NYC

Before I jump back into the work week I wanted to record my time in NYC this last weekend. It was a very thinking trip for me and of course I left my camera at work so all you get is stock pics. Noah (from work) and I left early and on our way out picked up his roommate Linda. Bad traffic just getting to pick her up and than leaving Boston - everyone was trying to hit the road early for the weekend and we were traveling directly under a storm cloud. Beautiful, vibrant colors though - super green next to the slate grey sky and even a rainbow or two. We hit traffic outside of Hartford, and than again in New Haven and so by the time Stamford came and we were in traffic from there until NYC we were getting tired of it all. We ended up playing car games which was fun (I apparently know my cars better than countries). In the end we got in about 2 hours later than anticipated.

I was still able to meet up with Ankan who is an old highschool friend. After getting off the subway, I walk up into... the heart of NYC - Times Square. It was just what I needed after being trapped in traffic for several hours and running around trying not to be late. It was a moment to be stunned and breathe. It was so light out (even at 11 pm) with all the billboards lit up. The crowds were stunning. NYC is definately one of a kind - nothing like it.

It was great seeing Ankan. As I mentioned earlier, this seems to be the year I reconnect with people from my past. It's always a pleasent surprise to meet up with friends from the past only to discover a new friendship and a whole new overlap in interests. He's been living in NYC for awhile and just finished law school - working 60+ hour weeks. It makes me appreciate that I don't have that schedule - basically he just works and plays golf. But he was still same old Ankan that I knew growing up - it was a bit strange. We ended up just talking and catching up until before we knew it was 3 am! Even though we both had to get up early - he had a golf game the next morning and I had to get up early for tickets.

So Saturday, a little hung over/dehydrated, I rolled out of bed and hoofed it over to the Jersey Boys theater to stand in line for the student tickets that went on sale at 10 am. Unfortunately, I should have just gone from the bar the night before to the line. People were in line since midnight! It's gotten so bad recently - people getting there earlier and earlier, that tempers flare and the weekend before there was a fight with someone going to the hospital! So they are discontinuing the student ticket rates - this was the last weekend.

Since I didn't get the student tickets (along with half the line) I ended up waiting in another line to get standing room only tickets that went on sale at noon. Luckily the lady working the line was talkative and mentioned John wasn't performing that show - he takes matinees off - so I was a bit frustrated that I had just spent that time waiting. And to top it off, if I just bought a ticket for that evenings performance, the cheapest seat was $300 - a little steep. So I tried. I will just have to come back another weekend, with my $100 ticket in hand already purchased.

After that I got a bite to eat (mmm food - super hungry after all that waiting). And wandered over to the first batch of museums - stumbling upon a street fair (picked up some NYC souveigners) and an international parade - only in NY. Turns out the Moma is $20 these days and since I wanted to go to several musuems, I passed this time. Got to check out the architecture of the new American Folk Museum that was designed by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien that taught at my school and I had studied. Fun to see in person - suprsingly the pictures made the space seem bigger.

As I headed up to the Met I stumbled upon a Jamba Juice. I used to get an orange zinger with coworkers when I was in San Francisco - ages ago. I was so excited that I splurged and got the larger size of something that seemed comparable - they've changed the menu over the last 10 years. And, it was disappointing - seemed a bit mainstream - artifically sweet. So Sunday I treated myself to a Naked - much more my style for fruit drinks. But it still fit the bill as I strolled through Central Park. The crowds were amazing - just tons of people out enjoying the wonderful day - kids running and laughing, people sun bathing - lots of events going on. After walking for quite a bit, I ended up stumbling upon this great musical group performing at one group of benches. I needed a rest - the lack of sleep was starting to catch up wtih me. I ended up just sitting and enjoying the old cajun style music while knitting away on my sleeve (I'm down to the last ball, and still have the other sleeve and the large collar to go - not looking good). I think I spent a good 2 hours just hanging out knitting, thinking, people watching, enjoying the outdoors. It was really quite relaxing and just what the doctor ordered. I just googled for an image of the group and found this blog.

Funny thing is that only some of the band members are the same - same singer/guitarist (who kept flirting with me through some of the songs) but it's the exact same benches they were sitting on before. I got their cd and hope it's similar - great bass and trumpet. I geared up and made it to the Met - didn't have a map (the theme of my trip) so ended up roaming through the exhibits. I really forget how many great museums there are in NYC. I ended up visiting the Cooper-Hewitt on Sunday which I loved - someone I knew from Michigan had a product of theirs on display as well as an architect I'm working with on a local project. Funny how small the world can be.

In the end the trip was great - lots of walking so my calves are killing me today and the ride home wasn't that bad - glad I had company. Lot's more, but have to run. The weather was great, the company was great and the entertainment was great - what more could a girl ask for (and I met a new boy - but that's for later).