OMG. I CANNOT LOVE THIS ENOUGH. You have walked me through my memories of the city that are extremely strong. When 2020 hit and it was over I didn't know what to do. I would have annoyed the hell out of you!!! John knew I'd keep an eye out as I photographed my way through every single nook and cranny, (him ahead by a block) esp. the street art, of which I became a complete freakazoid over and would arrange miles of walks with my youngest to find the street art wasn't there - but hey, after 15 miles, we talked a lot and discovered more than we imagined. I have walked with my equipment hanging off me all over L.A., not always safe, but I would make my client bring someone that would watch us. It's no longer fun to walk around there. It's it's own emergency room hell sadly. The theater was our life, rushing cheap tix and jazz. The best jazz in all the world resides in that city, underground and places like Blue Note - I was your LA Baby each and every time and I cried over it. Never did I feel so alive than in that city. We would eventually take the train on Sunday mornings to Brooklyn Tabernacle and worship our butts off. I have never hugged such a diverse crowd of exceptional humans. The best Christian based book I ever read was Pastor Cymbala's "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." Talk about fire. With the fire comes the fresh wind. In everything. You, my dear friend and nurse I wish I had at my side several weeks ago, have walked through years of fires and you keep coming out into the wind of fresh life. I loved every single bit of this story. I felt it in my bones. Our first show was Billy Elliott. I sat stunned with emotion. Probably, since John and I have always had a hard relationship (you know those personality tests with the 4 letters at the end? I can't remember - but yeah, we were told after two tries, we really aren't meant to be together) - We have struggled our whole marriage - but we are both deeply passionate and dramatic. I don't hold back. He holds everything back. During Ian's Freshman year we saw Once. It was fall of 2013 at the Jacobs Theater? anyways a small, intimate, just like most of Broadway is, theater. The scene opens with the main character coming in the door and singing this song. I can't find a clip but this is the original singer Glen Hansard singing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6wRT1MzmH4. - I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe. John began to squeeze my hand so tight and Ian on the other side was squeezing and crying. I'm crying as I type this. I've screamed this. So has he. The theater was literally suffocating us. And our youngest theater kid with so much passion - "the one" I begged for for so many years - who had to witness our fights - who was struggling internally with his sexuality - only coming out a few years before leaving us to go to New York. Oh man why did I read this! I am sobbing. Okay - I'll go now. I love you Nurse Kristin. Thank you. I get you. ox
P.S. John also got me to walk over every bridge in the city marveling at the history. Still crying.
OMG DEB ONCE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOW!! I saw it in Philadelphia, listened to the soundtrack yesterday on my way to work! Holy smokes I love you, way more than I could ever express in my comment section. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m reading your last summer piece right now. Cleaned my face up. lol. Is this a love-fest? I’m on my computer or I’d put all the obligatory emojis I could find here. ox
Love this, both in laughter and love it overflows. I know from which direction you’ll be arriving at your funeral.. I might even offer to accompany you to embibe at the wake. 💞
Always wanted to go to NYC and Philly when I used to do baseball trips when I was in the travel biz. I never made it though. Regrets ? Nah…might have been cool to ride the subway, compare it to the once good Chicago system but that might be it. Saw a version of Phantom here once but no way could it ever compare to what you experienced.
As for, “we’re just not quite sure which direction I’ll be coming in from, if you catch my drift”, I think just your perceived bitchiness won’t be enough to send you into the subway. Your career and the fact you’re a mom and good at all of it I think guarantees you the elevated…if you catch MY drift 😉☺️
Thanks Ken. Trust me there’s no mistaking I can be a bitch, I like to think it helps save some lives and I’m okay with it! As you know I’m a big baseball fan, which is your favorite team? I’m trying to get to all of the major league stadiums myself.
Grew up on the north side of Chicago, so it would have to be the Cubs. I’ve had some love for the Padres, Astros and Indians … errrrr Guardians 🤬🤬 too along the way.
In alternating measures—you crack me up and fill me up. ❤️😎
I spent a year in the Apple as a 23 year old—training for my future. More like training for my shenanigans. Big fun. Always love to go back no matter when or what. It’s been a few years. Time to bust a move.
Omg I loooooove Phantom of the Opera! You are not alone. My nieces react the same way when I express my love for it. Haha. Thank you for sharing that. It's good to have a reminder to just: live.
Thanks Amber! This comment coming from another RN truly means a lot to me. It’s a different perspective for sure, I’m always mindful of our unique view. Like just live people, who cares if I like the synthesizer and disfigured mask wearing subway creatures 😂
OMG. I CANNOT LOVE THIS ENOUGH. You have walked me through my memories of the city that are extremely strong. When 2020 hit and it was over I didn't know what to do. I would have annoyed the hell out of you!!! John knew I'd keep an eye out as I photographed my way through every single nook and cranny, (him ahead by a block) esp. the street art, of which I became a complete freakazoid over and would arrange miles of walks with my youngest to find the street art wasn't there - but hey, after 15 miles, we talked a lot and discovered more than we imagined. I have walked with my equipment hanging off me all over L.A., not always safe, but I would make my client bring someone that would watch us. It's no longer fun to walk around there. It's it's own emergency room hell sadly. The theater was our life, rushing cheap tix and jazz. The best jazz in all the world resides in that city, underground and places like Blue Note - I was your LA Baby each and every time and I cried over it. Never did I feel so alive than in that city. We would eventually take the train on Sunday mornings to Brooklyn Tabernacle and worship our butts off. I have never hugged such a diverse crowd of exceptional humans. The best Christian based book I ever read was Pastor Cymbala's "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." Talk about fire. With the fire comes the fresh wind. In everything. You, my dear friend and nurse I wish I had at my side several weeks ago, have walked through years of fires and you keep coming out into the wind of fresh life. I loved every single bit of this story. I felt it in my bones. Our first show was Billy Elliott. I sat stunned with emotion. Probably, since John and I have always had a hard relationship (you know those personality tests with the 4 letters at the end? I can't remember - but yeah, we were told after two tries, we really aren't meant to be together) - We have struggled our whole marriage - but we are both deeply passionate and dramatic. I don't hold back. He holds everything back. During Ian's Freshman year we saw Once. It was fall of 2013 at the Jacobs Theater? anyways a small, intimate, just like most of Broadway is, theater. The scene opens with the main character coming in the door and singing this song. I can't find a clip but this is the original singer Glen Hansard singing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6wRT1MzmH4. - I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe. John began to squeeze my hand so tight and Ian on the other side was squeezing and crying. I'm crying as I type this. I've screamed this. So has he. The theater was literally suffocating us. And our youngest theater kid with so much passion - "the one" I begged for for so many years - who had to witness our fights - who was struggling internally with his sexuality - only coming out a few years before leaving us to go to New York. Oh man why did I read this! I am sobbing. Okay - I'll go now. I love you Nurse Kristin. Thank you. I get you. ox
P.S. John also got me to walk over every bridge in the city marveling at the history. Still crying.
OMG DEB ONCE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOW!! I saw it in Philadelphia, listened to the soundtrack yesterday on my way to work! Holy smokes I love you, way more than I could ever express in my comment section. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’ll DM you (again)
I’m reading your last summer piece right now. Cleaned my face up. lol. Is this a love-fest? I’m on my computer or I’d put all the obligatory emojis I could find here. ox
The last will make you 😊
Who’s afraid of little old me? 😘
Love this, both in laughter and love it overflows. I know from which direction you’ll be arriving at your funeral.. I might even offer to accompany you to embibe at the wake. 💞
Cheers Teyani. Thank you. 🥂
Great article, Kristin. So, in 2061, I’ll be 98, if I haven’t been late to my own funeral. Maybe we can meet for the comet.☄️
Yes please! Thanks Heidi. I remember it passing through in the 80’s and thinking I want to see this again!
Always wanted to go to NYC and Philly when I used to do baseball trips when I was in the travel biz. I never made it though. Regrets ? Nah…might have been cool to ride the subway, compare it to the once good Chicago system but that might be it. Saw a version of Phantom here once but no way could it ever compare to what you experienced.
As for, “we’re just not quite sure which direction I’ll be coming in from, if you catch my drift”, I think just your perceived bitchiness won’t be enough to send you into the subway. Your career and the fact you’re a mom and good at all of it I think guarantees you the elevated…if you catch MY drift 😉☺️
Thanks Ken. Trust me there’s no mistaking I can be a bitch, I like to think it helps save some lives and I’m okay with it! As you know I’m a big baseball fan, which is your favorite team? I’m trying to get to all of the major league stadiums myself.
PS I know I’m going to heaven. 😇
Grew up on the north side of Chicago, so it would have to be the Cubs. I’ve had some love for the Padres, Astros and Indians … errrrr Guardians 🤬🤬 too along the way.
Lol, I like the Yankees too, just not as much as the Phils. I need more grit
In alternating measures—you crack me up and fill me up. ❤️😎
I spent a year in the Apple as a 23 year old—training for my future. More like training for my shenanigans. Big fun. Always love to go back no matter when or what. It’s been a few years. Time to bust a move.
OMG yes please and let me know when you book your trip! Thanks so much for the comment and share, I know you understand my sense of humor. 🙏🏻
Your gentle soul, sharp wit and humour … if l ever end up in ICU … Hope it’s you there 😊🙏💜
Aww thank you Simone. I hope this is never the case, but I would love to give you a hug.
Omg I loooooove Phantom of the Opera! You are not alone. My nieces react the same way when I express my love for it. Haha. Thank you for sharing that. It's good to have a reminder to just: live.
Thanks Amber! This comment coming from another RN truly means a lot to me. It’s a different perspective for sure, I’m always mindful of our unique view. Like just live people, who cares if I like the synthesizer and disfigured mask wearing subway creatures 😂
😂 exactly!