I have been incredibly fortunate this year working the whole time. Aside from my main jobs, I also worked on a couple of freelance projects and a had reemergence of the New Yorker Caption Contest. Now everything I was involved with is available to all, and of course I wanted to share with you.
First up, the New Yorker Caption Contest. Remember way back in November 2007, when I begged all of you to vote for my New Yorker caption? Well, the New Yorker decided to put al book together of the 100 best contests and the one for which I was a finalist was selected. Alas I didn't win, but did come in second. The book claims that I got 30% of the vote compared to 43% to the winner and 27% to third. I call malarky for now winning, Check out page 198 and deem for yourself.
Next, I was one of many contributors to SmartLab's Amazing Animals Challege! trivia book for children. Of the 1,000 questions, I contributed about 50. It's a fun little book with some really interesting animal fun facts. It even comes with its own controller so you can challenge your friends!
Finally, the project I am most proud of. I wrote 600 questions for the Cash Cab Board Game. Yes, I wrote an entire board game. There are 200 easy, 200 medium and 200 hard questions. I've always loved trivia and I am still in disbelief that there's a game that I wrote. Growing up you never think that job exists, much less how to go about getting it. It's a fun game. I hope you enjoy.
Quote of the Day:
"Be true to your work, your word and your friend" -Henry David Thoreau
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Paul, Ben and Paul
I am remiss to have not written a few words about the passing of legendary actor Paul Newman. I, as many others, loved him: as an actor, a philanthropist and all-around good man. My favorite Paul Newman film is "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" with Elizabeth Taylor. He was at his most handsome, she at her most beautiful. He was intense and damaged and bought to Brick the right amount of vulnerability.
I had the honor of being in the same with him once. A couple of years ago I was at Madison Square Garden for the Big Apple to the Big Easy benefit for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Towards the end of the evening, Paul Newman came out to announce Simon & Garfunkel. I was on my feet and screaming at him like he was still a teen idol. I was as up close and personal as one of 20,000 could be, but just to be in that same venue was amazing.
This is a loss not only because of never seeing those blue eyes again, but because there is one less person who put goodwill and the betterment of others before himself. It is the rare individual who serves as an example to everyone.
I will miss Paul Newman dearly.
***
Last Tuesday I made my first trip to Terminal 5, a small music hall in midtown west. The reason: to see Ben Folds, one of my favorite musicians. He was there to promote his new album "Way to Normal", which was being released that day. The downside is that because the album was brand new, nobody was that familiar with the songs. But the genius that is Ben Folds is even the songs I didn't know were good and kept my attention.
And to makes things a little more confusing, he played "fake" songs with the same title, but not on the album. Such innovation.
He did play my three favorite songs: "Landed", "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You" and "Rockin' the Suburbs".
I highly recommend seeing Ben Folds if you have the chance. And the album is really good too.
***
This past Tuesday I was at Town Hall for "Revenge of the Bookeaters", a benefit for NYC826, a Brooklyn charity to help kids explore their creativity in writing, video and the arts.
It was such an ideal evening. It opened with "This American Life" host Ira Glass doing what he does best. Then came out our host for the evening, John Oliver from "the Daily Show". I fall more and more in love with him each time I see him. He is hilarious. Next were performances by Thao Nguyen and Department of Eagles. Dave Eggers and Sarah Vowell came out and explained the charity.
The highlight was a four song acoustic performance by Paul Simon. First was "American Tune". Then, "Mrs. Robinson. Third was a brand new song he wrote six months ago and had never performed live. Finale, he played not only my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song, but in the top five of my all-time favorite songs: "The Boxer". It was truly a magical moment. I was in complete bliss.
Acoustic Paul Simon is a very hard act to follow, but South African singer Tunde Adebimpe. She was phenomenal.
The evening ended with a reading of a Jonathan Frazen essay from the new book, "State By State: 50 Writers, 50 States". The reading featured the author, Parker Posey, Boby Carnivale, Patricia Clarkson and Sarah Vowell.
It's difficult to have a more fun, jam packed evening for $46. A good event for a good cause.
Quote of the Day:
"I had a really hard time opening up, because I always felt so vulnerable. My natural response to a stressful situation is to shut down, I do weird things, like I don't cry..." - Amy Adams
I had the honor of being in the same with him once. A couple of years ago I was at Madison Square Garden for the Big Apple to the Big Easy benefit for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Towards the end of the evening, Paul Newman came out to announce Simon & Garfunkel. I was on my feet and screaming at him like he was still a teen idol. I was as up close and personal as one of 20,000 could be, but just to be in that same venue was amazing.
This is a loss not only because of never seeing those blue eyes again, but because there is one less person who put goodwill and the betterment of others before himself. It is the rare individual who serves as an example to everyone.
I will miss Paul Newman dearly.
***
Last Tuesday I made my first trip to Terminal 5, a small music hall in midtown west. The reason: to see Ben Folds, one of my favorite musicians. He was there to promote his new album "Way to Normal", which was being released that day. The downside is that because the album was brand new, nobody was that familiar with the songs. But the genius that is Ben Folds is even the songs I didn't know were good and kept my attention.
And to makes things a little more confusing, he played "fake" songs with the same title, but not on the album. Such innovation.
He did play my three favorite songs: "Landed", "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You" and "Rockin' the Suburbs".
I highly recommend seeing Ben Folds if you have the chance. And the album is really good too.
***
This past Tuesday I was at Town Hall for "Revenge of the Bookeaters", a benefit for NYC826, a Brooklyn charity to help kids explore their creativity in writing, video and the arts.
It was such an ideal evening. It opened with "This American Life" host Ira Glass doing what he does best. Then came out our host for the evening, John Oliver from "the Daily Show". I fall more and more in love with him each time I see him. He is hilarious. Next were performances by Thao Nguyen and Department of Eagles. Dave Eggers and Sarah Vowell came out and explained the charity.
The highlight was a four song acoustic performance by Paul Simon. First was "American Tune". Then, "Mrs. Robinson. Third was a brand new song he wrote six months ago and had never performed live. Finale, he played not only my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song, but in the top five of my all-time favorite songs: "The Boxer". It was truly a magical moment. I was in complete bliss.
Acoustic Paul Simon is a very hard act to follow, but South African singer Tunde Adebimpe. She was phenomenal.
The evening ended with a reading of a Jonathan Frazen essay from the new book, "State By State: 50 Writers, 50 States". The reading featured the author, Parker Posey, Boby Carnivale, Patricia Clarkson and Sarah Vowell.
It's difficult to have a more fun, jam packed evening for $46. A good event for a good cause.
Quote of the Day:
"I had a really hard time opening up, because I always felt so vulnerable. My natural response to a stressful situation is to shut down, I do weird things, like I don't cry..." - Amy Adams
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