big sighting

I was out to dinner with a new friend, we went to dinner before we went to a Broadway show.  3/4 of the way through the dinner, our waiter came over and told us Chris Noth was at a table, so if we were to use the restroom, take a look around.  Since I had 4 drinks, I had to use the bathroom again, and sure enough he was there.  He looked a little more white haired, but still attractive.  We made eye contact and I smiled.  I wasn't about to approch him or take a sneaky picture as he was out in his private life.  My friend and I finish up dinner and as I was getting into my coat, I bumped into him as he was walking to the bar. I apologized of course.

Just six days later, I go out with the same friend and a few of her friends for restaurant week.  We were already seated for about almost an hour when I realize who walked through the door...Chris Noth.  My friend and I look at each other and were shocked - twice in a week he comes into a restaurant we are in?  And considering I very rarely go out, this seemed too coincidental, but what is the alternative, he decides to stalk 2 regular women?  Not likely.

It made for good conversation that night.

I can survive anywhere, I'm from NY

Thinking back to yesterday's post about moving, I remembered that moving somewhere new where you don't know anyone is scary.  I honestly am not sure if that is something I would do.  

But why should I let not knowing anyone or the area stop me from potentially having a great life?  I mean...I am from New York...I can survive anywhere.

OK, that probably sounds horrible...but for those of you that aren't familiar with New York metro area - it is not quite like what you see on TV.  On TV, you see young professionals in these gorgeous NYC apartment...OK so some of them have a roommate....but really, in those areas? I think not.  What you don't see in TV shows are moving are the real everyday things.  You don't see many people getting groped on the subway, or the homeless man jerking off or peeing in the subway station, or even hear the sirens going off all night long.  You don't smell the stink of Manhattan in the summer or see the people walking up 5 flights of stairs to get to their apartment.  You don't see the commuters rushing to their trains, and the traffic on the bridges, tunnels and the streets.  

I like to think one skill I have that I never really think about it that I've lived in Manhattan, I've commuted into Manhattan for about 12 years and I can weave through all the people on the street and in Grand Central.  I can walk fast, I can look past the crazy people on the streets and not even blink an eye when they do/say something bizarre.  I can listen to sirens for a while before I realize they are even going off.  And living in the metro area has allowed me the skill of not making enough money to survive on and live paycheck to paycheck (if that).  I am 'tough'.  Not tough like gangster tough, not even close, but all these elements have given me a little toughness and independence - a way to handle situations thrown at me, and for the most part, I can handle with grace.  (I know it doesn't seem that way on the blog...but this is my diary/thought, not what I exert to the real word - real world and my mind are a bit different)     

I know it sounds silly....but going from the mad rush life to a suburban town in middle of nowhere, it will take me a while, but I can adjust.  There won't be too many surprises.  It would be relaxing; a shorter commute, more money in my wallet, a nice place to live, work may be easier.  The hardest thing to adjust to for me would be all the small talk with strangers.  

It sounds so great.  Only time will tell.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

If you want to know why I get annoyed sometimes at my mother....it is because she was just like Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Maggie, who was played by Scarlett Johansson, practically gave a 60 minute monologue in the first act of the play.  It wasn't really a monologue since her husband spoke a few words...but it was close.  That is how much I think my mother talks.  I am not like that, at all.

So as I am getting so annoyed with the play because there is only so much tolerance I can handle when it comes to talking and whining  the curtain comes down and I think, oh wow, this is going to be a short play. Alas, I was wrong.  It was three acts with two intermissions - one of the longest plays I've ever seen...and it felt every second of it.

The second act I practically fell asleep because this was my view

yes, that is right....the 6 1/2 foot guy sat in front of me.   Now, I can't complain because my brother-in-law is super tall...and I know he feels bad about this sometimes...but this guy and his cross dressed boyfriend also had a strong stench of cologne.  I tilted my  head for a while, but you know how that is...it starts to hurt and get stiff.  Closing my eyes seemed the better choice, it wasn't like I was missing any fun stage action - they just walked around a bed for 2 1/2 hours.

So, I closed my eyes and listened....or fell asleep.

Scarlett was good, but what a super slow play.  The set didn't change.  There was so much 'arguing'.  It just wasn't for me.

The best thing about it was that I sat next to Jason Antoon, who I recognized right away.  But was surprised he was sitting so far away from the stage.

Dinner at Bond45 before the show was good.  They have a fabulous mozzarella.

War Horse & Jersey Boys

Broadway had it's annual 50% off tickets so I decided that this year I was actually going to see a show.  I sent out a notification and I was surprised that a few of my friends actually emailed me back that they too were interested so I ended up booking two shows:  War Horse and Jersey Boys.

War Horse - Picture by Paul Kolnik

I saw War Horse first with my friend from work.  I didn't really know much about the plot except from what I was able to deduct from the title.  A few people told me that it was fantastic but sad.  I went into it preparing for the worst and told my new friend I'd probably cry and brought a bunch of tissues. I was immediately drawn into the story and was amazed at how they portray the war on a small stage and the look of the horse - was simply amazing.  Surprisingly I did not cry.

War Horse it is playing at Lincoln Center.  We sat in the last row on the side of the orchestra seats (for $78.38) and I thought the view was good...but the people all the way at the far end of the audience had a hard time seeing some of the things happening on the stage since the stage was something like a circle but half enclosed.  The 'clientle' at the Lincoln Center are people that seemed to be a lot more respectful than what you would normally see at a show.  I really enjoyed this drama - not just because of the story line, but add to that what I've mentioned about HOW they acted out the story. 

Jersey Boys - Photo from website

Next up was a musical, Jersey Boys.  It was nice to see an upbeat show after last week.  I knew some of the Four Season's songs, I grew up listening to my parent's music but I didn't know the back story. 

I found the show quite entertaining (and informative).  It was great how they were able to add a few of those one-liners in there to make us chuckle mixed in with their songs.  I thought the simple set worked well for this play because it was more the story and not the set. 

Jersey Boys is playing at the August Wilson Theater on 52nd street.  We sat in the very last row of the mezzanine ($58.38), but I have to say that we were able to see the stage really well (and again, it helped that the stage settings were simple).  My biggest complaint, and huge distraction, is the inconsiderate people that were there.  Since I sat in the last row, I had good views of the audience.  Three rows ahead, a guy decides to video every single song in the second act, and take pictures throughout.  Mind you they tell you at the beginning to turn them off or put them away and that picture/video is prohibited.  OK, so you want to take ONE picture? I'll get over it.  But seriously for an hour I have to see that bright bluish light?  It was very distracting.  I am not sure where the 'security' people were to enforce this.  A few times I saw them by the stairs watching the show but the rest of the time? 

the worst time of year

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." for millions of people that flock to NYC between Thanksgiving and New Years to get into the holiday spirit, shop, walk around and whatever else it is they do.  So far the weather has been wonderful so all those people are outside on the sidewalks enjoying their vacation.

What does this mean for commuters?  Let me tell you, this is the WORST time of year for me.  OK, so maybe I AM one of those 'typical rude New Yorker' I hear so much about.  But there are two sides to every story.  1)  I think I am nice. I will answer questions about directions or take a picture.  I will let you know if you dropped something.  I do not go out of my way to be rude, but I have places to be.  BUT 2) I really just want to get from Grand Central to work and from work back to Grand Central in a somewhat rushed fashion.  There is a difference between subways and trains, mainly that the trains do not run every few minutes.  So for commuters we really just want to make our train so we don't have to wait 30 - 60 minutes for the next one when it is off-peak.  So YES, we do walk quickly and YES we do get annoyed when there are 5 people in your party and you are taking up the WHOLE sidewalk so passing becomes difficult.  We DO get annoyed when you suddenly stop and we (almost) bump into you.  We are frustrated that the sidewalks are so crowded.  And we are annoyed when you are walking on the wrong side - not that that part is a real thing, but if you drive on the right, you should walk on the right...this saves a lot of zig-zagging time.  When it rains/snows it is like you've never seen it before and don't know how to walk...sure you might get a little wet but keep moving!  And be courteous with that umbrella; you don't need a monstrous umbrella if you are teeny-tiny. And those of us that are not addicted to our phones/MP3 player or whatever else get annoyed because you don't know how to talk and walk at the same time and you DO drastically slow down when you text and walk.  Finally, even the trains/subways are more crowded...but listen to the announcements and use your common sense, do NOT waste the seats with your big bags - put them on the overhead rack, talk in civilized voices and is it so hard to keep your 5 year old from screaming the whole train ride, they aren't a baby anymore - teach them manners and how to be respectful when out in public.

If I could work from home for the next 40 days, I would be really happy and my stress level would be decreased.  Unfortunately I do not have that luxury, so this time of year is the absolute worst time to commute to work and makes me want to add to my New Year's resolution to find a job closer to home.

Ten Year Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Everyone will remember where they were on Tuesday September 11, 2001 around 8:45 am.   Me? I took a summer real estate class at the local community college and was going into NYC to sit for my Realtor exam which was downtown near the trade center.  When I got out of the subway, I heard people running into the Fulton Street subway station yelling "FUEGO". I knew my elementary Spanish well enough to know that meant "FIRE".  I didn't see a fire - so I kept going, I exited and looked around.  There were a lot of people, but then again it was almost rush hour.  I located my building and was surprised to see there was no line - the instructor told us to get there early since the tests fill up quickly.  Not only was there no line, but no one was in the lobby.  Determined to take the test, I proceeded up to the 5th floor and took a seat in the virtually empty room.  One or two people arrived after I did...again I realized it was strange, where was everyone?  There were about 4 other people in there with me when someone came in and announced that the building was evacuated and that we had to leave...and that there would be no testing that day.  Disappointed, I left the building and headed back to the subway.  On my way, I noticed a lot of people standing around looking up, so I look up also.  I see one of the trade centers was on fire...Oh, that must have been what the guy in the subway was talking about.  I stood there and watched about 5 floors glow red/orange as the smoke was coming out of the building.  I remembered to a time I worked on the 93rd floor doing temp work just 3 years before.  I thought "that will be a tough fire to extinguish...I wonder how they will do that when fire truck ladders don't go up that high".  Then I see something I will never forget - a person jumping from a window.   Knowing they are jumping to their death, I had to consider what is worse - jumping out of a window or being inside suffocating from the smoke and maybe catching on fire.  My heart ached for that person, knowing that they knew they were going to die either way.  I tried to call cop#1 who was a recent NYC policeman to tell him he was going to have a pretty shitty & long day.  The phone lines were crazy busy so it took a while before I was able to leave him that message.  I couldn't keep watching, so I go down the subway and get on the next train to my college.  On the subway ride, people are talking - there was an engineer who helped build the twin towers that was telling us that the building was going to collapse, that it wasn't built to withstand that kind of internal stress.  I didn't realize it at the time, but they ended up closing the subways right after I got on one.



source



I went to school and sat through my first class of the day.  Right before the class was dismissed the PA system informed us of terrorist activity and that the school would be closing and everyone needed to leave.  I didn't know what to do...the trains stopped running, I was stuck in Manhattan.  My sister worked in Herald Square so I walked 25 blocks and 3 avenues to get to her job.  The streets were eerie...there were no cars and people were walking the streets.  I still had no idea what was going on, but knew something terrible happened.  On my walk downtown, I passed through Times Square where the big TVs were filled with the morning news...planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the pentagon and in Pennsylvania. I couldn't believe it. 



When I arrived at my sister's job everyone was scared. Some of their offices had views of the trade center and a few saw it collapse. You were still able to see the dust rising.  It was the most unreal feeling I have ever felt.  The phone lines continued to be next to impossible to get through with all people calling everyone else to see if they were OK.  We stayed at the office for a few hours waiting for the trains to resume, no one getting any work done, everyone talking about what was happening, people wondering if that building would be evacuated since they were close to the Empire State Building and if other attacks would happen.  The trains would resume and then be suspended again for bomb threats.  We finally left and was able to get on a train out of Manhattan - the trains were packed, as to be expected with more people getting on at  125th street that there wasn't enough room for everyone.  Of course we heard stories of all the people that walked home and we would have too just to get off of Manhattan.



When I made it home, I was stuck to the television.  I needed to know more. I was there and I felt like I didn't know anything because before all this technology - when you are right there you really had no clue unless you saw it happen.  I was traumatized and in a trace for a few days. 

There are so many stories like mine and of course there are all the other worse stories out there.  I can't imagine how hard that day was for all the families that were directly involved and all our public servants that worked their asses off during the rescue, recovery and cleanup.

My heart goes out to all the families and friends of those whose lives were lost that day and my gratitude for all those who helped (worked or volunteered) during that long and agonizing process. 

Azya Wine & Chocolate Bar

Summer Friday's are almost over...only two left.  Out of the 14 early Friday's, I had to work 3 of them, 1 I took as vacation, 8 I had plans later that afternoon/evening and 2 I had just free - sitting around my apartment and have lunch and catch up on TV.

Last Friday my co-worker and I went to Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar in NYC for lunch.  It was a nice day, hot actually so we sat outside under an umbrella.  We ordered from their lunch menu; we had a mini panini with a side.  I ordered the white bean dip which was delicious - but they should have given some more bread chips or something to dip into the dip in order to eat it - there were only two bread chips included.  I had the pulled pork & cheddar panini which was very tasty. I also ordered my second ever martini - a raspberry chocolate one (their best selling one according to our waitress) that came with a truffle.  While the martini was good - it was not ideal to drink this with the lunch items.    My co-worker had the hummus and vegetable panini along with their sangria. 

If/when I go back I'd probably order the cheese sampler with fruit if they have it along with a chocolate beverage. 

An Earthquake?

Holy crapola I experienced my first earthquake today.  I was in talking with my boss on the 17th floor of where I work when I started swaying. She was sitting, I was standing.  I asked her if she felt that or if it was me & a balance issue.   She felt it too and a look of panic crossed her face...should we evacuate?  I said no, the shaky went away - maybe it was construction on a close floor. But she was here for September 11, 2001.  I didn't know what caused the shake and I returned to my office soon thereafter.  Then other people said they felt it too...but didn't know if it was them.  Good thing for FaceBook that told me it was an earthquake in Virginia.  (Colorado also had an earthquake this morning too,first in like 40-50 years - as did a bunch of small ones in California)  Fifteen minutes passed and the building PA came on informing us that we are "sheltering in place' and not to leave the building.  My co-worker and I were discussing this evacuation thing and wondered would it be better to be outside and risk all the buildings collapsing on you - or being inside and falling with the building.  Yeah, we are a little morbid.

I developed a small headache, which I am thinking has to do with my ear balance being disrupted.  Did any of you feel the earthquake too? If so where were you?

Pompeii the Exhibit

Saturday was the first time I went into New York City on a weekend in probably three years.  Holy Chaos.  Grand Central Terminal was packed...all three bathroom lines were so long as was the ticket lines.  Trying to cross the area with all those people took a while; a huge change from my morning commute.  As much as my commute aggravates me, I think I have a new appreciation that it isn't really that bad since most of my fellow travellers know where they are going, they might just be sleepy. 

I went to the Pompeii exhibit at the Discovery Center on 44th street.  Adult tickets were about $25. No pictures were permitted (even non-flash) and They offered an audio tour as well, if you were interested in that.  First we watched a video of a brief history of Pompeii, when this concluded we entered the first room with artifacts from pre-Vesuvius eruption.  Quite amazing and impressive artwork for before 79AD.  Additionally their everyday life seemed so structured and less simple than I would have imagined for that time.  After you look at everything in this section, you are permitted into the second movie.  This movie is a still-clip of what the eruption was like over the 12+ hours and the destruction.  The movie was brought goosebumps to my arms.  When the movie ended we entered the next room where cast replicas of humans were displayed.   This room then led to another room of other artifacts.  It didn't take so long to go through, we did it in about one hour, but in the last room I really just focused on reading the walls and not really reading about the artifacts...some were simple 'table', 'dish' etc.

After the exhibit we went down to Madison Square and ate at Eataly and ate in the Seafood section. I was not impressed at their limited menu, and neither were my four other people, I think we all liked the bottle of white wine the best!  One lady bought some foccacia bread which was out of this world from a stand.  After lunch we picked up some gellato from another section, I got the pistachio and vanilla...yummy; we ate it outside in the park.

An exhausting day but I had a really good time. I am happy I was able to learn more about Pompeii, I would love to go there at some point in the future when my travels brings me to Italy.

Dear Fellow MTA commuters

Dear Fellow MTA commuters,

Welcome back to real life.  I know you are all anxious to get to work after being stranded home with your wonderful families yesterday since trains were not running.  I give you kudos for making it to the train station- but once you got there I am not sure how you survive.  I know two trains an hour seems like such a sacrifice already and then making it a local on top of that plus super slow movement is enough to make all you already stressed people more stressed.   It didn't help that our train was an additional 20 minutes late this morning.  When the train arrived at the station, I was shocked to see all the pushing to get on.  I am not sure if you NEEDED that last seat on the train or if you wanted to watch to see how many people you can get to fall on their asses - but relax, the train wasn't going to leave you there (at least not at our stop).  Also, you should know by now that standing in the vestibule by the door is not smart. 

As we start our very slow ride to the next stop and people are trying to get on...don't you stop and think what it would feel like if that was YOU trying to wedge between people?  Why can't you just walk to the middle of the train, like me, and stand there so there won't be so much pushing at every stop and waiting? Speaking of waiting...did you notice how long we were at each stop today?  The doors were open for a good 5+ minutes...for people that are in such a rush and complain about how late to work you are going to be.  I would think you would be smart enough to realize YOU are one of the problems.  By not placing yourself in a smarter location (ie near the middle) you are making it longer for others to load the train. Also for those of you at later stops - as you are pushing your way onto a packed train, and you hear the announcement there is not one, but TWO trains only 10 minutes behind that have more room (because this train was very late)- why wouldn't you wait for that? If I wasn't in stuck in the middle I would have gotten off so I wouldn't have felt like a sardine.  Do you really accomplish anything more by squeezing in to save 10 minutes? You do realize that once we get to Grand Central, it will take longer to get off the train since it will be like a swarm of bees - all at once. I am surprised no one was trampled to death.

I understand the need for personal space, but you must realize there are extenuating circumstances that at times make it more difficult but you get all huffy puffy that people are evading your personal space when you refuse to budge an inch.  Speaking of personal space, I would like to thank two gentlemen on train #9013 who started a pushing match.  I know the ghetto guy was rude about making his way onto the train and I am sure the other gentleman moved a centimeter - but to act like kids yelling and pushing each other?  What is wrong with you?  And further...for the one man who was brave enough to interfere - I don't think saying a form of FUCK 50 times helped the matter - and just made the ghetto man even more pissed off.  

Further, on our very crowded train, I noticed many young men and women sitting.  I know you guys were on the first stops of the train and lucked out...but for those of you in the isle seats - did it ever occur to you to let someone with grey hair who looks old and fragile sit down? Of course you didn't.  You saw him, but pretended not to as you peaked up from your Ipad or Kindle before pretending to be too busy.  Shame on you.  I really hope that when you are still commuting in 30 years no one moves for you - and you mumble under your breath how the young people are so rude they don't get up for you...but I hope you realize that you didn't either so it isn't anything new.  (*Oh and don't forget the pregnant ladies)

We have been commuting for quite some time now, and have had other instances where the trains are delayed/overcrowded - haven't you learned these lessons? I hope the next time you are smarter and more understanding about these things. 
Common courtesy has been forgotten.

I applaud the MTA - while they got a lot of crap for shutting down yesterday and having these tremendous delays - we can't forget they are helping us by not putting us in unsafe conditions.  No one wants to be stranded on a train in the cold with no electricity and no one wants to derail.  And if they were operational and these crazies were on there, they would be bitching and moaning about something else.  I doubt that 90% of my fellow riders this morning enjoyed their day off yesterday.  Granted the shoveling took hours but how many actually played in the snow with the kids/wife and feel young again?  My fellow riders...you need to relax on occasion and not get pissed off at things that are so beyond your control and figure out how to deal with things like overcrowded, slow trains and a double long commute.

Parade of Balloons

Macy's Thanksgiving parade is just hours away.  Four years ago, I went to the parade for my first and only time.  Today, I decided to do what so many others do...see the balloons before they fly down to Macy's.  I was considering seeing the parade again tomorrow, but I think this served the purpose.  

Two streets blocks are closed off for preparing the balloons.   The balloons aren't really that big - but I knew that since I saw them 4 years ago.  I am going to look into volunteering for the Macy's parade next year.  Maybe I can hold a balloon string or be on a float! 

The crowds were thick. After the quick loop of the block, a stroll through Central Park was perfect to get a little free space back. 

Then heading towards Grand Central we stopped at Rockefeller Center and saw the unlit Christmas Tree that they cut down only 30 minutes or so away from me.

Did I just steal?

One of the great things about commuting into NYC is the freebies you occasionally get outside of Grand Central (I think Penn Station has them sometimes too).  Last year I got a baseball cap from RedHat, a Starbucks frappacino that I left for a homeless man, and a sample of some sort of medicine.  I declined the free coffee one day but did take the coupon for Tim Hortons and gave to a coworker.

The year before I picked up a Tylenol umbrella, a $20 coupon to Lord & Taylor (no minimum purchase), an energy bar, and some other coupons.

Yesterday I walk out of Grand Central and see many people carrying a Sobe bottle.  When I cross the street, I see crates of them but no person to distribute them.  People were just reaching in and taking one.  I followed and did the same.  After all, we are used to getting freebies on occasion.  But my 10 minute walk to work started to bother me.  Why wasn't someone there?  Did I steal a drink? What if it was just a delivery? But outside of Modells? - that doesn't make sense. I don't walk by the bar and steal bread or the steakhouse and pick up onions/salad nor do I grab a beer from the beer delivery guys.  I am sitting at work, thirsty, thinking should I open it? Maybe I should give to a homeless guy...so if I did steal it, at least I didn't benefit from it. 

You are never to old to dress up for Halloween!

I am sitting here watching the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade on TV, I never knew it was broadcasted.  They say you should really visit NYC at New Years to experience NY...no, I have ZERO desire for that.  I think everyone should experience the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.  Why? Because there are some very unusual people you will see, everyone is happy, there is a little more room then being a sardine stuck in a small spot for hours, it is generally not that cold and last but not least - it is a little more fun.

While I am sitting watching TV, icing my ankle...I am remembering Halloween 2008.  Let me share.  My friend was moving and she really wanted to see the parade.  A few of us from book club decided we were going to go.  It was during the week, so I went to work and met up with the girls later on.  I stayed up late the night before working on my costume...because you can't go to the parade with out dressing up (OK, well one of my friends thought it was OK).   I am frugal - why spend $60 on a poor fitting costume?  So I came up with a home made costume - 'white lies'.  Very simple. I had on black pants and my black pull over fleece, and I safety pined small lies on index cards.  Sure, it was completely ridiculous...but it was also very unique.  Lots of people stopped to get a picture with me. 

So we start the night with green drinks.  Some friends were already drunk when I met up with them.  We head over to the parade.  Met some amazing costumes along the way.  A few friends decide to climb the barrier to join the parade...but one fell and BROKE HER FOOT.  I lost one friend in the chaos, and we end up going to the hospital and spend a few hours there before heading home. 

So I am not sure if I experienced the parade enough...but it was fun for the 30 minutes I was there.  The girl with the broken foot - we aren't friends anymore. 

(one of my things in my bucket list is to make a complete and utter fool of myself.  I am wondering if home made costumes qualify for that.  This year...I went as a skunk, previous years include nerd and chef.)

On a separate note but with the Halloween theme - I LOVE when the parents dress up taking their kid trick or treating.

Ok, I've been watching the parade for 90 minutes...well and doing other things, but I can't peel myself away. I am not a fan of all the store bought or Lady Gaga's, since I make my own ridiculous costumes...I really love the clever costumes people come up with. My favorites from this year...Metro Card Man, the loofahs, the robot - he even had the forethought to take a picture of himself and put it on his NYS license, the iPhone, some of the groups (KISS, the Flintstones, etc), marionette puppets, and the guy sitting on the toilet in a portapotty?.

NYC: The High Line

I came across information about the High Line from that "How About We..." website where someone suggested it as a date. I looked it up because I was not familiar with this, and realized it was in fact something I wanted to see. The High Line was built in the 1930's and used through 1980 as a way to more safely transport freight to the industrial part of Manhattan. To do this, it was created 30 feet above the street in hopes to lessen the accidents on the street level and allow the trains to pull right into the buildings to be unloaded. The new elevated train tracks were 13 miles long, running from 34th street to Spring Street.

Two people got together in 1999 to form the "Friends of the High Line" which advocated using the tracks as public space. Their wish was granted, and in June 2009 the first phase of the park was open to the public, and hopefully in 2011 the second phase from 20 - 30th streets will be open to the public.

The high line walk was actually very relaxing. The concrete pathway curves with plants everywhere, so it is not just a boring straight walk. Benches and chairs are spread out throughout the path and some benches even have wheels on them to be moved along part of the train track, allowing them to be moved further or closer to a neighboring chair. There is also one area that has stadium seating that over looks the street below.

Unfortunately, even though I planned this visit two weeks ago, I forgot my camera. I ended up just taking a few pictures from my phone that does not have good resolution. I had a nice, relaxing evening slowly strolling the park and sitting on the benches, catching up with SI.

If you are ever in the NYC area, and are in the Chelsea Neighborhood, climb up the stairs to enter this park and just detour the busy streets below. It is currently a short walk, after phase two is complete, it will be 1 1/2 miles long. For more information check out their website The High Line.

How About We...

My friend just send me a link to this relatively new dating site called How About We that focuses on actual dates, not all that back and forth communications and maybe a date. HowAboutWe is new, so there are not a lot of users yet and the fee is much less than match or eharmony. I quickly checked it out and started to read through the proposed dates. They all start with "How about we..." and then you fill in what you want to do. Some are "How about we...catch a movie under the stars in Bryant Park" or "How about we...walk across the Brooklyn bridge then get dinner" essentially whatever you want to do - you tell everyone else and if you have that in common you perhaps meet to go on this date, at which time you learn about the person in real life.

What is great about this concept, is that it still brings people together but doing something more fun/social then chatting online for a month liking what you read and hating the person when you meet them. And best off, you don't like the person, at least you did something you enjoyed.

I am not sure if I am going to actually try this or not, but it seemed like a 'why didn't I think of that'.

Walk along the Brooklyn Bridge

I was a tourist today. I took your advice and on my summer Friday a co-worker & I decided to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John Roebling who became the chief engineer. Unfortunately John Roebling died in 1869 - soon after the construction began. The bridge opened to the public on May 24, 1883 after 10+ years to build and cost $15.5 million dollars (twice more than what was originally estimated).

I was not sure why tourists walk the Brooklyn Bridge - so I did a little research (no surprise there, I am nerdy) and found out at the time, that the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest bridge ever built - almost twice as long as the Menai Suspension Bridge (between Wales and Anglesey) which opened in 1826. Additionally, suspension bridges were also previously made of iron, but Roebling decided to use steel to make the bridge stronger. Additionally, J. Lloyd Haigh who sold the wire rope for the bridge construction was faulty - but still remains within the cables. Approximately 27 people died during the construction.

The bridge is 135 feet above the water (high enough for the large boat traffic), spans 5,989 feet (1.13 miles), and the towers rise 276.5 feet from the water. On opening day the toll was only 1 cent but then rose to 3 cents. That first day, 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people crossed the bridge. Within that first month there was a lot of controversy over the bridge and many were worried the bridge would collapse (12 people died in a stampede) and fall into the water. To help but that rumor to rest, P.T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants over the bridge. Because of the use of the steel and the truss system which was 6 times stronger than it needed to be, the Brooklyn Bridge is still standing, while other bridges built during this time have been replaced.

The Brooklyn Bridge is three lanes in each direction and has the bike/pedestrian lane raised, which turns into wood planks, which is kind of neat that you can see the water below. Getting on the bridge from the Manhattan side was really easy. It was so crowded on the walk to the first tower. We stopped a lot to take pictures - making the walk about 30-40 minutes. Once we passed the first tower, the crowds died down - as they probably walked back towards Manhattan. The view was beautiful; able to see New Jersey, Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, Brooklyn, a few other bridges...it was relaxing.

Other Fun Facts:

• Suspension cables - four 15 3/4' diameter wire ropes
• 19 strands in each cable
• 3,600 total miles worth of cable
• 1520 suspenders
• 400 diagonal stays
• bridge weight 14,680 tons (not including caissons, towers or anchorages)
• The first jumper was Robert Odlum on May 19, 1885
• The first bungee jumpee was in June 1993
• A bunker was discovered in 2006 from the Cold War which still had emergency supplies in it
• In 2003, Lyman Faris was sentanced to 20 years in prison for supplying information to Al Qaeda to destroy the bridge by cutting through the support wires with blowtorches

After we reached the Brooklyn side, we took a short 1 mile-ish walk and then took the 5 train back to Grand Central. I was able to catch my everyday train.

A nice fun (and hot) day. Thanks to JW for keeping me company on this quest and now I can cross out one more item on my bucket list.

2010 Summer Scorcher

NYC will be 100+ degrees again today. Yesterday I wore a skirt to work, thinking a skirt would combat the heat better than pants...I don't know, my legs were hot and sweaty and felt funny when I waked - but it probably was better. I even put the air conditioning on in my apartment, which I rarely do because 1) I prefer fresh air and 2) it is expensive to run. But why should I suffer and sweat when I sit on the couch doing nothing? Or need to re-shower after I straighten my hair because the sweat is pouring off my body?

Today I decided to wear a cotton dress. The dress is simple, I can wear a normal bra, and comes up to right above my knees. I am not one to normally wear dresses/skirts to work and my walk this morning was very difficult. As posted previously, I have large breasts, in the summer, they are not covered by coats/jackets so walking the streets I feel the staring and it makes me very uncomfortable. So I put on my sunglasses at 7:50am when I walk out of Grand Central Terminal and walk straight with no smile ignoring everyone in sight. As soon as you exit Grand Central, you can SMELL the stuffy gross NYC air. For a few weeks I thought I was going crazy, getting a headache as soon as I got to the city (subconsciously thinking I needed a new job outside of NYC) but I am not crazy, the summer air is different. Sickening. All the smells are intensified and you hold back that gag feeling for too long when you pass garbage, homeless people, food stands, etc. The smell is everywhere.

So, I arrive at work and take my black flip flops off - and decide between the two pairs of shoes I have under my desk. Brown or black. Hmm, this is tough - the dress is purpley-pink. Perhaps brown would look better but either shoe option looks horrible with the dress - a work policy is no open toed shoes, then again wearing stockings is too - but that I refuse to do this week. But who cares how much the shoes don't go with the dress? I sit at my desk and most of the time I have my shoes off anyway. If the boss says I look bad - then I'll tell her that my budget does not allow me to purchase many options for 'work' shoes. I keep my light in my office off until 1pm and I do not plan to leave the office at lunch time because of the heat (actually, I rarely leave the office at lunch time anyway, that is just today's excuse). Then I sit here thinking that I should have called in to work and stayed home. I'd rather be at the beach and in the water. Then that gets me thinking that I'd rather not work...ever. Which leads me to want to look for a new job...but I probably won't. I spent the last few weeks looking into college degrees too, but haven't decided on anything.