Paul Murray

Visiting New York City

Today was our fourth day in NYC. So far we have had a pretty great time. Kind of different from other times we have visited the great city. We are taking a little bit more time to sit and soak in everything. I think it also has something to with with being 6 years older than I was when I was here last. This time I'm also suffering from a terrible sciatic nerve, which has slowed me down some.

April is a great time to visit, as flowers are in bloom all over the city. Everywhere you turn are tulips, and trees full of yellow, pink and green buds.

These are just two of the many photos we took in Central Park. We are in walking distance of CP, (on 88th between Central Park West & Columbus Ave.) We really love the Upper West Side of NYC.

We traveled to Harold Square to Macy's but there were way too many people for me, so we got the hell out of there! PANIC! Needless to say, this is still a great place to see The Empire State Building!

Times Square, and the EVITA marquee. We saw the show AND....saw Ricky Martin as he was leaving the theater. More about this later!

Street art on the Upper Was Side on Broadway. I love this piece. Art everywhere!!!

 

And quickly, a picture of me taken by Joe's sister Diane, and Joe's 50th Birthday dinner, at a wonderful restaraunt in the West Village called August. Amazing food!

 

So this a small overview of many things I'd like to tell you guys. I'll post more later, and hope you will check in. 

 

NYC and Milk Toast!

God...busy, busy, busy! Hi everyone out there! How are you? How have you been? Good, good...

Tomorrow we jet off to NYC for a small vacation. We will be there about 10 day, playing in my favorite city in the world. Joe's Birthday is next week, the BIG 50 and I decided to take him to New York for his gift, instead of staying home and having a party. Granted, it would have been a fabulous party that he would always remember. Problem with parties like that, they are a lot of work, and over in just a few hours. 

The next two days. are laundry, packing, banking, errands, trying to remember everything. Joe's sisters bought him an the New iPad (iPad3) so maybe I'll be able to blog while in NYC. 

 

Mixing the OLD classics with NEW classics:

How great are these old tins from The Queen's Coronation in 1953? My friend Tyn found them for me and I think they are perfect for the kitchen. Both tins have Prince Phillip on the other side, but who really wants to look at him?  :)  The large red tin now houses our Tetley Tea.

 

Sometimes, I think I grew up on another planet. A few years ago, I made myself some Milk Toast. Joe had never seen it or heard of it before, so I stated asking around. Nobody seems to have eaten this simple food before. 

Basically, what it is, is buttered toast cut into squares, with hot milk poured on top. In researching it on the web, some versions have the toast whole, some have sugar, some have cinnamon. Ours was simple, and I like it with butter and a tiny sprinkle of salt. I guess it was a cheap way to feed kids back in the day. Both my parents ate it and they made it for us. Helps with an upset stomach, or if you just need a little comfort! 

ANYBODY OUT THERE EVER EATEN OR HEARD OF MILK TOAST? I'd love to know!

 

Okay..see you from New York!

 

 

Pay It Forward

One thing you may or may not know about me....I'm very Irish! Being Irish has always made me feel special, and that feeling really intensifies around St. Patricks Day. I listen to Irish music, watch Irish movies, (but I don't drink beer, let alone green beer)! I'm known for being quite the pincher to those who don't wear green, so over the years people have learned the hard way, to wear green around me.

I hope you all have a great and safe St. Patrick's Day!

 

Today I had to take my Mom to the Doctors. Everything went well until we went to leave the parking garage. I realized that I didn't have any money on me. Bank cards yes, cash, no. My Mom didn't have her purse with her either. I hear a voice say, "how much do you need"? I looked around didn't see anyone, then hear it again. A woman in the car next to us, was offering me the money I needed. I check with the man, $5. was owed. She gave me a $10. I payed the the man and gave her the $5. left over. I was quite embarrassed and must have thanked her 10 times. I said to her, "Can I get your address so I can repay you"? She smiled and said, "Just pay it forward"! I touched her on the shoulder and said, "A woman after my own heart....I WILL".

I smiled for the next hour. We hear all the bad news, the bullying, the guns, the war, the murders, the politicians.....but I have to say, human nature trumps it all. I have always believed in "paying it forward", but I was thankful for the reminder today. I was so touched by a stranger. Someone who didn't know me, doesn't care who I sleep with or how I vote. I hope we can can all pay it forward, because I truly think we can make this planet a little more tolerable if we did.

 

 

A Wish for a friend

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers.

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours.

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too.

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

 

 

Thank you for being my friend....and remember to pay it forward.

Paul

 

 

Life Is What Happens When You're Not Paying Attention.

Kids starting college this year were born in 1993. When you think about that....

They have never known a world without AIDS. They have always had cable, popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave, and Jay Leno has always been on The Tonight Show. Bottle caps have always been screw off & plastic. They don't remember the Space Shuttle blowing up. They don't know who Mork is or where he's from. They never took a swim and thought about Jaws. There have always been CD's, and they can't imagine what hard contact lenses are. They've never heard "Where's the BEEF?", they don't know who J.R. is, let alone know (or care) who shot him. McDonald's never came in styrofoam containers, and they have no clue how to use a typewriter.

...kinda makes you feel old, no?

 

Has it really been two weeks? Where is this year going? I've been meaning to write something about procrastinating...but I thought to myself, I'll do it tomorrow. Thing are happily skipping along. I've been in a great mood just knowing that vacation is right around the corner. I'm still singing show tunes everyday, getting ready to see a few new show, and buying CD'S to fill a few holes in my Broadway Cast Recording collection.

I've gotten back to work making a few new houses this week. I even got them onto my Etsy site, which has been needing new art for a couple months now. Here's a little bit of what I've been working on.

 

 

I had a request to do some same sex pieces, so I did. Now the question is, will they ever sell? Let's hope so!

 

Here's the link, if you want to check them out on Etsy.

 

Hey! Is anyone out there suffering from allergies? Joe has been really bad the past few day, and is quite miserable. I wanted to tell you about something that has been helping him. HONEY! Organic honey. You take a soon full or two, and there's something in it that helps the symptoms. Makes all the difference, so if you are suffering, it's worth a try. 

 

Thanks!

 

My Life Is A Musical

 

You either love musicals, or you don't.

 

I DO!  I DO!

At the ripe age of 7, I remember my Mother saying to me, "I'm taking you to see The Sound Of Music".....at first I thought she meant at the movies, then she said, "Not the movie, the musical play" I remember being very excited, and we had to drive into Los Angeles where I saw my first show at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. I remember sitting there in the dark theater, watching live singing and dancing and being quite mesmerised by it all. From that very memorable afternoon, I was hooked on musicals. I have since seen about 53 different shows, and some of my favorites, I've actually seen multiple times. I also collect CD's from musicals, and have a pretty large collection. And just so you know, the Tony Awards are like a "Gay High Holy Day" for me!

 

 

On my 18th Birthday, my Mother bought me tickets to see EVITA in Denver. It was a 140 mile drive to Denver, and it took the entire day, but I was a very HAPPY 18 year old. To this day, EVITA is still my all time favorite show, and I've seen it 5 times...(soon to be 6!) When I moved to LA at age 19, I started seeing everything that came to Los Angeles. My first trip to New York City, at age 26, I saw several shows and it was a dream come true to be sitting in a NYC theater on Broadway. 

In London (1987) I was able to see 7 shows in 10 days. I saw Phantom of the Opera, before it came to the US. Seeing that show was a big deal for me. Tickets were impossible to get, but I took one whole day and waited in line from 8am until 4pm when I got tickets for the 8pm show. Top balcony (and there were three of them), last row, corner seat, and it was broken! But I didn't care, I stood there for two and a half hours watching in total disbelief of what I was seeing on that stage. That boat floating on the water....quite simply, magical! I will never forget that experience.

 

 

In April I'm taking Joe to NYC for 11 days (for his 50th Birthday) and I've already got my tickets to see the new EVITA (with Ricky Martin)! Joe has never seen the show, and I'm excited for him. I also hope to see some news shows like How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Spider-man Turn Off The Dark, and Once. We shall see. I usually go to TKTS (tickets) in Times Square, (that only sell "day-of-the -proformance-tickets"), and buy whatever they have that I'm interested in. It's a great way to get tickets at half price.

 

 

A friend, who shall remain nameless, who does not like musicals at all, and thinks the notion of people breaking out in songs is very silly. Funny....I imagine myself breaking out in song all the time! I think it's perfectly natural. After all, wouldn't it be great if your life was a musical? 

 

Now, I know I'm not a fascists dictator's ambitious wife, a good witch, a stage mother, a confused Mormon, an aging movie queen or a murderous barber....but you never know what the next great musical will be about.

So, just in case they want to make a musical about my life, you can bet I'll audition for it. I'm sure Cheyenne Jackson will get the part....but you never know!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day.....Joe!

Every year, Joe and I exchange handmade Valentines. This year his Valentine is virtual! Instead of arts and crafts, he gets pixels! So here we go.....

 

I believe in Love, Happiness, Magic and Happily Ever After. I believe that the Universe brought us together and that God had a helping hand in making sure we found each other. Seem like you have always been a part of me and that we have always had each other to lean on. 

I've know you since I had brown hair and didn't need glasses to see. I was thinner, younger, cuter and moved more easily in the morning. But, I have to say....I accept all things with a happy and open heart, since I get to be with you while going through it all.

We never know what the world will give us, but as long as you are standing by my side, I really think I can handle whatever it is. Here's to another 16 Valentines together! 

 

I Love You!

It's My Birthday

48 years ago I was born. It was a Wednesday night and my Mother was watching The Danny Kaye show. About 5 or 10 minutes into the show, she stated having contractions, but sat there for the full hour, because she really loved Danny Kaye. Needless to say, I was born during the night at 1:48 am.

This was my first picture taken the day I was born. The M stands for "Male".

I had never seen this photo, and just found it this past year.

 

So with that I will say good day!

 

 

BINGO!

This past Monday I went to Bingo with friends. Across from us, at the long tables we were sitting at, was an woman. She seemed kind of crazy, loud, funny and the center of attention to the people around her. Turns out she started talking to us, and the next thing we knew we were part of the party. Beatrix Von Bingo, she introduced herself as. Now, my mind stopped and had to soak in the name. I'm sure it was made up, and maybe that's what she calls herself while playing Bingo. Beatrix Von Bingo....catchy! Hopefully, I'll see her again next time we go to play. I sure hope so!

 

I'm reading a book called, Born On A Rotten Day. Basically it's the dark side of your zodiac sign. Being Aquarius, I had to laugh out loud when I read this: 

 "Aliens kidnap Aquarians more often than any other sign. In fact, you probably are an Alien who uses the kidnap story as a cover for your strange behavior patterns".

I love that! So much of what this book says is true. It's all done with a flare for the dramatic with humor.

 

*Something interesting I saw in downtown this week.

 

 

And finally....

I finished the sketchbook for the Brooklyn Art Museum project. Today was the day it had to be post marked by, and so now this will be part of the museums permanent collection. 

For me this was more a test on finishing it, not worrying if it was perfect, and having fun. All three things were accomplished!

 

Thanks!

 

At The Tone....

the time will be 7:04.....(tone).

 

I was going through my rolodex at work and found a card with the number of "Time".

Remember when we called time? Funny that it's a thing of the past. I don't think there is "TIME" anymore. I guess with satellite time, and cell phones the need disappeared. Weird, huh? 

 

I'm in show mode at work, which is why I haven't written. At the end of this I will have worked 19 days with only one day off. Several days are 11-13 hours long. I'm tired and ready to collapse. This however, will put a nice chunk of money in the bank, and since i'm taking Joe to NYC for his 50th Birthday in April, this will help.

 

Joe has been great taking care of things. He has also been getting a build out in the craft room, which I'll show you when It's done. I've had a pain in my left elbow for the past two weeks, and i'm such a drama queen that I've convinced myself that I have elbow cancer. I'm worried that the great Mary Tyler Moore might not be around much longer. I love her so much, and she has looked so frail lately. I'm also sick of these politicians and their debates, and their primaries. They all sound like a bunch of clowns. I think that's all for now....

 

9:19 pm....time for bed. goodnight.

 

"Share" Day

I'm off to work, but thought I'd take a second to show you some things I've been doing lately. 

 

1.) Spray Paint! Just finding random things to spay paint solid colors. Great way to take garage sale finds, and turn them into something new.

 

2.) View-master Window. I've been buying great vintage Viwe-master packets on eBay, to replace all the ones I had as a kid. I found a bag of old miss-match, faded, scratch reels, and thought, what can I do with these....PUT THEM ON A WINDOW! I used glue dots to make them stick. A new twist on a stained glass window.

 

3.) Gift Tags. I sat and made about 50 gift tags using old cards, and cardboard things like cereal & soda boxes. I used a Sizzix macchine that punches out different shapes. There are 5 different "tag" sizes. I can also cut out harts, Xmas trees and circles. A great way to recycle!

 

 

I do hope your day is lovely!