East Coast Part IV - New York City

Okay, so remember how back in May I went to DC for my Georgetown Reunion? And then I went to North Carolina to visit dear friends? And then I stopped in DC again quickly? Well, after that I went to New York. And I didn't want to leave. 

I trekked over to Union Station on a rainy Friday morning in early June to catch the bus to NYC. Ran into Nancy W on the subway, and I miss those types of encounters on the morning commute. The bus section at the station all moved to the back parking lot, which I guess made things easier?

Hooked on The National's new album at the time, listened to it most of the way up. 

Got into the city just around evening rush hour, and I popped up to Derrick's office off 58th to say hello, as I'd be staying with him for a few days. I made the rounds and met a few of his colleagues, I checked my work email, and then Derrick so graciously took my large bag home for me, so I could go meet up with a couple other friends for dinner.  Seriously - the trip back East reminded me of what good people I know. A huge THANK YOU to all of you.

I totally had the wrong shoes and wrong coat for the rain, but NYC, you feel so good.

Popped down to Shake Shack to see Carly and Josh! They were in the city for Josh's rotation with Bank of America. It was crowded, but we got food and finally got a seat.

On my way to Shake Shack, I popped into the Milk Bar on 56th. Cause these two things are the best two things.

Candy Bar Pie - get in my mouth! Life changing.

Derrick and his roommate have a super comfy and beautiful apartment in downtown Brooklyn, and I'd love to live there. It made Saturday morning convenient. I walked a few blocks over to TKTS, which barely had a line and they had the show I wanted! Tender mercy.

Then, up to Williamburg for Smorgasburg with Jason and Meghan and one of her friends.  NYC, you're gorgeous.

I had some pretty good mac and cheese in a cup.

And then a tiny s'more from some place.

Roads closed for the hipsters and their bikes.

Then I think I took the train back to Manhattan and said hello to Jason's apartment for a few minutes.   Maybe I took a nap? Then I walked back to Derrick's place in Brooklyn and took photos from the roof. Get ready for a lot of bridge photos.

Saturday night, Derrick and I grabbed Thai and some ice cream at Van Leeuwen.

Sunday was a wonderful, pretty much perfect day. I got up early and miraculously made it on time to church on the Upper East Side. I wanted to go there so I could pop into museums after church. First up, the Guggenheim, which was mostly closed due to the James Turrell exhibit about to open.

Then I meandered through the park a bit. 

And went to the Whitney.

Then it was across the park to Levain Bakery, cause I'd only ever heard about their cookies and not actually eaten one. Amazing. I bought two, and I think my bag weighed about three pounds.

Then, down the grid to meet Derrick and see my show! A perfect matinee of Once, based on my favorite movie ever. I get a little infuriated when people don't realize there was a movie, and two beautiful people (Glen and Mar) who came together to make this music. I don't even have words to talk about them sometimes. They're no longer performing together, and while I didn't love some of the changes to the stage version, it was so nice to hear songs their performed again. 

When I got home to Derrick's that night, I made this Facebook post about a couple other NYC experiences I had that weekend:

While LA might be known for celebrity sightings, the East Coast is known for politician sightings, and man, I’ve had some good ones in the last few days. 
First up at my college reunion, an enlightening chat with Reverend Neil Grimaldi, running for NYC mayor. He sued the Vatican last year, authored a self help book, composed a song for Catherine Zeta-Jones, and gave Jacinda some blessings and advice for her life – yoga, spiritual books, and sex. He's done some other very interesting things, I totally think NYC should vote for him.

Next up, an Anthony Weiner sighting! I was actually hoping for one of those. He walked right past me in the Puerto Rican Day parade with a megaphone. I’d really like to meet his wife.

And finally, I was crossing a mostly empty street in Brooklyn, and behold! The Rent Is Too Damn High guy was sitting in his The Rent Is Too Damn High wrapped car at the stoplight. Ole Jimmy saluted me as I walked by, I winked at him, and we had a nice little moment. If he’d fix this problem in NYC, I’d move here in a second.
Next up, an Anthony Weiner sighting! I was actually hoping for one of those. He walked right past me in the Puerto Rican Day parade with a megaphone. I’d really like to meet his wife.
And finally, I was crossing a mostly empty street in Brooklyn, and behold! The Rent Is Too Damn High guy was sitting in his The Rent Is Too Damn High wrapped car at the stoplight. Ole Jimmy saluted me as I walked by, I winked at him, and we had a nice little moment. If he’d fix this problem in NYC, I’d move here in a second.

Okay, that night I think I moved over to Bryndee's place in Chelsea. We became friends thanks to Karen and our Vancouver Olympics adventures. Monday night I had tickets to see The Drums, and boy was it a fun show! LA crowds are too cool to dance, except for maybe the people right in the front. Everyone else stands there with crossed arms and nods their heads. This crowd was crazy fun dancing all night people. People in the front, in the back, on the side, in the balconies. It made me really happy.

I worked from the office Monday and Tuesday. One day I popped up to the offices of one of our creative agencies. They've got a nice conference, and now I can visualize where they're sitting when I chat with them.

I think one evening it was raining again and I was walking to Bryndee's, and this tall, thin guy was prancing across the crosswalk, back and forth in the rain, wearing nothing but silver metallic bikini briefs. I wish I had a picture, but I don't. Instead, here are the clouds breaking.

I took Wednesday off work and planned to return to DC that night. Lucky, Marcello had a day off from his photographer duties on the NKTOB/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men tour, so we got to hang out all day in the city. First stop, the Rain Room. Cause I had to see it.

Waiting in line for a couple hours, and this is what I had to look at.

My work corporate membership got me in for free and Marcello in for 5 bucks, but we had to wait in the longer line. Finally, we got inside! But there was more of a line. 

He took that one:

Finally, it was our turn! I walked around in amazement for a little while. Touching the rain, but not touching the rain. Then it was time to get silly.

I have a ton more photos, but I'll save those for another day. Maybe for a Flashback Friday!

We headed to Madison Square Park and grabbed some lunch nearby. The weather was perfect. This art exhibit was up. 

Marcello's life changed when he ate Candy Bar Pie. He used to be hooked on Birthday Cake truffles, so he bought some of those, but I said - you don't know what you're missing. And now it's like those truffles never existed.

At this point I was supposed to be getting on a bus back to DC, but I didn't want to leave NYC and Marcello had a nice place to crash for the night, so we went to Hoboken, had some dinner with his friends, and hung out for the night.

As much as people rag on Jersey, it's got some nice views of the city.

NYC, I didn't want to leave you, but that next cloudy morning, I had to get up and do just that.