As the ambassador of Sun, I announce the arrival of Summer. I know officially it doesn't begin until Mid-June, the 22nd, I believe. However, when it comes to tourism, summer starts with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day. While I was blessed with great weather the first two weeks in NYC, the following 3 were terrible. Gray and rain, not unlike my previous home. Apparently, you can't escape that by merely moving a few hundred miles east. But, as though the Gods were giving clemency, the skies blued and the sun reemerged. The Sun has delivered us from evil. Amen!
My first three day weekend was more than I could have asked for climately. 70+ and sunny. Friday was great. A half day. Well, more like 4/9ths, but I ain't good at math, so we'll go with half. How did I take advantage of this free time? Laundry of course. Before you rake me over the coals, listen to my logic. I could have gone to the park, parked at a bar or try to maneuver the parking lots known as the NYC roads. I had 72 hours of nothing to do ahead of me starting Saturday and laundry was "something" I didn't want to do. So after a short lunch, I went home to cycle the suds. With clean laundry and a quick shower, the weekend was at hand around 8:30.
The weekend was exactly what the doctor prescribed. Lots of sun, plenty of suds (the beer type, not laundry), good friends and great locations. For the first time since I got here I was able to really see the city. My travels took me to Brooklyn, Jersey (a second trip may not ever happen), Central Park, SoHo, West Village and beyond. I got a real feel for the energy that pumps through New York like booze through Lindsey Lohan.
I've noticed that no matter what time you get going here, the city is alive and ready to serve. One of the biggest trends I've noticed since moving here is the phenomenon called Brunch. It's a Saturday and Sunday staple. Nearly every restaurant in town has a brunch menu from 11-4. It may seem odd to most to be eating brunch at 2:00 in the afternoon, but when you don't go to bed until 3 AM, waking up around 11:30 and finally leaving the house around 1:00 isn't all that uncommon. It's actually the norm. While I haven't fully embraced this NY habit, I have learned to appreciate a good midday meal. What you have to watch out for is what I call the faux-brunch. This is a restaurant that offers brunch, but has a very limited menu. Basically an omelet or some kind of a fruit platter. Sure they have breakfast items past 11:00, but lets face it. In a city this big, options should never be this limited. So far I haven't found a place that is a must eat. But stay tuned blog fans as you will be the first to hear of the great ones I come across.
And so it goes...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
It's been awhile
How quickly the city life takes you over... It's been about two weeks now since I've put finger to key and while I've done many things, none of it has been all that new or exciting. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and the job is fantastic. I have taken in a few more of the local pubs, Rudy's on 45th and 9th Ave is fun...make sure to take a photo with the pink pig out front. Oh, and don't forget about your free hot dog with each drink. Mostly, I've hung out at work, putting in about 12 hours a day. I think the gray and 60's with rain 50% of the time is hampering my scouting efforts. I was spoiled the first couple weeks I was here with 70's and sunny weather. I look forward to the return of the sun.
If you've read this blog from the beginning you know that my wife and I are separating. Now, what's happening between us is between us and I will not use this as a forum to vent about the pending happenings. We get along very well and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that for shock or entertainment value. However, I do feel that as I push off into the vast ocean that is New York City, sharing my future endeavors is acceptable. Provided I'm not keeping an online tally, comprenda?
I've been here 5 weeks now and have started dipping my toe in the dating pool. The water's been warm so far; however, I have yet to get in waist deep. In fact, to continue this childish analogy, I feel like a toddler that is seeing a pool for the first time. My inclination is to run up to the edge and jump in, let the water engulf me. Yet as I reach the lip, I suddenly halt, realizing that this foreign substance may be harmful. And that's where you find me now, on the second step, slowly adjusting to the water. Meeting people and getting along with people has always been easy for me, so I feel comfortable on this step. I've met some very interesting people so far and look forward to seeing them again and meeting others. I just hope they are patient with me as I'm not quite ready to take off my water wings.
I am eagerly awaiting this weekend as the sun seems like it will come out to play. Three days off and a full schedule. Full of nothing. I anticipate spending a majority of the daylight hours in the park. Central Park is beautiful. I have fancied morning jogs there recently. It's amazing that you can step off the train, walk roughly 3 football fields and forget that you are in the middle of one of the world's largest cities. The trees are so tall and laced with leaves, the nearby high rises are nearly invisible. People are out walking their dogs, picinicing, running, walking, roller blading, unicycling, you name it, people are doing it. My 4 mile run has taken me through only half the park, possibly even less. And that's only the perimeter. Who knows what's inside that I'm not seeing as I streak by (maybe streak isn't an accurate word, but I am the writer, I get to take liberties). Point being, if you want to find me this weekend, start at Central Park.
And so it goes...
If you've read this blog from the beginning you know that my wife and I are separating. Now, what's happening between us is between us and I will not use this as a forum to vent about the pending happenings. We get along very well and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that for shock or entertainment value. However, I do feel that as I push off into the vast ocean that is New York City, sharing my future endeavors is acceptable. Provided I'm not keeping an online tally, comprenda?
I've been here 5 weeks now and have started dipping my toe in the dating pool. The water's been warm so far; however, I have yet to get in waist deep. In fact, to continue this childish analogy, I feel like a toddler that is seeing a pool for the first time. My inclination is to run up to the edge and jump in, let the water engulf me. Yet as I reach the lip, I suddenly halt, realizing that this foreign substance may be harmful. And that's where you find me now, on the second step, slowly adjusting to the water. Meeting people and getting along with people has always been easy for me, so I feel comfortable on this step. I've met some very interesting people so far and look forward to seeing them again and meeting others. I just hope they are patient with me as I'm not quite ready to take off my water wings.
I am eagerly awaiting this weekend as the sun seems like it will come out to play. Three days off and a full schedule. Full of nothing. I anticipate spending a majority of the daylight hours in the park. Central Park is beautiful. I have fancied morning jogs there recently. It's amazing that you can step off the train, walk roughly 3 football fields and forget that you are in the middle of one of the world's largest cities. The trees are so tall and laced with leaves, the nearby high rises are nearly invisible. People are out walking their dogs, picinicing, running, walking, roller blading, unicycling, you name it, people are doing it. My 4 mile run has taken me through only half the park, possibly even less. And that's only the perimeter. Who knows what's inside that I'm not seeing as I streak by (maybe streak isn't an accurate word, but I am the writer, I get to take liberties). Point being, if you want to find me this weekend, start at Central Park.
And so it goes...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Three's Company
Last weekend was my first trip back to Detroit since moving to the city. I left ass early on a Saturday morning. Like my true nature, I didn't have a plan to get to the airport. There's a bus that picks up at 125th and Lennox in Harlem. I've never taken it, but I thought hey, why not. Will be cheaper than a cab, right? And it was. Fortunately, the bus showed up a few minutes after I arrived at the stop and a short 25 minute bumpy bus hike, I was at the airport an hour before my flight. Now, before I get into the boys I want my limited audience to know one thing about Laguardia. You will never, ever leave on time. In fact, if you are in Orlando catching a flight to Omaha (don't ask me why Omaha) and the plane is coming from LGA to Orlando, you're flight will be delayed. With that said, Detroit is an hour and ten minute flight, tops. Every time I've flown it, they allow two hours. This is so they can leave 45 minutes late and still make it on time.
So I landed on time, after leaving late and took yet another bumpy bus to the rental car agency. Good thing they don't ask for proof of insurance or I would have been stuck with their $30/day BS. I remember getting behind the wheel of the Pontiac G6 and thinking, "Wow it's kind of fun to drive when you don't do it every day for 2 hours". It wore off before I hit the freeway.
My oldest, Tristan, was at a birthday party when I got to the house. My youngest, Tanner, was home and I was excited to see him. Everyday we chat, the first thing he asks me is (imagine a Chinese man with very broken English) "When you come home?" To which I answer, "I'll get to see you in (insert number of days here). He simply responds, "Ok." Now, being he is 2, time is as foreign to him as calculus it to me. He just doesn't get it. When I walked in the door he kind of peaked around the corner till he saw me and played shy guy. He hid behind his mother's leg before coming up to give me a hug. Then everything was like it was before I left. We grabbed lunch quickly before picking up his older brother from the birthday party.
Once the Three Amigos were assembled we rode off in the sunset to the rec center. They played at the indoor jungle gym while I watched and took a few pictures. Eventually we relocated to the pool where the little guy drank a few gallons of chlorinated water.
Not intentionally, mostly due to clumsiness. I think the water screwed with his equilibrium and every time he stepped off the little water gym, he fell over. I'd pick him up within a millisecond of the water reaching his nose. While he was chugging pool water, the other one had found some new friends to swim with in the lazy river/whirlpool. We swam till we had geriatric hands.
Back at our hideout, we climbed into our PJ's and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. I have to admit, other than spending time with them, I wasn't very excited to watch it. However, it wasn't all that bad. Much better than the "Lots and Lots of Train" DVD I've seen half a billion times. I think our heads finally hit the pillow around 11:30.
Sunday was action packed. Hung out with Chuck E, took Tristan to a baseball competition, hung out at the park for a couple hours, and went bowling. Tanner bounced from game to game at Chuck E's while Tristan tried to win as many tickets as he could. I think his final tally was around 300. Tanner freaked out any time I threw a token in a ride and it started to jolt around.
Tristan came in first in every part of the baseball competition and will be moving on to the regional at the end of the month. He could eventually get invited to the MLB All-Star game if he keeps moving on.
The park and bowling were a little hectic. Tanner doesn't sit still, so most of the time I was chasing him.
But Tristan and I did get to hang out most of the time. All in all, it was a fun weekend. I loved seeing them and I can't wait to see them again next weekend.
The only problem, and I think that it's a little over dramatic of a word, is that I hope this weekend didn't set the tempo for the rest of our visits. Being the first time back, I wanted to make it special and keep them entertained. There's no way I'll be able to keep up that kind of a pace every weekend. Not because it was tiresome or overwhelming. Two reasons. First, I can't afford to drop $200 every other weekend when I'm already spending $300 to fly home, rent a car and get a hotel room. Secondly, it's not fair to Kim if I come in every two weeks and do all this fun stuff with the them. She does all the hard work caring for them everyday and rarely gets time to herself. I don't want them to think that I am more fun to spend time with. I'm trying to be conscious of what she's going through and not come in and dazzle with presents and fun trips.
The biggest reaction I got this weekend was from Lucy, our black lab. Our front door was open when I pulled into the driveway, she saw me get out of the car through the screen. Immediately, her tail shook. Scratch that. Her entire body began to weave back and forth. She looked like a shark trying to swim against an impossible current. I ended up entering the house through the garage and as soon as she heard the door open all I could hear were dog nails scraping the wood floor. I couldn't see her, but I imagined a cartoon where the character's feet speedily try to move forward but they don't move. Seconds later I see her tear around the corner coming straight at me. She put on the brakes about 4 feet before getting to me and power slid into the fridge before attacking me. Lucy lifted off her front paws trying to put them on my shoulders. She was able to establish paw-to-shoulder contact but forgot to stop wagging and had to settle all four feet on the ground before regrouping. I moved into the carpeted living room to give her some attention for the short time I was there. It was very cute and I guess I missed her a little more than I thought I would.
My next venture to Detroit is just over 10 days away. I'm looking forward to it and wish I could make it back more often. But at the same time, I feel much more at home in my new home. I wish there were a way I could have the boys closer. But really, they are closer than I was to my dad in Ohio when I lived in Michigan (not to mention when I lived in Florida and he was in Ohio). Plus the ability to video chat. The travel time is almost the same. 2 hour drive to Ohio...1 hour 15 minute flight. What I've become can best be described by Rick Nelson, "Oh, I'm a travelin' man, Yes, I'm a travelin' man." And so it goes
So I landed on time, after leaving late and took yet another bumpy bus to the rental car agency. Good thing they don't ask for proof of insurance or I would have been stuck with their $30/day BS. I remember getting behind the wheel of the Pontiac G6 and thinking, "Wow it's kind of fun to drive when you don't do it every day for 2 hours". It wore off before I hit the freeway.
My oldest, Tristan, was at a birthday party when I got to the house. My youngest, Tanner, was home and I was excited to see him. Everyday we chat, the first thing he asks me is (imagine a Chinese man with very broken English) "When you come home?" To which I answer, "I'll get to see you in (insert number of days here)
Once the Three Amigos were assembled we rode off in the sunset to the rec center. They played at the indoor jungle gym while I watched and took a few pictures. Eventually we relocated to the pool where the little guy drank a few gallons of chlorinated water.
Not intentionally, mostly due to clumsiness. I think the water screwed with his equilibrium and every time he stepped off the little water gym, he fell over. I'd pick him up within a millisecond of the water reaching his nose. While he was chugging pool water, the other one had found some new friends to swim with in the lazy river/whirlpool. We swam till we had geriatric hands.
Back at our hideout, we climbed into our PJ's and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. I have to admit, other than spending time with them, I wasn't very excited to watch it. However, it wasn't all that bad. Much better than the "Lots and Lots of Train" DVD I've seen half a billion times. I think our heads finally hit the pillow around 11:30.
Sunday was action packed. Hung out with Chuck E, took Tristan to a baseball competition, hung out at the park for a couple hours, and went bowling. Tanner bounced from game to game at Chuck E's while Tristan tried to win as many tickets as he could. I think his final tally was around 300. Tanner freaked out any time I threw a token in a ride and it started to jolt around.
Tristan came in first in every part of the baseball competition and will be moving on to the regional at the end of the month. He could eventually get invited to the MLB All-Star game if he keeps moving on.
The park and bowling were a little hectic. Tanner doesn't sit still, so most of the time I was chasing him.
But Tristan and I did get to hang out most of the time. All in all, it was a fun weekend. I loved seeing them and I can't wait to see them again next weekend.
The only problem, and I think that it's a little over dramatic of a word, is that I hope this weekend didn't set the tempo for the rest of our visits. Being the first time back, I wanted to make it special and keep them entertained. There's no way I'll be able to keep up that kind of a pace every weekend. Not because it was tiresome or overwhelming. Two reasons. First, I can't afford to drop $200 every other weekend when I'm already spending $300 to fly home, rent a car and get a hotel room. Secondly, it's not fair to Kim if I come in every two weeks and do all this fun stuff with the them. She does all the hard work caring for them everyday and rarely gets time to herself. I don't want them to think that I am more fun to spend time with. I'm trying to be conscious of what she's going through and not come in and dazzle with presents and fun trips.
The biggest reaction I got this weekend was from Lucy, our black lab. Our front door was open when I pulled into the driveway, she saw me get out of the car through the screen. Immediately, her tail shook. Scratch that. Her entire body began to weave back and forth. She looked like a shark trying to swim against an impossible current. I ended up entering the house through the garage and as soon as she heard the door open all I could hear were dog nails scraping the wood floor. I couldn't see her, but I imagined a cartoon where the character's feet speedily try to move forward but they don't move. Seconds later I see her tear around the corner coming straight at me. She put on the brakes about 4 feet before getting to me and power slid into the fridge before attacking me. Lucy lifted off her front paws trying to put them on my shoulders. She was able to establish paw-to-shoulder contact but forgot to stop wagging and had to settle all four feet on the ground before regrouping. I moved into the carpeted living room to give her some attention for the short time I was there. It was very cute and I guess I missed her a little more than I thought I would.
My next venture to Detroit is just over 10 days away. I'm looking forward to it and wish I could make it back more often. But at the same time, I feel much more at home in my new home. I wish there were a way I could have the boys closer. But really, they are closer than I was to my dad in Ohio when I lived in Michigan (not to mention when I lived in Florida and he was in Ohio). Plus the ability to video chat. The travel time is almost the same. 2 hour drive to Ohio...1 hour 15 minute flight. What I've become can best be described by Rick Nelson, "Oh, I'm a travelin' man, Yes, I'm a travelin' man." And so it goes
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