Hysterical for Harry Potter

Well, I think I’ve visited heaven. I mean, if you’re a crazy-obsessed Harry Potter fan (like myself), then I’m guessing being at the NYC Premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One may be your idea of heaven as well. Hopefully…or am I the only one? Anyways, I knew I had to pay a visit to the Alice Tully Hall (two blocks away from the Lincoln Center Campus) when some of my Fordham friends mentioned there was going to be a Harry Potter red-carpet premiere in New York this year. Now, there were HP premieres in the city before, but I was always too young to either spend hours waiting for the stars to turn out, or be in Manhattan so very late at night. But not now. Now I’m 18, a college student…things change. And, seriously, I left at like 9 p.m…not that bad at all! So, there I was, waiting and waiting for hours amongst other HP fanatics, who I befriended because we all shared that one HUGE common interest. I met about 13 new people, and caught up with some Fordham classmates. It almost neared 6 p.m. and we were all going crazy at the thought of seeing Harry, Ron, Hermione and company right before our eyes! It was a dream come true! Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) was the first to turn up, and he happened to be the only one who was on time. Everyone was screaming, I mean EVERYONE. We all see the crazy fan girls on T.V., right? But it was NOTHING like live in person. Even I, someone who is normally quiet, screamed and screamed until I thought my voice was going to quit on me…and I still kept screaming! The screams weren’t even annoying as I’d imagine it would be. In fact, when you heard a group screaming in the distance, you knew that meant a star had arrived. I must say, I was a bit disappointed in the trio (Dan Radcliffe -Harry Potter, Emma Watson - Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint - Ron Weasley). Rupert only did a bit of signing for the fans, Emma went straight from her SUV to the press and skipped the fans altogether, and I can’t even remember what Dan did…but I wasn’t keen of it. For goodness sake, Ralph Fiennes, who plays Voldemort, autographed fans’ items more than the trio did. But they all looked lovely. Later on, Emma and Rupert did come back out though, and took pictures with fans who stuck around until the movie premiere was over. I blame the event planners for the Emma, Daniel, and Rupert not standing around signing autographs when they first arrived. Why? The event planners didn’t obtain a permit to shut down the street, meaning the stars would’ve had to dodge cars and NYC traffic to get to where we were standing. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret going at all. I absolutely loved every minute of it. I met new people, saw the HP cast, Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Joey Fatone (NYSNC), Rob Thomas, Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), etc. I even got Tom Felton’s autograph!!!!! Definitely, DEFINITELY one of the best days of my life. Hope everyone enjoyed the movie!

Tom Felton - soo close!
Draco Malfoy's my favorite Slytherin.
He has lovely handwriting...
NYC traffic trying to get in our way!
For Ronald Weasley and all the red-heads out there!
From left to right: Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort), Dan Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione), Rupert Grint (Ron), and Tom Felton (Draco).

The NYC Trifecta: Sports, Food, and Culture

Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond excited to study abroad in London in the spring, but after the semester I’ve had, I cannot imagine living anywhere except New York for any period of time. I have two more years to enjoy the city, so hopefully I’ll survive a few months away…

Before Thanksgiving began, I used a bit of my free time for some New York moments. I took my first trip to Madison Square Garden, saw a Broadway show, and ate at one of New York’s top restaurants.. Hey, I’m going away for 5 months…I have to squeeze it all in!

The Rangers play the Bruins at Madison Square Garden.

I am lucky enough to have gone to a high school with an incredibly strong alumni network. Two or three times a year, all the New York area alumni get together at a downtown pub to catch up, network, and meet the new alumni in the area. The October social also included tickets to the night’s hockey game at Madison Square Garden between the Rangers and Bruins. Of course, the Boston boys in all the alums weren’t shy about who we supported! To be honest, I was more excited to go into MSG for the first time than for the actual game. The facility I’ve heard so much about didn’t disappoint, but I was a little disappointed in myself. I have chosen not to buy tickets to multiple shows at MSG, because I thought the venue was too big. But once you get there, you realize that there’s not a bad seat in the house. I’ve missed some opportunities, but now I know better! The game itself was a thriller, with the Bruins taking an early lead, and the Rangers catching up as the game headed to a conclusion. The entire arena exploded when the Rangers got an opportunity to score while two Bruins were out of the game on Power Plays. Sorry Rangers fans, better luck next time! They didn’t score, and the B’s won the night much to our delight. Great seats, great new friends, and a great game…

Kyle Dean Massey in "Next to Normal." credit

I’ve been saying I have to take more advantage of having Broadway right downtown for a while, so I jumped on my chance to see “Next to Normal” last week. Theater isn’t usually my thing, but it was such a phenomenal show! It won a Pulitzer Prize thanks to its groundbreaking subject matter, and the execution on stage was nearly flawless. The story was incredibly written, the cast was talented and dynamic, and the standing ovation at the end was more than deserved. I left the theater, and told my friend Casey I would be going back to see the show again when I got back from London. I was shocked when Casey told me the show was closing, and I would never get that chance. I guess it is all part of the business, but I was disappointed. If you’re going to be in New York, and want to see a Broadway show, I have no qualms about recommending “Next to Normal.” Catch it while you can.

Nobody can deny that New York has some of the best restaurants in the world. I was afforded the opportunity to dine at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, consistently ranked among the best restaurants in the city. The 42^nd street location is just a short walk from Grand Central, tucked away to the side of Times Square. My friend Jason and I ordered from the three-course menu, deliberately picking very different dishes, including pheasant, duck, ham, and ceviche (not all on one plate). Our meals were phenomenal. Each was a piece of art, and I hated eating it because it looked so darn pretty! I savored each course, not always even entirely sure what I was eating...but it didn’t matter. I will definitely be recommending Aureole to my family and grandparents (it doesn’t fall into most of my peer’s budgets, but I’ll tell them about it too). Just a picture of the desert takes me back, and makes my mouth water. And we got a brief glimpse of Pee Wee Herman out the window (his show plays in the theater next door), so it had to have been a successful night!

Aureloe's dark chocolate tort. Amazing.

I can’t believe I only have a few short weeks left to enjoy this amazing city (for now). I know I’ll be busy, but hopefully I can find time to do one or two more blog-worthy things before I leave!

Ninjas in New York

When my friends told me that we were going out for Japanese food in Manhattan, I was not expecting to be running down a dark, creepy tunnel as ninjas jumped out at me. If this is how NYC does Japanese, I am going to have to become a lot braver before I want sushi again.

Ninja New York, in Manhattan's TriBeCa neighborhood, is a one of a kind experience. While the menu contains the usual Japanese cuisine one expects, this restaurant is anything but ordinary. Waiters dressed as ninjas not only serve the food, but make sure to scare you from the moment you step out of the elevator. Jumping out from dark corners, yelling at you through windows, and pretending to throw fake water balloons at their costumers is all in the ninja job description.

I took five of my friends with me to Ninja and together we braved the "dark and scary" section of the restaurant. This meant that from the moment we were greeted by the hostess to finally setting down our chopsticks, ninjas made sure to keep us on the edge of our seats. While at first we were all screaming anytime one of the ninjas jumped out, by the end we were laughing and practicing our ninja moves with help from our waiter.

Ninja New York was a Friday night completely out of the ordinary. As we laughed about our experience on the 1 train back to Lincoln Center, we all agreed that only in a place like New York City would sushi and ninjas make a successful restaurant combination.

A Late Night with James Franco

We all watch Bravo, right? Well, next to our favorite shows like Real Housewives and Top Chef, is a little show called Inside the Actors Studio. For seventeen years, James Lipton (the show's host), has been interviewing the most gifted actors and directors in the entertainment industry. Following the likes of Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Steven Spielberg, Tina Fey, and a long list of other accomplished artists, James Franco finally graced the Inside the Actors Studio stage at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts on Wednesday night.

We were all introduced to James Franco as Daniel Desario on one of the greatest shows ever, Freaks and Geeks. Later, he appeared as Harry Osborn in the Spiderman trilogy and as Tristan in Tristan and Isolde (which I saw three times in theaters--embarrassing, I know). His critically-acclaimed performance as James Dean in the biopic of the same name earned him a Golden Globe. From Pineapple Express, to Milk, and everything in between, it seems as if James Franco can tackle anything. Oh wait, he's also been enrolled in four graduate programs over the past few years; Franco is currently pursuing a doctorate at Yale, as he promotes two new films: Howl and 127 Hours, and his recently published novel: Palo Alto. Ok, James Franco really can do anything.

My twin sister has loved James Franco ever since his Tristan and Isolde days. When I got an email mid-October announcing this season's Inside the Actors Studio guests, taping dates, and ticket prices, I jumped at the offer. My sister immediately booked a train to New York (skipping her Thursday and Friday classes), realizing this was an opportunity she just couldn't pass up. As a Fordham student, this event was just a quick RamVan and subway ride away.

I am a James Franco fan as well. However, Inside the Actors Studio happens to be my favorite show. I've seen almost every episode, entranced by the honesty and candor of the guests, especially in an industry that can be so incessantly violating and intrusive. For almost three hours, Lipton went through Franco's childhood, his introduction to acting, and his many television shows and films. Thankfully, my sister got to see her childhood crush, in his most honest and vulnerable state, for only $30. I got to stare at him for 3 hours. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Haunted New York City

New York is a city of history. So many famous people have lived (and died) here; so many important events have taken place. With all of this, it's not surprising that the city has its fair share of ghost stories. In honor of Halloween, I went on a "Ghosts of Greenwich Village" scavenger hunt with Watson Adventures. It was a great way to learn more about New York - the city and its stories. I didn't know all the people who lived there - Washington Irving (author of Sleepy Hollow), Mark Twain, and the fictional cast of Friends.

plaque honoring Twain and Irving: credit

For the hunt, we were told to meet in Washington Square Park to receive our clues for the hunt. My friend and I took the D train to the Village, and met around 25 other people also participating in the scavenger hunt. We named ourselves Harry's buddies because we were dressed in our Harry Potter Halloween costumes. We were also the only ones dressed in costume - where was all the Halloween spirit?! Each team was given a map, two hours, and a list of hints, each leading to a specific haunted location. (Example: one clue told us to go to a church with a famous painting. When the artist of the painting died, the painting fell from the wall and crashed to the floor. Who was the artist?) Each hint had an answer that could be found in the specified location. The plaque in the picture above actually contained the answer to one of our clues. However, it wasn't as easy as it might sound. Some of the questions were tricky! My team wound up with 13 correct of 20 and we placed in the middle of all the teams.

The same company has scavenger hunts all around New York. Some of my friends did a murder mystery themed one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and had a great time. I would definitely do another one. It's one of the best ways I've found to learn about the city in a non-traditional, non-touristy way. And it was an awesome way to celebrate Halloween!

Revival of the 80s!

Revival of the 80's is right! A friend and I went to CAB's (Campus Activities Board) Cultural Affairs Committee first ticket sale of the year. There are multiple ticket sales throughout the year (Elf is at the next one! I know, it is exciting), where the Cultural Affairs Committee's raffles off tickets to broadway and off-broadway shows. This first ticket sale had tickets to the Lion King, Bloody Blood Andrew Jackson, Awesome 80s Prom and La Cage aux Folles (I think you can guess which tickets I won). Our intention was to get four tickets for the Lion King, but unfortunately I am not a very lucky person. After the Lion King tickets were gone, my friend and I quickly deliberated and decided to try for the Awesome 80s prom. This is an off-broadway show that was interactive, meaning that we could dress up in 80s gear! We were able to get four tickets for the show and quite excited! We went shopping on Fordham Road and were able to find great, INEXPENSIVE outfits! My friend dressed as Madonna, whereas I went for the 80s traditional workout look (I think it's pretty easy to figure out which one I am).

Finally the day of the show came! We had been anxiously awaiting to go to this interactive 80s prom. The tickets were only $5 for the whole show and free access to Webster Hall afterward. We all hopped on the metro north, a commuter rail located just off-campus, then transfered to the 4 train. A short walk off the subway we arrived at Webster Hall. As soon as we walked in, we felt like we were in the 80s. Everyone was dressed in their 80s prom dresses! I knew the show was interactive, but I didn't realize how much. There was a photo setup in front of the "high

school" banner. They had nominations for prom king and queen, which was quite hysterical and played up typical high school stereotypes. There were dance-offs, which two of my friends participated in (some unwillingly). It was a really fun experience. I personally loved my prom, so reliving one in the 80s was a blast. At the end of the show, they continued the 80s music until the club opened. It was so much fun with a ton of dancing and interaction with the cast! Moral of the story, go to CAB's raffles and even if you don't get the show you want, try out another one!

Living History: Election Night 2010

The set of "Vote 2010," ABC's election night coverage, under constuction.

I spend a LOT of money on concerts in the city. I get great discounts, but it still adds up...so I have to work to make up for it! Luckily, I think I have the best job in the world, which the last five days can attest to.

One of Fordham's hidden gems is our radio station, WFUV. Anyone who has been on my tour knows I can talk for hours about the radio station, and the great opportunities it offers. In a nutshell, WFUV is an NPR affiliate located on Fordham's campus, but not officially affiliated with the university. We have a staff of full-time, professional DJs, and have full NYPD press credentials. It is not your typical college radio station. We are one of the most respected and well-known stations in the tri-state area, and we are very proud of that. With a full-time, professional staff, WFUV represents an opportunity for a paid internship right on campus in the communications field to those interested, regardless of major or academic preferences. Students are employed in one of four departments within the station: news, sports, production, and promotions. I work in the news department, which has allowed me the privilege of interviewing Mayor Bloomberg, Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, among others. My friends in Sports have been paid to attend Yankees' spring training, and friends from promotions attend dozens of concerts a month to promote the station. No matter where you work at FUV, it ain't a bad gig...

Through WFUV News, a coworker who also interns at ABC News got me a position there helping the network prepare its "Vote 2010" midterm election coverage. For a little over a month, I traveled to ABC News' World Headquarters on 66th St., and immersed myself in the world of the World News Tonight set. I think my mom was as excited for this experience as I was...she told anyone who would listen, and showed the blurry

picture I took of me behind the desk to any unfortunate person who crossed her path. This past weekend, rehearsals really kicked into overdrive, and I was scheduled to spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Halloween weekend at ABC News, 12 hours each day. Luckily, things went more smoothly than expected, and so while I did spend the vast majority of my weekend in the presence of some of the greatest news media minds in the country, it was bearable. Plus who am I kidding...Halloween happens every year; the politics dork in me wouldn't have passed on this opportunity if it was 72 straight hours over Christmas. Once every two years, my politics obsession becomes socially acceptable for a week before an election, and I got to spend the week leading up to this election with people who made my interest look juvenile. I earned such new respect for news anchors, producers, and the entire staff, because you would not believe the amount of rehearsing and adjustments we went through as the process continued.

Friday was the most interesting day, as in the midst of rehearsals for election night, we were promptly whisked off the set. Why? Several suspicious packages had been found in planes around the world, and it looked to be an organized terror attack...and Diane Sawyer had to break into ABC programing with the news. As I gathered my stuff, and walked from the desk, we brushed shoulders. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even realize who I had just walked by until 10 seconds later when she sat in the chair I had just occupied. I watched her deliver the breaking news from the wings, awe-struck at her poise and delivery on a moments notice.

I would have kicked myself if I had missed my one chance to talk to Diane Sawyer, but it turns out my worries were futile. Saturday and Sunday, Ms. Sawyer, George Stephanopolous, Cokie Roberts, and the other personalities to be featured on November 2nd's coverage came by to get a feel for the set, and do a bit of rehearsal so that they'd be comfortable. Saturday, I spent over an hour behind the ABC World News desk...with Diane Sawyer. We talked politics of course, but also did a considerable amount of chit-chatting (Pardon this brief editorial: talk about a class act. I have nothing bad to say about Ms. Sawyer. She was gracious, funny, smart, and incredibly impressive. I kind of want to be her....). She even took a few jabs at my expense...

I am fairly technologically challenged unless the technology has an Apple logo on it. As I spent time on the set, they placed a giant touch screen to the right of George Stephanopolous' seat. Upon further inspection, I realized the giant screen was the Christmas present a politics dork like me would ask for for the rest of his life, but never get: it was an interactive map of the USA, with past, present, and projections of races across the country. You could zoom in, learn about the candidates and issues in the state, and examine districts, demographics, and polls from across the country. Basically, as soon as I learned what it was, one thought crossed my mind: before I leave ABC on Sunday, I will play with that...that's the coolest toy ever.

Well, when behind the desk with Ms. Sawyer during a bit of rehearsal, I acted as her co-anchor. She turned to me, gestured to the box, and asked me to "show her...." (I couldn't tell you what she asked me to show her, the minute I realized I was about to get to play with this new toy, I stopped listening...). I looked at her, looked to the box, and then looked back, finally breaking character and breathlessly exclaiming "You mean...I get to touch the box...!?" Boy did she have a good laugh at my eagerness on that one, and told me I could do whatever I wanted. I did explore the touch screen, and it's a good thing I was well behaved this year, because Santa better leave it under my tree. Thankfully a co-worker caught this little moment on camera from a monitor in the studio, which you can see to the left. Notice how fast my hand is moving, and how fascinated Diane Sawyer is. I guess I'm just that interesting... A close-up of the box is below.

Talk about a once in a lifetime opportunity. And only in New York. All I can say is wow...what an experience. Leaving on Sunday evening, my friend reminded me to be sure I watched the election night coverage on Tuesday to see all of my hard work pay off. I told her I wish I could, but I had other plans...

WFUV has given me some cool opportunities, but having press credentials to cover an election has to be one of the best. Last night, three co-workers and I spent the night at the New York State Republican Party Reception at the New York Hilton in midtown. We were each covering the Republican candidate in a NY race. I was reporting on Joe DioGuardi (who ran against, and lost to Senator Gillibrand), and last night would mark the first time I had ever gone on air live for the radio...only a little nerve-wracking. Even though republicans didn't do as well as they had hoped in New York, the mood was still quite energetic thanks to the strong national performance of the party. I survived on-air, interviewed the candidate, and headed back to campus around 1 AM to finish working on my story. A long night? Yeah...but I had just been a part of history. More than worth it.

I got back to my room around 2 AM, and my roommate was awake and kicking, much to my surprise. I was even more surprised when I saw what he was watching: election results on ABC. I jumped up and down like an excited child, and got to catch the last ten minutes of the newscast I had helped work on for so long. When Diane Sawyer signed off, I got a bit of a chill. Maybe someday I can steal that chair. Until then, the pictures from the weekend will have to suffice.