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October 29, 2007
New York
I'm in New York and have been since Thursday. Robbi came up with me, but has since returned to Chestertown. Why are we here? For a number of reasons, a mixture of work and play.
The train ride up was pleasant. I bought Robbi some cheese and crackers on the strong recommendation of Mrs. Emily Vainieri.
The Amtrak cheese and crackers tray is really quite nice and includes two Babybel cheeses. It kind of makes one feel sophisticated and European, as if the Alps could be seen out the window instead of New Jersey.
All feelings of sophistication melted quickly as we arrived in Penn Station and caught the 1 train down to Christopher Street.
We have been staying with our friend David Turner. As you will learn below, he is a very famous actor.
We dropped off our stuff at David's and headed to midtown, where I was a registered participant at the College Board conference. Why was I participating in the College Board conference? The reasons are too dull to recount. And so I will show you a photo of the silver trees we found in a park.
New York is kind of like Oz to people who live in Chestertown.
We spotted the legendary Flatiron Building without really meaning to.
We walked all over the city, taking in the sights and smells. Eventually we happened upon a swank Greenwich Village baby boutique. I was more horrified than tempted by this carriage.
But I do like the sleek, Euro-rad baby bouncer.
Apparently, the small plastic baby is not included.
I was taken by this $160 outfit.
And Robbi was taken by this one, only $230.
In the end, we ended up leaving with a glossy postcard advertising the baby bouncer. Which was free.
We will clothe our baby in a potato sack or trash bag, depending on the weather.
Later that night we saw...
...a Broadway show featuring our good friend David Turner. The Ritz, a Terrence McNally revival, takes place in a gay bath house in the 1970s, stars Rosie Perez, and features a lot of really muscular guys in towels (or less). In other words, it's perfect to take your grandma to.
After the show, David took us on a tour of the set, which is a fantastic, three-story affair. But due to union rules, I could not take photos.
There are no union rules about photographing David in front of the theater, though.
Friday night we got together with my high school friends for Shabbat dinner.
From left to right: Holden, Matt, Victor, and me.
The food was delicious.
Robbi was particularly pleased by the homemade chocolate covered strawberries.
Holden and Michelle just got married a few weeks ago. They are already old hands.
It rained on Saturday morning. And since he is an actor, David had to go to work. Robbi and I found our way to Elephant and Castle for a rather nice brunch.
After brunch, it was time for Robbi to go back to Chestertown to return to the piles of books she has to illustrate. I walked her to the subway.
And bid her farewell.
Later that night I got back together with my high school buddies to watch game 3 of the world series.
Some of you may remember Edgar, the outstanding French Bulldog that lives with Holden and Michelle.
Edgar is psychotic and thinks that he is large. One of his favorite games is savagely attacking his puppet friend.
I love Edgar. Apparently, I might get a chance to dog sit him in the spring.
Last night, David and I stayed in and enjoyed a roaring fire while watching game 4 of the Series.
This morning, I enjoyed the breakfast of champions.
I realize that my failure to tap into the vast cultural and commerce-based opportunities of the metropolitan New York area might be profoundly disappointing to many the aspiring urbanite, but I am not a city guy.
Nevertheless, David and I put on our finest tonight.
We took the 1 train uptown.
It was loud.
After our ride uptown, we both were happy to emerge again into the city.
Our destination was a restaurant at 64th and Broadway where we met David's parents for dinner.
As I type, he is at the Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera and I am sitting on his couch watching Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers take on the Denver Broncos.
Just the way I like to enjoy the city.
Posted by bogenamp at October 29, 2007 10:39 PM
Comments
wonderfully crafted blog - i think
unfortunatley i am still rather taken by the cheese and cracker tray described at the very beginning
and therefore have no recollection of anything that followed it
except the mention of silver trees
i seem to remember thinking they sounded cool
i believe i have some cheese in the frigidare
must go now
Posted by: ming at October 29, 2007 11:46 PM