The Upper West Side

And this is what it looked like when it was finished...

Columbia University offers free lunchtime concerts four times a year. Today, after Frederick kicked my butt at Pilates, I went up to hear the Voxare Quartet (three of them) with Orion Weiss on piano perform Aaron Copland's Quartet for Piano and Strings. The violist gave us a quick tutorial on the piece before they began, which was helpful. (Note to self: Take a music appreciation class.)

After the concert, I spent a couple of hours walking the 4.7 miles back to our apartment. It was a beautiful day. I stopped by St. John the Divine on the way. Ed and I had visited a year or so ago, but it really is worth seeing again and again. The stained glass windows alone are magnificent.

(The picture of the interior of the church looks like it belongs on the bookshelf that makes up the wallpaper of this blog!)

There's a lot of good shopping up there. (Poor Ed!) I controlled myself today, though, only buying something for my newest niece whose father is coming for a visit this weekend. Back to the Met tomorrow for another art history lecture...

A trip to the 'burbs

Ed's boss has transformed the first floor of her home into an art gallery for the weekend. Ghanaian and Nigerian artists have sent their work (and some have sent themselves as well) for display and sale in the States. We took the train out to Morris Plains and walked the mile to her house, only getting a little bit lost--the map I printed wasn't the most detailed. The art was amazing. Ed loved a huge painting with a ritual African mask in the center. We talked with the artist about the symbolism he used to include lots of different African cultures in it.

Suburban Jersey reminded me of KC. Lots of trees, homes that have been around for awhile. I even saw a street named after a friend:

It's really pretty, too.

On the way home, we came across an artist, painting on the side of a building on 10th Ave.

Cool, huh?

Long time, no write...

It's been several weeks since I took the time to write anything. Sorry about that. Let's see...

I saw Billy Elliott on Broadway a few weeks ago. It was a Wednesday matinee, and it was a packed house. There's not anyone famous in the show, but the actor who plays Billy's dad is one of those guys whose face you know even though you don't know his name...The kids were incredible, the dancing was great, especially the number with Billy as a kid and Billy as a grown up. The one drawback was the Merry Christmas Maggie number (the chorus includes the line "we hope you die soon") which seemed to me to be in incredibly bad taste. But I'm now a huge fan of visiting TKTS on Tuesday to see a show on Wednesday afternoon.

I know this is supposed to be about my time in NYC, but one full week since I last wrote was spent in St. Louis, so...After 3 years of preparation, NACAC St. Louis has come and gone. From what I saw of it, the conference went really well. I got to see some of my very favorite people on the planet, too. We had a SLU old-timers' reunion at lunch on Friday.

More of our former colleagues were in town for the conference, but couldn't make it for the lunch. The worst part of the trip was that I got sick, and spent much of the week going to bed early, rather than kicking up my heels as I usually do at this particular event. :(

If you find yourself in St. Louis, be sure to visit the City Museum. It was the site of our social, and it is a super cool place. Very interactive. We climbed, slid down slides, had fish literally eating off of (instead of "out of") our hands.

It feels like little suction cups...

The week after NACAC was spent recovering from the cold from hell. The last week, however, has been great. It's autumn in New York. Sunny, mild, and perfect for exploring the City.

That's actually painted on the side of the building. The building next to it is painted to look like a reflection of it, although the clarity's not great in this photo:

New York doesn't look like that just yet, but it's starting to get there. I spent Friday afternoon in Central Park, reading Wallace Stegner and lying on a rock like a lizard in the sun. Sometimes I wonder if kids go to school here; they all seem to be in the Park in the middle of the day.

View from a rock:

On the way there, I passed by a statue in front of the Time Warner building, completely constructed of stones piled one on top of the other.

Saturday night, I went to Radio City Music Hall to see The Two Towers. The film score was performed live by the 21st Century Orchestra. A full choir, along with a soprano and boy soprano, accompanied the symphony. I couldn't pay Eddie to go to something like that, so I went by myself. I'm glad I did. The experience was unlike anything I've ever attended, and I was surrounded by LOTR nerds. They cheered every time a new character came onto the screen. They cheered when the good guys won a battle or a fight. They clapped at the end of every solo. They screamed "Gandalf!" at the screen when he reappeared as the White Wizard. One guy even dressed up as Frodo. In the beginning, I was annoyed, but it got really funny by the end...

Today was my first Art History lecture at the Met. (I missed the first one last week when I was sick.) The professor is interesting and witty, and it's not overwhelming in its scope. I'm glad I signed up. After the lecture (pre-Raphaelites, Realists, Moroccan embroidery, Thai architecture, Native American art, and the architecture of the White House and the Capitol Building), I went exploring in the Greek and Roman antiquities section. Lots and lots of pottery and statuary. A funerary stele (is that the right way to say that?) of a young girl saying good bye to her doves from 450 B.C.:

I meant to stay with the Greeks and Romans, but I stumbled onto an exhibition on Miro in a side room, showing paintings that resulted from a stay in the Netherlands, as well as the Jan Steen paintings that inspired them. On one wall, a copy of two of the paintings hung side by side, one Steen and one Miro, along with labels showing the similarities between the two. (Ears, dogs, mustaches, chairs, tapestries, a lute) Seeing it displayed that way allowed me to understand what I'm seeing in a Miro painting much better than I ever had before. (No photography allowed, so I can't show you what I mean...) And having an abstract (surreal?) painting hanging next to a realistic one, both of which have the same subject matter, was fascinating.

On my way across the Park on the way home, I got a good view of Big Bambu as it arises from the roof of the Met. I think it's almost complete...

Lots of travel and guests coming up in the next couple of weeks. I'm going to Philly and DC, and we have 3 sets of house guests between now and the end of the month. I can't wait! Of course, I probably won't get around to writing much as a result...

Beth, Billy and Beaches

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...

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...

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.

Catching up...

It is an unbelievably beautiful day here--low 80s, sunny and breezy. So I have spent the last 6 hours walking around NYC, and I feel like my legs are made of wet noodles. Over to Fifth, up to Central Park South, back over to Ninth and down again. Stops along the way included Sarabeth's for lunch, Ferrara's gelato, and a thrift store in Hell's Kitchen. Saks and Frederick Fekkai teamed up to give away free product today, so I stood in line for my free volumizing spray. While on the way, I got a text from Larry that the chemo is working--no new tumors and the old ones are shrinking. Hip, hip, hooray! So I went to Mass at St. Patrick's to celebrate. I walked in on the tail end of the noon Mass, with Bishop Dolan celebrating Mother Teresa's 100th birthday with about 30 Missionaries of Charity. They're all tiny! I also spent some time in the Park today, reading and then napping on a park bench. Lots of interesting people to watch and eavesdrop on.

The last few days here have been chilly and rainy, so I haven't explored much. I've been pretty good about the workout thing, though: did Pilates on Tuesday and ran into Peter. We walked back to 23rd together and chatted on the corner about this and that. Ran in the gym on Monday and Wednesday; walked what felt like 20 miles today. Tomorrow, I plan to investigate the ice rink at Chelsea Pier, although if it's as nice tomorrow as it was today, that may have to wait for another day.

I'm on a search for a pair of boots that are comfortable enough to walk miles in. I went to the shoe dept. while I was at Saks today and found some really cute ones but they weren't quite comfortable enough, so the search continues. (I'm also hoping not to have to pay $450 for them, which is what that pair cost.)

Jason Wade was in town last night, so after we ate dinner (at Lasagna Restaurant--giant portions, mediocre food, very limited wine list), we met up with him at the Westside Tavern. I got to hear some more stories about Hollandpalooza. We stayed out till 1:30 or so--Jason had a 5:30 shuttle to the airport this morning, God love him. I slept till 9.

I've been talking to Pablo Gomez about a consulting gig. He may be getting hired by a university that needs marketing help, and while he has the marketing expertise, he doesn't know anything about admission. So I'd be consulting for the consultant. :) It sounds like it'd be about a 30 hour commitment (total, not per week) which might be fun. I've never done anything like that, so I get nervous thinking about it. But that's probably a good thing, getting out of my comfort zone. Ed thinks I'm nuts to do any work at all, but it sounds like something interesting, and I've known Pablo for half of his life, so I'd like to help him if I can.

Just started reading Cloud Atlas today, which Ed recently finished and thinks I'll really like. It's odd so far. The first section was a portion of some guy's diary and ended in the middle of a sentence. The second section has started out as a letter from one guy to another, neither of whom are the guy from section one, as near as I can tell. I'm confused, but still interested...

Yesterday morning was spent exploring the Mac. I had a one-to-one appointment on Tuesday, and she told me how to import my music. (It didn't work, so back I go.) I installed all my photos on iPhoto, and spent the morning tagging and organizing them. It was fun to look through them all, and funny to see the "smart" computer suggest that a statue I photographed at the Met and my Ethiopian nephew might be my blond haired, blue eyed girlfriend.

Nap time. More later.