Damian Lewis as Oedipus Rex: Archetype of a King – Redux

Wow, this pandemic, amirite? Depending on where you live you may be still hunkered down, resisting social gatherings, wearing masks whenever you go out. Maybe you’re somewhere where things are fully open and things are back to normal. For most of us, though, it’s certainly a new way of life. And, it may be with us much longer than anyone hoped it’d be.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have jobs that weren’t too affected, or actually took off, due to the nationwide lock down. (once folks can no longer mill around the water cooler in the office, they seem very keen to get stuff done. I sense in some industries, like tech, for example, productivity is at a record high) Too many of us haven’t been so lucky. And what about our artists, the stories that we need to watch, the performances that entertain and sustain us? Obviously they have been affected in a major way. Those in Damian’s profession are still learning how to get their work running again.

Continue reading “Damian Lewis as Oedipus Rex: Archetype of a King – Redux”

I finally watched Damian Lewis in Band of Brothers – Redux

This show is not for me.

I’ve always known this, that’s why I have never watched it. I’d start thinking about the subject matter, remember photo stills of the scenes I’ve glimpsed over the years, and just KNEW it would be nightmare city for me.  You can call me delicate, call me a wuss, I don’t really care. This show? This show is not for me.

source: galleryhip.com

But I need to be clear: I do not want, for one moment, for my thoughts on war or my inability to sit through a show this intense, to be mistaken for criticism or ingratitude for the sacrifices made by so many. I am a descendant of men and women who served, and I benefit every day of my life because of those who went before me. I would never disparage their time spent defending our country, and their great sacrifices in doing so. Continue reading “I finally watched Damian Lewis in Band of Brothers – Redux”

Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking & Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide *UPDATED release date*

I have news!

So… I sat down and wrote a book 🙂 And, I mean, I knew it was happening but I felt that it was really happening when I saw the book on the publisher’s website with my name on it!

So I give you…

Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking and Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide

If everything goes according to the current production plan, Appetite for Power Guide to Eating, Drinking and Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide will be out on November 3, 2020 – yes, on Election Day of all days! You can check the book out and pre-order a copy on the publisher’s website or on the usual suspects Amazon or Barnes & Nobles.

Update 10/24/2020: Well, I was right saying “if everything goes according to the current production plan…” since I just heard from my publisher that the book release will coincide with the return of Billions Season 5 to Showtime – hopefully sooner than later in 2021.

Now, if you are interested in the extraordinary journey I have had, writing a book about my favorite TV show that is, here it is. Continue reading “Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking & Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide *UPDATED release date*”

Desert Island Discs with Misfit

Music has always been an important component of my life. My mother sings in a choir, my brother plays saxophone, and I used to play flute. Not incredibly well, but still.

We’d always listen to the radio and blare my parents albums in the car when I was growing up. While my parents had diverse, all around great taste in music, it wasn’t until I owned my first CD player and later on my first iPod, that I really developed an appreciation for music. Listening to what I wanted, blaring my favorite songs on my headphones (at way too high a volume). I’d listen to discs and playlists on the bus to and from school and I’d be transported. Continue reading “Desert Island Discs with Misfit”

From Charity to Sports to Theatre: We Know What Damian Lewis Did During The Covid-19 Lockdown! *UPDATED*

I am going to have a summer.

This is how Damian promptly responded to a lady who asked him at The Goat stage door back in May 2017 about what he would be doing between The Goat and Billions, whose shoot would not start until September. And that was his first full summer with family since Damian constantly worked summers between 2011 while he was shooting Homeland to 2016 when they started shooting Billions shoot in July.

And he was probably pleased with the results that this is the fourth summer in a row Damian has spent with family but also the first he spent mostly at home, like the rest of us, due to Covid-19 pandemic. Damian was filming Billions in New York when the pandemic arrived in the US. As they took a break from filming mid-March, he came back home, and has had a spring and summer bookended by two important Covid-19 activities. Continue reading “From Charity to Sports to Theatre: We Know What Damian Lewis Did During The Covid-19 Lockdown! *UPDATED*”