Well Read

There are certain things in life that I suspect I will never tire of. Reading, I am sure, is one of them.

Others being The Sound of Music, showtunes, cowboy boots, all things British, a warm summer breeze and the smell of coconut. But, today, today we shall talk of the written word.

(this is probably why I'm always tired)
My mother, the former English teacher, instilled reading in me from a young age. I don't remember a single childhood night that was not capped off by reading. Sometimes from children's books, sometimes she'd read me a chapter of her book, sometimes it was poetry. No matter, it was wonderful. One of my most treasured possessions is a hard back edition of Little Women she gave me for Christmas when I was ten. Another is her copy of the complete works of Shakespeare, which I inherited upon her death.

(current reading material)

Truth is, I can be found at Half Price Books at least once a month, if not once a week. Often, I won't buy anything, just stroll around looking through old copies of books I already have. (I majorly scored on my last trip finding a 1953 copy of The Great Gatsby and a beautiful hardback version of Wuthering Heights. Jackpot!)

(latest book haul)
That's another problem, how many copies of Northanger Abbey do I need? Answer: there are never enough. My favorite thing is to find old editions, or copies that have been inscribed--I buy those instantly! What memories those pages have. And who could give up a book gifted to them by a loved one? Not I.

No, not I. I dream of a wood paneled library to rival that of Beauty and The Beast. I find comfort in the pages I've read before, the places and people I know so well. In a world of turmoil, or constant change, of stress and anxiety, I know I can always find comfort I. The pages of Bronte, Austen, Fitzgerald, Alcott, London and the like. I can travel to Ithaca with Odysseus and debate my future with Hamlet.

(y'all, this is my nightstand. FOR REAL)
I suspect one of the reasons I have always felt so at home in England is that so many of my favorite books are based there-- I am wildly familiar with the landscape of Manderly, of Meryton, of London and Pemberly because I have been there so many times in my lifetime-- maybe not physically, in person, but, I have been there.

These last few weeks as I have reread at least three books, all three being some of my favorites-- Pride and Prejudice, The Phantom of The Opera and Rebecca. I just picked up a copy of Rebecca for my sister and somehow found myself reading it, there on the floor of the bookstore, although I've finished it myself for the 100th time just days before.

I'm certain we all longed for a Teddy Lawrence, a Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wardrobe like Daisy Buchanan's, a savior like Mr. Rochester, a home like Manderley. I know we can each find a bit of us in a March sister and dream of the wild like Hemingway. These were all given to us by such wonderful authors. Stories that have and always will, endure time.

(don't we all just love this quotation? It will never cease to be perfection)
I can think of nothing better than spending a day, a week (!) curled up with a good book and being transported to another place, another time-- another world.

Do you ever find yourself in the vicious cycle of reading in that you're so involved in a book that you read it so quickly and then are depressed that it's over? Yeah, story of my life.

So, today, today I am recovering from surgery (send recovery texts, tweets and or emails involving Hugh Jackman, Patrick Wilson, Ramin Karimloo, Colin Firth and Dr. chase. Thank you mucho) (no really, do it) (or send flowers) (and chocolate) (also, I wrote this post last night-- I know you thought I was all pain killer drunk. Sorry, this is me stone cold sober). ANYWAYS. Today as I recover from surgery, I will nestle in bed with a good book, and be instantly whisked away somewhere else.

Now, I've spilled some of my all time favorites, what are yours?? Any current favorites? What new books am I missing because I can't put down Jane Austen? Tell me!

(but, seriously, recovery texts/tweets/emails--Hugh Jackman, Patrick Wilson, Ramin Karimloo, Colin Firth, Dr. Chase. SERIOUSLY)

xoxox

But wait! There's more!

Apparently there is more to do in NYC than fawn over Hugh Jackman?
News to me, but, we managed to do some other stuff too.
Like fawn over Harry Connick, Jr.

GAH SO DREAMY. DREAMY. DREAMY. D-R-E-A-M-Y.
At our first show of the weekend, HC,Jr.'s "On a Clear Day"
(none of y'all knew my mom, but, it freaks me out how much I look like her in that picture, like, literally, twins. Red lipstick and all!)

Sara made out with him a little bit. Game on, Jill Goodacre.
So did I. (rockin' my Princess Kate wannabe coat)
Inside St. James Theater--so pretty! It was directly across the street from where we saw Hugh and Phantom, so, basically, West 44th is the BEST STREET EVER.
After drooling over Harry and his to die for drawl, we headed out for food. Naturally.

I killed a milkshake and fries at 11PM.
Sara handled a BLT like a champ.
The following day (or HUGH DAY), we went to The Met, Central Park and the Plaza for tea.

This is one of my favorite Renior paintings, it reminds me of my nieces.
Of course, Houses of Parliament by Monet. Sigh.
Sara and her angel (of music) (I promise I'll stop) (soon) sculpture that we finally found. Cupid and Psyche, right?
I finally made it to Balto! If you don't the story of Balto, you just killed a bit of my soul, but, that's ok. I'll forgive you. I grew up with huskies and sled dogs, so, Balto is part of my DNA or something.
Our birthday tea service at The Plaza!
Channeling Elizabeth Bennett. I just re-read Pride and Prejudice two weeks ago, thus, everything is Pemberly, Darcy and Elizabeth--apologies.
Had to snap this for my Royal Sister, Sarah because I know how much she loves Bernadette Peters! I tweeted this picture before we went to see Hugh, giving the current Mrs. Jackman a warning.
In my idiot stupor talking with Hugh, I did manage to learn that today is his other wifes birthday, so, happy birthday to my sister wife Deb Jackman. She's fine with sharing her husband. It's cool.

I MEAN, I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH I'M WILLING TO SHARE WITH HER.
As you all know, I chowed at Shake Shack after we saw Hugh. And by "chowed" I mean drank my Coke because I was too flustered to actually eat even though I was starving.

Thus, this was Saturday morning breakfast.
Booyah. Hugh diet is over.

It's cool, we walked it off. Or, I'm going to think that.

We then went and saw Mary Poppins, which, oh my gosh, so much fun! I want to adopt the chick who plays Mary Poppins--she's just the cutest thing ever. Like, I want her to be my BFF.

And I'm certain I missed my calling in life. I could be on stage. I just need an agent. And to lose like 20 pounds. Totally doable.

Then I could like "work" with Hugh Jackman/Ramin Karimloo/Tam Mutu/Patrick Wilson--OMG IT'S A COMPLETELY BRILLIANT PLAN. (I introduced Sara to the swoon-worthiness that is Ramin and Tam--Google y'all, just, Google. And thank me later.)

I kinda look like I'm gonna eat Sara's face here. Oops.

Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Chim chim cher roo!
Saturday was our final night in the city (waaaaahhhh!) and we were off to see Hugh Number Two (Hugh Panaro) in The Phantom of The Opera.
So, I wore this of course--I mean, the red dress worked for Hugh Number One, I had high hopes for this baby.
Yup. This will never get old.
Sara's husband loves Phantom, which I think is adorable, so, this is for him!
"Lot 666, a chandelier in pieces." Ok, I promise I'll stop. Well, I'll try.
Did I mention we were second row, center? We were. This is really all my sister's fault.

This is probably my favorite non Hugh Jackman photo of the weekend!
Me and my signature Phantom Ponytail. Don't believe me? Proof here and here. I have a problem. Or, lack creativity. Probably both.
And even though we missed Hugh Number Two at the stage door, I still got to swoon with him.
Even though we're certain he's gay. I still think he would have loved my dress. I probably should have set my sights on the guy who played Rauol, he was pretty adorable too!

On Sunday we trekked to brunch with my Madrid Maraton partner in crime, Christy and then somehow ended up eating waffles as a post brunch snack? Win-win.

And then after a break at Barnes and Noble where I forced Sara to buy Rebecca (she's never read it! Have y'all read it? It's one of my favorite books EVER and, it's coming to Broadway this spring. I will be there, naturally) we were off to our respective stupid homes.

Stupid.

I'm still pinching myself, trying to make sure I didn't dream the whole weekend up!

However, my waistline says that I didn't. ;)

Thank you to my angel of music, Sara for an amazing weekend! I love you! Mwah!

The One With Wolverine

As you know, the main reason I trekked to NYC was to see Hugh Jackman on Broadway.
And let me tell you, it was amazing. Beyond amazing. If you have the chance, go see this show!
Can we just get a collective sigh here? *Sigh* He is so dreamy. Just, dreamy. Also, I used that word approximately 650,981 times over the weekend. Fact.
Let's be honest, he could have just sat up there and done the ABC song and I'd have been happy, but, he has proven again and again that he is an amazing performer. All the praise he receives is definitely spot on! (if you don't believe me, google his Music Man audition--you will die laughing)

He opened the show with Oh What A Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma and asked the audience to sing along, which, we did of course.

He is so personable and got the crowd into it, making jokes, telling stories, singing and dancing too! He had backup dancers (lucky bitches) and one of them is married to a Green Beret who is of course serving overseas and Hugh made a little speech about her and she cried--that to me, was just so sweet and kind. It's his show, he's the star, yet, he made it about everyone else.

He spoke about how his dad came to see him at Carnegie Hall in full black tie attire even though it was a business casual event "My son is singing at Carnegie Hall, it's black tie for me"--he is an incredibly gracious performer and man.

Most of his crew were Aussies that he's known for ages, and he also includes some aboriginal music and members in his show--it's evident that he truly loves his country and what he does.

He really is as wonderful as you would guess he is. Even more so. Just, above and beyond. I can't stop fawning over him! Just, y'all. Y'ALL. I know I ramble about him all.the.time, but, believe me, it's justified. I never expected him to be so friendly, kind and humble.

After an amazing show in which he sang classics, danced as Peter Allen a la The Boy From Oz, talked about Les Mis (I DIE!) and Wolverine, we were lucky enough to get to meet him. (!!!!)
Making my official Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theater (which, according to Hugh is a Greek style theater which means that no one pays taxes and we're all in a shit load of debt. See, witty and political he is)!
Sara and baby Hugh's Broadway debut!
Mind you, at this point, I'm wildly shaking.
Hello Wolverine's arms.
OH MY GAWD.
OH MY GAWD AGAIN.

I'm not even sure what I said--I'm certain I got my name out and told him how great the show was, but, that's about it. He hugged us, and I got two smooches from him. I mean, it's nice that I finally got to kiss my husband and all. ;)

I know I managed to blabber something about how excited I am about Les Mis and he said "that's very kind of you to say--now, give us a kiss" and I did. I KISSED HUGH JACKMAN Y'ALL. I mean, his cheek, but, STILL.

Whew. I'm getting all flustered just thinking about it.
Text message exchange between me and the BFF afterwards.
I'm really proud of my comeback there. I'm also really proud of her response to the picture. That's friendship y'all.

Clearly, the Look Hot for Hugh Diet was over--double fisting at Shake Shack--milkshake and Coke at 11PM. Standard.
In bed with Hugh--sweet dreams.
And since for whatever reason this didn't happen....
I now have this--so I can wake up with him every single day.
I'm ridiculous and I don't care.

This is my phone background now--it's never gonna get old.
Also, that's Hugh Jackman's shirt. That he wore. It was sweaty. I attempted to get a clone created from the DNA, but, I don't have that kind of money. Or something.

Thank you to my sweet Sara for accompanying me on this amazing weekend and sharing in my love for Hugh.

So, as I sit here preparing for a pre-op doctors appointment (yeah, did I forget to tell you, I'm having surgery next week), I know that I've been truly blessed, that I've had a once in a lifetime opportunity and for that, I am forever grateful.

Life may not always be rainbows and roses, but, right now, in this moment, I'm fully aware of how many roses there really are.

xox,
Her Serene Highness Princess Jackman