Tag Archives: midtown

A Very Brief Night & Day in NYC

I had a very long and exhausting experience over the past few days.  On Saturday, Larry & I went to see Mockingjay, Part 2 at the Chinese Theater and it was great and everything (maybe a review coming later, who knows).   After that, which probably got the exhaustion off to a good start, we went over to Jacen’s house for a party.  Not just ANY party though – it was his coming out party.  Who knew?  It was an absolute blast and included two very attractive shirtless men serving drinks, which I think is now going to be a condition for any party I attend in the near future.  I mean, it just makes sense. No while we didn’t stay till super late in the evening – I did drink my fair sure of red wine to ensure the celebration was wonderful!  We left around 11 or so though and got to be probably around 12.  Unfortunately for me, my flight was at 7am on Sunday, meaning I had to get up at 4:30 to get on the road by 5.  UGH.  I did get up, got out the door (wisely, I had packed before the party), and drove over to LAX Long Term Lot C.  Off I went to NYC!

In a Middle Seat!  Yay for last-minute flight bookings!  My booking was so I could be present, in person, for an engagement kick-off where the client is in NYC.  I didn’t want to get into the city late at night like I have in the past, so this early morning flight got me there around 3:30 in the afternoon.  Even then, by the time my cab got me into town from JFK, it was twilight.  I was exhausted.  Probably had 2 hours of sleep to my name at that point and I definitely didn’t sleep on the plane.  But a shower helped when I got checked in – and man, this hotel where I stayed, the Andaz, was AMAZING.  It’s located on the same block as the PwC building, so there’s a decent deal for rooms there.  I thought that would mean it was going to be standard and formulaic – OH CONTRAIRE!  Seriously swanky – the room is pictured here:

I talked to Larry for a little bit and it was now time to get some dinner – I considered just going downstairs to the hotel’s nice restaurant, and while I was super tired, my love of the city made me want to leave and go to Blue Smoke.  Because reasons.  Larry encouraged me, and off I went!  I ended up taking the subway there and getting in around 6pm.  On a Sunday, that’s pretty damn early and meant NO LINE.  Yay!  Plenty of room at the bar too, so I sat there and got my fix of delicious Blue Smoke, including their delectable mac and cheese.  It’s noticeably a different recipe than what Larry & I fell in love with, but still so damn good.

As you can see, I did pretty good with putting away food.  And that energy burst helped fuel me for what came next: an impromptu walking tour around Midtown!

My journey started at Blue Smoke, and I walked up Park Avenue from there at 27th St to Grand Central at 42nd.  From there I walked west to Fifth Avenue and continued heading north, as I realized I wanted to see 30 Rock.  Gotta say – I think that Sunday may be the last calm time for Manhattan for a great while as the holiday rush is coming.  Believe that!  It was actually a pleasure to walk around.  Sure, there were plenty of people, but NOTHING like the deluge of FTPs that come in starting Thanksgiving.  Ugh.  So yeah, this was a nice walk.  After reveling in 30 Rock, I swung by Times Square and again, not so terrible of crowds.  I even finally climbed up the tkts booth to get a higher view of the commotion. It’s quite a cool view.  After that, it was time to head back to the hotel, and conveniently Bryant Park is on the way.  There’s an ice rink set up and it ends up being a nice place to just sit down and people watch.  So I did that for a little bit and realized I miss living in NYC a LOT.  Always so much to do…in an ittybitty living space (h/t Aladdin).  After that – back to the hotel and glorious glorious sleep.

Sunday, Nov 22, 2015 – My Midtown Walking Tour

My plans for working out never happened, and I had big plans.  But yeah, no.  It was awesome to have a very short walk to work, and great to see Osman and Dan again, as well as meeting some new coworkers. The kick-off went well and afterwards, we had a good team lunch at a nearby PJ Clarke’s and damn, it was good burgers there.

So now, I’m back.  The flight back was not a total shitshow, but maybe an almost total shitshow.  I’m hoping I manage not to get whatever the woman next to me had – I made it a point not to engage with her from the start as she was annoying as fuck, but when she came down with something that apparently her whole family had been suffering through the last few days, and disappeared into the bathroom for the majority of the flight, I made sure to desanitize everything I could.  So we’ll see if I end up sick for Thanksgiving.  If so, fuck those people.

In a New York Minute!

Okay, that has absolutely nothing to do with your Mom, but it sounded cool in my head while typing it.

Alright, bear with me – I think all chronological order will be thrown out the window as I recount the past week and a half or so of events here in ol’ NYC. First, some of the more recent things:

Springsteen.NBC.Today 190 (1)Robie Saunderson of San Antonio Chicken Divinity fame sent me a digital movie file of my TODAY show glory – click here to download it for yourself (it’s about 2 MB or so, so keep that in mind dial-up folks!). So it’s not exactly a CLOSE-UP of me, but hey, I Springsteen.NBC.Today 190 (1)was still intercut with Bruce Springsteen and when I saw it on the jumbotron screen at Rockefeller Center (NOT Times Square though…bummer), it was lifesize! Also, here are some stills that Robie thoughtfully sent as well (thanks Robbie!).

  •  While waiting for the Ferry bus (no smartaleck comments, kthx) to pick me up outside work today (I was standing outside a Kenneth Cole store and kept looking in – I definitely need to go in there and look at their shoes and jackets…and hope they’re not like $500) as I was heading home early to meet the DirecTV folks who ended up not being able to install HD because my receiver I brought with me is BROKEN…okay, I rambled there, but while waiting for the Ferry bus (heh heh) who walks by me but Conan O’Brian? That dude is tall! And what’s funny is that he wasn’t mobbed or nothin’ while walking down the street. In fact, he probably never is, but still, he’s pretty distinctive looking. And tall.
  • Speaking of Conan O’Brien, this past Friday I remembered that on the internal NBC channels in 30 Rock, you can tune to each of the studios and watch rehearsals. So during the afternoon, I was working and watching Conan work on that night’s broadcast, which was actually pretty damn cool as you see how they tweak the material to make it funnier and such. And he cusses. Awesome. Then, a few channels over, you can watch Studio 8H aka the Saturday Night Live studio and watch them prep for Saturday. If you thought some of their sketches were painful to watch just once, try listening to it REPEATEDLY over and over – and it doesn’t get funnier, folks. I can’t imagine the skit I saw was one that was hilarious to watch on Saturday evening.
  • The Rockefeller Center SKATING RINK has opened up as of yesterday. Yes, the skating rink is actually open. Yesterday the temperature was in the 80s. Go figure. But maybe they knew something we all didn’t because while Monday was sweltering and muggy, the rest of the week the temps are dropping over 20 degrees and by Friday, our highs are in the 50s! Yowza. Guess I’ll get to finally use my new umbrella and jackets.
  • Have I said recently how cool it is to work in Midtown???? If not, it’s freakin’ awesome. So much goes on right there.
  • Okay, so last I updated, the TODAY show experience had just happened, and now I’m posting the video. What’s happened since? Glad you asked.

So on Saturday, I embarked on my first sightseeing-as-a-native trip, wanting to go into Manhattan and see the Barnes & Noble flagship store as well as see more of Midtown Fifth Avenue, which is where all the fancy stores are. So I did that, traveling first to Midtown (#12 in the map to the left, which is courtesy of the NFT NYC guide, indispensable!) and taking some more pics of 30 Rock before taking the subway down to Union Square (which is in the southern part of #9), which is south of the Empire State Building and kinda close to Greenwich Village. Needless to say, the B&N there is pretty awesome. 4 stories. And like the retard I am, I couldn’t stop myself from buying not one but TWO heavy computer books that I now had to carry around the rest of my trip. I’m stupid.

NYCMapYou know, I’m looking at the map I put there and it makes me laugh – you see how close it looks like between where I live and where I work. Probably no more than 3-4 miles. But it takes at a minimum 40 minutes to get there. An hour when it’s heavily crowded or horrendous streets. Hopefully me getting to work ahead of the rush will help a bit, as I’ve signed up as a member of the 30 Rock gym and will work out in the mornings. I got to work early (meaning, 7:25 am) today and it was amazing how fast it was. The rush hour really is if you try to get to work between 9 – 9:30. That blows my mind coming from the military and getting to work by 7:30 (okay, I didn’t quite do that near the end of my time, but cut me some slack, bitches).

Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, I was in Union Square and bought a couple bricks to walk around with during the rest of my trip. I had originally anticipated just staying in Manhattan all day because the plan was to go to the movies with Shannon and some of her friends that evening around 7pm. That plan changed when the skin on my hands was raw after hauling those books around. Union Square is a really cool place though, with a huge farmers market during the weekend and lots of restaurants, shops and bars around there. I then walked up Broadway towards the Flatiron building, one of the older and more recognizable ‘skyscrapers’ in New York. Then it was a quick visit to Madison Square Park which was nice to be in. I jumped back in the subway towards Midtown though (#11, #12, and #13) and walked briefly by the Plaza Hotel, the very bottom edge of Central Park, and then finally back on Fifth Avenue, where like I said, all the very cool shops are. I bought stuff, of course. Then I hauled myself back to the Ferry terminal, went home and unloaded, changed, and then went back into Manhattan to go see “Into The Wild” with Shannon and Co. It was good to see her, but didn’t really get a chance to hang out much as the movie started soon and then afterwards, I left to go home as she had other things going on and I was still unsure of how to get home at this point! But while walking down Broadway, I couldn’t help but see Times Square so I ended up walking through that ridiculousness at night. It’s incredible though. And then I finally got back home. Quite an endeavor. Here are the pics below.

29 Sep 2007 - Midtown, Union Square, Flatiron, & Madison Sq Park

The very empty Port Imperial parking lot - Saturday isn't quite as busy a day as a weekday
The very empty Port Imperial parking lot - Saturday isn't quite as busy a day as a weekday29-Sep-2007 09:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec
There's my work - the very tall 30 Rock building
There's my work - the very tall 30 Rock building29-Sep-2007 10:39, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
And that's my balcony of fame
And that's my balcony of fame29-Sep-2007 10:41, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
 
Okay, now we're in the Union Square area, and I'm looking north to the Empire State Building
Okay, now we're in the Union Square area, and I'm looking north to the Empire State Building29-Sep-2007 11:02, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
Another pic of that
Another pic of that29-Sep-2007 12:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.01 sec
That's the Met Life building right near Madison Square Park
That's the Met Life building right near Madison Square Park29-Sep-2007 12:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
 
Looking up Broadway towards the ESB
Looking up Broadway towards the ESB29-Sep-2007 12:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.006 sec
ESB, Broadway, and Madison Square Park
ESB, Broadway, and Madison Square Park29-Sep-2007 12:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.005 sec
This is the Flatiron building. Look familiar?
This is the Flatiron building. Look familiar?29-Sep-2007 12:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
 
Another shot
Another shot29-Sep-2007 12:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
And one more
And one more29-Sep-2007 12:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Inside the Park
Inside the Park29-Sep-2007 12:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
 
Looking at what I thought was kind of a cool bridge
Looking at what I thought was kind of a cool bridge29-Sep-2007 12:39, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
The Met Life tower
The Met Life tower29-Sep-2007 12:39, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
A neat, subtle sculpture of evil fighting trees
A neat, subtle sculpture of evil fighting trees29-Sep-2007 12:40, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 10.487mm, 0.003 sec
 

I’m almost getting tired of all this updating, but screw it, must keep going. The next day, Sunday, was chores day and picking up stuff I needed day, until I found out that North Bergen county in Jersey basically closes on Sunday. And I didn’t feel like exploring too much as my auto insurance was still up in the air a bit. On that note, I’ve switched to GEICO and literally it is saving me about $375 every 6 months over what USAA was having me pay. No gracias, USAA!

Then it was the second week of work, and in a summary, I think I’m starting to actually make sense of things. I’m not the expert I will become, but I’m certainly making headway in to what I’ll be doing and what the systems I’m working on actually do and how they do it. Sweet. I did take some random pictures from that week though, so here are those. Also, my sightseeing excursion this past weekend was to go visit one of New York’s amazing museums. It was going to be between the Museum of Modern Art or The Metropolitan Museum of Art – I ended up choosing MoMA which was incredible. I love what can constitute art. I did get to see Van Gogh’s Starry Night though, which is a definite checkbox in my life. It had a lot of incredible works and was quite a great museum. Highly recommended!

1 Oct 2007 – Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center skating rink getting prepared for opening
The Rockefeller Center skating rink getting prepared for opening01-Oct-2007 15:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 400
01-Oct-2007 15:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 107
I can't believe I actually work here - soon the tree will be up!
I can't believe I actually work here - soon the tree will be up!01-Oct-2007 15:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec
 
I LOVE this pic I took of 30 Rock
I LOVE this pic I took of 30 Rock01-Oct-2007 15:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
And there it is, my workplace. Walk by this every day. Amazing. For me.
And there it is, my workplace. Walk by this every day. Amazing. For me.01-Oct-2007 15:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 127
 

3 Oct 2007 – Disappearing ESB

The Empire State Building in fog one afternoon while riding the Ferry home
The Empire State Building in fog one afternoon while riding the Ferry home03-Oct-2007 16:45, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 141
 

7 Oct 2007 – At the MoMA

The view from MoMA's sculpture garden - very eclectic
The view from MoMA's sculpture garden - very eclectic07-Oct-2007 09:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
The MoMA sculpture garden reflecting pool
The MoMA sculpture garden reflecting pool07-Oct-2007 09:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Another pic of the view
Another pic of the view07-Oct-2007 09:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
 
Inside MoMA - I think I liked the architecture and design of the museum itself more than most of the art inside
Inside MoMA - I think I liked the architecture and design of the museum itself more than most of the art inside07-Oct-2007 09:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 141
Very big open area here
Very big open area here07-Oct-2007 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 141
High too
High too07-Oct-2007 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 141
 
And here's Van Gogh's Starry Night. Awesome.
And here's Van Gogh's Starry Night. Awesome.07-Oct-2007 10:56, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 141
And go figure - this past Saturday was like Polish Pride Parade day or something. Fifth Avenue was shut down for the parade
And go figure - this past Saturday was like Polish Pride Parade day or something. Fifth Avenue was shut down for the parade07-Oct-2007 11:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec
07-Oct-2007 11:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 141
 
And a funny ad that I can't actually believe is up.
And a funny ad that I can't actually believe is up.07-Oct-2007 13:25, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.006 sec
 

So that brings me up to date with current pictures! It’s been amazing how fast time is moving while here, but i guess that’s to be expected what with all the things going on.

I hope you all are doing good! I’ll update again more frequently, I promise!

Committed Now

The movers have taken my stuff – no backing out now!

I’m really moving to New York! WTF!?

Anyways, I’m back from New York and after a bit of drama and stress, I do have a place to live as well in West New York, New Jersey. Yes, it’s kind of hard to say that and not confuse people, but basically I will live in a city called West New York which is in New Jersey yet right across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The place is really cool and the roommate seems like she’ll be pretty easy to share an apartment with. I’ll put pics up of the place once I have some. The features of the building are very awesome: an A&P grocery store on the first floor of the building, as well as a Starbucks, a Ben & Jerry’s, and an extensive wine, liquor and beer shop. Excellent.

So obviously I headed out to NYC for 3 days last week. The flights turned out to be quite uneventful, which was refreshing. Perhaps it was because I was on American Airlines and NOWHERE near Chicago O’Hare Intl Airport or United Airlines…..? I’m just saying.

It was a fairly hectic trip though, with lots to do from the moment I landed. I saw three apartments that first evening and they went from pretty much worst to best in terms of quality and desirability. Really, only the first one was one in which I really knew immediately I had no desire to live there. But the last two were pretty cool – especially the last one. Basically for the view alone the last one was awesome, but the apartment itself was also quite incredible. But flash forward a few days and that last one, which had the dynamic view of Manhattan from Hoboken, was the one I did NOT get. It came down to not hearing back from the guy when he said he’d get back to me, and I felt like I needed to make a decision as I told the person (Shelly) whose apartment I liked second-best (and which I saw on the following evening) I would get back to her asap. Long convoluted story short, I am now living with Shelly in a place right by the river.

But there is more, especially in the way of pictures. Lots of pictures. First up are my pics from my 3-day trip to the greater New York City area. Enjoy!

5 Sep 2007 – 1st Day of NYC Househunting Trip

05-Sep-2007 13:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.008 sec
View of Manhattan from my room
View of Manhattan from my room05-Sep-2007 13:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.004 sec
This is the harbor right next to my hotel - not a bad view!
This is the harbor right next to my hotel - not a bad view!05-Sep-2007 15:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.01 sec
 
Another view of the harbor
Another view of the harbor05-Sep-2007 15:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.008 sec
Here's the light rail that runs through the Hoboken area to get to the PATH trains into New York City
Here's the light rail that runs through the Hoboken area to get to the PATH trains into New York City05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
 
And this is the Port Imperial Ferry terminal complex I'll probably be using to go to work
And this is the Port Imperial Ferry terminal complex I'll probably be using to go to work05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
This is that fantastic view of Manhattan. Truly jaw-dropping; this pic doesn't do it justice.
This is that fantastic view of Manhattan. Truly jaw-dropping; this pic doesn't do it justice.05-Sep-2007 18:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.3 sec, ISO 800
 

So on that first day, I took a cab from Newark Intl and got to my pretty nice room at the Sheraton Suites in Lincoln Harbor. As you can see above, it’s right on the river and my room had a pretty cool view if you looked to the right – there’s the damn Empire State Building! I did take other pictures that day of the apartments I looked at, but basically there’s no need to see them here, except for the picture of the view of Manhattan from the uber-swank place I didn’t get.

In the next section below, you’ll see my plethora of pics from my day of finally getting to sightsee Manhattan. If you recall, I didn’t get a chance at all to visit the city during the final interview because of all the ridiculous flight delays and weather nonsense. And because I didn’t have to see my next apartment until about 7pm, I pretty much had all day to kill. And boy did I. My first action was to jump on the Ferry that had a pickup right outside my hotel, which was a VERY nice perk to where I was staying.

6 Sep 2007 – 2nd Day Begins at the Lincoln Harbor Ferry Terminal

The view from the ferry pickup
The view from the ferry pickup06-Sep-2007 07:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
Here's my hotel
Here's my hotel06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
 
06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
And there's the gangway to the ferry
And there's the gangway to the ferry06-Sep-2007 07:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
 
On the ferry and looking towards Manhattan
On the ferry and looking towards Manhattan06-Sep-2007 07:45, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Looking north on the Hudson River towards the George Washington Bridge
Looking north on the Hudson River towards the George Washington Bridge06-Sep-2007 07:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.002 sec
 
06-Sep-2007 07:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Looking towards the city of West New York, my future residence
Looking towards the city of West New York, my future residence06-Sep-2007 07:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
 

After taking the quick ferry across the Hudson river, it drops you off at the Pier 79 complex Ferry Terminal. What is then really cool is you then can get on free New York River transport buses that go to fairly popular street destinations (34th St, 42nd St, 49th St, etc) which is part of your fare. Nice. I’ll be able to use the 49th St one for sure when I start commuting to work! Anyways, I jumped on the 42nd St bus that morning because I figured I’d then get to the subway station on 42nd Street and head to Ground Zero. It didn’t dawn on me that 42nd St goes right to Times Square, so when we started being surrounded by ridiculous amounts of neon and tourist stuff, the lightbulb went on and I was like, “Hey, let’s go see Times Square”. And you’ll notice that I become a plural entity when talking to myself. So I jumped off the bus at Times Square and let my jaw drop just a little because really, Times Square doesn’t disappoint. It’s a canyon of beautiful skyscrapers covered in neon advertising. You can see ABC’s studios, MTV’s studios, all these crazy over-the-top versions of megastores, tons of tourists – everything you have ever imagined Times Square to be…. it is. Now I just can’t wait to go back and see it at night! One revelation I had: I had no idea there was actually TWO giant panels of neon advertisements in Times Square, but it makes sense since the intersection is a diagonal street crossing a typical north-south/east-west intersection. So one faces south and one faces north and there’s tons of ridiculous traffic everywhere.

So I definitely got enveloped in the excitement and took lots of pictures and went to yet another Virgin Megastore. Let’s see… that means I’ve now been to the following cities’ VMs: Los Angeles (Sunset Strip and Burbank locs), New York City (Times Square), London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Cool. I’m such a world traveler. Yes, be jealous.

6 Sep 2007 – Times Square

I don't know what it is, but it's big and exciting
I don't know what it is, but it's big and exciting06-Sep-2007 08:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Just about to peek around the corner to see the eponymous Times Square
Just about to peek around the corner to see the eponymous Times Square06-Sep-2007 08:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
A fanciful and neon-covered 42nd Street Subway station
A fanciful and neon-covered 42nd Street Subway station06-Sep-2007 08:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.01 sec
 
Ah, there it is.
Ah, there it is.06-Sep-2007 08:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
And right in the middle of it all: a recruiting station
And right in the middle of it all: a recruiting station06-Sep-2007 08:13, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Looking back at the first big neon panel
Looking back at the first big neon panel06-Sep-2007 08:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
 
Looking forward/north again
Looking forward/north again06-Sep-2007 08:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
A clearer view of the north end of Times Square
A clearer view of the north end of Times Square06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
Right in the middle of it all. MTV studios is to the left; ABC is to the right.
Right in the middle of it all. MTV studios is to the left; ABC is to the right.06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
 
Looking again at the south end of Times Square
Looking again at the south end of Times Square06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Hey, it's Me!
Hey, it's Me!06-Sep-2007 08:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
Had to point. My pointing entertained multiple tourists this trip.
Had to point. My pointing entertained multiple tourists this trip.06-Sep-2007 08:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
 
There's a good view of MTV studios
There's a good view of MTV studios06-Sep-2007 08:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 08:19, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
South end of Times Square, with what looks like the Ghost Busters or Daily Planet building on the right
South end of Times Square, with what looks like the Ghost Busters or Daily Planet building on the right06-Sep-2007 08:21, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
 

After the excitement of Times Square, I got back on track to what I originally wanted to see first, which was Ground Zero. So I got myself a Metrocard for the subway and successfully navigated my way down to the south part of Manhattan where Ground Zero is. Very much unlike how my Dad and I traveled the length of Manhattan many many years ago – which was all walking back then. Anyways, I did get to see what is ‘left’ of Ground Zero. I say it that way because there’s really nothing to see at the moment – it’s a humongous construction site for the Freedom Tower that will eventually be 1776 feet tall. Right now they’re still building all the foundation stuff and subway tunnels that will traverse through there. There’s a small area where you can peek through fencing to see the efforts and above it is a list of names of those firefighters, policemen, and medics who died trying to help that day. You can also try to sign up for a guided memorial tour of the area but it apparently fills up fast, and I did not take it. Maybe in a little while once I’m living there.

Also in that area is the area known as Wall Street. So after getting a little bit turned around at first (with no real landmarks to go off of like mountains or the water, which you can’t see at that location, it’s kind of tricky to get oriented accurately) I did indeed find the legendary Wall Street and also the New York Stock Exchange. Unfortunately you can’t go inside the NYSE anymore, as I totally would have done that. But alas, security concerns override tourist curiousity. Didn’t stop me from taking pictures though!

On a side note, here’s a link to a site that has a comprehensive amount of pictures of New York and specifically the World Trade Center, both before, during and after 9/11.

6 Sep 2007 – Ground Zero & Wall Street

The walls that greet you upon emerging from the WTC subway station
The walls that greet you upon emerging from the WTC subway station06-Sep-2007 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Before you'd have seen nothing but WTC skyscraper right here
Before you'd have seen nothing but WTC skyscraper right here06-Sep-2007 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Here's a view into what is happening at the site
Here's a view into what is happening at the site06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
 
Looking a little up to imagine that the towers used to be here
Looking a little up to imagine that the towers used to be here06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Another view inside
Another view inside06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Looking down in to where I'm assuming the trains are going to go
Looking down in to where I'm assuming the trains are going to go06-Sep-2007 09:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
 
A look at the wall of names of heroes
A look at the wall of names of heroes06-Sep-2007 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 141
06-Sep-2007 09:37, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
The church that heads up Wall Street
The church that heads up Wall Street06-Sep-2007 09:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
 
06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
And here is Wall Street - appropriately named, don't you think?
And here is Wall Street - appropriately named, don't you think?06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Getting closer to the Stock Exchange
Getting closer to the Stock Exchange06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
 
My 'clever' shot of the NYSE title and the Wall St street sign
My 'clever' shot of the NYSE title and the Wall St street sign06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 289
06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 315
06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 122
 

After that little jaunt around downtown, I hopped back on the subway and headed north to Midtown, so that I could go see my future place of employment: 30 Rock! Basically Midtown is the most expensive part of Manhattan and also has some of the most expensive and famous hotels and shops there, including the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Radio City Music Hall. Of course, 30 Rockefeller Center is also there. I ended up in a subway stop that was a bit away from the actual Rockefeller Center plaza, so I started following signs that led me through corridors underneath the streets, which was a bit surreal as I was the ONLY one down there. Anyways, I finally ended up at the Rockefeller Center shops in the sublevel to the main plaza, and while walking through there I saw the entrance for the ‘Top of the Rock’ Observation deck on top of the 30 Rockefeller center building. I hadn’t planned on doing that, but it was a beautiful day and I really had nothing planned except for taking a river cruise. So I paid my money and up I went to the top which lies at 67 floors up. And wow, what a view! It really is one of those million-dollar views because you can see all the city PLUS the Empire State Building. That’s what you’re lacking when you go to the top of the Empire State Building – actually seeing the building. So I would have to argue that with the WTC towers gone, the Top of the Rock is probably the best public view in Manhattan. As is evidenced by the photos below. There’s lots, so pace yourself.

Anyways, after spending a while up there, I then headed back down and wandered the plaza a bit, reveling in the fact that this was going to be my place of employment in a few short weeks! CRAZY. I stumbled into the lobby I had been in a month prior when here for the final interview and it brought back those memories full-force. It really is a cool building though, and very Art Deco.

6 Sep 2007 – 30 Rock & the Top of the Rock Observation Deck

The weird and EMPTY surreal underground passage to Rockefeller Center
The weird and EMPTY surreal underground passage to Rockefeller Center06-Sep-2007 10:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 233
Radio City Music Hall from the Top of the Rock entry foyer
Radio City Music Hall from the Top of the Rock entry foyer06-Sep-2007 10:41, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
Apparently Fashion Week was going on
Apparently Fashion Week was going on06-Sep-2007 10:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
 
This is looking up through the ceiling of the elevator up to the Top of the Rock
This is looking up through the ceiling of the elevator up to the Top of the Rock06-Sep-2007 10:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.6 sec, ISO 141
It's a trick - when you first go in, it looks like a normal elevator. But once the doors close, the lights go out and the ceiling turns clear showing you the blue elevator shaft
It's a trick - when you first go in, it looks like a normal elevator. But once the doors close, the lights go out and the ceiling turns clear showing you the blue elevator shaft06-Sep-2007 10:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 800
Ah, the top. Here's a look north towards Central Park
Ah, the top. Here's a look north towards Central Park06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
 
And Northeast over towards the CitiGroup building
And Northeast over towards the CitiGroup building06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Me and Central Park
Me and Central Park06-Sep-2007 10:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
 
Better view of the CitiGroup building
Better view of the CitiGroup building06-Sep-2007 10:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
06-Sep-2007 10:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
And there's the Empire State Building
And there's the Empire State Building06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
 
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
ESB
ESB06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
 

I knew I wanted to get in a boat cruise of Manhattan in before concluding my day’s adventure. I knew there was both a 2-hour and a 3-hour cruise, either of which would be fine with me as I was getting tired and I just wanted to get off my feet. So I took the subway from the Rock Center/49th St station to 42nd Street, then walked about 8 blocks east to the Circle Line pier where all the tours begin. That was a long 8 blocks though to walk, as I have now personally experienced that crossing avenues (the north/south lines in Manhattan) means much longer blocks than crossing streets (the east/west lines in Manhattan). So by the time I got to the Circle Line pier, I was very ready to do nothing but sit and ride on a boat. I ended up getting on the 2-hour tour which is a semi-circular tour of Manhattan; the 3-hour tour actually takes you completely around the island without repeating anything. I’d like to actually do that one day!

Anyways, the weather was beautiful for this. You depart from the pier which is about midway up the west side of the island, and then you cruise south on the river seeing the sights of Midtown, Greenwich Village, Hoboken, Jersey City, and then Downtown (the area around Ground Zero). But the real highlight is right after that, as you cruise right up to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands. The Statue of Liberty is quite an incredible sight. It’s not as big as I imagined it to be, but don’t let that make you think it’s small. It’s still amazing to observe and I can’t wait to actually go and actually get on the island. After heading that far south, you then head up the East River to go underneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queensboro Bridges, getting a different vantage of Downtown and Midtown as well as Brooklyn and a little bit of Queens. Once you hit the Bellevue Medical center area, the boat turns around and retraces its steps. I was pretty much done at that point and just enjoyed the rest of the cruise.

Below are my many pics from the cruise. Once again, I had to edit myself so these are not all of them, but these are all pretty good though.

6 Sep 2007 – Circle Line Boat Tour (includes Statue of Liberty & Brooklyn Bridge)

Hotness on the Circle Line
Hotness on the Circle Line06-Sep-2007 12:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 141
View from the tour boat as we awaited departure
View from the tour boat as we awaited departure06-Sep-2007 12:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 
A look back towards MidTown and 30 Rock (the building with the white ball on top of it)
A look back towards MidTown and 30 Rock (the building with the white ball on top of it)06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
There's a look towards the ESB and Chelsea
There's a look towards the ESB and Chelsea06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 
That's the ESB and in the foreground on the right is the Ferry Terminal to points in New Jersey
That's the ESB and in the foreground on the right is the Ferry Terminal to points in New Jersey06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 
06-Sep-2007 12:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Looking towards New Jersey and my hotel, which is just to the left of that long building in the water
Looking towards New Jersey and my hotel, which is just to the left of that long building in the water06-Sep-2007 12:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 
06-Sep-2007 12:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
Looking south towards downtown (where the WTC used to be)
Looking south towards downtown (where the WTC used to be)06-Sep-2007 12:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
 

And those are my New York Pics. After the end of my circle line boat tour, I walked a block to the Ferry Terminal, crossed back over to Lincoln Harbor, and then hung out in my room for a bit. Around 6, I went over to visit the last apartment I had planned to see during this trip, and it was this one that I am now eventually going to live in. It’s a really sweet place and I really am looking forward to being there.

Alright, I have a few more pics from a recent dinner at Chili’s with my friends out here. There’s quite a few Hobie Farewell Tour events going on my last few days, which will be fun but only serve to hasten things along. I am going to actually drive out of the Springs on Tuesday morning, for better or for worse. My itinerary looks like this:

– 1st Stop: Omaha area
– 2nd Stop: Joliet, Illinois area and visit Jeremy
– 3rd Stop: Cleveland
– 4th Stop: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and visit Jenny
– 5th Stop: Atlantic City and gamble
– 6th and Final: West New York, New Jersey

And that adventure begins in just a few days!!!!!! YIKES.

10 September 2007 – Dinner at Chili’s

A poorly executed self-shot of 'all' of us
A poorly executed self-shot of 'all' of us10-Sep-2007 20:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
Jeff and Susan
Jeff and Susan10-Sep-2007 20:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 800
Eric getting felt up by KD
Eric getting felt up by KD10-Sep-2007 20:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800
 
Awww
Awww10-Sep-2007 20:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 800
10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
A super close up of me
A super close up of me10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 179
 
I don't remember being that drunk - I'm pretty sure I wasn't
I don't remember being that drunk - I'm pretty sure I wasn't10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
Susan smiles
Susan smiles10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
 
Maybe I was that drunk?
Maybe I was that drunk?10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
10-Sep-2007 20:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141