Sunday Update
Quick update on Filene's Basement that I visited on Sunday ... not worth all the hype in my opinion. Mendis mentioned I should check out Century 21 department store ... it's definitely on my list for this weekend. I also made it through DSW (discount shoe warehouse) and decided to walk from Union Square (14th) to Macy's on 34th. So many accessory stores on the way there ... I will have to remember to come back and take a closer look when I purchase a medi-chair.
By the time I got to Macy's I was spent. I was on hour 4 of shopping and for anyone that knows me well that's a long time for me because I am not a shopper ... I did my best to browse through all the floors but by the time I made it to the 9th I was done. I took 6 narrow wooden escalators and three updated escalators down to the first floor and off I went to find the closest metro station home.
Monday
Time to take a crack at getting to the new office. I decided to try a new route and took the subway on 50th to Times Square and the shuttle across to Grand Central ... what a relaxing ride - LOVE the shuttle.
I managed to get turned around outside of Grand Central and headed the wrong way (in heels) to the office ... about 30 minutes later I found the office through landmarks I had remembered seeing on Thursday. I'm getting used to being turned around so I didn't bother getting frustrated. At least I was able to get through the subway system without a problem so all-in-all it was a good morning.
Today was my first day visiting the client at LIC. It was a gorgeous day out which meant the subway would be sweltering (or so I have been told - which was true!). By the time I made it four flights down the tunnel, across a two block long sloped walk way down one more flight of stairs I was at the #7 train to Long Island ... and sweating as if I just ran a 5k marathon (not that I have ever ran a 5k but just assume that's what one would look like ... sweaty and red faced). I can't imagine what it is going to be like in the summer! Thanks to the air conditioning on the train I was able to cool down before walking a few blocks to Citi. The meetings went well and looks like I will officially have my cubicle set up next Tuesday ... I definitely will find a better route to LIC before then.
On my way back to the office about a block from Grand Central a fight between two young guys broke out on the corner ... in front of a perfume shop of all places. My first NY fight. I could barely look at them on the ground punching each other ... I kept having a flashback to the movie American History X when that guy got 'curbed' ... gag! There were a few people standing around and one older gentleman called the police. I had to keep walking to the office ... I didn't want to see how this fight ended.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful and ended up leaving work late. I was going to walk home but my feet had enough walking for the day and wanted to get out of my heels.
I should note that I felt a little sad yesterday ... I'm missing Toronto, my friends and the CBOL team :(
Tuesday
Made it to work early! Crazy how quick it is to get around when you start getting comfortable with the subway system. Have I mentioned how much I love our new office space? I will take pictures on Friday since it's supposed to be sunny out and can post them this weekend.
There was a huge crowd in the subway after work - a few guys were dancing (or at least I think they were dancing - after the mini UFC show I saw, who knows). I stopped to check it out but could barely see anything through the crowds ... the music was good and everyone was clapping. Down the hall and to the right was a woman singing opera with a small stereo playing music ... she was REALLY good. I wish I had money to drop in her bucket but I just got my new debit card fedex'd to me this afternoon and hadn't been to the bank yet. Mental note to carry a few bills to support these talented people.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
weekend update
Where did I leave off? Right, it was Wednesday and Catherine and I did head to Pete's Tavern, the oldest tavern in New York to have a couple of pints then I decided to try and make my way home on the subway.
Yes, you guessed it, went the wrong way again and ended up downtown with no money left on my metro card and wondered the streets looking for a bank. My bank card wouldn't work at the Bank of America (which TD ended up reporting as fraud and shut down my access to my account ... found that out on Saturday night) but was able to take cash from my credit card. Made it home safe and sound with Food Emporium take out in hand.
Also, I was introduced to the best falafel place called Maoz Vegetarian Restaurant for an amazing lunch.
Thursday
At work early today - which can only mean that I finally have the subway system worked out. At about 11am Amanda asked if I would like to check our our new office space in midtown. We hopped the express to Grand Central and walked a few blocks to the new space on 44th & 3rd.
CM NYC is located in the same building as Adage, Cingular, UN and across the street from Rachel Ray's studio (if I hear her voice my ears might bleeding). I was just happy the elevators were working (one of the two elevators at our old place has been under repair for a month now). The new space has a little bit of all our offices. Chicago's colours, Toronto's windows and Calgary's bistro space. I think it's nice but a few people in the office don't like it due to the new commute time.
Big bonus of the space is the windows actually open plus it looks out to Tudor City and the Chrysler Building. The lunch room is great with booths and tables to sit at ... I may only work out of LIC 2 of the 5 days instead!
In the evening I went to look at a place in Audra's building, her landlords (the cutest old men I have ever met) let me look at the place before it went it went up for rent.
It was the smallest apartment I have ever seen in my life - there was no way that I could get my stuff up the narrow staircase to the second floor let alone into the unit. My bed was bigger than the bedroom, the kitchen was smaller than the bathroom with the fridge in the living room and it looked like if I actually set up my furniture near the wall I would end up in the restaurant below! The big selling point of this $2,000/ mth place was the HUGE terrace out the back, which was bigger than the actual apartment.
It's too bad this place was so small ... it was in a really great neighbourhood on 38th & 2nd Ave and was a great price ... I am really getting nervous about apartment hunting now.
Audra and I decided to go to the corner pub where the fire fighters usually hang after work (none today though). Also, I am really having a hard time finding a beer I like ... ended up having a Budweiser Select - that would be the first and the last one I would have during my stay in New York ... it's like eating McDonald's here when there are so many great restaurants ... sick.
After my 'pint' I decided that I should walk home ... it would only be about 20 blocks - no big deal.
1.5 hours later ... I finally made it home ... not smart to walk while looking up the whole way, I ended up getting turned around and back tracked to nearly where I started. It was a nice walk though, I passed a great outside bar at Grand Central, Madison, Park and 5th Ave shops, the Waldorf Astoria, Rockefeller Center (btw, the skating rink is a lot smaller than they make it out to be on TV - about 1/4 the size of Nathan Phillips Square), NBC Studios and Radio City.
Friday
Worked from home today due to the office move and meeting with the Mulberry Group in the afternoon who would be showing me around New York. I made the huge mistake of thinking they would be picking me up and touring me around in a car! I have been walking a minimum of 1-2 hours a day for 6 days without a good pair of shoes .. not sure how long I would last during this tour on foot.
She took me through a welcome kit booklet of things I should know to get settled in New York. One that sticks out is that you should never rent an apartment, even if you are on the 19th floor, above a restaurant, market or convenience store due to the cockroaches - you have nearly a 97% chance of having them in your place. Hmmm - thank god the 1 bedroom above the restaurant in that building didn't work out.
She showed me the quickest route to Grand Central on the S train, we toured around the terminal and she showed me the Campbell Apartment Lounge where they apparently serve the best cocktails ever made. The terrace bar I passed last night ended up being the overflow area of the Campbell Apartment - the drinks are about $25 each but it is said to be worth the experience.
We headed to the office and over to 5th Avenue to Central Park, walked to 76th and over to 2nd Ave ... she pointed out the Frick House which was an absolutely beautiful house which you can take a tour of (no children allowed) and admire his collection. I definitely will be back.
She also pointed out a brownstone on 72nd that has all the original interior restored to when it was built and was very much how I pictured all brownstones to look like (of what i could see inside and out) in New York. You can get a better look at night from across the street and she said it is definitely worth coming back to see.
All in all it was a great afternoon ... I realized that I wouldn't be able to afford anything in that neighbourhood but it was nice to see.
After limping home, literally, my feet were killing me, I was able to relax for a short 20 minutes until I had to get ready for happy hour with Catherine. She was taking me to the lower east side to meet up with a friend from work.
We started out at the Crocodile Lounge in Gramercy where you get a free pizza with the purchase of a pint. Nice pub and great beer ... I tried the checker cab blonde ale ... very good! We had a couple pints there, Catherine had the free pizza and off to the lower east side (Houston and Allen Rd).
While we waited for Catherine's friends to arrive we had a drink at a bar called Pianos where the drinks are 3/4 hard alcohol with a splash of soda. The CMJ music festival was on in the neighbourhood and we checked out a band upstairs but ended up leaving shortly after our drink.
We headed up to a place called One on One Irish pub where we could sit and have a few drinks. When Jackie arrived we had gone downstairs to the bathroom and noticed a brick lined club in the basement with some great music. We ended up moving downstairs for a couple drinks but ended up getting kicked out because it was someones birthday party. I ended up leaving shortly after - I was really tired, it was 1am and wasn't up to checking out the next bar.
I was glad Catherine took me to see the lower east side, I was able to determine that it wasn't going to be the neighbourhood for me. Although they have some of the nicest boutiques I just didn't feel like I fit in there.
Saturday
My feet were killing me - I ended up napping/ relaxing at home all day ... what a week!
Sunday
That brings us to today ... all caught up now and am off to get a cell phone, check out Filene's basement (discount clothing store) and to get a nice pair of walking shoes!
Yes, you guessed it, went the wrong way again and ended up downtown with no money left on my metro card and wondered the streets looking for a bank. My bank card wouldn't work at the Bank of America (which TD ended up reporting as fraud and shut down my access to my account ... found that out on Saturday night) but was able to take cash from my credit card. Made it home safe and sound with Food Emporium take out in hand.
Also, I was introduced to the best falafel place called Maoz Vegetarian Restaurant for an amazing lunch.
Thursday
At work early today - which can only mean that I finally have the subway system worked out. At about 11am Amanda asked if I would like to check our our new office space in midtown. We hopped the express to Grand Central and walked a few blocks to the new space on 44th & 3rd.
CM NYC is located in the same building as Adage, Cingular, UN and across the street from Rachel Ray's studio (if I hear her voice my ears might bleeding). I was just happy the elevators were working (one of the two elevators at our old place has been under repair for a month now). The new space has a little bit of all our offices. Chicago's colours, Toronto's windows and Calgary's bistro space. I think it's nice but a few people in the office don't like it due to the new commute time.
Big bonus of the space is the windows actually open plus it looks out to Tudor City and the Chrysler Building. The lunch room is great with booths and tables to sit at ... I may only work out of LIC 2 of the 5 days instead!
In the evening I went to look at a place in Audra's building, her landlords (the cutest old men I have ever met) let me look at the place before it went it went up for rent.
It was the smallest apartment I have ever seen in my life - there was no way that I could get my stuff up the narrow staircase to the second floor let alone into the unit. My bed was bigger than the bedroom, the kitchen was smaller than the bathroom with the fridge in the living room and it looked like if I actually set up my furniture near the wall I would end up in the restaurant below! The big selling point of this $2,000/ mth place was the HUGE terrace out the back, which was bigger than the actual apartment.
It's too bad this place was so small ... it was in a really great neighbourhood on 38th & 2nd Ave and was a great price ... I am really getting nervous about apartment hunting now.
Audra and I decided to go to the corner pub where the fire fighters usually hang after work (none today though). Also, I am really having a hard time finding a beer I like ... ended up having a Budweiser Select - that would be the first and the last one I would have during my stay in New York ... it's like eating McDonald's here when there are so many great restaurants ... sick.
After my 'pint' I decided that I should walk home ... it would only be about 20 blocks - no big deal.
1.5 hours later ... I finally made it home ... not smart to walk while looking up the whole way, I ended up getting turned around and back tracked to nearly where I started. It was a nice walk though, I passed a great outside bar at Grand Central, Madison, Park and 5th Ave shops, the Waldorf Astoria, Rockefeller Center (btw, the skating rink is a lot smaller than they make it out to be on TV - about 1/4 the size of Nathan Phillips Square), NBC Studios and Radio City.
Friday
Worked from home today due to the office move and meeting with the Mulberry Group in the afternoon who would be showing me around New York. I made the huge mistake of thinking they would be picking me up and touring me around in a car! I have been walking a minimum of 1-2 hours a day for 6 days without a good pair of shoes .. not sure how long I would last during this tour on foot.
She took me through a welcome kit booklet of things I should know to get settled in New York. One that sticks out is that you should never rent an apartment, even if you are on the 19th floor, above a restaurant, market or convenience store due to the cockroaches - you have nearly a 97% chance of having them in your place. Hmmm - thank god the 1 bedroom above the restaurant in that building didn't work out.
She showed me the quickest route to Grand Central on the S train, we toured around the terminal and she showed me the Campbell Apartment Lounge where they apparently serve the best cocktails ever made. The terrace bar I passed last night ended up being the overflow area of the Campbell Apartment - the drinks are about $25 each but it is said to be worth the experience.
We headed to the office and over to 5th Avenue to Central Park, walked to 76th and over to 2nd Ave ... she pointed out the Frick House which was an absolutely beautiful house which you can take a tour of (no children allowed) and admire his collection. I definitely will be back.
She also pointed out a brownstone on 72nd that has all the original interior restored to when it was built and was very much how I pictured all brownstones to look like (of what i could see inside and out) in New York. You can get a better look at night from across the street and she said it is definitely worth coming back to see.
All in all it was a great afternoon ... I realized that I wouldn't be able to afford anything in that neighbourhood but it was nice to see.
After limping home, literally, my feet were killing me, I was able to relax for a short 20 minutes until I had to get ready for happy hour with Catherine. She was taking me to the lower east side to meet up with a friend from work.
We started out at the Crocodile Lounge in Gramercy where you get a free pizza with the purchase of a pint. Nice pub and great beer ... I tried the checker cab blonde ale ... very good! We had a couple pints there, Catherine had the free pizza and off to the lower east side (Houston and Allen Rd).
While we waited for Catherine's friends to arrive we had a drink at a bar called Pianos where the drinks are 3/4 hard alcohol with a splash of soda. The CMJ music festival was on in the neighbourhood and we checked out a band upstairs but ended up leaving shortly after our drink.
We headed up to a place called One on One Irish pub where we could sit and have a few drinks. When Jackie arrived we had gone downstairs to the bathroom and noticed a brick lined club in the basement with some great music. We ended up moving downstairs for a couple drinks but ended up getting kicked out because it was someones birthday party. I ended up leaving shortly after - I was really tired, it was 1am and wasn't up to checking out the next bar.
I was glad Catherine took me to see the lower east side, I was able to determine that it wasn't going to be the neighbourhood for me. Although they have some of the nicest boutiques I just didn't feel like I fit in there.
Saturday
My feet were killing me - I ended up napping/ relaxing at home all day ... what a week!
Sunday
That brings us to today ... all caught up now and am off to get a cell phone, check out Filene's basement (discount clothing store) and to get a nice pair of walking shoes!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Garbage day is every two days?
Beep beep beep, crash, slam ... that's officially the sound I hear every second morning - garbage day is here again. Maybe it's the hood i'm in?
Little tired today - the new mattress i was promised by corporate living was in fact not new but a cheap feather bed on top of the board i am sleeping on. Very deceiving though ... it looked SUPER fluffy and comfortable when I got home last night so i 'sort of' threw myself on it in exhaustion and nearly winded myself. It was the same crappy cheese clothed covered spring bed. What a princess I am? No - it's that bad.
Apparently they are bringing me another foam piece to put on top of the mattress tomorrow ... but i question why they don't just take the nice pillow top mattresses from the hotel suites on the other floors? Looks like tonight will be another date with Nytol.
Clearly, I am grumpy so I will change the subject now.
Today I took a different exit out of the Union Square station and was pleasantly surprised by the organic food market off 14th and Broadway. Too bad it shuts down on October 25th - will have to keep it in mind for spring.
Having a tough time at work today, can't wait for the extra large pint at Pete's Tavern down the road that I plan on ordering after work with Catherine ... t-minus 2 hours.
Little tired today - the new mattress i was promised by corporate living was in fact not new but a cheap feather bed on top of the board i am sleeping on. Very deceiving though ... it looked SUPER fluffy and comfortable when I got home last night so i 'sort of' threw myself on it in exhaustion and nearly winded myself. It was the same crappy cheese clothed covered spring bed. What a princess I am? No - it's that bad.
Apparently they are bringing me another foam piece to put on top of the mattress tomorrow ... but i question why they don't just take the nice pillow top mattresses from the hotel suites on the other floors? Looks like tonight will be another date with Nytol.
Clearly, I am grumpy so I will change the subject now.
Today I took a different exit out of the Union Square station and was pleasantly surprised by the organic food market off 14th and Broadway. Too bad it shuts down on October 25th - will have to keep it in mind for spring.
Having a tough time at work today, can't wait for the extra large pint at Pete's Tavern down the road that I plan on ordering after work with Catherine ... t-minus 2 hours.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Taking the Redeye - Grill
Tonight was dinner at the Redeye Grill across from Carnegie Hall with the CM team - had the chicken - it was ... ok i guess? Wouldn't suggest dining there - service was horrible. I am definitely going to check out the tribute to Leonard Berstein next weekend - Catherine went and said it was fantastic.
As for my report on NY - here's a walking tip for y'all:
walk signal = walk
flashing hand = walk
solid hand = walk
Not much else out of the ordinary happened tonight ... shutting down now to go continue reading my IDEO book on New York that Mendis picked up for me!
As for my report on NY - here's a walking tip for y'all:
walk signal = walk
flashing hand = walk
solid hand = walk
Not much else out of the ordinary happened tonight ... shutting down now to go continue reading my IDEO book on New York that Mendis picked up for me!
Correction & Update
Could not wake up this morning! Crawled out of bed at my usual 8:15am and could of made it to work on time but was wary of taking the first train that stopped. Damn, should of taken it - it was the express to Union Square - made a mental note to not miss that train again.
Need to write a brief correction notice to tourists regarding yesterday's post. Apparently, they do announce stops on some trains, the newer trains that is. Had a great ride into work today - we even picked up captain crazy at the 28th street subway stop. He entertained me two stops to Union Square.
It's 10am. Starting day two.
Need to write a brief correction notice to tourists regarding yesterday's post. Apparently, they do announce stops on some trains, the newer trains that is. Had a great ride into work today - we even picked up captain crazy at the 28th street subway stop. He entertained me two stops to Union Square.
It's 10am. Starting day two.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Day one at work
It's weird how in Toronto I couldn't drag my ass out of bed before 8:30am ... today I was up at 7am, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I even made coffee ... I sort of feel like I am on vacation?
WTF it's 9am, ok, that's ridiculous - I woke up at 7am ... I am going to be late ... vacation over - it's like any other work day in Toronto ;)
Off to the subway. I'm fairly confident I know what i'm doing/ where i'm going because Catherine carefully explained exactly where I should go and get off the subway.
What really happened?
Went down the wrong subway stairs ... should of trusted my gut and crossed the street. Tried to buy a $20 metrocard but it wouldn't take my $5 bill ... bought a $10 one instead. Back upstairs to try this again, crossed the street to the subway going the right direction. Note for tourists, they don't announce the stops during certain times of the day. Needless to say, I missed my stop and had to backtrack via foot to where I should of got off 8 blocks earlier - it's weird that you can't get to the other platform in case you got off at the wrong stop?.
It's now 10am, the people at the office were so welcoming, met everyone, caught up on my travels ... time to get down to business and check my email from the last four days - and that's where I will leave the work talk.
It was Audra's birthday (Happy 30th!) and Catherine, Anna and I went for dinner at a restaurant called the Spice Market in the Meat Packing district. The area looks and feels a lot like Vancouver's Gastown district. Dinner was amazing, I had the squid salad and mussels.
After dinner the ladies decided to go for a night cap and watch the game with Audra's friend. I definitely wanted to go but knew that 'a night cap' would not just be a night cap for me so I decided to walk home. It was a nice night out and thought it would give me a chance to get acquainted with the city.
I was at 13th and 9th and walked 37 blocks home, passed some great little restaurants, stores and the U.S. Post Office building. Such a nice city and it only took me 40 minutes to walk home.
Net net - I have decided to walk home from work for the rest of the week (we move into a new building on Friday) ... I would walk to work as well but know that won't happen until we are in our new office and I have a better pair of walking shoes - officially on my to do list.
WTF it's 9am, ok, that's ridiculous - I woke up at 7am ... I am going to be late ... vacation over - it's like any other work day in Toronto ;)
Off to the subway. I'm fairly confident I know what i'm doing/ where i'm going because Catherine carefully explained exactly where I should go and get off the subway.
What really happened?
Went down the wrong subway stairs ... should of trusted my gut and crossed the street. Tried to buy a $20 metrocard but it wouldn't take my $5 bill ... bought a $10 one instead. Back upstairs to try this again, crossed the street to the subway going the right direction. Note for tourists, they don't announce the stops during certain times of the day. Needless to say, I missed my stop and had to backtrack via foot to where I should of got off 8 blocks earlier - it's weird that you can't get to the other platform in case you got off at the wrong stop?.
It's now 10am, the people at the office were so welcoming, met everyone, caught up on my travels ... time to get down to business and check my email from the last four days - and that's where I will leave the work talk.
It was Audra's birthday (Happy 30th!) and Catherine, Anna and I went for dinner at a restaurant called the Spice Market in the Meat Packing district. The area looks and feels a lot like Vancouver's Gastown district. Dinner was amazing, I had the squid salad and mussels.
After dinner the ladies decided to go for a night cap and watch the game with Audra's friend. I definitely wanted to go but knew that 'a night cap' would not just be a night cap for me so I decided to walk home. It was a nice night out and thought it would give me a chance to get acquainted with the city.
I was at 13th and 9th and walked 37 blocks home, passed some great little restaurants, stores and the U.S. Post Office building. Such a nice city and it only took me 40 minutes to walk home.
Net net - I have decided to walk home from work for the rest of the week (we move into a new building on Friday) ... I would walk to work as well but know that won't happen until we are in our new office and I have a better pair of walking shoes - officially on my to do list.
Easy like Sunday morning
Woke up at 8am, I thought I would go west on 50th today.
Scratch that, it's 2pm. Crap. Oh well, I live here now ... I can go exploring next weekend and decided to unpack -- Catherine and her mom are picking me up at 6 for dinner at Uncle Nick's Greek Restaurant down the street.
I had a great time at dinner, Catherine's mom is a sweetie. Thanks so much for the welcome dinner Catherine!
Ugh, not looking forward to going to bed ... the mattress in this place is horrible. Time to pop a Nytol and read! (kidding, well not really ... the bed is really that bad)
Scratch that, it's 2pm. Crap. Oh well, I live here now ... I can go exploring next weekend and decided to unpack -- Catherine and her mom are picking me up at 6 for dinner at Uncle Nick's Greek Restaurant down the street.
I had a great time at dinner, Catherine's mom is a sweetie. Thanks so much for the welcome dinner Catherine!
Ugh, not looking forward to going to bed ... the mattress in this place is horrible. Time to pop a Nytol and read! (kidding, well not really ... the bed is really that bad)
Touchdown
Made it to New York in one piece!
After the movers packed up my condo in Toronto on Friday I was left with two suitcases, a fridge full of various condiments, cupboard full of dry goods and a couch. I looked around my empty condo and was really sad. I love Toronto and have met so many amazing people here why am I moving AGAIN??
Little background on that last statement:
After the movers packed up my condo in Toronto on Friday I was left with two suitcases, a fridge full of various condiments, cupboard full of dry goods and a couch. I looked around my empty condo and was really sad. I love Toronto and have met so many amazing people here why am I moving AGAIN??
Little background on that last statement:
- Grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, moved three times
- 1994 - moved to Vancouver, BC, wasn't there long enough to move around
- 1998 - moved to Calgary, AB, moved nine times
- 2006 - moved to Toronto, ON, bought a great condo, never thought I'd move
- 2008 - just moved to New York, in temporary accommodations, definitely will be moving in a month
Anyhoo, back to my night. After meeting my good friend Joanne for a goodbye pint w/ clamato at the dodger I decided to rent a movie and chill at my empty pad. No TV equals lights out early!
In the morning, I woke up late, the clock was ticking -- fast -- so I packed the rental car, dropped off a bag of clothes to goodwill, dropped off my dog at the kennel (fyi - he doesn't travel well and puked in the car and drooled the whole way to Burlington - joy).
Made it to the airport by 3pm, boarding my flight at 5:30 and the line up at customs is ridiculous. I quickly scanned my travel documents from the lawyer in the line, trying to memorize everything in the package and anticipate any questions the immigration boys may have for me. I had a wave of sickness every 10 minutes ... had the same feeling in school when I would decide it was ok to go out the night prior to an exam, I would just get up SUPER early and cram for that test. The same thing happened then as it did now. Nothing was sticking ... I felt ill.
Now I am sitting in the immigration area waiting for an officer to 'interview' me. Poor girl beside me was grilled for 45 minutes and had her bags torn apart... long story short - she was denied.
Vomit.
For some reason the immigration guy kept putting my file at the back and letting everyone in front of me - what the hell? Finally, my name was called ... but only because I was the last one in the waiting area. I handed over my 50 page document from the lawyer, he asked me a few questions and was sent back to the waiting area. As he snacked on cheese and crackers flipping through my papers I was getting faint ... not because I was nervous anymore but was reminded that I had a muffin and coffee at noon and the clock just hit 5:15pm.
So, cheese and cracker boy calls me back to the desk. He asks me to explain what I will be doing in the U.S., hands me a paper with the fees I have to pay, and prepares my Visa for entry. Done and done.
Visa in hand, I struggle to get through the double doors that should automatically open, but of course aren't working when I go through them and off I go to put my bags on the belt and high tail it .... to duty free ;-).
The flight was quick and painless - the pilot did a tour over Manhattan - it was amazing and the first time in two months I finally felt excited about my move!
Touchdown LGA. Grabbed a yellow cab and off we went to my temporary digs on west 50th street. Glad I landed late in the evening and on a Saturday night - I was able to determine where I was not going to look for apartments. After I checked in and dropped my bags off at my place I had to go get something to eat - it was now 9pm and that muffin was no longer with me.
Off I go down 50th heading east, two blocks later I am already at Times Square - looks a little like Vegas without the Casinos. Then a procession of two NYPD motorcycles, security, escalade, towncar, security, NYPD motorcycles pass me and stop a few blocks up the street - hmmm - time to be a tourist and pick up the pace to do a little celebrity stalking!
By the time I got there, whoever it was, was no longer there but all the cars were. I asked a couple who it was and they said it was Sara Palin ... interesting, I know she is supposed to be on SNL tonight ... maybe I will wait it out. I immediately noticed two swat like guys with huge guns guarding the town car - does Sara Palin really require this kind of security?
Fast forward 20 minutes - I am getting a little tired of waiting ... then one of the swat guys walks across the street with his huge gun and looks like he is going to stop traffic ... nice, something is definitely going to happen now ...
and
.... walks into Starbucks across the street, picked up three coffees and off they went. Wow. Won't stop for that again, nor will I venture to Times Square on a Saturday night.
So, after walking the 'strip' I decide to pick up something from the deli and went back to my place to finally eat just in time to watch SNL.
Day One NYC - done.
P.S. I really miss my dog!
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