Nana to NYC: first timers

I have had so many wonderful opportunities to revisit that first wonderous day when NYC was nothing but a wide-open world to explore for the very first time.  Almost a year later, the Big Apple still brings new adventures and endless opportunities.  

My friend Nana from LA had never been to the east coast and we crammed in as many things as we could. Determined not to experience NY the first time like a tourist, she had the right guide.  

Limited by this blog's 5 picture limit, I am forced to post only pictures that give a glimpse into where we went.  

The first pic below is Nana posing with the truest statement of the trip.  Traveling on a student budget is tough but we made it work. 

Top on Nana's agenda was to visit Harlem, home of the Apollo Theater, Hip-Hop, and Jazz.  I of course jumped at the chance to go somewhere I have yet to visit. 

On our way back, she saw the tourist trap that is Times Square.  Like most tourists, she was drawn into the myriad of shoe sales from about 60th to 30th streets.  Naturally I as busy taking pictures instead of eyeing the latest fashions and the timeless savings.  

I took Nana back to my old neighborhood and Prospect Park.  She saw the museum, the library, the Plaza, etc. and we hung out in the park awhile.  This was a shot I had to snag capturing the last days of Spring, the park calling out residents to come out and play.  

We also went up to Central Park, saw the performers, Strawberry Fields, and my favorite little expressionist scene of the lake and park.  

We hit up Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and many other areas including what I now just refer to as the Burg (Williamsburg my neighborhood).  Nana was a great guest and I think she got a taste of NYC that will leave her thirsting for more.  

That's the rule: come to NY and I'll show you why you never want to leave.  One last note.  Nana says to me within the first two days here, "Why does everyone say New Yorkers are mean?  Everyone has been so nice."  I told her to keep the secret to herself and when we visited Times Square, she realized it's the tourists who are rude, not the New Yorkers.  We avoid the traps.  That's right- I said "we."  ;-)

Apartment Evolution Series: Murals

With the help of Eddie's nephew Dave, we thought it would be a cool idea to leave some of the room's walls open without sheet rock.  I had also just read The Last Lecture and was convinced, like the author as a child, I wanted to paint my walls in a creative way.  So I decided on murals.  

The first is the wall opposite of where I lie my head to sleep every night.  I used compound to texture the waterfall before painting it.  

The second is above my bed and under the loft.  Using the projection screen, I have started on the Starry Night replica, with of course, Christmas lights that give the appearance of starry stars ;-)  Hopefully I can finish in the next month or so.  

I then have a mural of a window with a planter.  The brick is actually a still-life replica of part of the view from my window next to my bed.  There is a brick building with similar window styles and I just added the planter for effect.  Now I just need better plants...

On the opposite wall is the "Conceptual Map Space" a concept I am trying out for brain-mapping new ideas.  Above it will be some yet to be determined murals.  I have some ideas for the door similar to what you see on tv with those crazy, obsessed serial killers and what nots.  I need to find some yarn.  Then next to the door on the wall, unseen in this picture, I want to paint a rudimentary world map.    

Below are the basic outlines of the train station.  I have since painted the beams red, and as you can see above stained the other beams, primed the inner-walls, and have outlined the train coming into the station.    

I would also like to do a couple of murals up in the book nook loft when I have more time this summer.  The goal was to have a creative environment that stimulates creativity and hopefully reflects some of my interests.  So now when you come and visit, don't say I didn't warn you ;-)  

Apartment Evolution Series: My Room

When designing my room I had a few things in mind: 1) I needed a functional workspace; 2) I needed a bed; 3) I needed a place for guests to sleep and a place where I could enjoy a good novel like my old window seat in Seattle; 4) I needed something creative.  

The first installment was the L-desk.  I like having lots of room to put things and need a lot of writing space.  

I constructed a loft bed which would double as the "book nook" with a bookcase which I have improved since. So far I have slept up there and have 3 guests stay up there.  Still standing!

I decided to leave the desk walls open and have begun a mural that will look like a train station.  

I then was lucky enough to get a projection screen and Christmas lights from an out-moving neighbor which I have used as a night sky, later to be a humble version of Starry Night by Van Gogh.  

In the end, I was able to maximize space and efficiency as well as providing creativity, storage, and some unique features.  

Next post:  The murals.  

I told you, Birthdays

So I went to another birthday- this time with new friends.  This picture is at a rooftop bar in the middle of Manhattan, Empire State Building in background, with the Birthday girl: Nichole, middle.  

And of course, always the ham, I was complaining about my lips being chapped from the sudden change in weather- 45 to 80- so we had to pose for a chapstick photo: here's to syphillis.  

And Nichole's boss, a little too many years into the bar scene, enjoying a magazine which I decided to go over and enjoy with her.  

And what NY man wouldn't be seen carrying his girlfriend's Sephora bag? 

Of course, after a long night of dancing, women have to take off the dancing shoes and put on the walkers to travel the MTA (subway).  

East to West

The best part of being on the opposite end of this great country is that Seattle seems to follow me wherever I go.  Carolyn Robbs has been here this semester, clerking for a NY Judge.  Here we are near her apartment on the upper west side.  

She also just happens to live next to the cathedral of St. John the Divine.  Although I knew I would look like a tourist, I had to snap the shot.  

We also ended the night getting a late night bite at the "Seinfeld" Diner but sadly my camera battery had died.  Despite my efforts to convince myself I recognized the inside, after watching an episode the other day, I must concede the inside looks nothing like the show, just the outside.  If I make it back that way I will get a pic for the loyal readers.  And what review do I give the Seinfeld Diner?  1 thumb up and 1 thumb down.  The food was sinfully delicious, meaning, the food was delicious but the sin was the next day when all that grease had to go somewhere.  

NYC = BIRTHDAYS

I was told when I got here that I would celebrate more birthdays than ever before.  It is true.  New Yorkers LOVE their birthdays.  A few weeks ago, I went to a classmates birthday on the upper east side.  Here I am with the birthday girl, Nykki, below: 

And with my classmates from CUNY.  These kids are all second years... oh are they jealous!  

Finally, I spent some quality time with Charlie, Nykki's boyfriend, on the couches at the bar we were at.  Let's just say that when you reach a certain age, after a long, hard week, you just want to sit, enjoy a cocktail, and watch the circus in front of you.  

And what NY birthday party would be complete without meeting up with your roommate who just happens to be at a different birthday only 2 blocks away!  It's a big city but it's still a small world.