Country Mouse Visits City Mouse
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 I returned Monday night from a visit with my friend T in NYC. I'm tired but it was a great trip. I've known T since we were 15. There's comfort not only in sharing common history as kids, but also having remained friends who understand and accept one another into adulthood. I can't honestly say that about too many childhood friends.
T moved from L.A. to NYC about a year ago to be with someone. I traveled there last Friday to 1) see T because it's been over a year, 2) meet the new someone, and 3) see a little of the city - a very nice benefit to our new "someone".
I've been to NYC once, briefly about 13 years ago, and it was a business trip so I didn't see or do much. This visit I was looking forward to some good food, a little wine, and a bit of sight-seeing and shopping. Mission accomplished.
I can think of dozens of stories to share from my trip, but I'll keep it macro and stick with some highlights.
The Filth
I'll get this teensy-weensy, negative detail out of the way. NYC... is dirty.
We took subways. Some stations were *cleaner* than others, but this is no place for a border-line germaphobe who gets motion sick. One man's face was about 12 inches from mine, he slightly turned his head, sneezed, wiped his nose and mouth with his hand, then grabbed the same pole I was holding. I was paralyzed.
In the Meatpacking District, which actually has some of the nicest high-end shopping, I experienced random smells that almost made my gag reflex do it's thing.
I would advise all people in NYC to keep their hands away from their face, touch as few surfaces as possible, wash hands frequently, remove your shoes prior to entering your living space, and carry hand sanitizer and wet wipes. I went through lots of hand sanitizer. It's a miracle the entire city isn't chronically sick.
Brush with Greatness #1
T's new someone has a connection at NBC. We were treated to a tour of several studios. I'm not sure what I'm allowed to share, but we were on the SNL set Sunday after the most recent Palin skit, the Today show sets (all of them), the NBC and MSNBC Nightly News sets, the Football Night America set, a sophisticated control room, and several other behind the scene areas.
T and I played Meredith and Matt (because I begged him), then I played anchorperson.
Walking, Walking, Walking and Central Park
When your friend who lives in NY asks if you have comfortable shoes, they mean, "Do you have athletic shoes that you can run a marathon in and not bleed?" I packed all wrong for this trip. I had several cute outfits with matching shoes - flat, strappy sandals, the high-heel "need to drink a mojito" sandals, clogs, and because there IS a God, I packed running shoes, which I finally convinced myself, matched my outfits. Bryant Park material, I was not.
Central Park is beautiful. I wasn't prepared for it to be so large, and so well maintained. I could have spent several hours strolling (with proper shoes) and watching people enjoy the park. The diversity, every aspect of it, was gorgeous and thumped with life.
Brush With Greatness #2
This part is very exciting for me and I'm certain it embarrasses T, so I'm typing quickly, willing it to be like a whisper type, so maybe he won't get pissed off and make me delete this whole post.
T's someone has two Emmy's - plus another award that's VERY impressive. T let me look at and hold them on Friday when I arrived at their place. We were alone so I could be stupid without embarrassing him. On Sunday I asked T if he'd take my picture with the Emmy's - he grudgingly agreed. We snuck them out of the closet and quickly took several photos. I don't think it would have bothered the owner of the Emmy's - I think T just didn't want me to be so easily impressed. But I was.
They're real and they're heavy - the Emmy's not my boobs. My boobs are real (with the assistance of a nice foundation garment), but they're not heavy.
The Best Part...
This trip was a treat because I got to connect with one of "my people" - a true friend. The meals out were delicious, the sites of the city exciting, and T's friends are all interesting, intelligent, fun and welcoming. But the best part, was sharing morning coffee, not looking out two different windows in two different states while talking on the phone, but drinking coffee and talking... while looking out the same window.
Reader Comments (21)
What a fun time! The Emmys look so great! Is T's someone....famous?
I'm so glad you had fun! I can't wait to go to NYC again!
Oh - and as much as I love it - NYC? Is smelly. But I'm particularly good at not breathing through my nose if necessary. So this doesn't bother me.
Looks like you had a grand time, too, which pleases me.
And if I weren't so gawdanged scared to fly, I'd really be looking forward to my trip next week!
So tell me more! (or email me privately if there's somewhere I ABSOLUTELY need to eat or drink at. (Yes. I did end that with a preposition.)
Glad you had a marvelous time, and got to reconnect with your friend. :-) (Did you steal the emmy?)
I spent last Saturday at The Gateway and at the Children's Discovery Museum. I swear I used an entire purse size package of disinfectant hand wipes and a bottle of sanitizer. I'm not sure I could handle the subway...or the meat packing district. Remember the juicy fruit gum???
I slept behind a dumpster in NYC a few times looks like you had nicer digs.
Love,Claire
Kate - I breathed through my mouth too. I could still smell things - or taste - something wasn't right.
San Diego Momma - There are lots of great place to eat AT. It's hard to find a bad place to eat AT.
Vodka Mom - Nope. Didn't snag the Emmy.
Tristan - I think you should apply for the job of drug sniffing dog. I bet you could do it. Yes. I remember the Juicy Fruit story - one of my favorites.
PRD - Thanks for educating us on "Michigander" - sounds like MAW backs you UP. I cannot believe you slept behind a dumpster (well, maybe I kinda can). I hope you'd had a little drinky-poo to take the edge OFF. ;)
Claire - Thank you. You make me smile when you show up here...
2 - NY is indeed dirty. However, Philly is much worse. I once watched a woman stand about 3 feet away from me, lift her skirt and pee in the street. I wish I was joking. Philly out-dirties NY in the "random people peeing in the street" division.
3 - The struggling pilot-writing part of my brain + the fact that I am completely obsessed with news anchors and news programs = I am EXTREMELY jealous of your tour of those studios. EXTREMELY.
4 - It doesn't take long in NY to convince yourself that running shoes will match any outfit.
5 - Did I mention how jealous I am about the studio tour?
Glad you had an awesome trip!
You are right, Philly out dirtys EVERYWHERE. In our defense, I have watched a woman drop trou and leave a present on the curb of my hotel right off times square in NYC, but nothing will ever get me past the fourth of July in Philly when I sat and listened to a young wife berate her scruffy husband about how he was a slob and never cleaned anything and was ruining her life, all while she was changing the baby's diaper. After finishing the diaper, not the diatribe, she tossed the diaper, and all the trash from what looked like a picnic, into the river.
That river feeds the city's drinking water.
Long live Philthy!
P.S. nice Emmy's
Please note, my diss of Philly was done out of love. I lived there for a while and despite its disgustingness, I adore Philly. I live [and grew up] in the Dirtee Jerzee, so I know, people in dirty houses shouldn't throw, uh... dirt. [although the "dirty" in NJ is more of a "chemical in the water" style of dirty.
;)
Actually, I came to say that the trip looks fabulous and your description of it was sublime. xoxo
Brohammas - Truly appreciate your comment. People, you need to check out his really neat blog and art...
ALF - Flattered you stopped by (she's working on her PhD - she's busy).
Corbie - Thank goodness you claimed Brohammas - I didn't know who to call to come get him.