Friday in NYC--fantastic!!!!!

Today was a lovely day, where I didn't try to do so many things in one day.  I have a list of things I want to do and see, based on my "Cheap Bastard's Guide to NYC"--though thanks to Marie, I'm carrying around the much smaller "Not For Tourists Guide" which is concise and to the point and has the maps that keep me from walking in circles more than I do.

To the bus stop.  Today is EVEN HOTTER than yesterday so I'm glad I'm not trying to do tons of things.  Got into the city at around 11:30.  It takes almost an hour to get there on the bus--same as the subway, but much more comfortable, better view, and no one sitting by you and/or touching you.

 One of the things I don't like is being touched by strangers, and that happens a lot on the subway.  This time went into the NYC Public Library and enjoyed the front lobby and the store.  I didn't buy anything, but there were about 100 things I wanted.  I'd better watch it or I'm going to be a pauper by the time I get back to EC, that is, if I ever get back.  I am determined not to be negative in this blog, so I'll just say that I am very, very, very frustrated with work and would LOVE to not have to go back there.

Anyway, after refraining from breaking out the plastic, I walked to Grand Central Station where I partook of the almost two hour free tour (thank you Cheap Bastard's Guide!) of the Station and the neighborhood around it.  The guide is totally in love with the station, and after you know more about the architecture and the way it fit into an entire Grand Central Complex (most of which is torn down now) of many blocks radius (and where all the rich folks lived on Park Avenue for instance), you look at it totally differently.  Most impressive is understanding what an incredible engineering feat it is to sink all the train tracks, create an iron cover on it, and build a city on the iron cover.  It is pretty amazing when you think about it.

Tourist

 Guide was a little over the top:  "Buildings.... (dramatic pause)  TELL YOU THINGS!!!!!!!!!!", so I left directly when the tour was over.  We did get to go into the Chrysler Building which was pretty cool.

Chrysler Building

Walked around the station on my own, and picked Juniors for lunch.  Mushroom and swiss burger and delicious iced tea.  Yum!  Nice wait staff, much better price, and I got to sit inside in airconditioning.  Then, went to the Magnolia Bakery in the food court and got a German Chocolate cake cupcake.  Actually haven't eaten it yet- I think I will when I'm done writing. UPDATE:  That cupcake was GOOD!!!!! and the frosting even better.  Can you say COCONUT!!!!!!!!!

Walked to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and got in line for a free ticket.  Target Stores sponsor free Fridays from 4-8, and there were SO MANY people there to enjoy the art.  Let me tell you, it is an INCREDIBLE museum.  From Picasso, Degas, Matisse, Kahlo, Rothko (only one on display, though  :(  ) to Warhol, Pollack, Lichtenstein to completely contemporary work- they have it all.  They even have a bowl and spoon covered in fur.

And it isn't overwhelming- it is hung beautifully, and there aren't 20 pieces by each artist (except Picasso who has at least that many) but a number that you can actually absorb.  I made a friend, Jefre, in the bookstore who gave me the address to his blog and sold me four books (gonna ship them home media mail!)- a lovely photography book on Fashion, Rothko, Realism, and the Highlights of the MoMA collection.  YAY!  After chatting for a while, found my way to a different bus stop (after a few false starts having to do with facing the wrong direction!!!!! Arg).  Got home, no problem, and walked directly to Caroline's favorite Chinese restaurant and ordered pot stickers and beef and broccoli.  Food is pretty good, but I'll probably go somewhere else next time.  Now I'm on the couch, blogging and watching the Olympics.  This is the first time since the Opening Ceremony that I've really sat down and watched.  Saw Michael Phelps win his final gold medal, the American teenagers win gold in swimming, and preliminary heats of track and field.  Awesome!

Still so hot- hope I can sleep tonight.

Tomorrow, I am meeting Sara Olson for brunch in Queens, and going to a meeting for volunteers for the FringeFestival (contemporary experimental theatre).  Volunteer an hour, get a free ticket!  Can't wait!  Seeing Seonaid Barngrover for lunch in Hell's Kitchen on Sunday, and may go to Boston next week to hear Caroline's concert for the Boston Lyric Opera.  I might also go to Maine with my friend Wendy for the weekend!  And, my friend Jihae may come to visit on Monday!

Awesome!  I love NYC!
Pics later

Thursday in NYC- Thoroughly Busy!

Woke up earlier than I have been.

Took the bus in to Manhattan- I'm getting so good at it!

Got off by the Metropolitan Museum of Art- went in and checked out the foyer (huge and amazing) and the store (huge and amazing).  There were so many books, jewelry, pieces of art that I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  So, I left and will definitely go back.  Actually, Lock and I are going to go there, and I'm also going to go and see the Costume Collection.

Walked through Central Park- I have never walked in this part of the park before and it is beautiful and amazing.  Gorgeous old trees, lots of walking and biking paths, playgrounds, softball fields, and lots of people waiting in line for......

 Shakespeare in the Park!  I sauntered into line at noon for the 1:00 ticket giveaway.  Ha ha ha!  I wasn't even close to getting a ticket or a voucher- BUT, I got to sit on the grass in Central Park with other like-minded people (apparently, people line up outside the park at 2:00 a.m. for tickets.  Um. No way Jose.) who spend their time:
1. Sleeping on blankets or cardboard
2. Reading
3. Playing video games
4. Eating
5. Talking to friends
6. Making friends with others in the line
Etc.

The tickets are for "Into the Woods" with DONNA MURPHY as the Witch.  Holy &(*&(*&*&^*(&(!!!!  I GOTTA find a way to get a ticket.  I did hear the sound check of Glenn Close as the Giant, so that was cool.  There is a short line for seniors, and I'm almost ready to ship my mom out here to get in that line so we can both go!

Got a little lost trying to get to Columbus Circle but with the help of my trusty iPhone I made it.  I now understand the layout of New York, but the problem is I have NO sense of direction in the city.  I know I'm supposed to go North, for instance, but I can NOT tell which way North is.  Arg!  But I've got 2 1/2 weeks to figure it out.  Walked to Carnegie Deli for a freakin' HUGE "Woody Allen" sandwich of pastrami and roast beef that was so huge I could only eat half of it.

So that I would have room for CHEESECAKE!!!!  That was one expensive meal,

but worth it for the PICKLES!  YUM!

Walked over to Carnegie Hall, but nothing going on there until the fall, and museum closed due to renovation.  Still neat to see it.

Wasn't going to go to another show, but was feeling low about "Into the Woods," so went back to Times Square and got a ticket to "End of the Rainbow" which is about the concerts in London at the end of Judy Garland's life.  Before the show, took the subway to Lincoln Center and watched a dance rehearsal outside of Avery Fischer Hall, soaked in the heat (dang, it was hot) and the artistic ambiance, checked out the Performing Arts Library, got to the Juilliard store right as it was closing so I'll go back.

Subway back to Times Square for the show at the Belasco (some trouble with my lack of sense of direction).  The show was good, the leading lady- Tracie Bennett- was OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Tony award nominated- AMAZING!  What an incredible physical and vocal portrayal of Garland.  She absolutely nailed her frenetic physical and mental energy- you absolutely couldn't look at anyone else!  Befriended the lady next to me, who turns out to be the mother of the Chancellor of NC-Chapel Hill.  Guess he's a big shot superstar- gotta Google that.  She was very sweet- she told me she has directed Porgy and Bess with a mix of professionals and people in her community and it was a unifying event. 

My illicit picture of the stage that I pulled down into my lap when I realized that the flash was on! And I got busted!

Still carrying my pound of uneaten pastrami, I made my way to the bus stop on Madison Avenue- easy ride home, super tired so fell directly asleep.

I LOVE NYC!!!
More to come-

My camera died right before Tracie came out, but I did get her autograph!  This guy plays the jerk fiance.

Wednesday in NYC-Wunderbar!

Slept in!

Went over to Caroline's for coffee.  Yum!!!!

AND.......

Got in her car and rode to Harlem.

Where.....

We drove around until we found a free spot on the street and took the subway to.....

YANKEE STADIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! (Crazed laughter!)  I know I've been blogging too long today- this isn't Yankee Stadium, it is the  Metropolitan Museum of Art!  I didn't notice for several hours!!! HA HA HA HAH

What a beautiful stadium.  State of the art.  I guess old school baseball fans don't like it, but I did!

It rained almost the whole game.  So, we left our good seat for seats in the top back that were under an awning.  And they were great!

Caroline and Kreg 

I saw Jeter hit a grand slam!!!!  Can't believe I cheered for the Yankees.  But Jeter is awesome.  And single I guess.  I'm just sayin...

Had NACHOS with tons of toppings and extra guac.  Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yankees win by a lot!

Traffic jam on way home, so didn't get home until 7:00.

Went straight to my room to plot for the following days.

AWESOME day.

I love NYC!

Tuesday in New York- Yippee Kayey! (how do you spell that word???)

Slept in (comfortable bed!  Nice shower! Caroline and Kreg next door!  I'm good!)

Went with C and K to their favorite diner in the early afternoon for breakfast.  Hee hee!  Caroline had 4 different beverages!  I had a California omelette with an entire sliced avocado in it- YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Leftovers that I still haven't eaten  :(  I don't like leftovers.

Bought my Express Bus Unlimited Metro card for $50- I can ride the Express bus from the Bronx to Manhattan and absolutely any bus or subway- sweet!  It's already paid off.  Took the bus in to town on my own and made it!

Checked out the New York Public Library grounds- stayed outside in the park and will visit inside when I have more time.

To Times Square to get a ticket to "Porgy and Bess."  This time, with Audra.  She was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING
 
Before the theatre I had a cuban sandwich from the Starlight Deli and ate it sitting in Times Square, watching the strange people.

iPhone saves me yet again... 

Bus stop

Rode the bus back by myself and didn't get lost!  Spent the evening on the internet planning out other things I want to do.

I LOVE NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday in NYC-YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jordyn drove me to the airport and didn't get lost or crash!

Waited forever in lines and was lucky to get on the plane.

Arrived at Laguardia and Caroline picked me up!!!!  Love her!

Dropped my stuff off on Revere Ave. in the Bronx (Throgs Neck to be more specific).

Went over to Caroline and Kreg's (next door!).  Snacks and Olympics!

Left for Bronxville, where Kreg's band, Plan B, had an outdoor concert on a city street.  Very fun!  Good covers, Caroline as a sexy backup singer, Kreg has crazy energy, nice guys in the band.

Was treated to a free meal afterwards as one of the "babes" with the band!

Late night mudslides, Olympics, and gossip.  Super fun!!!!!!

Slept like a log.

More to come!