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As someone who lives and walks this city daily…my blog is all about delving a little deeper, seeing what it has to offer, and capturing the true essence of New York City. Whether you live in Gotham, or just visiting…feel free to look around my blog. Bet you might find something new to do!
P.S. As of the end of April 2013 my more personal postings will now be at The Next Few Years.
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Monthly Archives: April 2010
This time last year…
This time last year I was apartment hunting and riding in the 5 Boro! I liked the sounds of a repeat, so the spin gang will be arriving soon and it will be a fun partee weekend! 42 miles in all five boros! 32,000 plus riders along car-free streets! What better way to spend the day, IF it is nice! But, we are going to be positive and know that we will have incredible weather! So stay tuned!
Posted in Cycling
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From the Ivory Coast to Thailand in 24 hours
Field trip!! Out to Harlem to check out the new Costco. I wasn’t successful in purchasing a printer, but hit the jackpot for lunch! But, it took some searching. After seeing fast food after fast food, we approached a very small restaurant with a group of African-Americans hanging out and chatting in front of the entry. I asked their opinion and got an overwhelming, “yes, please go inside…” so we ventured in. Here’s the scene: a tiny room with about eight tables. Now picture two white girls in the midst of the Ivory Coast of Africa. There was no menu, or perhaps we weren’t given one because they knew we couldn’t read it. We glanced around in hopes of recognizing what was being served. After some conversing, we ordered. We weren’t totally clear what we ordered, but we ordered. What appeared was a plaintain mash that looked like a ball of dough accompanied with a stewed meat with a spicy sauce in addition to some on the house extras for us to try. Fun experience!
Next up, 24 hours later we were in Thailand. Fabulous little restaurant on Orchard Street in the lower east side called Sticky Rice. The hippie chic atmosphere was so up my alley. I could just visualize a loft apartment…funky chandeliers…but I digress…generous portions and lots of flavors. Loved the spring roll filled with cilantro. Oh, and great lunch prices! Plus I understand it’s a BYOB. Can’t beat that!
Thanks Suzan for such great treats on our adventures!
Posted in Eating, Drinking
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We were this close…
Saturday with the Madam: gallery hopping, lunching at La Bottega, photographing in the Maritime hotel, attending my Ruthie’s play reading at the fundraiser for New York Playwrights. Oh and I should mention… we were this close…close… very close. Grace Plaza…one for the memory books. (Remember that my mom reads my blog so that’s all that I can say.)
Posted in Local sights
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Project Daffodil
Our cycling excursion this week took us to Forest Park in the borough of Queens. Riding to Queens means we meet over on the east side at a Starbucks located at 60th and First and head over the Queensboro Bridge. I love the views from that bridge and it’s a great way to start the day. Nice easy pace for a 30 mile ride, cute little neighborhoods and friendly people. I just love how people stop and look at our group as we make our way. I guess 20 plus cyclists can be a sight!
We stopped to purchase lunch at a small deli in the town of Forest Hills. Boy did I hit the jackpot! Turkey sandwich, bag of chips and a vitamin drink for only…ready for this?…only $7.00! I thought for sure he’d made a mistake. The Manhattan prices makes one think a bargain is anything less than $10 bucks! Anyway, we had a nice picnic lunch in Forest Park. 538 acres of trees and fields. Lovely, just lovely.
Now unfortunately my point and shoot camera is in need of a visit to the camera doctor, so I wasn’t able to take any photos. So, I’m posting a photo I took some days ago. Now I want to share with you the significance of these daffodils. Someone on a previous ride had mentioned planting of daffodil bulbs after 9/11, but I had no idea of the magnitude until I researched it. May I introduce to you: PROJECT Daffodil.
Following the tragic events of 9/11, daffodils have been planted every year for the past ten years to serve as a living memorial for the victims. Did you know that blooming flowers are a worldwide representation of renewal, new life and hope and yellow is the color of remembrance?
It all started (and continues today!) with Dutch bulb supplier, Hans van Waardenburg. He has pledged to donate half a million bulbs to the project each year as long as there are volunteers willing to plant them. Over 20,000 New Yorkers have responded to this challenge, making the Daffodil Project one of the largest citywide volunteer efforts. So touching!
Posted in Cycling, Eating, Drinking, Events, Travel, Weather
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Priceless long weekend in Rincon, Puerto Rico
What happens when nine Cubans, two Mexicans, two Spaniards, one Puerto Rican, two Mexicubes (Mexican and Cuban blend), one Puertocube (Puerto Rican and Cuban blend) and 21 Gringos get together in a villa that is just to die for? One HELL-OF-A- PARTEE for over three days! Oops…I do mean a destination wedding.
I really don’t know how else to describe the last few days in the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in my entire history of travels. Located about three plus hours from San Juan on the west side of the island, the villa had ten bedrooms for the immediate family of the wedding party. Yours truly was blessed as she is the bestest of friends with the MOB (mother of the bride) who had one of the luxury bedrooms within the Rincon Ocean Villa of Puerto Rico. Loved the atmosphere of a huge FAMILY, adorable (and very well behaved) young children running around, drinking VT’s at 11:00 a.m.until who knows what time into the night and just enjoying the beautiful villa and its surroundings. And let me not forget to mention the personal chef and waitstaff that were just incredible. Oh and yes, yes, yes… the reason for the travels; a priceless and very romantic wedding! The added bonus? I learned how to salsa and had a taste of a real Cuban cigar. Yum Yum.
I have said it more than once…and it always deserves repeating…I am the luckiest girl in the world. Period. The end.
Posted in Travel
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Staten Island cycling
Prior to my weekend trip (more on that in the next post) I biked with my cycling group to Staten Island. Met early morning at the Boat Basin in Central Park and then took the bike path south to Battery Park and caught the ferry to Staten Island. Passed Ms. Liberty on a very clear, beautiful 70 degree day. Total of about 50 plus miles. Had no clue Staten Island was so big. Tired at the end of that day, lots of pothole dodging. Memorable trip!
Posted in Central Park, Cycling, Local sights, Weather
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I will miss you Rich
I dreamed about you over the weekend and now I realize you were telling me goodbye. You were telling me to keep pursuing my dreams and continue my love of cycling. For those of you who don’t know, Rich has been a friend for many years and was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and was an absolute warrior until the end.
If if wasn’t for you Rich I would’ve never pursued cycling. You convinced me to give those skinny tires a try and encouraged me to pursue clip-ons so I could be a stronger rider. Thank you for taking the time with me that Saturday morning in the parking lot at Target and helping me understand my bike gears. However of all the things you taught me the one that I will always remember is to never ever wear underwear with biking shorts. Who knew? I will always remember our cycling trips in France, our weekend rides in Scottsdale, and numerous parties. I’m so glad that I got to share your love for France, cycling, red wine and laughter.
I will always remember you and you will forever be in my thoughts. Love and miss you. Rest in peace Rich Mackney.
Posted in Family/Friends
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Stuyvesant park
Last night I attended a screenplay reading hosted by my friend and producer extraordinaire, Veronique Ory for Woven. Woven tells the story of an Ethiopian family and an American family whose lives intertwine due to a fatal car accident. It touches on the themes of family, forgiveness and the immigrants struggle in America. Loved it! I also enjoyed getting a glance of the process of looking for investors, producers and the dollars it takes to make it all happen! A very enjoyable evening.
The reading venue took place right at Union Square at a place called the Daryl Roth Lounge. A great downstairs area perfect for a reading. I arrived a tad early and took about 15 minutes to explore a few streets east and ran right into Stuyvesant Park. What a beautiful little area and one that I will return to soon for further exploring. I just can’t get over how beautiful the city is in the spring!
Posted in Entertainment, Local sights, Weather
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Local in the upper west side
I see this man all the time in the hood. I have to admit… he knows where to shop…Macy’s, Zabars, Fairway, Westside Market, and of course he LOVES NYC! That’s diversity at its best. Check out the dreadlocks!
Posted in People
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Sheep meadow, Central Park
Central Park’s Sheep Meadow officially opened this weekend! Yahoo! Finally this distributes some of the masses across the 15 acre lawn instead of the bike pathways! An a sunny afternoon the meadow can hold up to 30,000 people…and I heard it has wi-fi! Hmmm…I need to check that out!
Posted in Central Park
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