NYC eats

About the size of a horseshoe, this almond macaroon cookie must have
been the original manna from heaven.

Eats in NYC

The famous Carnegie Deli pastrami sandwich....my son looked at me and said...."How do I eat this?"

Fun night

Son Tom joined me this evening in NYC and we headed off for The Pee
Wee Herman show.....so fun. The show opened this week. The
original Ms Ivan and Jambee were in the show too.

Pee Wee looks
exactly the same.... Still fits in the same little suit.

Sent from my iPhone

Rubber ad in Times Square

Okay a condom ad....a really big condom ad.... Lol

End of a good day

I'm in my hotel room nursing the good ache of someone who walked many
NYC blocks today.

After a delicious lunch ( ending with a good cup of coffee and
tiramasu)... I headed over to the Jewish Heritage museum.

I was worried it would be death-centered but instead it had a level on
Jewish culture, level on the Holocaust and a level on Jewish culture
today. All nicely done including a sculpture garden where I sat on a
stone bench quietly for some time. I had such a nice time at Battery
Park and found a sweet spot un the sun and engaged in more people
watching and listening. I say listening because there was a group of
4 older black nannies who were sitting in a bench not far from me who
were laughing and teasing each other. They sat with big strollers
parked in front of themselves and a small tribe of gleeful children of
various colors and ethnicities.

Their laughter was rich and good-natured and musical. It gave a
Sound to the view....It gave story to the view.

I reluctantly left my seat and headed to the subway and to my next
destination...the diamond district.

A friend gave me some names and told me to check out the district. I
was totally unprepared for the experience. Many of the stores have
multiple booths inside tended by different families and businesses.
As sio. As I walked in men and women started waving me over ... Look
at this...look at this.... Very good price. Best price ever.

After my calm morning ....I couldn't change gears very well and left
the stores to window shop. But there was no peace there
either ....because many shopkeepers make eye contact with you while
you are outside and beckon you in. I just laughed and shook my head.
I did spot a beautiful old charm that a friend if mine would love
but....I am planning to go back first thing in the morning after a
strong coffee and good breakfast. Maybe then I can haggle with a
little success.

Ahhhhh.......NYC

I am in NYC ..on day 2.

Arrived yesterday and what was I thinking?

Took a shuttle instead of a cab and bumped through the city an hour
before getting to my hotel. And my room is just okay not exactly what
I like....I even asked to change it once already.

But today it is sunny and I've navigated the subway down to the
Battery Park all by myself with no problems and changed my sons flight
status so he doesn't have to fly through storms and I feel at ease.

It's going to be a good day.

Lost pictures off my Iphone: NYC

I took this picture at the Main Library. Was just a chance shot but I've always liked it. The silhouette of the cameraman....the bride and groom in the alcove posing.

I have no idea....why these white-faced lantern jockeys were adorning these steps. Each was unique and they led to an apartment on the Upper East Side. Notice all their lanterns were removed.

"Taste it once, Love it Forever"...a classic pick-up line?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Going to Macys..... or get ur elbows ready

I've never been shopping at Macys here in NYC and today was bargain hunting day. There were thousand of folks there. I forgot it was the big after Xmas sale. There were so many people I couldn't shop for myself but when I got into the men's section I felt my elbows get limber and nudged my way into some great bargain tables for the men folks. All things they needed. I was a happy camper. I didn't even mind the bone chilling walk back to the hotel. Passed through TimesSquare and preparations for the big party are under way . There are zillions of us Ball-party people around. Tomorrow we r going to head down to Soho and see if we can lose most of them. This part of town is a Zoo.

Gleeful

I leaned back in my computer chair.

A sudden rush of spirit entered my heart and I felt the need to giggle.

I just clicked "reserve" on the computer screen about five times.

What's happening to me?

I pulled up my online dictionary and starting entering words to make a diagnosis.

happy.....excited......giggle...... merry....and Bingo:

glee (glē)
lively joy; gaiety

I was gleeful.

It's been so long since I felt this way .....I needed a dictionary to help me name it.

I'm planning a trip and the juices are flowing.

Every year when I see "the ball" drop in NYC on New Year's eve....I want to be there.

I turn to my hub and say ....."Wouldn't it be fun to be in Times Square?

"No."

"But there's millions of strangers pushing and shoving and confetti and bad weather and long hours of standing in one spot....doesn't that sound like fun?

"No."

I've tried friends......"Hey would you like to go to Times Square with me?"

Different valid nos.

So I tried my hub again a couple of weeks ago. "How about going to Times Square this year?"

But I admit.....I greased the deck..........I did the saucer-eyed thing....made my lip quiver a little and looked sad......because....damn it....it's been a fucking hard year.

"Okay."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

So as soon as I arrived home....I started studying and planning.

Since I know this is a big sacrifice on hub's part.....I decided to design a trip which would have a part he would enjoy too.

So it's Washington DC first....so he can get his fix of museums....then we take a train to NYC.....and somehow figure out how to stand around with a million people in Times Square on New Year's eve.

Of course... this is a Gina trip......so I decided to do a few extra things......

After I wave goodbye to hub and send him back home....I'll hop on a train and visit my friend Krista who is now a professor-type person at Syracuse University. Go Big Orange.

then I'm not sure yet.... perhaps I'll spend a day in the city...or somewhere else...... but I know exactly how this trip ends.

Robert Moses beach lot #5.

I don't care if its 20 degrees below zero...if it's raining...sleeting ...snowing....or there's a big nor'easter....as long as the causeway is open and I can drive to the beach....park my car and walk near the waves and hear them sing...I'll be happy.

Tick off one square on the "bucket list."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Demon High Heels insist on going to New York....

Vacation Disassociation.

Took me two days to figure out why I couldn't pack.

See these high heels.....these sweet spiky teasers on my happy feet... ....they were lying in the "probably not going to NY pile".... in my bedroom.

And that was the problem.....

Perhaps I've watched too many Sex and the City episodes....or just get turned on by my mental/fantasy images of life in NYC and the Island.....but a part of me wanted to be packing for this type of vacation....the slinky skirt, the big high heels.....the low cut black top.

And what was actually going into the NY pile? Rugged sandals....t-shirts.....shorts....a sweatshirt. Practical stuff for the beach and just hanging out.

In other words, severe vacation disassociation......Heart and Spirit....versus Logic and Practicality.



So I said...."screw this".....and tossed the demon heels into the suitcase with a silky skirt and the low cut top.

"Remember those new shoes I bought last week?" I asked hub....."I'm taking them with me on vacation".........hoping to plant a seed in his very scientific mind.

But just in case......I emailed my daughter....we'll have a least a day in the city together.

"Sweetie....I'm taking you to a great Italian restaurant for dinner when we
get to the City.Bring something nice to wear....do you have high heels? Bring
them. Love...me"

It's good to be a smart chic.....its better to be a smart sexy chic in big heels.....

at least now and then.

~~~~~

Ms. Action-Oriented Admits She's NOT READY

What???....I looked at the calender and freaked.

.

In exactly three weeks....May 28 ......(my birthday)....

.

I'm leaving for New York and the Big Family Vacation.

.

I've been so busy being life's ping pong ball the last couple

months....with my parents' failing health, my daughter's student loan fiasco, pets dying....storms wanting to blow down my house....I am not ready.

.

Okay....I'll repeat that....Ms. Action-Oriented....Ms. Organized is not ready.

.

The Little Folder that says.....Family Vacation....lacks.

.

Car rentals, NYC hotels, and even a plane ticket for the youngest son is not there. ( The strategy of waiting for the summer sales on air fare was a complete failure)

.

Since I'm arriving a few days ahead of the troops.....maybe I should plan to buy lots of wine and beer and good food...and hope they won't notice....they're walking the 52 miles from the Long Island airport to the beach house

.

Hmmm.......Maybe I should drink all that wine.....and not care.......what they think......lol.....

~~~

Cool......Freeze Frame in Grand Central Station...NYC

Thanks Catwoman!!!!!
~~

Texture.......

I put this photo on my desk.....to remind myself why we're going to Long Island and NYC this June. This is a picture of my kids about 10 years ago in Florida. My littlest one....who is now 6'3" and a senior in high school is the sand Merman.

.

I imagine this will be one of our last family vacations for a while.......my daughter is working with autistic children in Ohio and hopes to get into a behavioral psychology grad school program this year. My oldest son now has a job and little by little is becoming more independent. Mr. Merman....is going off to college....to Iowa this fall.

.

It's cliche to say you are startled to discover your kids are growing up....but I feel both startled and proud of them....a few years ago I found myself walking on a beach on Long Island....and I was so taken by the crashing waves, the slant of the sun and the wonder of the place.......that I wanted to share this with the kids.....and create an adventure they would remember ....something they would talk about...at future family gatherings ...."Do you remember the time we went to New York and......."

.

As I surf the web till my rump is numb..... trying to figure things out....and gasping at the cost of rental cars and hotels.......I remind myself.....that one of the things I do best....(besides being stubborn) ....is planning....and organizing....(you want to get from A to B....call me)....and this is my opportunity to shine.

.

I'm a lousy domestic diva....a stern and sometimes pushy Mom.....and a tireless soap box orator on facing fears....getting out there.....and experiencing people and adventures in your life....so you end up textured.

.

It would be easy to go back to Florida....easy to arrange this some place else.....but I wanted all my kids to learn that challenges are okay.....that taking a risk with strange hopes and dreams in your heart is an okay habit to get into...

.

I stumbled onto Long Island and found wonder.....

.

Now let's see if I can stumble and find a way to get #1 son and #2 son and #2 son's girlfriend out of two different airports on the same day......lol

( I know....mega sentimental idealist....bend me over and spank me.)

~~~~

NYC Vignette: What do you Say?????

This is what I ordered for dessert at the fancy restuarant in MOMA:

Lemon Napoleon Exotique Fruit "Brunoise" and "Fromage Blanc" Sorbet.

This is what I thought I was getting:

Some type of lemon sponge cake with fruit and white sorbet ( I wasn't exactly sure.....but this was my best translation of the description)

This is what I got:

Uh......Did I miss something in the description which would indicate I just ordered a phallic/erotic-looking vertical dessert?

What was the pastry chef doing or thinking when he created this and placed it on my plate?? (Perhaps I do not want to know.)

And what do you do with it???

Open wide??? (and possibly get arrested for performing a lewd act on a spongecake in public?)

Knock it over and cut it? (ala Bobbitt?)

NYC....it's always surprising....

~~~~

NYC Vignettes....a few short stories from the Big Apple

I was standing in line at FAO Schwartz. I had Mushi in my arms. I looked over and saw a man standing in the next line with a Teddy Bear also. A big Teddy Bear.

"Looks like it's a Bear day." I'm not sure why I said something to him-perhaps because he was (honest to god) tall, dark, handsome with incredible blue eyes and he seemed to be chuckling at his purchase just as I was chuckling at my purchase.

"I travel a lot for business and I buy a bear where ever I go."

"Where are you from?"

"I'm actually from The City but the last bear didn't last very long so I'm here for a replacement."
"Kids rough on your bears?"

"No my dog is......he's a 19 year old toy poodle. A rescued poodle we've had for 10 years."

I didn't say anything....because I'm mulling over the concept of a rescued toy poodle.

Do toy poodles need to be rescued???? I know about Greyhound rescue and Pit Bull rescue and Rhodesian Ridgeback rescue...but people are tossing out toy poodles? Why ?? Because they have tear-stained pink runny eyes, pee all over themselves and shake like leaves? Hardly the stuff worthy to get thrown out of the house for.....

"So you're poodle tears up the bears."

"Well....I'm embarrassed to say this..... but he tears them up.....after he.....(long pause and looks at the other customer as if he is assessing whether or not she can hear him) ..........humps them.

"What?.....you mean hump like in....well ....hump hump?"

"Yes....hump hump."

(My eyes widen as I soak this concept in... ) "So you're toy poodle humps the bears then tears them up?"

"Yes......"

"Do you have a blog....because you should be taking pictures and blogging this......logging each bear and the end results.....really.....you'd get a hundred thousand hits."

"No.....I don't blog.....it's a little embarrassing. You see he's also very ritualistic about his routine. "

"What does he do?"

"He eats his dinner then finds his bear......drags it in the center of the room.....humps it for about an hour.......till he's exhausted.....then starts tearing it apart"

"Wow....exhibitionism and aggression......it's like BDSM for toy poodles."

(There is a problem with the cash registers which is why the line is not moving and the conversation can take place......the woman behind the man.....now looks totally appalled and heads off for another register.)

"Maybe he's discovered the secret to a long life.......eat a nice dinner, hump like mad....then get a new partner."

(Mr. Handsome laughs hard clutching the soon to be violated and shredded teddy bear.)

The cash registers spring back to life.

We simultaneously hand our bears over to the clerks. I silently tell Mushi not to worry.....if he's in bed with me.....It will be a totally platonic experience.

"Hey ....you know what's really weird.....(I guess because I haven't run off....or rolled my eyes....or look appalled .....I am now his confidant).....my partner and I rescued another toy poodle about a year ago....and the old dog seems to be teaching the new dog his ritual."

"Geez ....you'llneed to buy two bears in each city."

"I know....the one from Harrod's in London cost me $80.00 to ship....this routine could get quite expensive."

(I noted his quality ostrich leather cowboy boots paired with designer jeans and a softblack lamb leather jacket....he probably could afford it.)

"What's going to happen to your bear?"

"Sedentary life....just gazing at me with his happy beady little eyes."

Mr. Handsome clutches his bear......and waves.

Mushi and I wave back.
~~~~~~~

Going Home.........

I've spent a whole day conferencing and wandering.

Sunday morning I leave for home.

I have to repack yet.....shuffle things .....cram in a few souvenirs and probably make a big cup of tea.....I feel a cold coming on....but I think at least 213 people at the conference coughed on me......so...a lite cough and a scratchy throat isn't too surprising.

I have had some extraordinary hours here in NYC.....doing what I love the most.....talking.....laughing....sharing.....over exquisite food and heavenly wine.

Tonight I was even able to catch a brand new African exhibit at the Met.....and although I was by myself.....I had a lovely dinner....at the museum.....with a nice pinot noir...pleasant food....and beautiful old marble statues as my dinner partners.

I've had more than my usual share of ghost times this trip.....and even a severe Harpie attack.....but ...thoughfulness and striving to do things outside the box......has a price.....and sometimes life asks you to pony up.

I have a couple of funny pics and a few great NYC stories ....I'll share over the next week....while I go through big city withdrawal.

but now......suitcase time.
~~~~

Office Windows as Mirrors.........

Should a goy visit a Mitzvah Tank or What to do when you're attacked by Harpies

“I am at total failure at everything.”

My logical mind warned me it was a Harpie attack, abandon ship....don’t follow up on the thought.....but it was too late. The venom hit.

Once the poison connects with your psyche there’s not much you can do. I closed the beautiful erotic art book I was admiring back in the dingy corner of Midtown Comics, grabbed my Green Lantern presents for Jason and stumbled down the stairs and out the store.

As soon as I exited the doorway, the cold blast of wind on 42nsd Street body slammed me....and why not? When you’re a complete failure even the wind can push you around.

Just like ghost-morphing.....when you feel invisible and without connections in an unfamiliar place.......Harpie attacks are part of the disconnection syndromes you can feel while on the road...except Harpie attacks are the uber psyche traveling malaise, the mother lode of despair and disorientation.

When Harpies attack me, it feels like something alien has suddenly been injected inside me...as if they have a perfect syringe and a perfect needle.....and before I have a chance to swat them......they’ve left their gloomy message inside and exited. Nice folks..hey?

I think Harpies, like mosquitoes, are opportunists. They sense when people are vulnerable....exposed. At home, in your familiar surroundings, you have all your clothes on.....there’s no skin for them to get at....but ahhhhh.....on the road....especially if you’ve purposefully left your armor off....so you can absorb new ideas.....new directions.....new experiences.......geez.....it’s like standing butt naked in a swamp.

So I stumbled around 42nd Street.....and found a park. I sat on a green metal chair and titled my face up to the winter sun...but instead of relief.....every single failure I’ve had in the last month, the year, the last ten years....in relationships, writing, jobs, family.....you name it.....pelted me in big bold letters (ouch).

I was in serious mental doo doo...and voo doo.....so I jumped out of the chair and hoped to walk off the poison.

I was heading up....Park Avenue......people with shopping bags had turned into crazy windmills against the cold gusts... I saw this woman heading for me with not one but two big shopping bags....and veered sharply to the left.....where I collided with ....an RV....

What the hell is an RV doing on Park Avenue?

I rubbed my knee and took a look at the vehicle.......it was..... a Mitzvah tank. Shabbat candles, purity, blessings......prayers......a mobile spiritual canteen.....run by a Jewish group called the Chabad Lubavitchs.

Crazed by my Harpie attack.....I actually thought of going in.....a blessing sounded like a good idea....

I took a step and then stepped back.......I remembered in China visiting a Buddhist temple.....and when we got back in our van....the monks swarmed out of the temple....grabbed hoses and brooms....and washed and swept all the pathways our feet had touched.

Maybe the same thing would happen here.....I’d enter the Mitvah tank and the poor guys would have to Lysol the whole thing after I left.

So I didn’t go in.....but I did think of half a joke....something along the line of.....”A goy knocks on the door of the Mitzvah tank and says.........”

Well that’s as far as I got....but somehow it made me chuckle.....which, of course....is the first sign that you’re beginning to recover from a Harpie attack.

I mentally thanked the Mitzvah tank and the nice men inside......for denting my gloom and went on to the Apple store.

I arrived too early for my class and decided to go into FAO Schwartz. The entire first floor is devoted to plush animals. Giraffes, puppies, kittens....you name an animal and its piled up in a bin.....they even had strange one-eyed hydra looking lumps which were representations of mythical spirits in the Kabballah which protect children.

I am immune to stuff animals.....I don’t have bears or bunnies or fluffy things around the house now that the kids are grown.....but I turned the corner....and there was Mushi.

I have no idea why I knew his name was Mushi but it was. He said to me....”Look at my beady little black eyes......they’ll make you remember all is not lost.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

So I bought Mushi and carried him around in a shopping bag for the rest of the day.

“Mushi are you still in there?”

“Yes....do you need to look at my beady little eyes for moral support?”

“No...I’m better......but I can’t believe I fell for such commercial cuteness.”

“It happens ....it happens.....here open the bag and look at me ...just for a little pick me up.... I’ll help you remember all the good things.....in your life.”

“Hey Mushi....you ever see a Mitzvah tank?”

“Yes.....I have......”

“When?”

“My cousin’s bear mitzvah last month."

Okay.....Cured.
~~~~~~~~~~~

I swore I'd never do this....

Yep....when you're in the Big Apple any illusions of grandeur in yourself quickly dissipate. It seems (even though I knew better) I brought look-at-me shoes....heels and oh so cute flats that look fine with outfits but can't pass the New Yorker test....aka can you walk at least 13 city blocks in them.

Consequently, my little toes are a poupourri of bandages and a clunky blister pad. I should take a picture and sell it to some postcard company...because every non-native woman who brought cute and inappropriate shoes could identify with wounded pinkies. In fact, I'm shocked ....there isn't a shoe store right here in the heart of the tourist district......the guy would make a fortune.....he could call it ....."Feet Hurt?".....and sell wonderous soft arch supporting stylish leather shoes.

But since Feet Hurt? doesn't exist yet....I walk to my destinations in tennis shoes and then quickly whip out my stylish shoes from my new oh so stylish MOMA tote bag and pretend....pretend I walked there looking that good.

~~~~~

Monday in NYC

What could be better than sex on Monday morning in NYC?

So I headed off to the Museum of Sex on 28th street.

I had visited the sex musuem in Paris....which was delightful....7 floors of funny, interesting, erotic, silly ....and thought provoking displays. I wondered how the Big Apple would present sex.

All I can say is......if the museum in Paris was like a fine steak.....the museum in New York city was like a greasy cheeseburger.

The first floor of the museum was almost bare except for a few outlandish whips and toys with numbers denoting a potential placard ...which must have been invisible.

The second floor was actually somewhat interesting....although you didn't need much time to figure out....most of the exhibits were taken off the internet or had sponsors who may have donated items for potential business.

There was a thoughtful display on sex in films which included examples of how morals and the ratings affected sex on the screen....and a few things thrown in for shock value...like celebrity sex...which meant I viewed the stolen Pamela Anderson home movie on a really really large screen.

There was also a booth were you could view one of those Better Sex videos.(You may have seen ads for these videos in upscale magazines/airlines mags/ and I believe even the NY Times.)

The video promises to teach people about sex in a relationship-based thoughtful manner. It did show normal....non-porn-looking people discussing sex and intimacy issues....and then actually having sex so viewers can see what "normal" sex looks like (versus instant ready..fake moans...big silicone boob sex .)

I thought the videos could be worthwhile to couples or singles looking to expand and understand sexuality. Unfortunately, I couldn't sit through the entire video... because by mid video....I was in a slight pant. I either need to leave or...or jump on the couple next me and start a threesome.

I chose to exit.

There was also a large room....with "sex stuff." A real hodge podge of items that made me feel the collection was based on whatever they could round up.....versus a thoughtful guided exhibition.

For example, there was a video display on sex education films in the 1960's, several small robots engaged in scenes from a new clay-animation type film called "The Sex Life of Robots" and a display by a company of new life-sized good-feeling sexual dolls.

And that was it.....besides the gift shop.....which featured books I've seen in my bookstore.

I actually felt more enabled by my solo ride (without asking for help) on the subway.....than by the visit to the museum....but I was glad I went...although let me save you the price of admission if you're headed that way.

My most intersting experience of the day was at MOMA....actually eating at MOMA. I stopped in their hip bar to have a drink....and then the waiter asked if I was going to dinner. There was a table available.

This was dinner as "tasting experience."

I hardly knew what I was eating at times.

Numerous small edibles were beautifully presented to me....for no reason...A welcome from the chef....a few squares of ..?...bread ??plus? fish/sushi?...A large white dish incorporating a small bowl holding the tiniest amount of MISO and a few artistically placed squares of fish. Palate cleansers. A pate with a lime green skin. Small pieces of bread so artistically arranged on my plate, I sighed ...when I ate them.

I'm not a country bumpkin....but I was over-whelmed. Wide-eyed. Amused....Even silly and pretentious at times.

I have another dinner scheduled at MOMA later in the week....and I'm glad. I see my dinner as a practice run.....and now that I know the course....I think I can approach this type of dining with a different attitude.. more of I'm ready....dazzle my taste buds....because it is more about "tasting" and enjoying textures and mouth feel....than about "eating."

Thank you Doggyblogger for the recommendation....the education of Gina continues......
~~~