In Manhattan, the Saturday after Sandy

So, here was 7th Ave just south of Central Park.

The hotel just showing on the left, Park Central, is where I stayed in September when I was there a few days.

People were being allowed into hotels to get their things, but not to stay there. 

The reason being:

I know, we've all seen this shot in the news -- but it's still rather amazing to see that crane just yanked over like that.

When I was there, the rectangle of W 58th, 7th Ave, W56th, and 6th Ave were all cordoned off.

Here's another look:

It's amazing just how tall that building is, even by the standards of that neighborhood.  And therefore, what a job it is/will be to deal with that dangling crane.

More exploring in Manhattan

I put in some miles finding a bunch of other lower-Manhattan landmarks.  I was lucky to catch the flowers around City Hall when they were so colorful.

And not too far away ...

I also walked down to Battery Park and strolled along the water for awhile.  There was a huge line of people waiting to board a ferry to go see the Statue of Liberty.

So I just contented myself with seeing it from the shore.

When in lower Manhattan ...

... and you see this building:

There is something rather unexpected to be found, if you know to look.  As you walk by, find this stairwell.

Go up the stairs, and emerge into ...

... a garden?

I loved this.  This little park is called Elevated Acre, and while I would not call it a quiet spot, it definitely feels secluded.

The reason it's not quiet is because these are the views at the far end:

Yes, that's a very active helipad; when I was there, helicopters were constantly taking off and landing.  So, not quiet.

Noise and all, it's still a very peaceful place, I think.  Also, I've heard they show films here on summer nights, which sounds very cool.

I impressed another bus driver

While I was doing the bus-walking thing on my way to work this morning, a bus somehow snuck up on me and took me by surprise.  Still, I was sort of close to a stop -- so I ran for it.

When I got on the bus, the driver glanced at me, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Nice sprint." 

I can't remember the last time I ran after a bus and didn't get some kind of commentary from the driver.  It's kind of surprising.  Still, I'm always glad to actually make it in time, so I just grin and say, "Thanks!" like I did this morning.

I suppose it's gratifying to know that our efforts to chase down buses and trains are noticed, and approved of, by so many T employees.

That was close!

In a parallel universe not very distant from this one ...

... I just dumped a 5-gallon Poland Springs water cooler bottle all over the floor in my kitchen at work.

Luckily, in this one, I made a great, yea heroic, save.

Phew.

Nighttime walks

One of my evening walks around Manhattan led me down from Columbus Circle here:

And yes, that's a bit of a walk.

After browsing the crazy stacks of shelves in there, I walked back up Broadway until I hit Times Square ...

... where I pulled up a chair and gazed around in disbelief for awhile.
Then I doubled back and hung out here for awhile.

Turns out, if you show up at any of the touristy areas and look harmless for more than about five seconds, someone will ask you to take their picture.  I did that a lot, both in Times Square and at Rockefeller Center.

Eventually, it was time to make my way back uptown ...

This sign is always here, but it never mentions who the guests are for the next show.

And finally, I made it back here to meet Tom.

Feet were a little sore, but it was a successful evening.

Food hangover

On Saturday night, I went to a really great seder--terrific group of people, lots of interesting and satisfying discussion.

The discussions were so interesting, however, that dinner did not start until 10pm.

And the final cup of wine (in my case, apple cider) was not consumed until around 12:45am.

I got home, happy and peaceful, at 1:20am and was asleep soon after.

The next day, I was in a daze. It may have had something to do with eating such a full dinner so late, but my head felt stuffed and dopey. Definitely didn't need to each much that day.

I'd hate to think how my head would have felt if I'd been drinking wine instead of sparkling cider!

Evening in Central Park

Tom and I had a really nice stroll through Central Park; it wasn't on one of the crazy warm days we've had lately, but it wasn't chilly either--just right for walking.

I really like the views of Central Park South and Grand Army Plaza; I find them very striking, not to mention I've seen them dozens of times in establishing shots in films and TV shows.

(especially that Essex House sign!)

The skating rink, which is sort of visible, was definitely hopping.

I also had to laugh a bit at this helpful sign by The Lake.


Thanks people!

I could have happily spent more time walking the paths, but it was getting to be dinner time (and at PJ Clarke's no less!).

Urban planning

I love it. Right across from Manhattan's Plaza Hotel ...

(which is so huge I would have had to walk two blocks away to fit it in this shot)

... is this.


Perfect!

Seen on news billboard

Curse you, HTML entities!

(Okay, so that's kinda geeky. But it still made me laugh.)

Chocolate surprises

Amongst the vast quantity of chocolates in the apartment after Christmas (there are still some left, god help us) was a box of brandy-filled chocolates.

Specifically, these.

I think I was somehow expecting them to be solid chocolates with some kind of subtle brandy flavor. Ohhh no. These things had liquid brandy in the center. If we'd split the entire box at once we would have been hammered.

One of my coworkers brought in a box of similar chocolates, only filled with different flavors of vodka. Those were eye-openers, certainly, but really they just weren't as potent as the Asbach ones.

I wonder if there are Scottish single malt-filled chocolates! Glenmorangie, perhaps? Hmm ...

And in a shop down the street ...

... I heard the delicious and sinister "Secret" by The Pierces. All the customers were clearly listening to it and grinning. It's that kind of song.

Walked into a random boutique the other evening ...

To my amazement, the song that was just starting as I walked in was "Home By the Sea", from Genesis' self-titled album from 1983.

I was stunned; not only is that song 30 years old and on the obscure side ... it is one of my favorite songs of all time.

I looked around to see who might have been responsible for this song being played, but saw only two 20-something women hanging out behind the counter, clearly not paying attention. Maybe Pandora was being used behind the scenes. Maybe it was a completely random aberration on someone's playlist.

Either way, it was a really nice surprise.

Anti-fevers

Every now and then, when I get some random virus (which luckily is rather rare), my body temperature plunges. Instead of getting a low-grade fever of 100F or something, I get what I call an "anti-fever" of 97.6.

It is amazing how uncomfortable it is to have a body temp that is too low. For a fever, you can at least reduce your temp by taking an NSAID or something. But to raise your temperature? I mean, I'm just cold from the inside -- it's nasty!

With two pots of hot tea I managed to get up to 98.2. Brrrrr!

Conversation at work

Coworker approaches my desk looking sheepish ...

Him: Um ... did you by any chance bring ... fruit, as part of your lunch today?
Me: Yes, I brought half a grapefruit.
Him: Ah. Okay, so that was yours.
Me: Was?
Him: Well, um, I sort of ... nuked it.
Me: ...
Him: See, your container looked a lot like mine, and I brought in a stuffed cabbage ... and a grapefruit looks sort of like a stuffed cabbage, doesn't it?
Me: ... Sure.
Him: So, I kind of ... microwaved it.
Me: Um, well, are we talking, it exploded?
Him: Oh no! Just ... well, it's warm.
Me: Warm.
Him: And steaming slightly.
Me: *sigh*

As it turned out, we put the grapefruit back in the fridge and let it cool back down -- and when I ate it later, it tasted no different. So apparently citrus fruit can stand being nuked on high for 20 seconds without any discernible change in taste or texture.

In case anyone was wondering.

OH in a cafe

"I'm trying to think why I had to skip breakfast this morning ... Oh! I remember! It's because I spilled orange juice in the toaster!"

Still trying to picture how exactly that scenario went down.