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 5^th 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.

Trifecta: On L-O-V-E

“On the count of three”

Walk into love…

Is it possible to find love 1-2-3?

It is

Because I did

Today

At precisely 11:52am

On 55^th and 6th

Walking home from church

Alone.

I ran into love…

New York City!!! Suggesions?

While I should be organizing myself and my house before leaving for NYC bright and early tomorrow morning, I’m not because I’m typing. Why is it that I often don’t do what I know I should or am supposed to be doing? Leaving everything until the last minute. Is it more exciting for me that way? Seems sort of stressful and yet...


I have a few new restaurant ideas for dining with my bestie (my college and young professional city roomie, maid of honor and Godmother to my babies) over the next four days. We’ve gone to New York together many, many times over the years and we’re always up for trying new, fairly casual, small places. And places where people watching is awesome, have to do that! That's not to say we don't like hustle bustle places, too, because we do. 

Jen@We’re Living A Full Life gave me UVA (Olive in Italian?) on the upper east side; it's one of her favorites. Anyone have any other dining suggestions? We’ve done the fancy thing and now we’re all about fantastic food.

We’ve seen most of the tourist sights over the years but we haven’t yet seen the finished 9/11 Memorial. That is a “must do” as is a lovely stroll through Central Park to The Met (always) and a Sunday matinee (of “Once” (a musical and love story…YUM!)).

If you have opinions or ideas, I’d love for you to chime in.

I’m so excited, I can’t stand it. Off to pack.

Who am I kidding? 

I am a last minute "hurry sit on my suitcase so I can close then weigh it because the cab is in the driveway, but wait, I have one more thing to put inside" type girl! AND I always forget something!