My Picture Blog #20

It's 11/11/11 today. And as soon as I finish this article I'm hitting a bike ride along the west side highway.

I've been staying at the 'cat house', what I call my friends' place in downtown Manhattan.

I am spoiled here. And yes, so are the cats.

My week in New York has been disciplined, filled with artistic glee, intellectual conversations, feeling nostalgic and 'new' at the same time.

I had this amazing Thai dinner alone at a place called betel on Grove Street, my first night here, which followed with free wine and Jameson shots from the management.

I guess I know how to dress a bar.

Little Italy seems to be thriving, though every restaurant host is at the sidewalk handing out flyers like they do on Indian Row.

My girlfriend took me to a place called Da Nico's where we ate, Shrimp Parmigiana, Veal Milanese and Linguini Vongole on an outdoor patio the size of a Beverly Hills driveway.

And I've hit a couple local hot spots in a night; The Penny Farthing with the Backstage gang, Old Town Bar's pitchers of beer and the W Hotel for a late night Chocolate Souffle, which necessitated an actual dinner of fried pork chops and rice at TKettle on St. Marks.

It's not a vacation. It's just the typical New York grind. I'd be in Barbados if I were on vacation.

But I digress, I'm here to talk about acting, which is why I flew back to New York in the first place. Wednesday was the 'work' day.

And...in the interest of not divulging too much for any of the parties involved; it was a truly safe environment, built to be comfortable, artistically aligning, intellectually stimulating and satiating for all those involved and kind of felt like Star Trek. Well, worth the flight.

And that's all I'm going to say about that...Ha!

Now, for my Picture blog #20. The other main thing I needed to do was visit Occupy Wall Street and see for myself just how distorted the media has portrayed this peaceful, purposeful camp ground.

The protestors here have literally built themselves another miniature civilization that is providing citizens from all states, who are staking ground here, with the resources, empathy, emotional and financial support, information and the insights they are seeking in order to feel empowered with dignity. 

Apparently there are looters at night trying to start fights to corrupt the peaceful nature and reputation of the protestors, but it's not working. And not very nice.

To be honest, these are the kinds of people protesting at Occupy Wall street; mothers, sisters, and grandmothers...knitting for the cause.

There are actor-vists here too. Some I was surprised I knew. There are former execs here, and lots of unemployed. All are trying to be the change they wish to see in the world.

The thing is, Occupy Wall Street which started on September 17th, with a group of less than 100 has become Occupy the World! This generation isn't just fighting war, it's fighting the banks as well.

It will be a great, dizzying sound the day a group of 'homeless people' change the financial structure for the entire world. But how does one monitor aspects of human nature?

I sifted through the campgrounds and found so many signs, including ones by New York artist De La Vega; whose sidewalk paintings have been enlightening and inspiring me since I was a freshman at NYU.

My favorite sign, who's creator I do not know, is My Picture Blog #20.

Couldn't help myself.

Enjoy...

(photos courtesy of the cathouse, betel, and OCW)

Yours Truly -- Ann Hu