Beth was in town for work yesterday, so I got to see her and Christine last evening. I met them, and one of their co-workers, at Heche en Dumbo in the East Village. It was so great to see Bethy's smiling face. I miss my girlfriends. Afterward, since we spent much of the evening talking about non-personal things, she and I cabbed it back to our apt so we could have a good catch up. It was good for my soul to see her. :) At one point in the evening, a girl struck up a conversation with me. She moved from NY to Shanghai 7 months ago. I asked her about the social life--had she met a lot of people? She said, "There's a big ex-pat population there, so I've met a lot of people. They're not really close friends like my NY friends, though." Somehow that's how I picture my time in NYC. I'll make friends, but they won't be like my KC friends. I don't see how they could be.
The weather has continued to be gorgeous. Yesterday, after Frederick kicked my butt at Pilates, I walked to the South Street Seaport (by way of Ground Zero) to go to TKTS. I got a 9th row ticket to Billy Elliott for today's matinee. I can't wait to see it. I took my first foray into Lululemon, and I have a feeling I could spend a lot of money there. I stopped by the library on the way home. Fortunately, they're less picky than banks: I can get a library card with any bill, not just a utility bill. So that's on my to-do list for this week. After walking for miles, I took a nap in Hudson River Park for an hour or so. Heaven.
Last weekend, we went to the Jersey Shore to see Lina and Tom. Bob was there on Friday, too, and Joyce and her family spent much of Saturday with us. It was great to catch up with the clan. They're hilarious and keep me laughing all the time. Rafe and Hero came too, so it was a full house. The kids are getting so big. The last time I saw Nat, he was in a pumpkin seat. I took the three of them for a walk on Saturday, which ended up being a trip to the beach. There's a rocky pier that has holed bored into the rock which turn into fountains when the tide comes in. We didn't realize that, and it was a huge surprise for Nat when he got an ocean enema. He got over it pretty quickly, though, once he started digging in the sand. We had intended to come home on Saturday, but ended up in a hotel with Rafe and Hero Saturday night instead. It's not a bad train ride--only 90 minutes, and you're at the beach.
I got myself signed up for Art History 201 at the Met last week. That should be fun...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What a great day!
It's gorgeous in the City today. Breezy, sunny, and warm. Good news on the workout front--they've extended Pilates until mid-November, so my Tuesday routine won't be interrupted until it's too cold to be outside. After Pilates, I found a bench on the HighLine and finished Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. I'm not sure this is really a series my nephew should be reading, but it's a quick read. After lunch, I wandered a bit and found a parking lot filled with billboard art. Sorry I can't figure out how to rotate the first one; it's my first attempt at adding photos! :)
This afternoon, I took some pages from the New York Blue Guide and checked out Chelsea architecture. There's a spot on 22nd that has rocks sprouting from the concrete. Apparently, it's an art installation called 7,000 Oaks by Joseph Beuys.
Frank Gehry's only completed building in NYC is on 18th and the West Side Highway. (NB 6/30/15: this is no longer the case. His building at 8 Spruce Street has joined the club.)
And there are lovely Greek revival and Italianate houses on 20th Street.
After that, I searched out the Sky Rink, where I intend to go skating if the weather ever cooperates (or doesn't, actually--it seems like a sin to be inside on days like today), and sat in Hudson River Park for awhile. I watched a five-year-old future Eli Manning (since I'm in Giants territory) who reminded me of Evan, playing football with his mother.
Another glorious day in New York...
This afternoon, I took some pages from the New York Blue Guide and checked out Chelsea architecture. There's a spot on 22nd that has rocks sprouting from the concrete. Apparently, it's an art installation called 7,000 Oaks by Joseph Beuys.
Frank Gehry's only completed building in NYC is on 18th and the West Side Highway. (NB 6/30/15: this is no longer the case. His building at 8 Spruce Street has joined the club.)
And there are lovely Greek revival and Italianate houses on 20th Street.
After that, I searched out the Sky Rink, where I intend to go skating if the weather ever cooperates (or doesn't, actually--it seems like a sin to be inside on days like today), and sat in Hudson River Park for awhile. I watched a five-year-old future Eli Manning (since I'm in Giants territory) who reminded me of Evan, playing football with his mother.
Another glorious day in New York...
Sunday, September 12, 2010
I am not a very good blogger...
It's been a busy couple of weeks. We had a revolving door over Labor Day. Larry arrived on Wednesday. Chris came on Thursday and left on Saturday. Rafe, Robin and Hero got here on Sunday, and everyone who was left, left on Monday. It was a blast. Chris, Larry and I went to the Met on Thursday and found the Vermeers, the Caravaggios (Caravaggii?), the Rodins, Big Bambu (which is just odd, although I'd like to climb it to see what the view is from up there) and the cafe. Going to a museum with Larry is like going to Rome with Eddie--he has lots of stories, insights and information that make the experience so much better than it would be without him. Ed went to the US Open that day, so we met up with him later that night. The four of us hung out until about 11, then Ed and Chris went to the Westside. Needless to say, it was a late night for the two of them.
Friday, we had tickets to the Yankee game. The weather was absolutely perfect, and our seats were great. A fight almost broke out on the subway home--two skinny guys who were both old enough to know better got into a bickering match. "Don't poke me with your hat." "I won't. Don't tell me again." "Well don't hit me with your hat." And on and on...We stayed in on Friday; Chris had a 4:30 shuttle to the airport. Saturday, we went to the Open. Another perfect day, and some good, quick tennis. We saw Jankovic get beaten in two sets, and Sharapova and Federer win in straight sets.
We wandered the area, watching some doubles up close and personal. We talked about going to a movie that night, but napped on the couch instead.
Sunday, Mass followed by breakfast at the diner and then off to the Frick. I love that museum. The little Bernini angel I missed the last time is beautiful. More Vermeers for Larry; the Holbein Thomas More for me. I may become a member of this one; it's actually a manageable size. I feel like you could actually get to know the art, unlike the Met, which is going to take at least two years to get through. Robin and Hero got in around 1:30, so we hung out on the terrace waiting for Rafe to arrive. He came in around 4:30. We walked the High Line down to the Meatpacking District. The plan was to go to the bar at the Standard Hotel--it's an outdoor beer garden--but it was packed, so we went to the Brass Monkey's upper deck. You get a great view of the windows on one side of the Standard--some woman decided it'd be a good idea to give the patrons a show from the 10th floor. What are people thinking??? On the way back, we stopped at Billy's for LOTS of dessert, including a fantastic peanut butter chocolate pie. Ed and Rafe headed to the Westside at about 11 or so; the four of us stayed home.
Larry's flight left on Monday morning; Rafe, Robin and Hero planned to leave early afternoon. So we went to brunch at Cookshop and then parted ways--the girls to wander around and shop some; the boys to go back to the apartment (or so they said). We tried to go to Eataly, Mario Batali's new Italian market, but it was closed for the Labor Day holiday. We went to the Chelsea Market--Hero wanted gelati. :) On our way back home, we found the boys parked outside the Half King, so we went in for a beer. 5 later, we packed them up and then headed to the Westside on the way to the train station. :) I think they finally made it out around 8:30. Poor Hero had her first day of school on Tuesday. I haven't heard how it went...
I was in Florida Thursday and Friday for my consulting gig. It's a really neat little school, but you couldn't pay me to live down there. The mosquitos are ridiculous, and I almost had to get my wedding ring cut off of my finger, it got so swollen. We saw Travis C, who I don't think I've seen in 15 years. Post-dinner at the pub included a 30 minute talk on the Catholicity of the Lord of the Rings by Joseph Pearce, a self-educated former skinhead who converted in the 70s. I took pages of notes. Some of it I'd heard before (lembas bread as Eucharist), but lots of it I hadn't. And he's an incredibly engaging speaker. I think I'm going to pick up his Myth and Magic book. We cut it pretty close, planning to leave around 2, but getting to the car at 2:35. And of course, we had a flat tire. So Pablo changed the tire, and we drove 50 mph all the way to the aiport. Frustrating.
Yesterday was nice and relaxing. We both worked out, watched some sports (of course), and then went wandering, going to Bongo for oysters and then the Spotted Pig for drinks. (I really like that bar. It's cozy.) Ed went to the Giants game today. A co-worker had a ticket to one of the suites that he gave to Ed. I did a little window shopping, and went to brunch in the Meatpacking District.
Sarah called. She had a soccer game and scored 7 goals. For heaven's sake! :) Simon talked to me for a bit, too, bragging about two pieces of cake and cookies he scored at a friend's party. The call got cut short from the chaos in the background, so that's about all I know.
Friday, we had tickets to the Yankee game. The weather was absolutely perfect, and our seats were great. A fight almost broke out on the subway home--two skinny guys who were both old enough to know better got into a bickering match. "Don't poke me with your hat." "I won't. Don't tell me again." "Well don't hit me with your hat." And on and on...We stayed in on Friday; Chris had a 4:30 shuttle to the airport. Saturday, we went to the Open. Another perfect day, and some good, quick tennis. We saw Jankovic get beaten in two sets, and Sharapova and Federer win in straight sets.
We wandered the area, watching some doubles up close and personal. We talked about going to a movie that night, but napped on the couch instead.
Sunday, Mass followed by breakfast at the diner and then off to the Frick. I love that museum. The little Bernini angel I missed the last time is beautiful. More Vermeers for Larry; the Holbein Thomas More for me. I may become a member of this one; it's actually a manageable size. I feel like you could actually get to know the art, unlike the Met, which is going to take at least two years to get through. Robin and Hero got in around 1:30, so we hung out on the terrace waiting for Rafe to arrive. He came in around 4:30. We walked the High Line down to the Meatpacking District. The plan was to go to the bar at the Standard Hotel--it's an outdoor beer garden--but it was packed, so we went to the Brass Monkey's upper deck. You get a great view of the windows on one side of the Standard--some woman decided it'd be a good idea to give the patrons a show from the 10th floor. What are people thinking??? On the way back, we stopped at Billy's for LOTS of dessert, including a fantastic peanut butter chocolate pie. Ed and Rafe headed to the Westside at about 11 or so; the four of us stayed home.
Larry's flight left on Monday morning; Rafe, Robin and Hero planned to leave early afternoon. So we went to brunch at Cookshop and then parted ways--the girls to wander around and shop some; the boys to go back to the apartment (or so they said). We tried to go to Eataly, Mario Batali's new Italian market, but it was closed for the Labor Day holiday. We went to the Chelsea Market--Hero wanted gelati. :) On our way back home, we found the boys parked outside the Half King, so we went in for a beer. 5 later, we packed them up and then headed to the Westside on the way to the train station. :) I think they finally made it out around 8:30. Poor Hero had her first day of school on Tuesday. I haven't heard how it went...
I was in Florida Thursday and Friday for my consulting gig. It's a really neat little school, but you couldn't pay me to live down there. The mosquitos are ridiculous, and I almost had to get my wedding ring cut off of my finger, it got so swollen. We saw Travis C, who I don't think I've seen in 15 years. Post-dinner at the pub included a 30 minute talk on the Catholicity of the Lord of the Rings by Joseph Pearce, a self-educated former skinhead who converted in the 70s. I took pages of notes. Some of it I'd heard before (lembas bread as Eucharist), but lots of it I hadn't. And he's an incredibly engaging speaker. I think I'm going to pick up his Myth and Magic book. We cut it pretty close, planning to leave around 2, but getting to the car at 2:35. And of course, we had a flat tire. So Pablo changed the tire, and we drove 50 mph all the way to the aiport. Frustrating.
Yesterday was nice and relaxing. We both worked out, watched some sports (of course), and then went wandering, going to Bongo for oysters and then the Spotted Pig for drinks. (I really like that bar. It's cozy.) Ed went to the Giants game today. A co-worker had a ticket to one of the suites that he gave to Ed. I did a little window shopping, and went to brunch in the Meatpacking District.
Sarah called. She had a soccer game and scored 7 goals. For heaven's sake! :) Simon talked to me for a bit, too, bragging about two pieces of cake and cookies he scored at a friend's party. The call got cut short from the chaos in the background, so that's about all I know.
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