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 5th 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 30th
St and headed through Chelsea.
The High Line is the skeletal remains of the elevated train
over by 10th 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 86th 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 84th. 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 108th, 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 (168th
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 11th 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 34th 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.
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