"Mom and Dad, I'm going to New York City to follow my dreams of making it big in show business." I'm sure millions of parents have heard that saying as their kids graduated (maybe) from high school. As Frank Sinatra says, if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere. Well, based on the below pictures from the trip last week, I don't think the plan worked as designed for some individuals. "So Bob, what have you been up to?" "Well, I am still looking for my break in the Big Apple but in the meantime, I play guitar pretty much naked in Times Square with a cowboy hat and boots. What about you Joe?" "Well, I think I have you beat as I balance my cat Whiskers on my head and walk around Greenwich Village." All kidding aside, I'll give these folks, and others, credit for at least bringing something to the party while they chase their dreams. There were other starving artists (quite a few of them) that weren't so cordial, however. Poor Amy P. almost had a take down with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Times Square while we were waiting for Laura and Ed to get their coffee crack (i.e., Starbucks). Walt Disney would be turning over in his grave with the way Mickey was lobbying for donations. I know they have rent to pay like the rest of us but I don't think that would be a nice lasting impression for a toddler who worships the mouse. I can hear it now, "Mom, why are Mickey and Minnie yelling at us?" Ummmm....
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| front of Rudy's |
There obviously is more to New York City than people watching (although I would consider it to be the people watching capital of the world) and the five of us did a pretty good job of hitting quite a few spots. Everything from a comedy club in Greenwich Village, taking a tour of Rockefeller Center, viewing the island on top of said center, seeing the play "Wicked," taking the Staten Island ferry for a view of lady liberty, listening to some Asians plucking on funky instruments in Chinatown, having a great meal in Little Italy, and seeing the 9/11 Memorial. In between all of this, we met some great locals. One morning we walked (we did some serious hoofing during the week) towards the Soho district and came upon a small tavern called "Milady's." By the time we left there roughly two hours later, bar keeps Delila and Donna went above and beyond in terms of making us Michiganders feel at home.
My favorite story from the trip was actually my last day there. It wasn't a favorite because it was my last day; it just happened that way. I had some time to kill before my flight left Thursday night so I went back to a bar in Hell's Kitchen, "Rudy's," that the five of us visited a few days earlier. They had $3 pints, free hot dogs, and some sweet red duct tape covering most of the stools and benches. The place had character and some great local flavor. Sitting at the bar I met Vivian, a retired widow (no, I didn't hit on her) who has lived in the area her entire life and has never possessed a driver's license! Never needed one living in Manhattan she said. One less thing to worry about I guess. So a few minutes later, I'm sitting there at the bar and in the front door comes the postman, dressed in his official postal uniform. The people at the bar more or less gave him a "Norm!" greeting. On cue, Yolanda the bartender pours a shot and slides it over to him. Everybody raises a glass in a toast, he downs it and off he goes on his route. Good times in the Kitchen!
Three cheers for the other members of my field trip group, the Ochs and Paulsons. You did a fine job in keeping up with the fast walker (i.e., me - ha).
Trail Head
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| actual street sign in front of Rockefeller Center |
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| big head in front of big building |
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| look at the grip on those Starbuck cups (ha) |
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| Washington Square |
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| Little Italy |
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| Chinatown - don't know the instrument they were playing but they were plucking! |
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| view from Staten Island ferry |
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| 9/11 Memorial |
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| sweet name |
"Mom and Dad, I'm going to New York City to follow my dreams of making it big in show business." I'm sure millions of parents have heard that saying as their kids graduated (maybe) from high school. As Frank Sinatra says, if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere. Well, based on the below pictures from the trip last week, I don't think the plan worked as designed for some individuals. "So Bob, what have you been up to?" "Well, I am still looking for my break in the Big Apple but in the meantime, I play guitar pretty much naked in Times Square with a cowboy hat and boots. What about you Joe?" "Well, I think I have you beat as I balance my cat Whiskers on my head and walk around Greenwich Village." All kidding aside, I'll give these folks, and others, credit for at least bringing something to the party while they chase their dreams. There were other starving artists (quite a few of them) that weren't so cordial, however. Poor Amy P. almost had a take down with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Times Square while we were waiting for Laura and Ed to get their coffee crack (i.e., Starbucks). Walt Disney would be turning over in his grave with the way Mickey was lobbying for donations. I know they have rent to pay like the rest of us but I don't think that would be a nice lasting impression for a toddler who worships the mouse. I can hear it now, "Mom, why are Mickey and Minnie yelling at us?" Ummmm....
