Acting-month 2

I started my second month of learning how to act in New York.
The same studio, teacher, time. Couple of new people and much smaller group-of six.
That's actually great for the six of us-more stage time, more personal attention.
These classes are just o.k.most of the time, but necessary to get to the next level-scene study. That is when the real work starts but we need to have tools for it.
So we're learning basic acting tools. And it's a craft, believe me.And more difficult than I ever thought.But at the same time, easier.
Let me explain, at least a bit.You can not be caught acting. You have to look natural,feel natural, sound natural to your audience. And in order to do that,you need to become the character by really getting to know yourself.A little bit scary, right?
It's also a good therapy.
So we were doing all these exercises today--Meisner technique(if that's how you spell his name-too tired to Google.)--picking clues up from your partner, reenacting, reconstruction some experience, motivating ourselves to build a house of cards. Literary.
At the end of the day, it was educational, somewhat silly, very funny and tiring.But again, necessary for the next level.

Is anything ever free?

I had quite a diverse, interesting and consequently a short day. I have no idea how it can be almost 6:30 p.m. now?!
My mom woke me up at 7.47 a.m. delirious because she got a free ticket to the States! "I'm so happy," she chirped on the phone. "This is the greatest gift anyone can give me."
She holds me responsible because I was the one who wrote and mailed two letters of complaint to an airline,that treated my Mom like a piece of luggage last year.
It took it a year to acknowledge their assesness, and offer her a free ticket.
"You earned this," she added. "What would you like me to buy you?"
Hmmm...in Serbia, you show love through food, first and foremost,and then through gifts.
I couldn't really think of anything else, besides what she's already bringing me-hazelnut chocolate spread and minced biscuits.
"Just come over," I said modestly. "I don't really want anything else. Or need."
It's true. I do have everything I need. Well, kind of. At least materially...Well...
I do want a house on the beach. And a place in Belgrade. And...I know there was something else? And I want to see almost the whole world.Oh, yeah, I really,really wanna fly first class!!!
But those are big things. She can't get me those. I have to get them for myself,if I can.
O, yes, and I would love to shop at Chanel and Dior,and Tiffany's!

Sister Cities

I saw a great play tonight-- Sister Cities. It's a small production of a screenplay written by a woman, directed by a woman, and it's about five women. A real shot of feminism. But it was interesting, funny and moving. Good acting too.
It could not have been more than 30 people in the audience. It was definitely the smallest theater I've seen. The set was really impressive-it looked like you walked into someone's house. The warmth of it, very genuine-- pictures on the walls and the fireplace, the furniture, the mess, the den with books and paper, computer, stairs that lead to upstairs we never see, the kitchen bar with every day home stuff on it, vodka in the liqueur cabinet, chips and Fig Newtons...
All four sisters were good at their characters-all completely different as sisters often are. But these four actually have different fathers. And a very selfish mother, who apparently used men as tissues. I said used because now she's in her 60s and gravely ill.
This totally disfunctional family has a lot to tell. And it does. This play is all talk, but in a good way. There's barely anything there, any type of action except for the conversations, very serious ones.
Men barely touch this moment in life-only one character has her husband placed on a pedestal, while some of the others don't have anyone, or think of men as Ken dolls-something to play with and leave behind when they grow out of it. One of them has a failed marriage behind her, but a successful career. They all are selfsufficient.
There was a talk with the actors afterwords. A nice bonus. They're hoping people will hear about the play, and maybe, maybe give it more attention. I think, it deserves it. It's contemporary, interesting, with all the necessary elements for success-makes you laugh, makes you think, makes you enjoy it. Having said that, it's not perfect. The acting in the beginning really looked like acting, and it shouldn't. Couple of times through the play as well. But in their defense, it seemed really hard to do it, with the rollercostar of emotions throughout.
If you can, see it. You won't regret it!

Lost in New York...

Have you ever felt lost? Not physically,in space, but just lost,you know, in life?
Well, I've been feeling like that today.
The rainy New York morning didn't exactly help. And I am one of those people who depend on the sun. Really depend on it. We all do, more-less. The lack of sun makes us depressive.
That's how I've been feeling today. I've been wandering the streets of New York, looking for the sun. I knew where I was, but I wasn't sure where I was going. I felt so alone. And the city has lost its charm.
I know that things go up and down, periodically. I know that you have to get lost once in a while, in order to find yourself, or be found. But neither happened to me today.
I guess it takes more time.
I couldn't think of a single thing, easily achievable and accessible at the time, to give me pleasure, to pick me up. I guess "things" don't really do that. We just fool ourselves.
Anyway, I do feel better now. It will be a new day tomorrow, after all. Maybe the one where I'll finally find myself. And whatever I'm looking for...

Fall, rainy book...

An awfully rainy New York day today. Not as cold as yesterday though. But still,less pleasant.
My g-friend and I decided-it's a perfect day for Moma. So, I entered Moma once again. It's makes it easier being a member and all. And being able to walk to it. And being so close to the great shopping...Actually that's the dangerous part.
But despite my guest's big shopping appetite, I've been very well behaved. I haven't bought almost anything for myself! I'm bought a gift at Bloomingdale's, and ordered couple more online. But,again, proudly, nothing for myself, while my g-friend was shopping the city off.
Actually, I just remembered,I did buy a set of espresso or Turkish coffee cups today. I couldn't resist, even though we don't drink either. But the guests will enjoy them! As well as I will... by possessing them.
I'm talking about these hand-painted coffee cups, with (of course) cats on them. But they're very artsy!
So except for Moma, and At Home, I spent the rest of the day at home, still looking for a job and resting with my Crossing Jordan.
We had pizza for dinner, Patsy's. And watched the Millioner.
Nothing too exciting! Weather permit!
But I did decide that I should start writing my book next week!
It's the perfect time. I'm still not working, I have an idea, and a small, new notebook.
And it's fall after all!

Dog with shoes

Well, the summer in New York is gone alright.Unfortunately. I love this planet but I hate the cold. So global warming or not, I liked the unseasonably warm weather.
I also love how crazy New Yorkers are.I wonder, is it the chicken or the egg?Are New Yorkers crazy because they live in New York, or crazy people come to live in the friendly, natural habitat?
Let me elaborate. I SAW A DOG WITH SHOES yesterday. In the middle of the Midtown. Lex or 3rd and 50s.I almost cried for not having the camera with me.
This little dog had blue shoes on, and he was crossing the street with a blond, young woman on the leash;-)I couldn't help but laugh. Not too loud though. I didn't want her to think I'm laughing at her, just at her dog, with shoes.
I've seen dogs with clothes before. That's kinda common here. But shoes? Well, that takes the cake.
Actually, it seemed to me like the little guy was having problems adjusting the the fashion. Or to his crazy owner. He was walking kind of clumsy. Maybe she didn't want him to get his paws wet and dirty? It was raining after all. Or maybe she was Serbian and worried about dog's ovaries?
It was one of those miniature dogs, brown, cute, with long ears. Not the hot-dog. Sorry I don't know more about dogs.
I wish I had a camera!!!You trust me, right?

Long way from Midtown to Chinatown

My g-friend really made me know New York yesterday.
The initial plan was to go to the Union Square, and then to the Village for one of Cafe Reggio's great cappuccinos.I thought the plan was good, you know, enough for one day.O h, no, not for this hungry lady. She wanted to see the world and she wanted it yesterday.
"Look, Soho is so close to us," she said pointing at the map. "Can we go there?It's such a beautiful day!" She got that right. It was plain gorgeous in the city yesterday. Sunny, 74, just beautiful. "O.k.," this pushover said, sadly looking at the few last drops of the cappuccino. "Let's go."
So we went to NoLiTa, Soho, Little Italy, even Chinatown during our attempt to see Tribeca. "Do you know what Tribeca means,?" she asked excitingly. "No", I said, exhausted. "Triangle below Canal!!!"
But we never got to the triangle. Instead we stumbled upon one the dirtiest,shadiest neighborhoods of New York, where Asian looking people were telling us something every which way we looked. If this is Tribeca, I thought, I don't wanna see it!But we were probably in some outskirts of Chinatown.
We did have a great pizza in Fanelli's and famous Tartuffo and Tiramisu in my beloved Cafe Roma. Tired or not,I wasn't going to deprive her of Cafe Roma's calories, once we were in Mulberry street...

From Central Park to Tiffany's

Double M.and I went to the Central Park yesterday. The other M. is my old friend from Belgrade. She finally came to visit. From London. Actually, she came to see New York.
One of M's friends came up from D.C. as well, and we met up in one of my favorite places in New York-Le Pain Quotidien.
We had great cappuccinos and laughs,then the three of us went for a stroll in the famous park. The weather was perfect for it-sunny,70s...Hence, the park was packed. Luckily,people were not sunbathing in their swimming suits. Finally. I guess even New Yorkers wouldn't wear a swimsuit in the middle of a city in October. But then again...
The weirdest thing was the some were already ice skating, while the ice was melting.
That's the N.Y.C. diversity, in a nutshell-while some are ice skating, others are sunbathing.In the middle of a 11 million-people-city!
Walkers, children, performers, bikers, runners...The park was as alive as it is probably every weekend without rain or show. My friend loved it! We love this park too. It's the New York oasis.
She was as excited as I've ever seen her. It was fun to watch.
The Fifth Avenue was barely walkable from all the tourons. We had to fight are way through the crowds. Especially in front of Tiffany's."Can we go in?" my friends asked. "Sure!" If we can elbow the worshipers in front it, I thought.
She walked in. We followed. She looked around, and 10 seconds later, said:"It's like any other store!"

My first martini

I made my first martini tonight.First martini ever!I know what you're thinking-I had to move to New York to learn how to make a martini? And I'm not even working as a bartender.I was just never motivated before. Nor had a great recipe. Nor had the right kind of fancy glasses and a shaker.
O,yes, I got it all. Actually, those were all wedding presents we never got to use before. So the idea of playing with the martini instruments amused me. Especially with the guests coming tomorrow. So I went out, got some Blueberry Smirnoff Vodka, Triple Sec and I already had some blueberry juice. Mixed it all together, added some raspberries(I couldn't find blueberries) and voila! Blueberry martini it is! Actually, it was. We drank it. I guess that proves it was good. Or that we would drink anything in a crystal martini glass.
I mentioned guests. One of my best friends is coming tomorrow night. Late, so we have to stay awake. One of Matt's friends is coming up as well. So, I thought that we could impress them with our blueberry martinis, and have a drink before four of us go out, exploring the New York nightlife.
I'm looking forward to it! M. has stayed a devoted friend through all our life changes-she moved to London, I moved to the States. It's rare, I found out. I lost a lot of friends in the last five years. Unfortunately. They've changed, a lot. So have I...

Feisty New Yorkers

Another summer day in New York City. In October. Everyone was out and about. Even more than usual, people were bumping into each other near and on the crosswalks. Cars planted themselves on the crosswalks so we, the inferior pedestrians would have to go around them, trying not to get killed on our own turf.
Today, for the first time I actually witnessed a verbal fight between a cab driver, parked on a crosswalk and a poor pedestrian trying to cross. The pedestrian was doing what we all wanted to-rip the heads of drivers who are so casually hanging out on what's rightfully ours! The feisty cab driver didn't apologize to the pedestrian, of course. Instead, he yelled back at the pedestrian and pulled a bit backwards. Then we heard honking from another cab, conveniently parked behind the main culprit.
So the pedestrian and the cab driver are "going at it," while the first is crossing the street around the cab that's pulling back, almost hitting the car behind him. Chaos! But that's every day traffic in the City. Get used to it, or get a heart attack.

The Acting Kingdom

My acting classes are becoming more and more interesting.
I almost gave up last week. I don't feel like engaging in any kind of intellectual activity in the evenings. I'm more of a morning person.Also, four hours seems to be too long. But I payed for a month, and I have until the last class to decide if I want to take them for another month.
So, tonight was really interesting. For those of you who think acting is a glamorous job, think again.Well, maybe when you become M. Streep or DeNiro.But by then, you, for example,pretend you are an animal.
O, yes, we had to pick an animal who resembles a character we are working on, and become that animal.I picked tiger since my character is beautiful but also deadly.I had to walk on all fours. I had to make up whatever sound tigers make.(What sound to they really make???)I had to attack a bird who came too close to me. The bird turned out to be a butterfly. I had to scare away the snakes attacking me...Glamorous? My knees still hurt. Have I mentioned we did this on a hardwood floor?
Of course, we have a teacher-director telling us what to do. Not specifically what move, since everyone is a different animal, but to walk or attack or defend, make noise...Oh, it's silly. But it has a point.
Then we had to tell our monologues from our animals. Some told it crawling, some flying...It was a lot of fun. And humiliating. Not easy, at all.
But I like it more and more.I feel I'm learning and growing more comfortable.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to continue in November.I will travel then and I really shouldn't miss any classes. Each is important for the growth of an actor.
I should really continue doing it.If not in November, definitely in December. I need to be and stay on the role.

Yummy West Village Botticelli

Oh yes, it's art all right.Eatable art.At Sant Umbroeus again.But this time in West Village.
M.has been wanting to check out a new neighborhood for a while.I made him drive, since last time we walked to SOHO,in SOHO and back from SOHO, we could barely move our limbs on the sofa.I regretted that decision fast, since the New York traffic ain't fun, even on Sunday.It's not the traffic, it's the drivers. Cab drivers, which compose 90 percent of all the driving force, are the worst offenders.They behave like they own the road.
We lucked out in parking-right on the Sant Umbroeus' street. By pure chance. I craved one of those real, creamy, foamy Italian cappuccinos before we set of to explore the area. Again, reconfirmed, it's all up to the barista. The Cs were good, better than Starbucks of course, but not as good as the Southampton ones. So, to make up for the experience, I ordered one of the devils lurking from the glace window.
"What is that flower-like thing over there," I asked the waiter, while drooling. "You mean Botticelli? Yes, that's Botticelli. Chocolate mousse." Well, you know how artistic I am!
B. was everything we hoped for-chocolate mousse cake with a cookie bottom. It was almost too beautiful to eat. Almost!
Sugar-rushed, we went on to explore the world of the West Village.It has a Georgetown feel to it, only dirtier and less rich. Younger crowds too.
We stumbled upon an inviting cheese shop, tasted some, bought some Manciego with olive oil and some Laboratorio del gelato gelato. The gelato made us leave sooner than we probably would have, but we still got a pretty good feel of the neighborhood. It's different than Midtown-different restaurants, shops, even people.
Oh, one more thing-the gelato has too many walnuts.

High school math friends all over America

I just had a skype conversation with two people from my native town.They both live and work in the United States-one in New York, one in Arizona.I went to high school with both of them.It's next to impossible for all of us to be geographically so close to each other 12 years later.We all took different paths which led us to this country.
One of them got a great,lucrative job offer from a firm in Pennsylvania.The other works for a successful hedge fund in New York.They're both done so well for themselves.They're both stayed, more-less,on math-path. But not me. I've ditched my math aspirations a long time ago, for art. I don't think I was cut out for it anyway. My head is more in the clouds.
Two of them, on the other hand, were perfect for it. Smart,talented,hard-working...I believe they went to competitions and got awards in math and/or computer science.
My math knowledge has long left my head.I would really need a shock therapy to remember all the equations I had to know to finish high school with these guys.And they had As in math.I didn't.

Blueberry martinis and undigestable Mexican food

I had the most delicious martini tonight!And I wish I could say it was in this hip, hard-to-get-in club in New York, just to spice things up, but this one was home made. By our friends. They got a recipe from a bartender in Cape Cod. It's a blueberry martini, so it's actually good for you;-)Sorry, a shot of sarcasm, of course. But one is not going to hurt you,really.It's hard to stop at one though.I stopped at one and a half...because we had dinner reservations.
We went to this Mexican place, Rio Grande, which was mediocre at best.I realize that I'm not a big fan of Mexican food anymore.It always, virtually, makes me sick afterwords.It's like I've been eating rocks. And it wasn't that tasty anyway. No, I'm leaning toward the greener pastiers lately...french cuisine, tasty d-lite...
The evening was pleasant though. We met this interesting middle-aged couple and enjoyed back-and-forth conversation. These people are smart,unpretentious and kind. All you want in a new friend.
And now I won't be able to sleep anytime soon, because of the heaviness in my belly. I regret every single bite of that shrimp salad-Mexican style.I wonder if Mexicans are all overweight or suffering from cholesterol? Refried beans?Oh, please, like frying them once isn't bad enough!

Kosovo-War and Revenge

Tim Judah cleverly begins his book Kosovo: War and Revenge with three attention-grabbing articles. They are also compelling, real-life stories from the Kosovo war in 1999. Judah is an experienced journalist, which is evident in his balanced approach to a highly contentious and sensitive topic. One story is about Kosovo Albanians’ ordeals with Serbian security forces during the conflict, another is about the sufferings of Kosovo Serbs, and another is about Albanians again but with a portrayal of brave acts of compassion by Serbian soldiers. These stories quickly earn the author the trust and interest of the impartial reader. You cannot wait to read what else this well-respected writer-reporter has to reveal. And Judah fulfills the early promise of the book, with a knowledgeable, captivating, and easy-to-read account of the war.
Judah’s journalistic reputation precedes him, even before he gains the reader’s confidence in the book’s opening pages. He covered the conflict he’s writing about for the New York Review of Books, the London Observer, the Sunday Telegraph and the Guardian weekend magazine. He had been living in Belgrade for five years before the conflict in 1999. Judah also covered the previous wars in Croatia and Bosnia. He therefore clearly knows the region and its people. His book can even teach Serbs and Kosovo Albanians about their own history and character. He also made a lot of important contacts who make this book a rich read. He has covered all the angles. And as much as it might be hard for a Serb to admit, given its occasionally unflattering portrayal of Serbs, his book seems to be trustworthy.
Judah not only scrutinizes the activities of Serbian security forces, the Milosevic government, and Kosovo-Albanian insurgents, but those of NATO as well. And he backs his writing with many sources and many quotes. He gets into the minds of key figures in this conflict, including Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Serbian soldiers, the Kosovo Liberation Army, NATO Commander General Wesley Clark, senior American diplomat Richard Holbrooke, and high-level Russian officials.
As good as it is, Judah’s Kosovo isn’t perfect. He fails to address two important issues. He writes abundantly about what happened to Kosovo Albanians during the NATO intervention and what happened to Kosovo Serbs after the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 and Serbian forces and police left Kosovo. However, he does not even mention the gray area, such as mixed marriages and harmonious relations between the two sides. Serbs and Albanians have been living in Kosovo, side by side, for centuries, most of the time peacefully. How did the legions of Serb-Albanians or Albanian-Serbs experience the war? What happened to those people? Or can you attribute Judah’s lack of attention to this issue to a widely shared opinion that Serbs and Albanians are like “oil and water” and to the even more prevalent, and mistaken, Western bias that all of the Yugoslav Wars were the result of the reawakening of ancient tribal hatreds?
The other important event he fails to include in his book is the cluster bombing of Nis, the large industrial city in southeastern Serbia. Judah writes about the NATO targets, the gray area between the military and the civilian targets, such as electrical plants and television stations that were bombed, but he failed to even mention the cluster bombs
NATO dropped on Nis’s City Hospital, local park and a green market near the city’s landmark--the best preserved 17th-century Ottoman fortress in Europe. That attack killed more than 80 civilians and it breached the Geneva Convention, a international statute that Judah mentions in other contexts. Other valuable accounts of the war, such as the PBS Frontline documentary, focus on these bombings as perhaps the biggest outrage of the NATO campaign. The cluster bombings happened later in the intervention, when, as Judah writes, NATO felt it needed to intensify the bombings due to Milosevic’s defiance and the world’s pressure over the large number of refugees from Kosovo. Did Judah not know about the attack when he wrote the book in 2000? The attack was all over the local Serbian media at the time. Did Judah not trust his Serbian sources enough to verify that the attack occurred?
However, Judah’s Kosovo has many more strong points than weaknesses. He is original, creative and perceptive in using an analysis of a Serbian medieval, epic poem Serbs are very proud of to dramatize his story. This poem describes a simple Albanian man who defies the Serbian prince, saying he will not bow to the Serbian nobility by removing himself from the road peacefully, and that he would not let the nobles’ procession pass without a fight. Judah comments that this poem has more to teach us about the history of Serb-Albanian relations than all the historians in the world. And he has a point.
Judah ends Kosovo with an ominous, yet clear-minded, look to the future. His spin on the future of Serbian and Albanian relations, in and around Kosovo, is a grim one, but expressed in a poetic way. What happened in Kosovo before, but especially in 1999, will not be forgotten by either nation. And Serbs are known for holding a grudge for a long time and for having the memory of “an elephant.” They did not, after all, ever forget their defeat at the famous battle of Kosovo in 1389. They might never forgive Albanians for taking away what Serbs believe rightfully belongs to them—Kosovo. And so, as Judah warns at the end of his book, the cycle of revenge could go on and on.

The Hamptons' cappuccino

If you want a great cappuccino, you go to Rome, or Southampton! I am not exaggerating, we had the best cappuccino since Rome, this weekend in Sant Umbroeus in Southampton.We stumbled upon this Italian confetteria, where the baristas have accents, skills and Italian temper. As a matter a fact, M.and I have witnessed an Italian quarrel, waiting for the bill.
The village of Southampton does not only have great coffee, but a lot of charm, good food and fudge, and variety of shopping. And the great beach,of course.
We explored a bit further-East Hampton, Montauk, Bridgehampton.We saw the Montauk Lighthouse and tasted vine at Duck Walk Vineyards.
It was a delightful trip. Beautiful countryside, beaches... No wonder the traffic back to New York was a nightmare. No one ever called New Yorkers dumb.

City's hidden treasures and thoughts

While exploring New York City streets today, I've caught myself wanting to say different things to people--"You're anorexic," "You look great!" "Can't you see you're too fat?!" or "Where did you get that great dress..."
I know what you're thinking right now--I need therapy? I don't actually say any of these things, not even the compliments or questions.I just think them. Don't worry, they're not going to slip.
I think a lot of people have the same urge. They don't act on it,which keeps us out of the asylum.
Anyway, New Yorkers stole another summer day today. I have really been enjoying unemployment for the last two days.I've been walking a lot and discovering the city's hidden treasures .For example,yesterday, I found this charming nick-knack store in Gramercy. I practically fell in love with it on the spot. People inside were warm and welcoming, the artsy, non-conventional decorations of any kind and amazing gifts in any corner.This store and its people really put the smile on my face. Just like that. And for that I had to buy something. And come back for more.

Acting boredom

I've started my acting education again last night. I really want to at least try to do some acting in New York, since it's always been one of my dreams.And what better place than New York,except for maybe L.A.But I don't see us living in L.A.ever.We're just not plastic at all.And I love food.And actually eating it, not just smelling it.
This is supposed to be a renowned acting studio.I'm inclined to trust the owner's reputation,despite the fact that trust is not in my nature.And the disbelief is enhanced by the movies of New York City.
So, since I really enjoyed my acting course in D.C.,I expected nothing less from this one. Alas,it did not happened.The class was way too long--four hours with one break--and way to slow for me. The warming up took too long, as well as the relaxation exercise. Come on, I'm not paying them to warm up! I can do that in my gym. Nor to relax and recall my childhood.That's what meditation is for, and therapists.
But,I'll hold my guns, kind of, since I still have a lot to learn. Maybe all that has a point, and will teach me how to act. And I really need to learn.
What I've learned was more that a year ago, plus I've never applied it.I went to my grad school,and used my brain for more practical things. That's why I still can't find a job.

The line ain't worth the wait

Have you ever seen that episode of "Sex and the city" where Carrie's computer crashes and she's waiting for her number called at a computer repair shop? That's not fiction. That really happens in this city. Actually,something similar happened to M. and I last night.
We wanted a DVR cable box, so we can record our favorite shows. For M.-the soccer, for me-Law and Order, Damages, Grey's anatomy...
So, I decided to actually go to a cable company's location rather than waiting for them to come over.I thought it would be easy, it's close enough, plus I don't have to wait around for five hours and pay them extra money.
But some time and money are worth spending. When we got there, 25 minutes before the closing, there was a huge line in front of the entrance.
What a shock that was! I didn't expect any line .Of course, I've never done this kind of thing before, certainly not in N.Y.C.
Right there and then, I deeply regretted not waiting for a cable guy while watching TV or writing my blog. But, again, a little too late.
So we decide to wait. After all, we did bring the box with us.
The wait outside was just the beginning. When you get inside, you get a number, and the fun begins.
There was an even bigger line of sitting people, waiting for their number to be called. "Now serving number 680," an automatized voice said as we were trying to find a non-existent seat. Have I mentioned that both of us were starving?
We had 721. I was so frustrated, angry at myself for trying to do some things faster and more cost effectivly than they probably should be. Whenever I try to save some time or money, I always, always end up wasting more.
We watched as people were passing by, to be served by the representatives. I was criticising every one's speed or actions. We were trying to use water to hold us over. And to joke about it after a while. A lot of number holders weren't there.My guess was- they got the number, saw the line, did the math...
Finally, after a bit more than 20 minutes inside, on an empty stomach, we got our much bigger cable box, and happily went on our quest for a nearby food source.