I love NY

Where else can you jam out to a great band while you're waiting for the subway? These guys were awesome. So good in fact I would of even dropped them a dollar if they were not on the other platform! And, I have a very strict policy that you must earn your dollars and not just ask "Spare any change tonight?" like the tranny at my subway station does. I even considered walking over to give them one. Considered.

PS. Heading to DC this weekend to spend some time with my sister!

Spring is here!

Kat and I had a little photo shoot in Central Park the other weekend. So pretty :)

The coldest Winter I ever had was Summer in San Francisco

I always thought I would love San Fran if I ever got the chance to visit. People always said it was a lot like NY. While it was lovely, I just don't think I could deal with 50 degree summer nights. I like seasons - hot, cold, and in between.

There were a lot of similarities between the cities, here are some of the differences I noticed:

• In NY if you see an acquaintance you avoid eye contact at all costs so you don't have to waste 1 minute of your time saying hello. In SF, they shout across the street at them and wave.
• In SF the bums get mad if you ignore them when they talk to you, in NY they get mad if you talk to them.
• In SF a lot of the restaurants close at 3pm, in NY its 3am
• In SF the bums use much more creative excuses/costumes to get your money. In NY they hold signs that say "I need beer money"

I did enjoy my time in San Fran and hope to go back again soon to see all that I missed. But, the visit did make me realize how much I really do love NY - dirt, grime, rude people and all.

All Points West

One of the things I absolutely LOVE about NY is that you never know what could happen. I thought my weekend was going to be filled with laziness and cleaning, but I don't think I really spent more than 2 hours in my apartment since Friday where I wasn't sleeping. A friend was in town and had quite the hook-up and got us VIP tickets to All Points West. So, I made the trek to Dirty Jersey and spent hours walking through mud in order to check out some amazing shows. Lots of new songs to load the iPod with. Coldplay was just as amazing the second time around. With the Manhattan Skyline in the background, you can't really get a better atmosphere to watch a show in. Completely unexpected and amazing day.

What a music filled weekend I had.

Double Trouble

My sister is here for the summer! I was nice enough to meet her at the airport and help her carry one of her bags (an old vintage Navy duffle of my mothers lol). The New Yorker in me managed to carry the 40 pound bag in platform heels. I'm so talented :) This summer is going to be quite an adventure - sharing a studio is going to be quite an adjustment. But, I'm so excited and can't wait for all the fun we will have. I even welcomed her to our neighborhood with a champagne toast!

New York view from Jessy's rooftop birthday party. Photo credit, Jessie G.

Friday was filled with sunny skies and warm temperatures. It was the perfect combination for a rooftop party and that was exactly how I spent my night. We celebrated Jessy's birthday by grilling out in the great outdoors, 6 stories up. Great food, fun and friends led to one amazing night. I'm still full from all the food I ate. No one goes hungry when Jessy is in charge :) 

Let the rooftop parties commence

I'm always up for a little fun on top of one of New York's tallest buildings. Rooftop parties are one of the best things about New York! Last night I headed up to a Daily Motion party at their office. I still am in shock that this is part of their everyday working life and am quite jealous of it. Despite the windy and cold conditions we enjoyed a screening of the documentary Home and even got to hear the director talk about her experience making it. It was quite inspiring. Everyone interviewed in the movie gave their account of why New York was home to them. Made me love the city I call home even more. 

Let's have a picnic

Today's weather was less than exciting (cloudy and dreary to be exact) and it always puts me in a bit of a gloomy mood. Days like this I have to force myself to remember happier, sunnier days in order to put a smile on my face. Just the other day I took my branded Twix blanket and met a friend in Madison Square Park for a little lunch/picnic hour. I enjoyed an open lawn, sunny skies, and an hour of fresh air. I really wish I was there right now. I see a lot of naps in my immediate future during my lunch hour. 

I love photo booths.

and the bars which have them. great saturday night. dinner. drinks. dancing. friends.

    

Let's go Yankees!

April must be my lucky month because not only have I been to a game at the new Mets stadium, last night I got to check out the new Yankees Stadium as well! I got some pretty sweet seats (thanks Vice Magazine!) and fully enjoyed my night watching the Yankees kick some Angels butt. I steered away from the $9 Bud Lights and enjoyed the $10.50 chicken fingers and fries instead. I had instant love for the new stadium once I saw a Moes stand, but that faded when I realized I could only get their chips and queso and not a Moo Moo Mr. Cow. One of my favorite things about the stadium was the little warning signs on the back of our chairs.

-Be Alert for Bats and/or Balls-

I did witness a bat being broken and fly nearly into the outfield, but there was no chance it was making it to section 213.

The new stadium was pretty nice, but sorry Yankee fans, the Jeter Meter came up a little short - I think the Mets stadium is just a little bit better (Hello Shake Shack).

I have tan lines!

friend and I (on the left) about to begin our lazy day in the sun

This weekend temps hit the mid-80s, which is just crazy for New York. I fully took advantage of it and spent the entire thing in the sun. I was lucky enough to be poolside on Saturday and beachside on Sunday. I was left with tan lines, a sunburnt scalp (i forget i have blonde hair sometimes), patchy red spots where i missed sunscreen, and a slightly less shocking ghostlike exterior.

I think a friend summed it up best by saying, "if this is the effect of global warming, maybe it really isn't all that bad."

Take me out to the ball game

While I may have only had one peanut and no cracker jacks, my first Mets game couldn't of been any better. 

1. It was the most beautiful day in New York - 78 degrees and sunny - that we have had all year. 
2. I had to put on sunscreen for the first time this year! (I think winter might FINALLY be over)
3. I got to spend the day with some amazing ladies.
4. The new Citi Field is such an amazing stadium. 
5. We did the wave - a few times.
6. The Mets won!
7. I didn't have to take the subway to or from the stadium (hey, its the little things)

 Outside of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda

 

Let's hear it for the Mets! 

Thanks Vito for the awesome tickets. This day definitely makes it into my top ten days in NY.

For the rest of the pictures for our AMAZING day check out the full album. 

One of the many reasons I love New York

Views like this make being stuck in traffic not so bad

Let's hear it for 70 degree weather!

Spring has finally sprung in New York City. I have been impatiently waiting for a long long time. I'm pretty lucky that I work so close to Madison Square Park and get to go there for an hour of sunny bliss in the middle of my day. Friend and I took full advantage of it today. As you can imagine, all of NY had the same idea and it was pretty packed. A piccolo player even made an appearance. I am a much happier person when its sunny outside - I guess that's the Florida in me talking.

A very crowded Madison Square Park - circa 4.17.09

A little bit of this...

Hoah with a little bit of that
A little bit of good
Yeah with a little bit of bad

What a weekend...

• Worked an event with my friend at Hudson Terrace Friday night. Didn't leave until 5 am. That gave a whole new meaning to working from 9 - 5.
  
• At this event I got to chat with some cool people, all who came out for Otto's Birthday (i still have no idea who Otto was). Black Sheep, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, some guy that friend tells me was on MTV's True Life, a bunch of cool DJ's with stylish entourages, and a few others. I also got to see many many people get escorted out because they were ridiculously drunk.
• Did not get a lot of sleep because of my stomping upstairs neighbor. I swear when he walks everything in my apartment shakes. I don't get it, he's not even a big guy.
  
• Almost had the cops called on me when some (very drunk) girl thought I wanted to steal her jacket. Please, it wasn't even cute. And, I was sober. I think they would believe me anyway.
  
• A toddler getting pushed in a stroller complimented my heels while I was walking down the street. Do I sense a future fashion designer?
• I was told I had a Euro look. Not sure if that is good or bad.
• Went to Marquee with the ladies. I really do enjoy dancing the night away and the club scene. But, I have to be mentally prepared for it.
  
• Watched The Reader on the subway. Got so rapped up in it I missed the announcement that the train was going express and ended up on 125th Street. Bummer.
• Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist is an awesome movie. Friends and I laughed the entire time. You must go watch it now.

Andres "Dres" Titus getting interviewed my MTV True Life guy

Checking things off the list...

One of my oldest and dearest friends finally was able to make it to New York this past weekend. Our weekend was primarily spent shopping and spending money that I totally should not of spent. Oh well, I only live once and I am going to look good while I do it! They treated me to Wicked which was so awesome! I get to check that one off the list now. :)

Friend and I in Times Square on our way to the longest dinner of our lives - we were there for 3 1/2 hours! We went to Becco (finally!) and it was absolutely delicious. Goat cheese and radish ravioli were simply marvelous. 

When in New York... if she only knew the bar Wu was going to take us to she wouldn't be smiling. Rock and Roll Whore in rhinestones, midget porn, and handing condoms to you as you go to the bathroom. We lasted there about 1.5 minutes. 

We took advantage of the absolutely gorgeous NY Spring weather and walked the Brooklyn Bridge. 

I love the Brooklyn Promenade, and her. 

Best Date Ever

After the Guggenheim adventure, friend and I made our way down to one of NY's douche bars (not to be confused with a dive bar, dear friend), Whiskey River for an event my old company was putting on. The bar wasn't terrible, but the fact that it was on 2nd and 30th didn't help it's cause. The event was to promote Late Night with Jimmy Falon. He showed up, played a quick game of beer pong, and to be honest, was quite unexciting. No worries, we managed to have a great time anyways! We chatted with my old Zoom friends, had lots of laughs, took souvenir Polaroid's (branded for the show of course), snagged LNJF t-shirts and enjoyed a few complimentary beverages. 

After a few rounds of boring beer pong, we made our way to a nearby bar where a friend was spinning. DJ Paz played some awesome songs, so we danced the night away to Madonna's Like a Prayer (one of my all time favs. Hey sister, remember our dance routines to that song!) and a bunch of other great songs. We didn't even care that we were the only one's dancing (the bar was filled with a bunch of suits and boring people). I even learned how to DJ!  

All in all - an amazing night. Guggenheim, Jimmy Falon, free drinks, souvenirs, free peanut bars, learning to DJ, dancing to some awesome beats all night long. A girl can't really ask for more. 

      

Jimmy Falon cleaning his ping pong ball before his next shot. Friend mid dance move.

 

     

Friend pretending to DJ. Me being more interesting than Jimmy Falon. 

I am cultured

Friday night I made my way to the Guggenheim with my friend. Finally. I can now check that one off my list. Friend and I took advantage of the free entry due to the The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860 - 1989. I am glad I finally got to go to the museum and check out some of the exhibits, but I am even happier that I didn't have to pay the normal $20 entry. I prefer the museums that have suggested prices which I usually interpret to be around $5. What can I say, I am frugal. 

I have to say I enjoyed the building more than a lot of the exhibits on display. For those of you who have not visited, it is this huge winding ramp that leads you through the museum. This is a great feature because all the other museums I have been to are a little overwhelming and you don't always catch all the exhibits because there is no defined flow to them.

 

Fellow Guggenheim visitors making their way through the museum.

I really enjoyed the Kandinsky exhibit. I always liked his work when I studied it in college and it was nice to be able to see some of it in person. I love his use of bright colors to communicate emotions. Another highlight of the museum was seeing some of Picaso's work. I even managed to snap a picture of that one without getting yelled at. 

 

Friend admiring Woman and Birdcage. One of the Picasso's.

How can you not love a place with art like this?

Ever have one of those days where the plans you had didn't work out (Guess Watchmen will have to be seen another night), but the plans you ended up with were so much better than you expected? That was my yesterday.

One of the things I absolutely love about living in NY is that I can go to Happy Hour whenever my little heart desires. I met up with one friend at Black Door near my office. Surprisingly a great find! No one bothered us, and we were able to enjoy our wine and catch up on why such wine was needed in the first place.

After that, I headed down to Max Fish to meet up with another friend. The decorator had some interesting taste in art. There were life size statues, portraits of hill billy looking men, and many more interesting pieces that for some reason my brain will not remember. Drinks are cheap, and the people watching opportunities are big.

All in all, last night was a good night :)

Welcome Spring...

...I have been waiting for you.

Photo Credit: My iPhone, taken in the Lowe's parking lot. I'm classy.

Gudahls and friend take over NY

Sister and friend came this weekend! We had so much fun. The weekend was full of fun stops at the Doughnut Plant (I'm hooked), Top of the Rock, NY Library, Soho (to get my new MacBook - yeah!), Times Square (the Naked Cowboy is a HUGE perv), and lots of bars and restaurants. I can't wait until sister comes back for the summer. She's working on getting an internship up here. Fingers crossed everything works out. You can check out all of our adventures here.