Tuesday, October 16, 2012

New York Randoms, Meandering Thoughts And Bodies, Louboutins, Gina's Book Giveaway


I’m getting a little tired of the hoards of people. EVERYWHERE! I’ve started to change my route out of the Times Square neighborhood just to avoid the bottlenecks. New York, while I heart it very much, is a very stimulating place. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed, play with my family, and bring things down a notch…back to normal.



Here are a few pictures from the last two days.





Ground Zero is getting there. The “pools” are very dramatic as the water rushes into the center. Into the ground. It is very difficult to accurately portray them in pictures.


The new building just next to the North Pool.


I spent yesterday walking more. I had BIG plans to see a few exhibits at the Met, “Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop” (great title) and “Bernini: Sculpting In Clay” along with Rodin.

Leaving Times Square, I meandered up 5th Ave. to Central Park. Stopping at The Strand, I browsed books, buying one for a friend, and continued to 81st Street and the museum. Guess what? I lost track of my days and it was CLOSED because it was Monday. That type of vacation faux pas doesn’t happen to me, the travel planner, often AT ALL!



I was so annoyed with myself that I plopped down on a bench and started to read my friend’s new book. I also had to get myself back from which I had come (4 miles) and I wasn’t going to take a taxi because I can walk faster than they can move.

I decided a change of scenery was in order so I headed over to Madison Avenue for some high end window shopping. Here is my favorite window shopping picture from the Christian Louboutin shoe store. It’s called “Swim With The Louboutins”. It simply was gorgeous.



Shopping like that and walking now 6 miles (with two more to go) worked up an appetite for this girl. I happened upon a lovely little Italian restaurant with pretty outside tables and white cloths. As I was perusing the menu posted outside, an Italian waiter came out.

“Buongiorno.”

“I’m starving!” and he replied, “I love starving ladies.” So Italian!

“I’ll take a table.” “How’s here?” “Perfect.”

And I finished my friend’s book while eating grilled swordfish and risotto. YUM!

To the friend who’s getting this book, the card for the restaurant is inside somewhere.

What a lovely segue to books in general and my piles of them all over the house. I’ve been asked (nicely, of course but AGAIN) to do something with all my books. I agree that the stacks are random and in the way…well some of them. And I’m to do this when I get home which means tomorrow.

I don’t know about you but it will be hard for me to give many of them away. I’m sure I have hundreds I don’t care about but this sorting business is going to take me a whole lot of time.

I have all sorts of genre and probably a book or two some of you may want. If the spirit moves you, pick out a title, email it to me, and if I have it, it’s yours!

There is one book that will be dispensed of immediately or as soon as I have time to mail it. It’s Confederacy of Dunces. I didn’t care for it at all…sorry Dunces. Another copy for you!

GTG souvenir shopping before packing up.

Thanks Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Seriously Shawn and Impulsive Addict for allowing such randomness to feel normal! Go check out my random friends.

Seriously Shawn
Stacy

8 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love your little jaunt around town. The 9/11 memorial is on my bucket list. I love the pic of the Louboutins. I have a woman friend who sold a used pair on Craig's List for $750. That's 15 pairs of my Hush Puppy's - on sale of course.

I also have way too many books. I've given away 100's, have a Kindle, use the Library a lot, and still they stack up.

Jamie Miles said...

Looks like you are having a great time and that lunch sounds terrific.

Gina said...

The memorial, while crowded, lends itself to quiet reflection. I hope you go! The Louboutin fish tank was huge with probably 5 pairs of shoes and a hundred fish. So cool! I believe the $$ on Craig's List and as much as I love shoes, I'd rather spend it on travel.

I give them away routinely but they have babies books in my house somehow.

Impulsive Addict said...

Ahhh...Louboutin's! As much as I love to look at them and dream of owning a pair, I just can't justify paying the money for them. However, painting a pair of stylish stiletto bottoms red is NOT out of the question! HA!

Thanks for getting random with us! =)

Shawn said...

I love New York. If I had the money I would so have an apartment over looking Central Park to escape to! I think another trip there is very over due!

Thanks for linking up!

Gina said...

Jamie! It was sooo good! It was fantastic to sit, eat and read my book all while people watching.

Gina said...

I'm kind of a shoe whore so I love, love them but would never spend that much money. I would SO paint the bottoms red and strut it like they were real!!!

Gina said...

I've been going once a year with my best friend always between our birthdays which makes it fall or Christmas. So fun! Go!!!