Bohemia and Brooklyn

Greetings – when we last left our urbanites (Tom W., the Baroness and the Baron) they were awaiting Michele to finish her workshop. Evening was just underway as the group united at The French Roast, scene of brunch with Wayne earlier. Under Tom’s sober eye martinis were distributed to the other three. The day’s sights, wanderings and movie (“Enough Said”) were interchangeably discussed along with the very positive points of Michele’s attendance at NYU for the weekend.

The martinis were rather good and were complimented by the Baron who has been used as a “shaken, not stirred” paragon. Chris even went up to the bartender and conveyed his drinking pleasure. Then it was off to Bleeker St through the Village.

Always a special place, the Village holds decades of anecdotes and events for the bohemian and the pedestrian. Tom and Michele had not seen Rick’s new store so that was the first destination. Here is a night shot of KADOnyc:

Rick was not working that evening but the store offers its own entertainment also.

On the way to Washington Square there was the serendipitous encounter of a dachshund owner. Claire Wolfson (Tom and Michele’s daughter) has started a company dealing with these delightful dogs and her venture provided a lively exchange with the owner and the Wolfsons.

As they neared the square, Tom’s mom, Alice, was celebrated since they were in sight of the labor library at NYU where a pillar is dedicated to her service in the labor and socialist movement. Chris and Gini had been fortunate to have been there for the dedication.

And then the “arch de resistance” was approached. Just love Washington Square any time of the day or night. Its energy is remarkable and its space engaging:

Assuming a veteran subway denizen posture, connections were made to Grand Central. Its one hundredth anniversary was noted by all along with its wonderful ambiance. The five block stroll to the pied a terre went quickly. A pizza was ordered along with dessert as the evening finished quietly with Tom and Michele looking for a crosstown bus.

Sunday morning meant that Phil and Angela would be arriving in town with our car and belongings. This power couple would also bring their own vehicle for their return trip later in the day while dropping off the Element et al at a nearby parking garage. Could they make it any more convenient?

Gini and Chris had a chance to show their appreciation and treated Phil and Angela to brunch at Hudson Place on Third Ave, one of their favorite restaurants. It was wonderful (of course).

Several days earlier it had been agreed that, conditions permitting, the four would walk across the Brooklyn Bridge; something none of them had ever done. Interesting in that three of them were NYC natives. Access was easily obtained due to close proximity to the Lexington Ave subway line. This terminated at the bridge.

The weather, however, was not really cooperating. The clouds were heavy and the air temp close to brisk. The presence of the bridge helped ease any thoughts of aborting our mission. This incredible structure, opened in 1883, spans the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. Lives were lost, careers made and records broken with its creation. There are lanes for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. Make sure you know which one you are using.

One of its famous aspects is the view of Manhattan:

There is excitement in this skyline and compares with any city and any age. Perhaps best taken in limited doses, it is never-the-less the quintessential metropolis.

Another perspective is of the harbor and its welcoming mistress:

The nerd/engineer/mathematician in Chris was in awe of the geometric lines of this connective edifice:

The rain did begin to fall and as the walkway’s sinuous path continued, somewhat deeper into Brooklyn than had been initially thought, it was decided to forego some of the riverside parks. Back on to the Lexington Ave subway and back to “the old neighborhood”. It was at this point that the unerring ability to make it all happen seemed to elude our quartet. Becoming pinball pedestrians, they bounced about from avenue to street and back again looking for cappuccino and dessert. Even a call to their son Michael could not orient our troop until the decision was made to settle for Starbucks. It happens. It was fortuitous in that the coffee and pastry were quite good and they were safely off the street.

With much regret there was a parting of the ways with this generous couple. Conversation had been non-stop; enjoyment ubiquitous with these two.

To help ease the nascent nostalgia Chris and Gini headed for Rick’s on the West Side for a martini. They were then able to say their farewell to him also as they would be leaving in the morning.

Monday morning breakfast at W Café was distracted by the large volume of police, barriers and crowds. Oh yeah…the Veteran’s Day Parade on Fifth Ave…whoops! Hastily  a retreat was beat and Plan A was executed. After bringing luggage, bags and traipsings to the condo lobby, Chris would head for the parking garage, get the car and meet Gini to load the luggage back at the apartment. Then hope for the best with the parade route as they had to get across town to the West Side to execute their escape from New York.

Fortune did smile as the parade had not yet reached 37^th street and traffic was allowed to flow across Fifth Ave. Whew!

As they left the city limits an iPhone alert indicated a text. Angela had sent regards along with a picture entitled “Before The Rain”:

Begging the literary flex of a Tony Manero-like quote: “Is my hair okay?”

Ciao belli.

Couple of Newfound Graduates in the Big City

Greetings – The second day in Manhattan, Thursday, was a bit of a wash as they say. Rain was ubiquitous. After the ‘Can you believe we’re in Manhattan’ expenditures of the first day it was decided to act more like Ratso Rizzo and Joe Buck (budget-wise).

We headed for Scotty’s Diner on Lexington Ave and wallowed in some delicious Belgian waffles. The nourishment provided energy for jumping on the Subway and heading for Greewich Village to see Rick’s store, KADOnyc. Upon arriving at the Bleeker St location we enjoyed the store’s offerings. Many were similar to those offered by previous ventures with which Rick had worked and many were definitely new. Smart and clever gifts, excellent variety of cards and objets d'intérêt were smartly arrayed. Chris settled for a blue tooth speaker about the size of a squash ball made of wood.

Plans for the theater began to emerge and Rick thought that even though he thought Avenue Q was a great choice, Buyer and Cellar would be very good. Since the box office would not open until 1PM we had some time for ambling. The rain did not help make it a carefree activity as we wended our way through the Village. Upon arrival, still early, Chris decided to collate information about the performance on his iPhone only to find that the evening’s performance had been cancelled. Bummer man!

It was decided that Avenue Q was the prime choice. Since it had been raining from the top of the page it continued to do so. Lunch romantically unfolded at Columbus Circle. A hot dog and sausage were purchased at a streetside Sabrett’s stand and were smirkingly consumed under a plexiglass bus stop, an excellent shelter from the rain.

Despite feeling like Gini was hosting a L’Oreal Convention, ‘rush’ tickets were purchased easily and cheaply ($27.50 each) and they were for the front row. Yes, a L’Oreal convention in the building was about to occur at 1PM but the entrance was on the other side. Gini patiently explained this to several hundred people as we waited on line for our tickets.

The movies then seemed a logical choice and we took advantage of a Manhattan movie menu and saw Blue Jasmine. We liked it.

Dinner was a purchased pizza and some wine along with a rewarding trip to the W Café on 5^th Ave for tiramisu and cappuccino. For a grand total of $60 we had eaten all three meals, less than yesterday’s lunch. Frankly, we think we need an adult with us at all times.

Tom and Michele had arrived Thursday night and arrangements were soon made to meet on Friday. Chris and Gini would first go to the HighLine on the West Side and walk the newer section (to them). We entered on 30^th St and headed through Chelsea.

The High Line is the skeletal remains of the elevated train over by 10^th Ave. At one time trains, thirty feet off the ground, facilitated deliveries and pickups along the meat markets and other commercial endeavors. It has since been outfitted to be casual ambience for walkers and sightseers.:

Might as well throw in some art and flora:

and you have to have a billboard:

A call from Tom informed us that he was on his old stomping grounds up on 86^th and East End Ave. We dutifully informed him we were on our way.

Tom’s old neighborhood is where New York City’s mayors live at Gracie Mansion. Tom had managed to survive living with his father, mother and two older brothers during his early years through high school. Anyone interested can research this through his writings, especially The Finer Life or see one of his performance/readings of same.

A walk through Carl Schurz Park along the East River displayed New York at its earliest and finest. Chris remembered drives over the river from when he lived in the Bronx. His dad would always talk about the incredible currents in Hellsgate, a spot on the river:

Great spot. Lunch was had at Yorkville Creperie on York Ave around 84^th. We are talking great crepes and panini here folks. Highly recommended.

Then began the quest for poison, I mean Poison by Dior. It was Tom and Michele’s wedding anniversary and Gini was going to make Tom do something romantic if it killed him…or her…or us. Once inspired, Tom was unstoppable. He forced Chris to collate and collate on his iPhone until there were results. Results, man! We need results! Do you take me for a fool?!

Well, Rite Aid came through and romance would live another day as an appropriate gift bag was also found. Tom was bade farewell. It was too bad that the restaurant that was recommended served incredible food in an atmosphere so loud it screamed for the Cone of Silence. This Gini and Chris would not discover until the next day.

Gini and Chris’ Friday night would belong to visiting Luke and Christine on Columbus Ave at 108^th, the Upper West Side at the edge of Harlem. Gentrification was in progress but there were still many vestiges of the old neighborhoods.

Christine was studying for her masters at Columbia (168^th St Campus) while Luke was taking on the challenge of a PhD from City University of New York. Luke was also from Newfound (Class ’00) and was one of Chris’ favorite students. Gini and he thought of him also as a second son.

It was a fifth floor walkup (see blogs on Italy from this past summer, we love these climbs) which they shared with another couple. There was time for a beer and some updating concerning the challenge of school, work and Manhattan before heading for a local Thai restaurant. Once again nyc came through with tasty food. It was the perfect place to spend time with this young couple who are set to be married in 2014. Hear, hear!

After dinner drinks were at a local watering hole by Morningside Park. It was great to see these two and hopefully they will continue on with their quests successfully. We couldn’t quite ‘Take The A Train’ to get home but we settled for the ‘C’ train and the de rigeur ramble through Grand Central Station before calling it a night.

Wayne, one of Chris’ students from Newfound (Class of ’88) was to meet us in the Village for Saturday morning brunch. Tom was also invited. Wayne and Tom had much in common in that they were both involved and very experienced in theater. Tom had a master’s degree from Dartmouth and Wayne was finishing up his at Columbia University’s film school. This was a most delightful conversation and experience.

Wayne had played on Newfound’s basketball team when he was the coach. This guy was tenacious and, when demonstrated the act of rebounding, took it upon as his personal responsibility to grab every missed shot he could. Upon graduation he took Chris’ advice to attend University of Mass at Lowell…for about twenty minutes. A theater elective made all the difference and the slide rule was replaced with Shakespearean weapons and props (slide rule?!).

The French Roast on 11^th St was the site of the late morning repast. It was across the street from a branch of the NY Public Library:

Coincidentally it was also on the same block as Michele’s conference. This allowed for some touristy wandering around Union Square, site of the weekly farmers’ market. It was also near the Flatiron building:

The movie today would be ‘Enough Said’ with James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. A bit of a feel good movie with excellent acting and worth seeing.

Speaking of seeing, nyc begs for seeing. This was our ‘neighborhood’ around Angela and Phil’s apartment:

within 3 blocks, the wonderful 34^th St of cinema fame:

Examples of deco, of course:

How about a funky storefront?

Let us temporarily leave our heroes as they await Michele’s exit from her workshop and ensuing cocktails until another time.

Take care.

Feelin' Groovy (59th St Bridge Song)

Greetings - as the drive south in 2013 begins. No, the house has not sold and only one couple has been brought in by our real estate agent in five months. Though the couple was from the bustling burbs of southern NH they felt that there were too many projects with the barn and that it was too “country”…hmmm. Fortunately our next door neighbor recommended someone to rent our place for a couple of months. This is a good thing financially speaking.

Kevin, our dear tenant, gave us a royal sendoff with crab legs swimming in seafood gumbo. The six month separation will be quite trying for all with Kevin losing out on martinis and pancakes. He does get to commiserate with Rocco, the cat.

The first friendly destination (last on the way back) is Rich and Val’s in Bolton, MA. The fall weather was perfect for a walk and dinner was scrumptious. Plans were refined for their visit to Miami Beach in December. Art Basel is the focus but a sizeable itinerary was assembled. Should be a very good time.

The weather was behaving as we wended our way to Tom and Sandy’s in Fishkill near the Hudson River in NY. Their photography business was moving along but the holidays portended many more bookings and cute kiddy close-ups. Their place is also on the market and have had a few viewings but nothing to consider just yet.

Then it was off to Long Island to begin our major vacation-like pilgrimage. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of Chris’ cousins Angela and Phil many details had been worked out to accommodate a wonderful opportunity.

It began with Angela preparing Aunt Rose’s chicken recipe for dinner upon arrival. Conversation covering our family’s immigration, movies, politics, retirement, children and a soon-to-arrive grandchild filled the evening. The plan would be to have Phil drive us toward the city and leave our ‘packed-to-the-gills’ Honda Element in their driveway for safekeeping. They had wisely invested in a couple of apt/condos in mid-Manhattan. One of their sons was currently living in one while the other would serve as pied-a`-terre for our five night sojourn in the Big Apple.

Phil bravely decided to forego the Queens train drop-off in favor of door-to-door service. This man is a saint! Presently we were at 37^th St between Park and Lexington with keys and luggage in hand; synchronizing iPhones and cells it was calculated that Sunday brunch would be our next meeting with Phil&Angela, our car and our belongings.

It was now Wednesday. Giddily we entered the elevator for the fifth floor thankfully since all our fifth floor accommodations in Italy this past summer were walk-ups. The apartment was wonderful and could be introduced pictorially with the accompanying description from Phil that the Chrysler building would be our ‘night light’.

Did the Gods currently favor us or what?

A serendipitous complement to our temporary residence was who we were about to see. Our long time friends Tom and Michele had driven some elderly friends from their summertime Cape Cod abode to their winter apartment on W64th St. They would arrive Thursday night with Michele scheduled for workshops on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Tom would be available for frolicking.

Our first call, however, would be to Rick. He had come to New York from Miami Beach to try his hand at retail once again. Two incarnations of the Pink Palm in the Miami area had come to an end. KADOnyc would be a similar store but in a new town and with new investors. After several years of possible sites and situations the reality had blossomed at 192 Bleeker St in Greenwich Village.

Before getting to see the store it was decided that we would meet at his apartment. This was in a ‘to die for’ location on W71^st St.

This was one block from Central Park West and the Dakota, scene of Rosemary’s Baby and John Lennon’s untimely demise. It also boasted at one time or the present: Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Garland, Boris Karloff, William Inge, Rudolf Nuryev, Joe Namath, Lillian Gish, Roberta Flack, Connie Chung, Rosemary Clooney, Jose Ferrer, Yoko Ono,  Jack Palance, Gilda Radner, Maury Povich, Rex Reed, Jason Robards and Robert Ryan to name a few.

It was decided we would hit a burger joint and then head for Central Park. Believe it or not, though typical of living in a big city, Rick had been so caught up in his business that he had not taken time to walk in the park yet.

It was a gorgeous day. We entered by the Dakota and could quickly come upon the Imagine section:

Autumn was refulgent and resplendent.

We were well protected:

It was one of those magic days and it was satisfying to see Rick visibly relax from all his efforts of serious planning, work and anxious evaluation. Everywhere we ambled there were smiles and creative activity. This very park had been the muse for Chris’ Baccalaureate speech back in ’03.

Then another dimension was entered as Chris espied a baroque figure holding a violin. She was preparing for some kind of performance. A male partner was dressed like Roma (gypsy). They were under a vaulted walkway near one of the fountains on the south side of the park. Tiling was everywhere. As it unfolded, the acoustics were amazing. She pended a diamond shape object as did he. They each began to slowly swing the artifact in giant loops. The sound was reminiscent of aboriginal tones. The vault filled with this drone and reverberated, sympathized and integrated with the tiles. The input diminished as they lay the sound makers down, though the ambience was a bit slower in giving up its acoustic memory.

The violins were fingered and the drone began anew with the hairs of the bow vibrating in aural enchantment. Now the voices … filling octaves and any available register. A wedding party slowly drifted into the space as they prepared for photographs. This was Earth….right? Oh yeah, we’re still here.

Here is a short video of the beginning of this experience. Chris recorded nine minutes of video and audio. 

Upon completion we moved through the archway only to be met by the Bubble Man:

He was performing in front of another artist who was standing in a hatch shell playing bagpipes and groovin’ on the fullness of the echoes. Love these days…can’t have enough of them.

We chatted with Rick a bit more to further invest in his growing positive demeanor then headed back home in the twilight. One of our first purchases had been seven day Metro Cards and they would prove to pay for themselves twice over as we headed for Grand Central Station:

Love the geometry of the subway stations:

Angela had been thorough in her wishing us a good time during our stay. We had a list of restaurants by location and settled on La Giara near the apartment. It was at first a bit loud but the decibels reduced when certain key patrons settled their bill and left. The food was absolutely delicious and we were quite satisfied with our fortune as we wended back to our little love nest. And away we go!

More to come.