New York State of Mind

Lancer and I decided to take a bite out of the Big Apple together. He had to fly in for a meeting, I got to tag along. Boy, was I glad. Here's why:

I got upgraded to first-class with him. Have you ever flown first-class? Hot towels, warm nuts, and cold shrimp cocktail. It's heavenly. The seat turned into a fully reclining bed, which I enjoyed as I watched movies on my own personal TV. This of course, after having a gourmet meal topped off with an ice-cream sundae. The people in coach had to eat a boxed snack pack--ha-ha suckas. I didn't actually say this, of course, because I knew I had to fly coach home.

We hit Times Square late at night. The weather was actually quite cooperative while we were there. As long as you bundled up, it was fine.


Went to dinner with our Stanford-Era friends Lane and Britton. By the luck of the draw, another set of Stanford Ward peeps happened to be in town, so we all got together for dinner and dessert. I've known Britton for a loooong time-12 years. When we first met, he told me that "I didn't suck." How can you give up a friend like that? Obviously, you can't. He and his lovely wife picked out a yummy Brazilian restaurant to eat at, Casa. Lancer and I both had the stroganoff, and it was delicious. The flan, not so much. But a trip to Milk and Cookies made up for it. It was fun catching up with old friends.


The next morning, we dined at Norma's, the restaurant in the Le Parker Meridien. It was to die for--by far the best breakfast in NYC. We both got benedicts--Lancer got the benedict with the pancakes, asparagus, and Canadian bacon, and I got the traditional one.


Off to the Empire State Building. It was nice and sunny, so visibility was great. We got some great shots.


Lance became the Pigeon Whisperer on the observation deck.

Stopped off at the Shake Shack near the Flatiron building for "the best hamburger in NYC." I have to agree.
Got gussied up to go and see Wicked. I must say--I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was a little song-y for me, and that's saying something. There's also a 5 minute song where the greenie sings about her lack of self-confidence, and I kinda zoned out. I looked at Lance during "Defying Gravity" and he looked a little angry. I suppose it didn't help that I would belt out "Defyyyyying Gravity!!" and leap through the air on the way back to the hotel. He told me to stop, or I wouldn't be his Valentine.


After the play, we walked over to "Ray's Pizza." If you've ever been to NYC, you know about the ongoing joke about Ray's Pizza. If you ask a Native for the best pizza, they will say it's Ray's.

However--there are like 20 pizza places claiming to be the Ray's everyone is talking about, and all of the them say they are "world-famous" and "the original." We picked one, and Lancer got pizza, while I chowed down on a gyro. It hit the spot at midnight. I love 24/7 food on demand.

Continued to explore Manhattan the next day, and made our way down to Bleecker Street.

This is one of my favorite streets in NYC. We stooped into Isle for $8 Thai food--and it's Zagat rated!! Just one of the many things I love about that city. That and the fact that you may start out as a mellow CA visitor, patiently waiting for the lights and avoiding the crazy cabbies. By the 2nd or 3rd day, however, you find yourself yelling "ehhh!!" and banging on the hood of said cab when it tries to go on your light. Ah, aggression. It's refreshing on occasion.

Hit Battery Park, then went back to the hotel for a nice Valentine's Day dinner. We dined at the Hilton, which was delicious, though I'm nauseated by the fact that my dinner likely paid for a new tiara for Paris.

I really love NYC. One of the many things I don't love, however, is the honking. If you need a sign about it, it's bad. Also--what's up with the stinky whiffs that come flying down the street? I don't know where they come from, and I don't think I want to.

On our last morning there, we took the subway to B & H Photo, the photo mecca, and then walked back. We saw a White Castle along the way, and I talked Lance into eating some sliders, since he's never had any. He took 2 bites, and threw them in the trash. Oh well. I think everyone should try them at least once. If the Beastie Boys sing about it, you know it's worth at least a try. Look at fighting for your right to party. See where I'm going with this logic?


We sadly made our way back to JFK, where Lance got me upgraded...again! This first class lady had yet another relaxing flight, complete with all of the amenities mentioned on the outbound flight. I could get used to flying first. Sadly, I won't. That's me hanging in the 1st class lounge before boarding.

Goodbye NYC...we will be back soon! And next time, we won't be seeing any Broadway plays, unless I want a divorce. Which I don't.