Monday, October 19, 2009

Fall Has Officially Arrived

Hey all!

So it's been a while since I last wrote here (July to be precise), and I guess it's about time for an update. So here goes:

After what was meant to be a simple surgery in May that would have 3 or so weeks of recovery, I found myself having complications and multiple surgeries that lasted from May until September. That meant that I was unable to speak for most of that time, and definitely couldn't have any solid foods. What a drag that turned out to be, and it seemed as if it would go on forever, and then through the grace of God it was finally over.

Stitches came out, cosmetic work was done, and I actually came out better than before. Ha ha. So, it was the greatest feeling in the world when I was able to tell the reception nurse that I was done and wouldn't need to have a follow up for at least 6 months. I walked out smiling and talking to myself, which would look weird anywhere else in the world, except I live in Manhattan, so no big deal. Unfortunately, my dreams of rushing out of the doctor's office and over to Outback Steakhouse for my first solid meal were dashed, as I was told that even though I had healed, I had to take it easy for another couple of weeks. Oh well.

The good news is that I am finally healthy and fit. Speaking of good news, over the Summer I was able to see my friends Ryan Cabrera and Bryan Fenkart perform in concert. I always have a great time with them, and I am always a champion for them both. Shortly thereafter, Ryan embarked upon a very successful tour, and Bryan landed a lead role in a Broadway Musical!

He appears in the Musical "Memphis" which opens officially today, after a few weeks of previews. Bryan has always been one of the most talented people I know and I am so glad the rest of the world finally gets a chance to see it as well. I am super proud of him. If you are in New York, please make a point of seeing Memphis and this very talented performer. BTW, you can also purchase his cd, "Imperfect Man" and I know he is working on a second one as well. Bravo Bryan.

I also got to spend a lot of time with my friends in Sleepy Hollow, and this coming week I am headed back up there for some apple, pumpkin, etc. picking and attending the big open air harvest markets, as well as the reenactment of "The Headless Horseman" story, just in time for Halloween. It should be a blast.

I have a lot of friends in Boston and happen to do a lot of performing there as well as up and down the Eastern Seaboard, so when the opportunity arose to come up to one of my favorite cities and spend some quality time with my best pal Jeff, and my great friend Jake, among other things, I totally jumped at the chance. So I packed up a suitcase and headed on up. While here, I have had a blast, not only performing, but showing off my other professional talent, my culinary skills. I've been having fun cooking for my besties and trying to wow them with something tasty and different as often as possible.

Of course, I haven't taken care of all of the meals, this is Boston, after all, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of the fantastic places around here. Aside from that, it is always great to walk around Boston and take in the sites, like my favorite place, Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church, the Boston Commons, etc. Jeff also got us involved in a tour of Haunted Boston which is pretty cool. It starts in a cemetery at night and goes on for about 90 minutes as you walk around the more colorful and historical parts of the city. That Jeff, always coming up with interesting things for us to do together!

Today we got hit with a surprise snow storm, 30 degree weather and super fast winds. If it lets up and everything goes according to plan, I will be headed back to Manhattan later this morning. If the weather doesn't cooperate, then I may have to stay a little longer. Either way is fine with me, since I love Boston and Jeff so much, and I love my apartment and Manhattan so much. I am happy in either place. So we shall see what the weather shows and thus how the plan goes.

If I can make it back as planned, I have a movie premiere , an interview regarding a new position using my chef hat, a birthday party, not to mention the apple picking, and so on...

So as you can see, things seem to be looking up for me..knock on wood, and hopefully they will just keep on doing so. Halloween is coming soon and that's cool, but I am already looking ahead to November for Thanksgiving and the great meal and company that comes with it.

But as long as it is still October, lets go with the Birthdays: Happy Birthday on the 11th to Mariah, the 18th to Zac, the 21st to Dan, Matt D. and Arkady. May you all have a wonderful year ahead, and I am happy to know all of you and have you in my life.

Ok, that's about it. It's nearly 3 am and if I plan on leaving here in a few hours, I had better try and get a little rest if I can. But I just keep looking out at the falling snow and watching spooky movies on cable...oh well, I'm going to give it a shot anyway. So off I go.

Take care until we meet again, and remember, I'll see you on the B-Side...

Richmond Chandler