1 Year Later...

December 28, 2008, I arrived in NYC with 3 suitcases and a load of anxiety.

December 28, 2009, I ate my favorite pizza from Totonno's, a cupcake from Crumbs, and polished the evening with a few Michelada's from Mayahuel.

At the end of this year, I can look back and realize this move has literally changed my life. Fortunately, the hi's outweigh the low's and make for one hell of a year.

If I had it to do all over again? Yes, I would. But, I'd be more prepared for single degree temperatures, mice in the stove, the Grand Central Shuffle, and sweat - lots and lots of sweat.

Peter And The Wolf

A pleasant Monday night at the Guggenheim.

Isaac Mizrahi narrated Sergei Prokofiev’s children’s classic. New York City Opera’s George Manahan conducted the Juilliard Ensemble. Set installations were created by the renowned New Orleans-based art collective YA/YA (Young Aspirations/Young Artists), using only materials from Katrina's aftermath.

4 x 4

4 Christmas parties in 4 days.

JWT Extravaganza - corporate holiday party unlike anything ever seen. Got outta there with a foot injury, a few bruises, and a bit of whiplash.

Yankee Xmas Ornament Exchange - new DDD alum friends, made a blinged out Texas star - the hit of the party.

Chrismahanakwanza - Upper West Side, studio apartment, a bottle of wine, great friends.

NY DDD Alum Holiday Party - Murray Hill, pot luck, new faces.

Good times!

The Toxic Avenger

A surprising Wednesday night delight.

Diana DeGarmo (from American Idol) lit up the stage - all 5 feet of her.

http://www.thetoxicavengermusical.com/

It's Raining, It's Snowing...

1st snowfall of the year today.

36 degrees.

A Luke Warm Thanksgiving

First NYC Thanksgiving weekend:

Turkey dinner at Luke's Bar and Grill
Cowboys game at Southern Hospitality
Irish makeover at Alice Hair
Comedy show at Eastville Comedy Club
Broadway bargains at TKTS
Max and Kym at Burn the Floor
Horseback riding and wine tasting in upstate NY

Celebrity sighting = Candace Bergen (a.k.a. Murphy Brown)

Weather = in the 40's

Radiator = out of control!

Arlo and Esme

Weird names.

Great place for affordable drinks and fun dance music.

A little underground delight in the East Village.

http://www.arloandesme.com/

The Gayest Xmas Pageant Ever

Serious title.

Serious letdown.

Left at intermission.

http://www.alternativetheatreco.org/Alternative_Theatre_Company/Home.html

La Petite Auberge

The "little inn" -- home to my first NY DDD Founders Day dinner.

USS New York

A fabulous field trip to Pier 88.

Special VIP tour for those that happen to work on Marines.com!

http://www.wwltv.com/news/USS-New-York-Commissioning-Ceremony-Pays-Tribute-to-NYC-and-NOLA-69482252.html

The Yankees Win The World Series

And I don't really care.

But next time, I will avoid mass transit anywhere near the victory parade.

Wow.

Chicago By Day...

...thanks to Theater Mania Gold Club.

http://chicagothemusical.com/index.php

Sad, But True...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/realestate/18cov.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087&en=70ad408a42404a5d&ex=1271736000

I Saw The Light

Judith Light, to be exact - most recently known to me as Claire Meade on Ugly Betty.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0509937/

Right outside my office!

This Time...

...the phrase "there's a roach on your magic circle" applies to a toilet seat.

At work.

Largest roach I've ever seen in my life!

West Meets East

5.5 hour flight from Seattle to NYC.

3 hour time difference.

48 hour vacation.

That means tons of eating, shopping, drinking, and at least 1 big celebrity encounter!

Christine Barinski (most recently known to me as Victoria Hartley on Ugly Betty)

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004724/

Diamond District

That's right.

An entire section of NYC dedicated to diamonds.

http://diamonddistrict.org/home.html

Nightmare Fantasyland

Pergatorio is a nightmare fantasyland in the heart of Times Square, created especially for the Halloween season. Combining the energy and glamour of a world-class nightclub with the spectacle and illusion of the theater, Purgatorio will offer a Halloween experience unlike anything seen before in New York nightlife.

http://enterpurgatorio.com/

I got separated from the group and locked in a coffin within the first 10 minutes. After that, there were numerous burlesque acts as well as jump rope team, ninja, and drag queen performances.

Not bad for a free Saturday night.

Nor'Easter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nor'easter

It's a big, cyclical storm that pretty much feels like winter for a few days.

It's 40 degrees at 6pm and raining like crazy.

It's Back...

The hiss hiss, click click, bang bang.

Ah, the joys of a radiator that I have no control over...

Marking the date 10/12/09.

It's gonna be a long winter!

It Starts With A Whip.

As Alan Gilbert explains Magnus Lindberg's EXPO piece, my first experience at the New York Philharmonic.

Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center - about a 2hr show, including intermission.

http://nyphil.org/

The Heat Is On!

Under the blankets and turning on the space heater for the first time in months.

Got about 5 more degrees to go before the radiator kicks into gear for the winter.

$7.25

Public transit from 3B to JFK = $7.25

The cab ride I took home = $60

The difference?

About an hour of your life.

Rangers at The Garden

1. What's The Garden?

And,

2. Who are the Rangers?

Ice Hockey at Madison Square Garden - Club seats.

Nice!

(Bring a blanket!)

Note To Self

When the President comes in town, just walk to work.

It's just easier.

Clipper City, NY

Another beautiful outing on the East River/Hudson, dressed as pirates in honor of National Talk Like a Pirate Day.

http://www.clippercityny.com/

The evening also included a trip to Mason Dixon (yes, there are mechanical bulls in NYC) and National Underground (owned by Gavin DeGraw).

MTV VMA's

The MTV Video Music Awards were back in NYC this year.

Pre-party at Terminal 5 (home of the Wade Robson Project) included Kid Cudi, Phoenix, and the cast of Real World Cancun.

Cheers to friends in high places!

8 Years Later...

The City is in good spirits (minus the chilly, damp weather).

The emotional TV coverage makes me glad that I missed it, scared for it to happen again, but proud to be a part of strong culture that's ready to move on.

The lights will beam until dawn.

Labor Day Weekend '09

The weekend included but was not limited to:

Boat Basin - Upper West Side
Totonnos - Upper East Side
Harlem - 120th Street
Boat House - Central Park (The Lake)
2nd Ave bars (72nd Street +)
Nail Clarity mani/pedi's - Upper East Side
Central Park picnics - Cedar Hill
Dance Parties - 3B
S'Mac - Lower East Side
Mayahuel - Lower East Side
Wicker Park - Upper East Side
Chinatown Dumpling House and secret closet shopping
Little Italy - La Mela
Grand Central Station - Midtown
RMG Connect - Midtown
Black Iron Burger - Lower East Side
Southern Hospitality - Upper East Side

Distance from Harlem to Chinatown = about 8 miles.

We covered it.

Long Beach

Picture beautiful white sand and decent Atlantic Ocean water.

Then picture elbow-to-elbow tanning.

Never seen anything like it, nor had that much sand flicked in my face.

This picture really doesn't do it justice.

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/webbbs/images/north-america/pic126.jpg

In relation to my place, it's a 35 minute adventure to Penn Station and a 1hr train ride each way on the LIRR.

$19 for the complete beach package.

Mayahuel

In love with the bloodymary-like chasers called Sangritas.

Best margarita I've ever had.

http://mayahuelny.com/home.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakeasy

Mercat

A little history lesson:

Mercat, which means "market" in Catalan, serves cuisine inspired by the markets of Barcelona. Catalan cuisine refers to fare from the region of Catalonia, in Northeastern Spain. Barcelona, the Catalan capital, is well known for its dynamic markets where pristine seafood, cured meats and artisanal cheeses are sourced, and tapas is a way of life.

Mercat is also the home of my first taste of sheep cheese and yet another bite of duck.

The Cat Walk

This has nothing to do with a fashion runway.

It's all about a cat.

A large cat (like 25 pounds).

On a leash.

Being walked down Columbus Ave.

Nothing surprises me anymore...

"I Don't Mean to Freak You Out..."

"...but there's a roach on your magic ring!"

Monday night pilates class at New York Health and Racquet club - ring between my knees.

Mouse vs cockroach?

I'll take the roach any day!

NYCPOA

It's not just some randoms on a bike. It's a full fledged empire...or almost.

1 hour tour of Central Park = $60 (which includes a stop at the Friends' fountain).

http://www.nycpedicabassociation.org/

Accomplice: New York

A smart, fun, athletic way to see New York, get your laugh on, and do the most random things.

Like buying a frog in Chinatown.

Looking forward to trying The Village.

http://www.accomplicetheshow.com/index.php

As Seen On Sex And The City...

SOHO House NY.

14th Street and 9th Ave - Meatpacking District

Same pool Samantha scored a fake membership to.

http://www.sohohouseny.com/

Not seen on SATC - Montel Williams!

No Longer "The Metroplex"

Now I'm working with the tri-state area.

Trip to Greenwich CT:
Metro North Railroad
$16 round trip fare
Approx travel time = 55 min

The Tri-State Region is commonly used in the area surrounding New York City to refer to the greater metropolitan area, including satellite cities. Roughly speaking, the New York Tri-State area encompasses the populated areas in the states of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut that are within a typical commuting distance of Manhattan (by car or railway) or alternatively, the coverage area of the broadcast television stations that operate from Manhattan.

Fat Pigs and Spitting Devils

Williamsburg Brooklyn, home of the super skinny jean and striped shirt.

Also serves up some decent BBQ at Fette Sau, right across the street from Spuyten Duyvil.

Cultural snaps to me for learning a little more German and Dutch.

A Day Fit For Queens

The MOMA at PS1.

A walk to Water Taxi Beach.

Manhattan skyline sunset.

Free Water Taxi service back home.

For $10...

You can visit one the hottest Contemporary Art Centers, booze it up, and dance w/ transvestites.

http://ps1.org/warmup/

Brrr, It's...Summer?

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/07/16/nyregion/16cool_graphic.ready.html?ref=nyregion

You Just Never Know...

...when you're going run into a celebrity in NYC.

Walking home.

84th and 2nd.

Matt Lauer.

Death Avenue

The High Line was built in the 1930s, as part of a massive public-private infrastructure project called the West Side Improvement. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan's largest industrial district. So many accidents occurred between freight trains and street-level traffic that 10th Avenue became known as Death Avenue. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980.

http://www.thehighline.org/

Mustard Not Preferred

Due to regional preferences, you will never find mustard on a hamburger in NYC--this includes Mickey D's and BK, 2 places I assumed would carry over the tradition.

Sticker Shock

In 2008, the Big Apple became the first city in the country to implement a law forcing chain restaurants to post the calorie count of each food in the same size and font as the price.

Putting the brakes on thoughtlessly inhaling calories is exactly the effect New York City health officials hoped the law would have. They say calorie labels could reduce the number of obese New Yorkers by 150,000 over the next five years, and prevent 30,000 cases of diabetes.

The law applies to all chain restaurants with 15 or more outlets nationwide.

Seattle and some California cities are also on board.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25464987/

Crosstown Upchuck

M23 headed to the Chelsea Piers.

Incessant coughing leads to vomiting.

Luckily, I moved before it wound up on the back of my neck.

The Garden State

Via Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is exactly like an airport...but with buses.

The returning view of NYC skyline--boats filled the Hudson in anticipation of the Macy's fireworks show--was worth the $13.50 in round trip fare. Not to mention a day of barbecuing, badminton and beer.

I Was Five Years Old...

...when mob boss John Gotti ordered the hits on Castellano and Bilotti in front of Sparks Steak House.

At 29, I'm eating there on Friday night--enjoying a filet, hash brown potatoes and 2 of the best cosmos I've ever had.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparks_Steak_House

Cosmo's at The Plaza

It's just something you have boast about, although the drinks themselves were average at best.

http://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/PLZ/AboutUs/HotelHistory.htm

The Straw

Darryl Strawberry's guest appearance at The Journey today recounted his struggles with all the things that money can buy--drugs, alcohol, women, etc. He proudly names God as his path back home.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darryl_Strawberry

Welcome to New York

If I had a dollar...

Apparently, it's totally normal to have mice scurrying across the floor and crawling up through the stove burners, and running along the kitchen counters.

I look at it like the hazing process prior to the formal initiation into the city.

Great Lawn Almighty

Great Lawn of Central Park, Friday at 6pm.

6:10pm, back to the bus, drenched.

Lesson learned.

http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/great-lawn.html

A Thing of the Past...

Lizard chasing in Las Colinas--a thing of the past.

Not one, but TWO mice in the kitchen tonight.

Big city. Big rodents.

Game plan: Rock the "power boots" (a.k.a. galoshes), empty the trash, and douse the baseboards with bleach.

Glue traps, here I come!

Summer Solstice, NY Style

66 degrees.

Rain all day.

If the Earth's axis is most inclined towards the sun, New York was not a part of it.

Side on Top

French fries on top of a hot dog.

With cheese.

And chili.

Brilliant!

Temp Check

Date = June 6th.

Temp = 76 degrees.

Total A/C usage in '09= 2 days.

The Frying Pan

A great way to kick off Memorial Day weekend - on the Hudson River, in the ultimate "dive" bar, just minutes from the Fleet Week festivities.

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/frying_pan/

Sex, Relationships, and Sometimes...Love

Hell's Kitchen.

The 45th Street Theater (off-off-Broadway).

“Happy Hour, The Show: Sex, Relationships, and Sometimes … Love.”

It’s an hour-long series of short monologues having nothing and everything to do with love, sex and relationships. And, free Pabst Blue Ribbons all night!

Friday Night Lights

The Whitney Museum of American Art is featuring the work of Jenny Holzer and Claes Oldenburg.

http://whitney.org/www/holzer/index.jsp
http://whitney.org/www/exhibition/vanbruggen.jsp

"At times inactivity is preferable to mindless functioning."

See more at:
http://mfx.dasburo.com/art/truisms.html

Home Sweet Home

My first trip back to Texas:
4/28/09

Must do's before I left:
1. Surrender my expired TX driver's license and get a NYS driver's license

Must do's while in Texas:
1. Eat queso, salsa & flour tortillas
2. Drive
3. Sing while driving
4. Go to Target

My first trip back home:
5/3/09

UBWE

Ultimate Birthday Weekend Extravenganza - 3 days of friendly relations, which included but was not limited to:

Sunbathing on the fire escape
Purse packing
Midnight excursions to Meat Packing
Spilling more than we drank
Food fights
Bloomies
Streb
Midget strip tease
Angels
Kings
Cheese chunks
Chance Crawford

First Skin Exposure

76 degrees in Central Park today - the first hint of spring weather and green grass.

Back down the 50's tomorrow...

'Wichcraft and Mexican Radio

The bday topped out at whoppin' 43 degrees!

Actually saw some grass while lunching in Bryant Park - a little Witchcraft never hurt anyone.

Hit up Town Hall Bar for happy hour.

And then headed to SoHo for dinner at Mexican Radio.

Still on the hunt for the best salsa in NYC.

On a Midnight Train to the Upper East Side...

You get "cat rats," 2-limbed beggars, and a floor drum chant to lighten the mood.

DUMBO

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass

Beautiful view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, as well as the city skyline and Statue of Liberty.

Nice neighborhood except that no one wants to feed you between the hours of 4 and 6pm!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUMBO,_Brooklyn

Kick Tap Dip Dip

And repeat.

New dance, new borough, new scene.

And, the 1st car ride I've had, other than a cab, since December 28th.

Good times.

P.U.

Public Urination.

7th Avenue.

Against a van tire.

Full exposure.

Was warned this morning. Now a reality!

NYC Thunderstorms...

...are NOTHING compared to Texas thunderstorms.

Kept the windows open, never lost power, lasted about 10 minutes.

On the first day of spring...

BIG snowflakes came to me.

As well as a bite of lamb.

And, I saw how construction equipment gets moved throughout the city - underground via subway. Pretty cool!

Since 1762

The NYC St. Patrick's Day parade - from 44th to 86th.

It was a day of bagels (green ones) and beer!


http://www.nbcnewyork.com/station/community/The_New_York_City_St_Patricks_Day_Parade.html

Patio Weather

Anything over 40 degrees here is fair game!

Door open.

Tables extend onto the sidewalks.

And, everybody looks a little bit happier.

Walking Mustard Bottle

That's me in my new "sleeping bag coat." Or, what I like to call "the mustard bottle."

Thank you Brooklyn Industries for the fantastic sale - just in time for the biggest snow storm since 2004.

Minus 2

Today was a "feels like minus 2 degrees" morning.

New record!

As Seen on Will & Grace...

The Barney's New York Warehouse Sale (50-75% off).

I literally picked up a $7,000 shirt off the floor...good thing it was marked down to $2,499!

What a frenzy!

A Mile a Minute...

...or not.

Manhattan is approximately 13 miles long.

To go 3.28 miles, by mass transit, takes 40 minutes.

This is Burlesque

Great show for ladies and gents - tap/ballet/jazz all done semi-nude in SoHo.

Even better when you send a good friend on stage for a dance off contest!

http://www.thisisburlesque.com/

I consider meeting Seth Herzog my 3rd celebrity siting. Freakin' hilarious!
http://comedians.comedycentral.com/seth-herzog/

The Intrepid

Air, Space, and Sea Museum.

Stealth aircraft, the Concord from British Airways, multiple fighter jets and heliocopters.

David Hilmers presented his adventures in space.

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/hilmers-dc.html

And, can't forget the G-Force simulator. When in doubt, just flip upside down!

Celebrity Siting #2

Had dinner w/ my cousin Carrie who was in New York doing the Energizer Hall of Fame PR campaign with honorary member Cal Ripken, Jr.

We talked New York, A-Rod, and Michael Phelps.

Nice guy with gorgeous blue eyes!

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/info_and_links/090219_Cal_Ripken_Jr

"Don't Be Sensitive"

http://www.comedycellar.com/

Way funnier than I ever expected!

Sherrod Small closed the show and just happened to be the only one I recognized (from VH1's "Best Week Ever").

My first celebrity...

Cartveyor

http://www.cartveyor.com/operation.html

An escalator for your shopping cart sure beats waiting for elevators!

Thank you Bed Bath & Beyond.

Brilliant.

Stop the Honking

http://www.stopthehonking.com/

This makes me laughs because it's so not working!

$350 fine if, by some chance, you get caught.

"Feels like 4"...

...degrees.

That's a new record!

Look, No Hands

The subway mosh pit from 8:20 - 8:45a.m.

Just keep your hands to your sides and enjoy the ride.

"The Lean"

Stand at the edge of the subway platform and slant your body forward.

This helps the impatient New Yorker prepare for boarding strategy - it's all about momentum!

$100

$100 minimum to get a table at any local bar during the Superbowl.

No thanks.

Monthiversary

1/28/09 = 1 month living in NYC.

I'm getting used to:

• noise, all the time
• my new skin type, oily
• extra layers of clothes, everyday
• half cubes and bad lighting, M-F
• ottomans, aaahhh

New Bedtime

11:21pm or later.

Garbage men have come and gone, like clockwork.

Brute Force

http://fuerzabrutanyc.com/

fuer • za • bru • ta\ f'where - zah - broo - tah \ 1: brute force 2: the new show from the creators of DE LA GUARDA 3: a 360° heart-pounding theatrical experience

A new Olympic Sport

Laundry in NYC!

It takes preparation, determination, and courage.

"The Button"

Apparently, everybody knows about "the button" except for me...the one inside the door latch that prevents it from locking automatically. If I would have known that, then I wouldn't have had to:

1. Embarrass myslef by knocking on the neighbors' door (in no makeup and sweats)
2. Borrow an over-sized men's jacket
3. Walk 8 blocks and 6 avenues in 17 degree weather (no hat, no socks, no money)

1, 3, 0

Inventory check:

1 drawer
3 light switches
0 ceiling fans

Total.

On the bright side, I don't have to worry about another blow to the cranium.

My 1st rodent sighting

West Village.

Washington Square subway.

11 p.m.

Small mouse across the foot.

Nice.

When the lights go down...

When the lights suddenly shut off at 2am, alone in your NYC apartment, what do you do? Take a dark shower and go to bed. Then, in the morning, you find the fuse box and the flashlight and pat yourself on the back.

Hiss hiss, click click, bang bang...

These are the sounds of a NYC furnace alone, not to mention the rumbling of a refrigerator and the incessant street sounds. Don't come here expecting to get a good night's sleep.

Smart elevators are so cool

Smart elevators, 466 Lex style, have no buttons inside the elevators. None. You press the desired floor (multiple times to indicate the number of people traveling with you) and it designates which elevator to enter, A-G. And, that's it. So cool!

The Year of Color

Just named my year last night (3 pitchers deep in margs). Let your mind wonder on that for a bit...it's got legs.