13/4/13 – Saw Tom Hanks in ‘Lucky Guy’

Upon reflection, today’s lesson was about having the will to get up and just do stuff. I am constantly amazed about the amount of effort it takes me to make a decision to get out and do things as opposed to just sitting there. Am I content just growing older and in the end not really having lived? Not all of the things we do go well but sometimes even the most ‘unplanned’ events can turn out to be really interesting adventures. One can only plan for as much as one knows, so in the event of the unknown happening it is itself a way to learn new things, see the world differently or most importantly observe and reflect upon how you responded to the situation. So the moral surely is: ‘Just do it!’

I had been sitting online surfing the Macys website for a few days looking for a pair of jeans. So while Peter was away refereeing on Long Island today (and in order to successfully avoid cleaning the house), I decided to catch the subway and go and look at the Macy’s Sale for myself. One could spend the entire 6 months we are here just shopping – which I suppose is the point of capitalism. Apart from eating out, I think shopping must be the national sport for most Americans! Could it really be true that people spend time studying the top labels/designers and how much items cost? Do they really practice identifying who designed a particular piece of clothing, what label it appeared under and what year it was released in?

This was sounding more like a wine-tasting in France than fashion in NYC. Could it be that they are actually the same human behaviours but just a different medium? Do animals do this? I am starting to get the feeling that for humans at least this is true, and worse, I am starting to think that way too. I had even perfected the little glance up and down (all done without moving your head) that women in NYC do to check what labels the other person is wearing– ah social conditioning! I think that it is nearly getting time for me to get out of this place – but not before I purchase a few really important things that are currently on sale! Ha!   

After I had wiped the numbers from my credit card at Macy’s I decided to walk home in order to clear my head of the ‘shopping bug’. Great idea in theory but half way into the 38 block walk I was starting to question my choice, as were my feet. And then it popped out before me – the Chrysler Building with light and shadow playing ‘peek-a-boo’ across its multifaceted and highly polished surfaces as the afternoon sunshine streamed in through the gaps between the many other tall, but far less imposing, buildings. How good it was to just wander Uptown taking photos of these skyscrapers. I was so uplifted that I completely forgot my tiredness and aching feet. The rest of the walk went quickly, or so it seemed. (On days like this I really do love this town!)

A brief rest and a quick shower later Peter and I were out the door again and headed off down to Broadway! If my day had been interesting, it was as nothing compared to the spectacular evening that was to unfold. We went to see Tom Hanks in ‘Lucky Guy’ and although the part did not seem to challenge him it was just amazing to see him in person. Tom played Mike McAlary – a legendary tabloid reporter who covered the scandal ridden NYC from the late 70’s to the early 90’s. McAlary was particularly well known for uncovering major corruption in the NYPD. And he won a Pulitzer Prize for his story on police brutality shortly before his untimely death from lung cancer on Christmas Day 1998. He was only 41 years old. The script for Lucky Guy was written by three time Academy Award nominee, Nora Ephron and the show was directed by two time Tony Award winner, George C. Wolfe. Hanks was supported by Maura Tierney (ER), Christopher McDonald (‘Shooter McGavin’ from Happy Gilmour), Peter Gerety (The Good Wife), Courtney B. Vance (Law and Order), Peter Scolari (The West Wing), Michael Gaston (Mad Men) and a few others that we recognised from various shows. All up - a very good day indeed!