Three's Company, Two's American

Moving into a new apartment means NEW ROOMIES.  (RIP Yael).  Let me begin by giving homage to Marni, the last of the good New York rommates.  Marni is busy writing the next blockbuster and we WILL have her to the new pad, hopefully for a short film shoot from our roof and for, cross your fingers, the release of the short she and I did for Spike Lee's Director class- come on Marni- get the editing done!

Now back to the newbies.  First, featured below, we have a duo shot of the new ideal roomies sharing in Katie's first PBR moment (hey it won first prize).  

Katie is fresh from the down under call her Aussie, don't dare call her a Kiwi (they are from New Zealand- consult Carmen San Diego).  Katie is studying drama at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  She is an absolute darling, a little messy, and what better way of introducing her then by sharing the email she sent to us begging us to let her be the 3rd in our apartment to be? 

"Hey Guys, I'm a 19 yr old girl who has just moved here from Australia to start studying at drama school.  (but I'm not really intense or anything I promise).  I had a place set up, but I think its fallen through, so I'm a bit stuck.  But never mind that, the place looks amazing! I'd be happy to help you on weekends with setting up the place more if you'd like.  I'd love to check the place out and meet you both, so if you'd like give me a call on xxx-867-5309 (creative editing on author's part for confidentiality purposes).  Cheers!  Katie" 

Now for the sake of disclosure Raef and I had an executive meeting and were hesitant to allow a 19 year old into the fold but we decided to give her a chance.  When she rang from the subway and I recalled what it was like to wander the streets of Florence not knowing the street names I went out in search for her near the apartment.  After playing phone marco polo, I saw a "fatty" standing on the street corner and remembered Raef's number one rule: no fatties.  Ok so actually that was my politically incorrect joke of a rule but believe me, it crossed my mind.  Luckily that was just a hooker.  And after she let me wander around Brooklyn trying to find my apartment and heeding my number one rule: don't let me lead because I find things by brail, I was sold.  Raef was later sold on her "spunk."  But it was a close call.  We went through over 10 applicants and Raef was leaning towards Nana mainly because he wanted to work in a Nana jingle on  a daily basis and ride her scooter but we caved in and took the girl who comes from the land down under because collectively, we had never met an Aussie we didn't like.  We did of course make her sign a document we like to call "An International Cooperation Agreement and otherwise Rules Aussies must Live by to become American."   It's on the fridge- no joke.    

So here's Katie at the Metropolitan Opera gift shop, posing patiently for Wenarto.  

And here we are in her Youtube debut with Wenarto (post to come) with yours truly as Marlon Brano cameraman/ director extraordinaire on our rooftop. 

 

Then there's Raef.  Ah Raef.  His actual name is Matthew Harrison but in an effort to bring his German heritage back from the dead, he legally changed his name to something a little more Nazi.  Ok- so his middle name is Raef but just go with me on this one.  I can tell his "day in the sun" is right around the corner just like Kaiser Willhelm (please consult Encyclopedia Britannica).  

Here is Raef posing in his room (just after a genius engineered it) and also on Katie's new mattress.  Well actually he is posing vertically and I just learned how to be an editing wizard with I-photo ;-)  

Raef is from Seattle.  He graduated from the University of Washington just like me so I know he is good peeps.  His parents just started a little winery out in Yakima (FREE VINO!!!), where he was raised, and he is studying publishing at NYU graduate school.  He and I decided one night at the neighborhood bar that we are going to start an online magazine, the Gentleman, his senior project next year.  No Mom, it's not porn...although?    

So the loft is quickly becoming the bohemian, creative outlet I so desperately needed since leaving the Casa Pauradiso and Wenarto's wonder emporium in Seattle.  It's a good mix and despite the fact that Katie is a vegetarian, she is actually a good cook.  I have promised to Katie's mum and Raef's parents that I will take good care of them and I think we take good care of each other.  

Stay tuned for the launch of Three's Company, Two's American adventures, surely a weekly update of our crazy antics in the spirit of the late John Ritter (aka Jack Tripper):

Jack: Is something burning?

Chrissy: Oh I left my underwear in the oven!

Janet: Too bad hotpants aren't in style.