Pre-Writing drink

Wine & me
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Strange elevator? Look up.

A trip to the eye doctor's
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I love weddings...

The Bride and the Gals
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

... i really do. Maybe it's because I haven't been invited to that many, hence they are still quite a novelty to me. But Jenny's wedding was just full of happiness, love, laughter, great food, friends.. all the the good stuff in life. I'm glad I went and I'm glad I was included in Jenny's special day. I came away with a jar of Austrian honey and a lot of joy that will stay with me for a long long time.

First Dance

First Dance
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

On the streets of Oak-town

Girls in a ball, on a tree
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

My First Russian Jewish Wedding

After Midnight
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Actors in Character

Performing Arts Library
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

The Performing Arts Library is one of my favorite places to go in Manhattan. It houses a wealth of information that's valuable to all visitors, whether you're involved in the performing arts or not. The space is comfortable, open, full of sunlight and has many reading tables overlooking the Lincoln Center pool. Right now, there's a photo exhibit called "Actors in Character" adorning the library's walls. It features the faces and expressions of almost everybody who is anybody in the New York acting world. Go! Check it out!

MacTV time

jojo, marla, guapple
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Sad but true to life... this really is how we spent Wednesday night. TV on, logged onto AIM, cat purring...

Service Information? Don't look at me.

The Wrong Station, B, Q line
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I've lived in Brooklyn for over a year now, but I still manage to get lost. After an 11-hour day on the set of "The Tourist," I somehow squeeze in a detour on the B, Q line.

Same but different...

Grandpa"s
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

One of many good meals

Noodles, Xian Style
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Dinner theatre Uighur style

Xinjiang food & dance
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Visiting Grandpa Mei

Ba Bao Shan, Beijing
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Visiting Grandma Yan

Ba Bao Shan, Beijing
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

An unusually clear day... very unusual

Southwest District, Beijing
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Leaving

Yan siblings
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Another one bites the dust

Jennie's B-Bash
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Now there are only 4 single girls in this picture. The gorgeous blonde in the middle will be married in a month. Sad sad...

Circus in town...

Little Italy, NYC
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

... nope, just another street fair in NYC.

"Monday is Cat Week"

Marla's new perch of choice
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Hiding before the show

Abingdon Theatre - backstage "balcony"
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

No... I'm not running from an axe murderer. The look of concern is due to my futile attempts at holding the camera steady.

"Foggy Bottom" cast

Jeremy, Maya, Denise, Suzanna, Dan, Angela, Richard, me
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Today was the official opening of "Foggy Bottom" at the Abingdon. We've gone through a week of previews and I think the show is really finding it's feet. It's been great fun and I'm so happy with everyone in this cast. We laugh so much each night on stage and off. I couldn't think of any other group I'd rather be taking off my clothes with... well, maybe I could... but i mean on stage, in front of 50 paying customers. Hmm... that still doesn't sound right. Come see "Foggy Bottom" and this will make more sense.

"Action!" in K-town

K-Town, NYC
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Mike Kang's gangster flick is currently shooting in NYC. This evening the action was taking place right below my favorite Tofu Soup place. John Cho got out of the car a second after this picture was snapped.

Best seat in the house

Late night with Marla
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Marla's keeping me company again. Smart cat...

Late night snack

Kitchen time
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

This month, my day starts at 7:30am and ususally ends around 1am... I like being busy, I love it actually. But sometimes... I really need to remind myself to sit down for a meal or even part of a meal. Emm... peach before bed is good though.

Happy Accident

Lincoln Center: take 2
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

This picture was the result of an accidental flash... kinda cool actually.

Napping not permitted

Lincoln Center: take 1
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Finally had a couple hours of downtime between rehearsal and work. After returning my much overdue library books I decided to take a nap on one of the benches around the Lincoln Center pool. Little did I know, lying down was not permitted on those benches. I was horizontal for about 5 minutes when one of New York's finest approached me to request I change my position. So this picture was taken after my napus-interruptus.

"I-95 South" din din

Michael and his groupies
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Weekend in RI

Bristol Beach
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Finally got home for a few days. I'm so used to running around in the city, from one appointment to the next and the next that I could not relax. Kept feeling antsy, like I should be doing something. But when I finally made it to the beach... reading in the afternoon sun... breathing in the sea salt air... my parents chilling in the shade... I let out a long sigh of relief. I didn't even know I was holding my breath.

Is it Planet of the Apes? 2046?....

Beam me up Scottie
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

NO!.... it's the lobby of the 3LD. if you come to my next show, you would be standing where I'm standing. Entrance to the theatre would be to your left, bathrooms on the right.

Dedication at work

Street Theatre
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

So... our show at HERE opens on Wednesday. Today was to be our first and only dress rehearsal in the new and awesome theatre space 3JD (3 Legged Dog). But as it often happens in off-off theatre, there was miscommunication and no one showed up to let us in. So, we rehearsed on the street for 2 hours; sets, props and all. Tourists loved it.

Rehearsal break

Looking out
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

It's great being in a show. It's great rehearsing in an air-conditioned room. But I can't help feeling like I'm sitting in a cage sometimes while the rest of the world is out and about, enjoying the summer sun.

Dusk after the rain

Sky over Flatbush
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Last week was pure crap, in many many ways including the weather. But, something beautiful emerged in the end. I just had to look up.

Across the platform

me, train & him
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

"Who is that person? What are they looking at?"... you decide who's thinking that in this picture.

And so it ends...

Sun going down on me
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Another day. Another...

A mess before my eyes

Lincoln Center Plaza Art
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

That kinda looks like my life... only it's more colorful and someone wanted it this way.

NYC Fireworks

July 4, 2006
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Silly Happy People

Classmates
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Today is the final open presentation for my 2 year Meisner training program. I'm doing a scene from Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Ernest." Not sure how I feel about my preparedness. But The others in my class, some featured here in this photo, will be doing some great work.

Yum yum ribs... yum yum

Virgil's BBQ
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

BBQ ribs is one dish I constantly get a craving for. Vigil's near Time Square has some mighty nice dry rub.

Why men like tall buildings

New Hearst Building
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

What can I say about the new Hearst Building? It's tall, smooth and shiny. This building rose up before my eyes... It features hard lines and rigid surfaces ... please note the two upright statues... I can't wait to get a closer look.

Pidgeons aka rats of the sky

Bird Landing
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I've been doing a lot of sitting on park benches lately. Hence, I've come dangerously close to falling pidgeon poop on several occasions. I think birds use their poop to mark their territory. For some reason, they want to lay claim to my head.

Walking in Chinatown

Streets of NYC
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Waiting for Brunch

Sunday in the park
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I look a bit glum here because I was very hungry. My roomie was running late, again, and making me wait for brunch. Sheesh... and the park's resdent pidgeons (off-camera) were feasting on crumbs all around me.

Auditioning aka...

Waiting
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

...waiting, failing, being rejected, being open, being tested, performing, competing... one can look at the process of auditioning in so many ways, but in the end ya just gotta do it.

Closer to what?

Getting closer on the F
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Riding home after an audition. I like how my image is all distorted and yet the advert says "get closer." There's a metaphore in this, and it's trying to hit me over the head, but I'd rather not think about it. Just a cool photo op is all...

Scaring away the matinee customers

Applejack Diner
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Saturday afternoon, just me, and a few of the wonderfully silly men from my acting class.

Caught in the downpour

Rain on the West Side
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

The past three days have been awful in NYC. The rain has been pounding on and off. And somehow, I've found myself out and about every single one of those days just as the deluge came down the hardest.

People watching

Union Square Afternoon
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I love watching people and I'm not the only one. One can never be bored in NYC because in addition to the multitude of possible activities, there are also plenty of places to sit, observe and evesdrop.

A Night with the Demon Barber

Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

Finally went to see Sweeny Todd the other night. No photos were allowed, so I placed my camera on my lap and got this shot of the theatre ceiling. I enjoyed the show immensely. This must be one of the hardest shows to cast since all the cast members had to not only sing well, act well but also play at least one instrument. Such talented people, I was amazed.

Photo-op at the Century Club

jojo & guapple
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

I never turn down a free meal, thus Friday night I accompanied the roomie to her company's annual dinner at the members-only Century Club. There was some very nice art around the place and this very cozy reading room. Although, in this picture we look rather ghostly, like in that movie "The Others." We could be Chinese maids from 200 years ago, they used to keep us in the attic and now our restless spirits haunt the place... boo!

Furry House Guest

Miss Marla Singer
Originally uploaded by jo.mei.

This is Marla the cat. She has been making an extended stay at our apartment. The roomie is totally spoiling her. As for myself, i've come to realize it is nice to have a cuddly furry purring thing around the house. I've never had a single pet in my life (maybe there was a fish at some point, because I do recall the image of a belly-up gold fish being flushed down the toilet, but that's about it.)