker who needs to hear "I think you are doing a fabulous job and you show growth in your position," these are the things that make an impact and contribute to one's reputation.

Why is Tim Russert's passing so emotional for so many people? For those who knew him, I’ve heard that he was natural "cheerleader." For most of us, he gave hope that there is still good in the world. After all, he emanated integrity and honor. In a world where nothing or no one seems to stands for anything, it would seem that his colleagues and the rest of America, knew exactly what he stood for--Strong family values, ethics, accuracy in journalism, and respect for all people. Those are descriptions that very few of us can claim in this day and age. So,today, instead of mourning our loss, let’s celebrate what we’ve gained—the acquisition of ideas and sentiments that Mr. Russert brought to all of us that will continue on and spark marvelous thought in those who come after him.

¡QUÉ VIVA EL TEATRO LATINO!

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Teatro Stage Fest 2008 preview and opening party held at both the Museo del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York in Spanish Harlem. Attendees were treated to select excerpts from works, both original and not, that will be included in this, the second year of the festival. I was excited to see Spanish-language television telenovela and movie star Francisco Gattorno on stage in what looks to be one of the headline shows of the season Doña Flor y sus dos maridos. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with him afterwards. I hope to have the opportunity to work with him professionally in the future.

Hosted by actress Bianca Marroquin, most recently seen as Roxy Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, and Antonio Martinez, anchor of “Al Despertar” on Univision 41, the preview gave a clear indication of the quality of the productions that will run the entire month of June in various venues throughout New York City. The best part, for theatergoers of all walks of life, is that many of the productions are bilingual, and those in that are staged in Spanish, are accompanied by supertitle translations projected above the stage. This festival, which features actors and productions from the US and abroad, has been compared to the Tribeca Film Festival in its infancy, so this year is a good year to go and check it out. My guess is that next year, seats will be had only for a premium. Visit www.teatrostagefest.org for schedules and ticket information.

NOTHING AT ALL

I did absolutely nothing this weekend...well, if nothing is a long bike ride, laundry, mask-making and getting a bubble tea at Flushing Main Street. Main Street is a pretty interesting destination these days. Not only can you find the best bubble tea in New York City—Sago Tea Café, for the Jasmine Milk Tea with Tapioca and Coconut Jellies, and Ten Ren’s Tea Time for Lychee Green Tea with Tapioca or not and the Matcha Green Tea. The pearls at Ten Ren are better, but they don’t use real milk, so I’m forced to alternate my patronage when I’m in the mood for dessert.

Main Street is really building up these days. There is a new, interesting mall called Queens Crossing and is home to some street level casual eateries and also fine Asian dining upstairs. I stumbled across the Shanghai Museum Store on the lower level the other day and was completely charmed by a young lady from Peking that sells replicas of museum treasures to tourists that stay at area hotels. She made my day.

This weekend, I started work on a two-foot sculpture of a woman. It’s a gift for a Hindu friend of mine and I think this piece is going to be interesting. I also started two additional miniatures and completed a repurposed mask that I began last week.

In addition to the mask-making, I spent the afternoon watching the National Puerto Rican Day Parade featuring some of the celebs with whom I have worked on projects. I also spent 7 hours or more finishing up a Spanish to English translation that I have been working on. Lots to do this week!