The sunset on my bike ride home last night made for a pretty view of the river and George Washington Bridge. I love the different perspective I get from biking the city. 

Biked the Boros!

Bike ride a success!  Yay!  I felt pretty good during most of it.  If I could do one thing differently I would have worn long pants instead of capris and maybe another layer of shirt.  It was on the cold side, especially when the wind kicked in.  But I had fun and feel a great sense of accomplishment from my day.

There were so many great parts of the ride.  It was amazing how fast we made it to Central Park from lower Manhattan when we didn't have to stop at traffic lights.  Blasting through red lights was fun, as was going up 6th Avenue and seeing iconic buildings like the Empire State Building. Central Park was beautiful in bloom for spring. The views of the city were spectacular, especially crossing the Queensboro bridge with the Roosevelt Island tram passing to my left.  I enjoyed when I was approaching the bridge from the FDR and could look up and see all the bikers riding across the bridge instead of the usual traffic.  It was also fun looking down at the FDR from the bridge and seeing it completely packed with cyclists.

There were a LOT of people participating today.  (Maybe too many.  There were several times we got so cluttered we actually had to stop to space out.) I loved when we went onto the BQE and no one could resist the natural urge to "check to see if any traffic was coming" as we merged from the entrance ramp onto the empty highway.  I chuckled when I saw people in front of me do it, but still caught myself doing the same.  The Verrazano bridge was exciting because it was a tough uphill, but it was the very end, so I knew I could give it all I had left and I would be okay.  I loved going over that last hill and racing down to the finish.

I had a great team of friends to ride with and hope we do it again sometime!

Bike!

My big ride is tomorrow!  The weather forecast looks great. I got my bike tuned up today and I'm excited!  Last night I went to the Bike Expo to pick up my registration packet.  We wear a snazzy vest with our number on it so they can keep track of all of us.  I heard there are 32,000 people registered to ride.  That is a LOT of bikes! One thing I am looking forward to is riding on some of the major roads that will be closed to traffic.  We are riding on the FDR (big highway down the east side of Manhattan) and the BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway - Interstate 278).  I mean, they are CLOSING an INTERSTATE for us to cycle on!  Who does that?  I love it!

Does this look like NYC?

I did a couple of rides this week since I have barely been on my bike since last summer.  I actually rode to work and home on Thursday and then rode down there again today.  I'm excited because it only took a little bit longer to ride than to take the subway.  And after the first 10 blocks or so the ride is completely on the Hudson River Greenway: a path for biking, walking, or running that runs the entire length of Manhattan.  It is completely protected from cars (SAFE!) and runs along the water the whole time.  There are lots of trees (which are full of pink and white flowers now) and benches to stop and rest.  It's really one of the nicest things about NYC.  A lot of people use the path, but it rarely seems crowded or clogged up. I like to ride and see everyone from serious bike riders in their spandex, to families teaching their kids, to grandmas with little dogs in their bike baskets.  Everyone is out to have a nice time, get a little exercise, and enjoy their day. I'm excited about riding my bike a lot to work this summer.  It's so much better to be above ground biking through a park rather than underground crowded on a subway car.

Okay...wish me luck tomorrow!  :)

city streets

new year, new place

Wow, 2013 took off like a rocket - no turning back!  I started the year out in a new place, literally!  I moved to a new apartment.  I am still in NYC, but moved from Brooklyn to upper Manhattan.  Although it was just moving to a different part of the city, it felt like moving to another state!  What an adventure.  I have a nice spacious new apartment with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and lots of sunlight!  Sunlight is worth it's weight in gold in NYC!  So many apartments are dark and dingy little caves.  Not this one.  I actually try to block out the sun because there is so much of it early in the morning.  I have a corner bedroom with windows facing east and south.  It's not the most spectacular view in the world from my 3rd floor room, but at least being on the corner, I am not looking right into someone else's window...or at an alley where the trash is collected.  There are much worse views than mine.

In a new neighborhood, it takes a while to figure everything out.  Like which grocery store is the best, which restaurants to go to, where the post office is, etc.  I use different subways than I did before and approach everything from a completely different angle.  The upper west side is my new "hang out" and most everything I need is located there, including my job.  The best part is that my commute has been cut in half from what it was in Brooklyn. Most of the movie "You've Got Mail" took place on the upper west side.  I haven't watched that movie since I moved to New York.  It's fun to watch NY things now that I really know the city, so I should probably watch it soon.  If only Netflix streaming would get with the program.

Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, 1935

Christmas in New York

Here's a little Sunday funny brought to you by the latest New Yorker:

:

From the Met to the Mets

This summer we tried to take advantage of the summer and the city and get out and do some different things.  Like going to the zoo, botanic gardens, beach, and white water rafting.  It was a lot of fun and a way to take little "staycations".  Most of our adventures were actually inspired by those coupon websites: Groupon and LivingSocial.  Those sites clutter my inbox with a lot of junk, but occasionally something good comes along.  Not only are the offers good because they give you a discount, but also because they make you think of things that you might not normally think of.  Also good for people like me, there is a time limit to purchase and use the coupon, so I can't put it off for long.

On a recent weekend I grabbed myself a Groupon to go to a Met's game!  The weather has been on the edge for a couple of weeks now, but that Saturday turned out to be a perfect day to take the train out to the stadium and watch a game from the nosebleed.  And for once, I went to a game where the team I was cheering for actually won!  I was nervous when half way through the game the score was still tied 0-0, but eventually it picked up, got a little exciting and then the Mets sent those Phillies packing!  It was a lot of fun!

Go team!!!

Red, White, and Blue

Just a moment before it's over, I have to say Happy 4th of July!  Happy Independence Day!  I had a wonderful holiday weekend and was so glad to be able to spend it with family in West Virginia.  I had to come back to New York today, so we did most of our celebrating yesterday.  We had a cookout, ate festive homemade cheesecake, and watched the fireworks in Charleston.  Today I caught a glimpse of the NYC fireworks, but it was through a peephole view down the street. Since I wasn't able to get all the way over to the river most of the fireworks were blocked by tall buildings. Too crazy!  But I heard the booms and it was exciting.

For some reason, which I am not sure of, the Coney Island hot dog eating contest is on July 4th too.  I heard some guy ate over 60 hot dogs in however many minutes it is.  Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.  I wonder if that guy really likes hot dogs.  I wonder if he will take some time off, or will he fire up the grill again tomorrow.... Well, I remember last year I was at Coney Island and saw the original Nathan's hot dog shop.  I ate one because you have to, right?  It was pretty good.  I rode my bike (moment of silence) to Coney Island and had a great time that day.  If you are curious as to what day it was, you can check out the clock on the picture that counts down to the next hot dog contest and do the math.

Living Situations

I've always heard that one of the most difficult things about living in New York is finding the place to live.  And I agree! There are so many different neighborhoods and each has it's great reasons to live in as well as its draw-backs.  Prices can be outrageous and it really comes down to location, location, location.  The closer you live to the heart of things, the more you are going to pay and the smaller it will probably be.  Live further out, have more space: pay less.  Live in the ghetto, pay even less.  I don't know if it's possible to to have it all.  I feel like there will always be a sacrifice, so you have to pick what is most important (at least in the moment) and go for it.

As I was walking around Manhattan this weekend I saw a beautiful building on Gramercy Park and figured that might be a nice place for me.  Just take a look.  Who wouldn't mind having a couple of shiny armor guys guarding the front door and gargoyles guarding the windows?  And walking the red carpet every time I run to the grocery store?  Sounds like my kind of place.  I came back to my cozy Brooklyn apartment and found my future apartment's website.  I did run into wee problem.  The building is no longer a rental, so I will have to buy.  Also the prices range from $484,500 - $6,690,600, but that includes bicycle storage AND white glove service!  So....I've got a little work to do.  Donations accepted.

Old New York

 Fifth Avenue Clock (1909) and Flat Iron Building (1902)

Water

Lincoln Center Fountain - close up

On Broadway

Well, we are still having 'weather'. I was tricked by a few days of really nice temperatures and a bit of sun, but that all went away last weekend and we have been covered in rain since Thursday night. They say it is going to stop and be nice for the rest of the week. We'll see. Fingers crossed.

Last week was a fun week for me - besides the few days of warmth. What better way to give an early welcome to spring than to go to the theater! I had a very exhausting week, but not in ways that I should complain. After a weekend of playing my own concerts, Chris and I hit up the town and saw Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music on Broadway. It was one of those things we just had to do. Starring Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta Jones.
I can't believe Angela Lansbury is still acting. I remember her from growing up and watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks when I visited Mama and Papa. I don't remember a lot about that movie (I should watch it again!) but I do remember Ms. Lansbury and her voice as she took the kids on some sort of adventure on their magical bed. Aside from that, I remember seeing many a Murder She Wrote - also starring AL.

Well, the musical was a real treat. The acting was great and there were several top notch singers. I like seeing a revival of an older musical like that - one that actually has good quality music. I can't stand the things that are being passed off as 'musicals' these days. Some of them truly stink and don't last more than a few weeks, but some of them become major tourist traps and stick around forever. They are more like dancing rock shows with cheezy arrangements than anything else - like do we really need a Spiderman the Musical, written by Bono? Then again, it is directed by Julie Taymor, who did Lion King on Broadway and the newest production of the Magic Flute at the Met, which I loved - so maybe I am interested... oh my... the conflicts... I think it was delayed until 2012, so I guess I'll have to wait.

Anyway - I saw A Little Night Music and it was great. I had a wonderful evening, sitting in the back of the theater, peering down at the tremendous performers on the stage. Angela Lansbury is fabulous and barely has to say anything to make me laugh. I'm glad I grabbed the chance to see her.

A Brand New Year!

Happy 2010 and welcome to it! The past few weeks have been a ride, that's for sure, and I have a lot of catching up to do. I went home to West Virginia for Christmas week and then came back to New York for New Years week. Stacy came along with me and we tore apart the city, as usual, despite the roaring winds and arctic temperatures. I also feel like I have been eating nonstop for at least a month. I am best described as 'feeling like a blob'. I guess that is what the holidays are for, right???

Anyway, I guess things are heading back to 'normal' now as Stacy left this morning. I always say that things will get back to normal someday, that things will calm down and slow down pretty soon...but do they really ever?

I have lots to chat about, but for now how about the last meal of 2009:

Delicious salmon from L'Express French Cafe

And the 'meal' that welcomed in 2010:

Chocolate Pizza a la Max Brenner....but of course.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Nearly every Thanksgiving of my life I have rolled out of bed and onto the couch to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. As I watch the floats and balloons and listen to the bands a delicious smell develops in the kitchen and slowly takes over the entire house. By the end of the parade I am starving and ready to dig in to a juicy turkey, assisted by mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. I love Thanksgiving.

Well this year I stayed in New York for the first time. Instead of rolling out of bed and turning on the TV I rolled out of bed and went to the parade! It was so fun to see the huge balloons going down the streets. Many of them I recognized from seeing them in past years. Most people who had great spots to view the parade arrived at 6:30 this morning. I left my apartment at 9, so a great spot we did not have. Luckily you don't need a great spot right on the street to see the huge balloons. They are so big and high up that you can see them from several blocks away! Here are a few of my favorites as they pass by. I was jealous of the people in the apartment buildings surrounding the parade. I could see little faces in the windows watching everything pass by. What fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Found at the Met...

Check it out! Did I find my knight in shining armour?

Art and Dave

Last week Dave came to visit! He was here for a long weekend and we had a lot of fun. It's nice when people visit because it makes me take advantage of all the fun things there are to do here. For example, we went to the Guggenheim museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and saw a couple of good movies. I had never been to the Guggenheim and it is such a neat building. They were holding an exhibit of the modern painter, Kandinsky. The building itself is such a work of art. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the main area is circular. You start on the ground floor and gradually walk around the outside of the building, while ascending. After a few rounds you end up at the top by the beautiful sky light. The walls are filled with artwork as you go up. Kind of neat, if I do say so myself. The museum also provided headsets that would tell you about certain paintings when you were in front of them. That made it more interesting because I was able to learn about the artist, his techniques, as well as other influences. Sometimes it was a bit too much information and it seemed like they were stretching it, but I liked the concept.

a bite of the apple

For no reason at all I am up extra early this morning. I don't know what that's all about. Oh no! Maybe I am turning into my mom, the way she gets up way too early. Speaking of Mom... I had a couple of visitors last weekend. Mom and Dad came up for their first visit to the Big Apple! We had such a great time. They arrived on Thursday night, just in time to pick me up from work. Over the next two days we spent time seeing the sights of the city and hanging out in my apartment. We really hit a lot of the spots. Of course I took them to Times Square where we HAD to visit M&M World and the Hershey Store! And Mom and I being the shoppers that we are had no choice but to hit every floor of the world's biggest store - MACYS!!! Of the other highlights I'd say going up in the Empire State Building, which I had done years ago, but was a real treat. In the past I had been at night, but this time we went during the day. I could pick out a lot of places from up there. That day there was a chill in the air on the street, but up 80-some floors was quite brisk! Plus the wind was blowing all around! But it was still a great experience to go up in such a landmark and look out over the city.

Also I took them to an opera at the Metropolitan Opera. I figure since I work there and was able to get amazing seats for an amazing deal that they should check it out. We went to Barber of Seville, which was the first opera for both of my parents. I was a little nervous because some people have negative reactions to opera (just because it's opera) or find it boring and want to sleep through the entire thing. In my opinion, Barber of Seville is very accessible and a great first opera. Besides, if you are going to give opera a try you might as well start at the top with the Met. Well, they loved it! I was so happy that it was a success... despite traffic and parking issues.

Lastly, on their way out of town Sunday evening I made them stop at Junior's for a slice (or two) of world-famous cheesecake. We split a slice of original cheesecake and one of strawberry. Paired with a cup of coffee was just perfect! Needless to say, we had two empty plates in front of us in no time at all! New York cheesecake is an absolute must. The texture and flavor just can't be beat.

Those are some of the highlights of our little vacation in the city. I love living in a place that can turn into a vacation for me. New Yorkers rarely go to the places that tourists visit. We have different neighborhoods and in general try to stay away from those busy areas so our lives are more 'normal' and we aren't always fighting through the crowds. Because of this, the city can be instantly transformed into a different place when visitors come and we DO go to those places and see our home from a different perspective. Kind of cool. Well, I'm up early and don't think I'll be going back to sleep, so I might as well go on in to work. Early in means... early out!!! I can handle that!!!

a walk across

Brooklyn Bridge, New York

Union Square

Just a random New York photo.