My Old Panasonic CT30WX15 TV Broke

It’s eleven years old, so I can’t complain, it served me well. But I am absolutely freaked out at how much I spent. I can’t really afford it. I even tried to fix it. I took the back off, which was an insane amount of work, it’s this massive thing. I really should have taken pictures. I have one of the first HDTVs that came out, which were still the old CRT/tube style. It weighs 140 pounds! That in itself is causing another issue. How I’m going to dispose of it?? If I could even get it downstairs, I can’t just leave it on the street for pickup.

Anyway, I took the entire back off, replaced a fuse inside, but it didn’t fix the problem. I was so disappointed. I really thought I was going to be my own handyman to the rescue!

John Legend, and a shot of some of the audience, at the Westfield World Trade Center shopping center. The girl second from the right had an expression of bliss the whole time.

John Legend, Westfield World Trade Center

John Legend, Westfield World Trade Center

Thank You, Westfield World Trade Center

As a member of the 9/11 community I was invited to the opening of the new shopping center down at the WTC site. Normally I wouldn’t go, because when are things like this ever worth going to?? I don’t know why I did! But it was fabulous from beginning to end. We got this amazing gift bag, (and I mean really, truly amazing) the stores gave us stuff, there was a lovely “Sampling Cafe” with great food from the cafes in the shopping center, and fantastic entertainment.

So thank you to the organizers and everyone who worked to put this together, thank you 9/11 Tribute Center, and Leslie Odom, Jr., the School of Rock cast, Dr. Draw, the Harlem Gospel Choir, Jordan Smith and John Legend. I really had a great time and I appreciate your effort.

Some pictures of the School of Rock cast, who were insanely talented and adorable. I noticed that I caught them while airborne so a couple of closeups of that follow this first shot.

School of Rock Cast

School of Rock Cast

School of Rock Cast

the public domain aftermath

I’m so glad I did this. Sweat was pouring off me non-stop, in rivers, but shockingly, lots of people came out in this insane weather to hear us. When they went to check the crowds before we went out, no one was there, and we were fine with that. There is simply no exaggerating how hot it is here. There’s nothing like urban heat. The buildings and streets and sidewalks soak up and radiate everything the sun puts out, so the temperature is not only amplified, the waves are coming at you from all directions.

But when we walked out people were everywhere. They were encouraged to walk among us and they did. They commented and talked while we sang, which sounds like it should have been annoying, but it was the exact opposite. It was exciting. It was like having roving sportcasters giving live assessments of our progress. I loved it.

Here is David Lang (composer), Simon Halsey (conductor) and Annie-B Parson (choreographer)!

Applause

the public domain Premieres During a Heatwave

I’ve posted about the premiere of a choral piece by David Lang called the public domain that is supposed to happen tomorrow, in the plaza of Lincoln Center. I’m one of 1,000 singers expected to participate. We’re supposed arrive by 11am and practice for hours in the sun, when the temperature is expected to have a real feel of 105 – 110 degrees (like today). Honestly, I’m starting to think this may not be advisable. It can’t be a good idea to be out in the sun for hours when it’s like this. I can see going ahead with the performance, it’s not a long piece, but perhaps we should rehearse elsewhere. Except, there’s movement and we do need to practice at least once in the plaza. I feel for Lang and everyone who have worked to make this happen.

I’m still in, but this really is so unfortunate weather timing. The pictures below are from the last rehearsal of my group and another.

publicdomain

publicdomain2

publicdomain3