Lost in Translation (Part 1)

As is often the case, I had to repeat myself three times.

“Do you do a hot chai?” I asked again.

 

This time I got a blank look from Dunkin Donut man but luckily for me his colleague understood my accent.

“Vanilla Chai?” he asked helpfully.

 

This time he was on the receiving end of the blank look.

“You want a Vanilla chai?”

“Yes please. “ I said excitedly. They do offer it here then.

“Medium?” the first colleague enquired with improved understanding.

“Yes please.”

 

The translator then went on to ask if I was from the UK.

“I thought so,” he said. “I understood you. Do you follow the cricket?”

“No.” I replied. I follow football. I can still watch the matches here.”

 

Finally my hot chai arrived. Now I know what to ask for next time, Vanilla Chai.

 

Now it was a matter of deciding upon which two donuts.

February 2009

Why can’t I ever just buy one?

The Window

The Window

 

So could I live here?

 

I’ve been clear all my adult life that I was going to move to New York eventually. I just needed to build up to the moment financially, practically and emotionally and now the question is; where to live?

 

Strike off financially. One can never afford to live in New York just like one can never afford to have children. People just do and then strive to do their best.

 

Practically, I’d worked hard for the last year to change the way my company works so that I can run it from home. Any home, anywhere.

 

Emotionally, it was more a case of can I afford not to live in New York? I could think of many reasons to move across the Atlantic but not one to stay in England. I was ready.

 

So now I’m here, looking through this huge window, on the junction of Broadway and 113^th Street.

It’s the warmest day of the year, appropriate for the first day of spring and so there are less hats, gloves and scarves in evidence amongst the scores of wide-ranging characters in view.

 

The first group that struck me was the gaggle of nannies with their charges, seemingly belonging to a unique club with in-jokes and a shared liking of children but I suspect, not always a shared liking of the adults from which they were spawned.

 

They soon left, I’m guessing to collect the older siblings from schools and in poured more lap toppers to replace them. As we are by Columbia University, this is not surprising so I played the game of dividing them into professors and students. It can be quite hard to tell with lecturers getting younger and students taking degree after degree, thus avoiding the real world for as long as possible.

 

And then there was the steady flow of workers popping in to get their afternoon caffeine fix to extend their energy for another couple of hours and see through them through the long day.

 

Finally, as is the norm on the Upper West Side, there was the requisite writer. You can spot a writer as they will intently type away for a long time, just stopping to take a sip from their always large but often cold coffee without once looking up. When they do, they will stare directly into space, not noticing the New York hustle and bustle around them and then their head will go back down when another wave of inspiration hits them.

 

One thing I noticed was that everyone sitting inside this place was a grown-up. No teens to be seen at this time of day which makes it perfect place for me to go to.

 

So could I live here? A coffee shop within 10 minutes with a varied snack menu, plenty of space and the all important delicious coffee is vital in deciding where to live.

 

It’s time to go in and find out.                                                               February 4th 2009

Diary – January 17th 2009

Giants

So, last Sunday I watched my first Giants game and they lost. At Home. This of course would be history making if for example England’s Chelsea FC lost at home but it just seemed like another game. It was bad news and once we’d changed bars after lunch to go where the volume was high both from the many TVs and the swelling crowd, I could definitely feel the supporters’ despondency.

Not much of a believer in luck in normal life, I am a little superstitious when it comes to sports and can’t help but feel I’m now the bad luck charm for the Giants. I am determined to get to know the game and imagine watching a similar match in a years time, that’s if I‘m allowed back in, and wondering why I found the initial games hard to follow.  However, all I know so far is that American Football is a game of 4 quarters, there’s something called a touchdown whereby a player runs with the ball to get it to a certain point and that the many, many commercials stop play and most certainly spoil the enjoyment. I shall persevere as long as I have my teacher beside me.

Talking of which, after the game went for a walk in glorious snow covered Central Park before heading up town towards the Columbia University neighbourhood. I had fallen in love with the area on a saunter up town during the week so I wanted to investigate further the possibility of living here when I ‘m ready for my own place. Another 15-20 blocks uptown and I can get a one bedroom apartment for the price of a small studio in true Upper West Side. The draw back is I won’t have 4 cinemas within walking distance, never mind the Opera and all the riches that the Lincoln centre holds but it’s only another 1-2 stops on the subway. Any I’m 20 minutes closer to the country. Am I selling it you like I’m selling it to myself?

It sure sounds like a tempting option.  Room for my clothes, room for visitors and maybe a little entertaining and room for larger than minute kitchen. To house all my kitchen wares rather than actual cooking but who knows, this is a whole new me. Open hearted and open minded.

Anyway, this is where Tom’s Restaurant is. No I don’t know it either but apparently this place is home to Seinfield, the TV programme. I wondered if this is what the Suzanne Vega track, Tom’s Diner about but upon researching it apparently could be about that or about the actual Tom’s Diner in Brooklyn. I guess they are both claiming it although reportedly, the lady grew up in the Morningside Heights area. [Freak moment: Just I was reading through this paragraph, I stopped to do the Pop Quiz on R2 and Ken Bruce asked the question, whose diner did Suzanne Vega sing about!]

We didn’t have the obligatory end of date cake & coffee there though; we found another place that had Tiramisu. We can go to ‘Tom’s Diner’ next time as I would like to see how this area looks in the neighbourhood. Although I am really looking forward to going to the smoky, dark Jazz bar I saw too.

What I learnt today (first in a regular series): you can buy Cadbury’s chocolate here. Made by Hersheys but tastes the same. If I could have bought it in 1989 I would have moved here a lot sooner. 

Gotham Writers Workshop

The focus of this week was the 2 writing workshops (thank God you’re thinking, she’s going to learn to write properly!). On Tuesday it was Humour writing.  You can read the full story elsewhere on the blog but suffice to say it was a very entertaining evening and conveniently 5 minutes from home.

The tutor was a former stand-up comedian who now prefers to do humour writing. As soon as we settled down to class, and it was standing room only (actually the overspill just sat on the floor), to my horror we realised we were going straight into writing a piece and then reading it out aloud! Unfortunately I couldn’t escape due to the amount of bodies I would have had to step over as I was furthest from the door.

The task was to write about the funniest thing that happened today (too limiting) or the funniest thing that had ever happened (too far reaching). Funny things happen all the time but this was pressure. I thought the first thing too make me laugh out loud this morning and about the last thing, a text on the way to class and padded out the story from there. Once I started, I couldn’t stop writing which thankfully is typical for me. I volunteered to read mine out first to get it over and done with so I could enjoy everyone else’s stories but someone else’s hand shot up before mine so I was to go second. I was gutted. Even more so when the lady before me read out a very professional, descriptive, funny story but to my dismay, no one laughed out loud.

When it was my turn, I put on my best stand-up comedian demeanour and started reading, making sure I paused for effect, and laughs, at the right times. The tutor disciplined me into reading what I had written rather than story telling, even after I protested that I cannot write properly, can barely read my own writing and talk really fast. I always speed write in my own ‘language’ knowing that the piece will have its first edit when I initially type it up. I kept to the facts but people did find it funny and laughed out loud at most of the relevant places. It confirmed (my) life is as funny as I think it is. I was so relieved and delighted, both with the tutors support and constructive criticism and with the few people came up to me after class with lots of nice words. I walked, no, I skipped home on air and wondered if I could be a stand up comedian.

I decided no but I can definitely write funny stories. A huge confidence boost – if indeed I needed one.

I picked up some good tips at Wednesday’s Article writing workshop. Thankfully we didn’t have to write a piece, just write lists of topics we could write about. The best outcome was that I realised I was ready to submit. I was way ahead of the pack as I already knew how journalists work. 14 years in newspaper publishing and 3 years of successfully submitting my own press releases sure helps.

Frost Nixon

I’d waited to see this film for a month but it was so worth it. Crazy One had made me promise to see it with her and then decided there were several other films that were higher on her list. You can imagine my reaction as I’d missed several opportunities to see it with other people. Afterwards, I realised I hadn’t eaten properly in the day and was starving. A New York burger was in order so we went back to Landmarc restaurant in Time Warner (I know, predictable).Yes, I used to be one of those people that sarcastically commented about $19 burgers but you pay for the service – and the view and I wouldn’t make burgers at home yet I make pasta all the time. This time I was determined to actually eat all the burger and take in what it tasted like. Last time I had it I was on a first date, a little nervous but mostly busy chatting so I didn’t notice the actual meal. That’s a good thing, right?

Caffe Vivaldi

Saturday night was reserved for a good girlie catch up with my lovely new friend who lives close by, Riverside Girl , (RG) which meant my date for the weekend had to transpire during the day. We went to see Tom Cruises’, Val Kyrie which was not as dramatic and action packed I had hoped but a story well told. However, I was a little tense for the first hour – didn’t even open my newly discovered Cadbury’s Dairy Milk (haven’t found the best British chocolate, Galaxy yet). For the first time since we started dating I realised he was a little more rough around the edges than maybe I can cope with. A film gives you a long time to think and I felt we had got on so well and had so much fun up until now. I decided as he’s from the Bronx – he’s going to be rough around the edges and I’d be bored stiff with a Wall Street suit! In fact, I had been bored stiff with a Wall Street suit.

Afterwards, I acted like nothing had changed and we followed with a burger at Jackson Hole, as recommend by my room mate and several freezing cold blocks from the cinema. Before I knew it was 7.45 (see, we get on so well time just flies) and I was meeting RG at 8 so no time to go back home and grab another long layer on top of the 3 I was already wearing. As we said goodbye, I decided I had to warm up by other means this evening before going on to meet RG (I meant a coffee – what did you think I meant?!) and go to the wonderful Caffe Vivaldi  to hear the equally wonderful Kristin Hoffman sing for the second time. There is no way I can’t go here and feel completely relaxed and happy. I don’t know if that’s just the ambience, the Italian Cheesecake (much better than their New York version as we discovered this time) or Kristin. I would like to see another singer there just to check.

Humour Class – What I did in class today

Write about the funniest thing that has happened today

Going to humour writing workshop and finding I had to write a piece and then read it aloud to the class is the funniest thing. I thought I was going to learn but I guess that’s the difference between class and ‘workshop’.

My immediate downfall is that I can barely write by hand and reading it back to myself, let alone a class full of strangers is going to be tricky. Ordinarily, I scribble everything by hand, knowing it’s just the bare bones of a story that will get padded out the first time I type it up before being tweaked and edited several times until I deem it finished. Or until I‘m fed up of having it on my to-do list.

­The first thing that made me laugh out loud  - my definition of ‘funniest’ – was that I got an email that I had won the opera tickets draw. This is where your name goes into a hat and if selected, you win the right to purchase tickets at The Met for $25 for that weekend. That may not strike you as funny. However, last week I entered for the first time and also won so clearly I’m the only person that can be bothered to enter.

I had a great time at the New York Met last Friday. What made me laugh most was when I went for my now customary coffee and cake at Magnolias at the end of an evening. A lady there had an enormous yellow concoction and when I asked what it was, she most generously insisted I tried it. I refused as it looked so perfect and I didn’t want her to put a dent in it in my honour. It turned out, they had a little birthday party going on and they were going to put a candle in what I now knew to be Banana Pie and have it there and then. I was promptly invited to the party because my outfit, cream coat, gold dress and sparkly gloves went with the Banana Pie. Quite how an outfit goes with a dessert I don’t know but I sure do like the idea.

I didn’t have the heart to say I don’t like fruit when later, after the candle blowing ceremony, a huge dollop of pie was bought over by BP (Banana Pie) Lady.

Thankfully, it was gorgeous and I promised BP lady that as I’m in Magnolias 2-3 times a week, I will get it next time. This prompted a nice compliment that I didn’t look like I visited Magnolia’s that often.

I neglected to tell her that I always walk the 20 blocks home.

Anyway, winning the draw for the second time was the first funniest thing that happened today. This evening, what made me laugh out loud whilst walking to class was a text I received. “Ed Harris says hello”.  

I don’t know Ed Harris but can you say you received such a text?

January 13^th 2009

Diary – January 11th 2009

New Years Eve

As you know, I don’t celebrate New Years Eve, in fact for the last few years I have been on a plane going home to the UK as the clock struck 12 on the East Coast, 5 hours after Big Ben in London. My belief is at odds now that I’m living in the city that arguably has the biggest New Years Eve party on earth. I booked my trip back home late on the 31^st for no particular reason and was straight into the swelling crowds at 34th Street. It didn’t seem to me to be any busier than usual and before I knew it, 15 minutes on the subway I was home safe and warm in the relative and hopeful peace of the Upper West Side. My room mate wasn’t up to celebrating either so we did our own thing until midnight when the whole building decided to descend noisily celebrating at our door.

New Years Day

I do, however, love the freshly fallen snow feeling of starting afresh on New Years Day and took myself off on a walk through Central Park to catch Bath and Body Works sale on the east side. This is when I buy all my luxurious goodies in the sale to last the rest of the year. This was easily achieved as this isn’t a flagship store and there were no crowds. What was more of a breakthrough that January 1^st 2009 was the first time that I managed to walk across the park and reach my exact destination without getting lost. And I made it back again via a different route. The icing on the cake is I finally found out what the ‘two towers’ building that I have been looking longingly at from the East side of Central Park for 20 years (for this year is my 20^th anniversary of discovering New York, USA, just short of Columbus’ record) as I walked directly towards it. It’s an apartment block 300 Central Park West. At least I know – wonder if I will now end up living there one day? Stranger things have certainly happened in the last few months.

Upon my return, my room mate was cooking and getting ready for her family and friends to visit. As this was most often they day I used to have my family over in my UK days, I felt compelled to join the family celebrations and it sure felt good. So all families are crazy (in a good way aka, ‘crazy good’)?

2009

I’m most looking forward this year to completing my writing courses and seriously writing. The best thrill is going to be submitting work to the major New York publications and of course the best feeling in the world will be getting a piece published. Although I’m  very ambitious and focussed to achieve this goal, I know it’s not going to happen overnight. If it was that easy, the prize wouldn’t be as sweet.

Next I’m working towards building some good friendships (and friendships with benefits) in the next couple of months. Yes it does feel like work but it’s becoming more worth it and my goal here is to miss, and to be missed by my NY friends when I go home for a month in April.

Alongside all this I’ll still be building my regular business and launching my people consultancy work in New York. I also want to train as a tourist guide and plan to voluntarily work alongside guides as soon as the weather is warmer and of course I want to continue my charitable efforts stateside. This truly is the portfolio career in the making!

Saturday 3^rd January

After the beautiful calm of the start of 2009, I was back out socialising by the 3^rd although I was still feeling in low key mode. We were planning to go the cinema at 42^nd Street but I was also determined to find some basic down to earth pubs for a few beers and snacks first. I had never seen anything fitting this description on 42^nd Street but this didn’t stop me looking again. We ended up, after managing to fight through the Times Square madness for a few minutes on 8^th Street, just around the corner from cinemas and 2 such pubs. There was a big game on so after a little initiation on American Football, we went to see Clint Eastwood’s, Gran Torino. I had no idea what it was about but it had Eastwood and an American car so that was good enough for me. It was a great movie with lots of funny moments (see Movie section). A great easy-going evening….

….Followed by a great easy going day. I had recommended Sunday brunch at Good Enough to Eat to my favourite girls Meet Up group. Luckily for us, one of our members lived above it so she agreed to stand in line for us early. I was quite astonished about any lines as over the years, I had never seen one. Maybe waited a few minutes for a table but never stood outside. Sure enough, people did queue up outside in the freezing cold, something I would never have done for an hour, had I not recommended this to the other 7 ladies coming. Luckily my favourite Jersey Girl came to keep us company outside too as they wouldn’t seat us until everyone was there. The lovely staff did bring us coffee outside though. Never again – not even for the best brunch and coffee in town!

After brunch, a few of us trawled around the many, many food shops in my neighbourhood which was good fun too.

Cultural weekend.

I planned to watch The Wrestler on Thursday afternoon with Crazy Too, who arrived a whole 45 minutes late without a call or explanation but in anticipation, I had already checked the next movie time and worked out something productive things to do whilst I waited. I was still as mad as hell though as there was barely a sincere apology. Worse still, she had no cash on her and didn’t offer to pay me back when I bought her ticket. It’s the thought that counts!!Then with 30 minutes spare, although I had just eaten and already had drank several coffees, in anticipation of being in the cinema for 2 hours, we had to go to eat as she hadn’t. The best thing about that was meeting a lovely lady having a quite glass of red. I thought, ‘that will be me in 20 years, having a regular glass at regular bar where I would go before the opera. Sure enough, she was an Opera lover whose 19 year old Great Nephew (She felt she had to explain that branch of the family tree to me) was coming to New York for the first time and he had to her surprise agreed to go with her on Saturday afternoon. We left after I told her how excited I was to be going to the Met tomorrow and then thought to myself, that will indeed me in 20 years time, when my Great Nephew will also be 19!

The Metropolitan Opera

I had won the right to purchase the lottery tickets for $25 the first time I entered the draw! As Crazy one told me about the draw, I felt duty bound to invite her even though I had a very sweet offer from a date (in that even though he is Italian, I’m pretty sure this was not his scene!).

This was a fantastic start to the year and although I had never come across the production, Orfeo ed Euridice, all I cared about was that it was sung in Italian so I was very excited for my first visit to the famous New York Met.

I’ve only got a small section of my wardrobe with me in New York but I sure had packed a dress for exactly this occasion. Crazy One was a reasonable 10 minutes late and after a lovely meal at a nearby restaurant that I have frequented a few times, Barcibo Enoteca, we were running late but on our way. We would have made it in good time if Crazy One could actually walk in the shoes she had just bought (Have I ever been out with her when she was wearing comfortable footwear?). I decided to walk fast to get there on time, after all this was not the cinema where we could walk in any time and in any case, I was holding the tickets. I got there easily as everyone was going to take their seats and was gutted to have missed out on pre-show people watching at the bar. Crazy One jumped in a cab for the one block walk and got their a few minutes behind me. I ask you!

The show, and our seats in the third row, was fantastic and the 1 hour 40 minutes without interval went in a flash.

I ended with the now customary, on my way home visit to Magnolias. I had had a cake free week as my trousers were slightly snugger that I would have liked last week but this was the weekend. Whilst waiting for Crazy One to decide on her treat, I started chatting to a lady who had one enormous dessert. It transpired that they were going to put a candle on it and have a birthday party right there in Magnolia’s bakery to which I was promptly invited. Banana Pie lady felt that my outfit (Gold knitted dress, cream coat, gold sparkling gloves and strappy natural shoes) went perfect with the dessert. I thanked her for her very kind offer and compliment (I like people that think desserts go with outfits!) but later she came back to me with a taste of the dessert for me. I don’t like fruit but was compelled to try it and it was delicious! I told BP lady I pop in 2-3 times a week and will try it next time. She didn’t believe me as she felt if I was that frequent a visitor, I would be overweight! I said the 20 block walk home shifts that not mentioning the fact that I had put so much weight on since moving to New York that the clothes that never fitted me in previous year now fit me snugly.

On Saturday, this was followed by watching The Reader at the adorable Paris Theatre at the bottom of Central Park where I had always wanted to go and some lovely shopping and early dinner at, you’ve guessed it, ‘my place’ at the Time Warner Building. (No date tonight because of the snow. Snow stopped play).

Washington DC

The bus to Washington from New York was easy enough. I plugged into my mini radio to check out the radio stations throughout the drive and heard Madonna’s ‘Holiday’ three times and my main moving to US theme tune, Journey’s, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’! It was the danced up version but it made me smile anyway as I also heard a few other ‘guaranteed to be played on US radio every day’ tunes.

The West Wing

Even more appropriately, the lady in front of me was watching what I think was the last ever episode of West Wing, quite possibly my favourite TV series of all time. I always wanted to ‘work’ in the West Wing; it was full of committed and witty people who worked so brilliantly as a team, more like a family. A dream team. In a few hours I will be – or I will be pretending to be – part of that dream, for the next 4 days anyway.

I was in the hotel by 4pm and back out the customary 30 minutes later having made sure the wireless was working and returned some emails. Two things struck me as odd and a complete contrast to New York. One was how warm it was, way too warm for a coat and secondly, this place is a ghost town! Apparently it’s the calm before the storm as its holiday week and of course the city, the country is getting ready for next months inauguration. Still it was a shock to the system that I couldn’t find something to eat within 5 minutes walk and the nearby CVS were both closed at 7.

I ended up walking all the way downtown, not having a clue how the trains or buses ran and it was too eerily quiet to stand and wait. I knew there was a cinema where the bus had dropped us off and a few restaurants. It was so warm and as I had walked 30 minutes, I actually ordered a cold chai – that is not going to happen in NYC for some months!

The other not so good aspect was the very proactive beggars. This was going to be one and only trip downtown so what else is there to do on a quiet Sunday night – I went to the cinema to see Will ‘Will Smith for President’ Smiths, 7 Pounds and walked swiftly back to the hotel.

Monday 29^th December

The next day I walked passed the White House to visit at least some of the museums. I was amazed on researching that they are all mostly free and don’t always have donation boxes. I guess they are very well funded by the (previously wealthy) US government. The Mall, as this whole area is called is rolling in beautiful buildings, mostly museums and galleries but some official houses and offices too. I got to Capitol Hill but needed to get back for a live Man United match so I decided to find out about the Metro service to get back here first thing tomorrow.

After the match, my feet were well rested so I walked the 15 minutes into Georgetown, the reason I had chosen this hotel’s location and it was everything I had hoped it would be. It was buzzing at 6.30 in the evening and the shops were all open; the little funky ones, the designer stores and the big chains. I will come back tomorrow for more!

Tuesday 30^th December

As planned, I got the Metro to the other side of Capitol Hill, having posted birthday present, card and postcard back to the UK and picked up breakfast for on the way. It was a beautiful sunny morning and as with the Whitehouse yesterday, the builders were out in force building the inauguration platforms. I sat for a while in the splendour of the building and couldn’t believe my luck in having such fantastic weather. The buildings are so far apart and there is plenty of green park areas and indeed a lake in between. I found myself being concerned that all these great buildings, that house all these important people, not to mention historic art and artefacts are all in this contained area.

Whilst sitting there, a couple were taking photos of each other and I wondered if I should offer to take the photo for both of them as I had the absolute best view of the hill from where I was sitting. Had I had a coffee in my hand I would have sat there for quite some time. Suddenly, the lady was walking up the steps backwards to take a photo and promptly fell knocking her head whilst falling to the ground. I didn’t witness the whole thing but it was one of those moments where I thought I may have added to her shock and/or embarrassment if I offered to help.  I decided they didn’t need any help; she just needed to sit down for a while so I did the British thing. Pretended I hadn’t seen a thing.

I went to a couple more museums before getting the Metro to Dupont Circle. There didn’t seem to be much there although I saw many historic signs but I’d already had my fill of art and history for 2 days. I did accidently stumble upon ‘Gay Street ‘ and looking into the shop windows amused me no end. It was lovely to see a church close by with a huge Gay flag hung.

I sat in comfort and had my first egg nog latte of the Holidays – not counting the fact that I’d been adding egg nog milk to my coffee at home for some days – in what seemed like a sauna. The sun was beating down through the large windows so heavily that I actually wanted to curl up and sleep rather than write this and make a good dent in the day’s Washington Post.

Onwards to spend a good afternoon in Georgetown, which certainly reminds me of England, quite possibly it’s as English as Stratford Upon Avon!

It’s my last evening in Georgetown and I came across a sign pointing to a place serving bubble tea and crepes. I was intrigued enough to follow said sign to a place called Snap and ordered some Thai Chicken in a Crepe (pancake to you and I in the UK). There was no coffee on offer so I had to order the bubble tea, although I much preferred a hot drink going into the evening. After careful questioning, I discovered this highly unusual concoction is just tea with tapioca in it. It tasted, I’m told, like iced tea with gummy bears. A spot on description!

I said goodbye to gorgeous Georgetown, complete with its own Dean & Deluca store and a cave of hidden away little shops. Tomorrow is my last day in Washington and the forecast is snow at home so I’m going to enjoy my last day of ‘heat-wave’ before returning to New York.

New Years Eve – or as I prefer to call it Wednesday 31^st December 2008

Walking down to Lincoln memorial it was so windy that I felt I had to hold onto a lamp post to stay grounded. I then realised said lamppost may topple over so best not to hold on to any thing but hope and faith.

I walked around the war memorials the best I could in the cold winds and then decided to stay local until it was time to return to an even colder New York. I really missed home.

Diary – Saturday 20th December 2008

Monday 15^th December 2008

I’ve moved!

I was excited and a little nervous this morning.

Having done most of my packing and booked my car, not taxi. I’m not having my new wine glasses from Anthropology broken by a random taxi driver. This is the store known as my ‘funky dory’ shop although I have in later years discovered they are now a big chain. Their prices now reflect their new location in Rockefeller centre even though they used to appear to be pretty reasonable just in lower Soho. Didn’t stop me obviously.

I just had to do the last minute bathroom, kitchen and bedding packing this morning in between jobs on a thankfully not too busy Monday morning.

I hadn’t seen my room mate all week but she came back last night and we watched a kids Christmas movie, Meet the Santa’s, the sequel to Mrs Clause that I saw last week during the present wrapping extravaganza. I haven’t seen her all morning, expect for her brief appearance to use the shower muttering something about having a busy day ahead, never to be seen again.

The 2 guys had barely acknowledged my moving out and didn’t say goodbye, after much promising to keep in touch during my apartment hunting days. [A week later, still not ‘kept in touch’]. Unfortunately, my view that sincerity and loyalty isn’t top of the list around these parts remains intact.

I dragged my cases, boxes and many bags down the flight of stairs 30 minutes before time and noticed a big black car with dark tinted windows pull up whilst I was taking out the rubbish/trash. (I’m so used to translating into American now).

As I walked back upstairs my phone rang. It was the driver. A polite 20 minutes early. Just the thing as I was ready. Ready to go home.

We loaded up the car, the driver the heavy cases and me, feeling guilty of having so many light packages I had managed to accumulate in the last 7 weeks, including the grill toaster thing. I’m guessing the roomies are going to miss that, along with my regular supply of coffee, the good cookies and the occasional bottle of wine I bought home, now that I can find bottles for a reasonable under $10. Never mind taking and bringing back dry cleaning and shoes to be repaired.

I shouted out to my roomie that my car was here and I was loading up. No reply. By 2pm, we were already speeding through the Lincoln tunnel and I was home within 20 minutes. The $60 fee including tip was well worth it although I still felt an extra tip was due – all the $1 bills I had on me. I will use Fletcha Limo again and recommend them to many.

I called my new room mate as soon as we were on the right side of Hudson River and she was there to greet and help unload at the other end, as was the doorman. This is more like it.

The 36 year old block is being renovated so there is no chance of my arrival escaping the attention of the builders. It also means we are not greeted by a beautiful Christmas tree each time we enter like the other blocks. However, the large tree inside the apartment together with the many Christmas decorations and an actual comfy sofa meant I felt at home within 5 minutes. Having unpacked for the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom I was out in my neighbourhood within 20 minutes looking for a coffee shop to call ‘my place’. I had passed ‘Columbus Coffee Shop many times and wondered if that would be it. It was just a few blocks down so I strode in and then out after 3-4 minutes. That was too long to wait for service in New York – or anywhere, with my purse in my hand. I don’t think that’s going to be my place. I decided to carry on down Columbus until the turning came for the very first my place, ‘Good Enough to Eat’ which is where I ended up. At 4 pm on a Monday, it was the quietest I have seen it and they now appear to have linen napkins! Maybe that’s an afternoon thing, I’ve only been here for breakfast, brunch and evening drinks. The service, as always was thoroughly attentive, the coconut cake (reminding me of Mum) big enough for a family of 4 and the coffee still the best in New York. This will have to be a weekly treat at $10+ for coffee and cake. I questioned the waiter on how bigger group they could handle and made a mental note to suggest Good Enough for a Meet Up brunch or dinner.

Tuesday 16^th December

Life without Zabars. How unappetising

Zabars slogan

Well I’m unpacked.

I sense I’m completely at home. My second day and I feel like I’ve lived here all my life.

I’ve run my errands, including taking my cheap and cheerful – ‘they’ll do’ boots to the repairers as both heels have broken off.  I have worn them incessantly this winter, a mean feat considering they are burgundy coloured, although for the last 2 weeks I’ve only been able to wear them locally so I can get a cab back if they completely break. Isn’t it funny how they become my favourite boots after they have broken, possibly beyond repair? I was going to throw them away but decided to try and beg to 3 repairers first.

I’m now writing in my other place Zabars with the brilliant cheesecake and wonderful chai for under $5. Having bought a £13 unbreakable ‘French Press’ that broke, I’ve treated myself to a small $30 stay warm, coffee machine from the store – to add to my collection of maybe 20-25 coffee appliances back home in the UK. I must have as many as the average woman has shoes. I said average. Anyway Zabars give you a $7 pound of coffee with the machine so well worth it. Oddly, my Zabars mug broke whilst sloppily unpacking yesterday. I figure I don’t need a Zabar mug now that I am living in Zabar territory. So I have already replaced it with my Shabby Chic china one I bought the other week.  So I’m still into labels – just much smaller ones these days!

Outside its 3 degrees, dark and it’s been snowing in a beautiful, Hollywood, mystical way all day. Pure snowflakes steadily falling like cotton wool in a cartoon but not settling on the ground. It’s made the Christmas trees being sold in the streets look as festive as they can be.

Our apartment is completely Christmassed. I’ve watched Christmas films. listened to holiday tunes on the radio and in out of shops and I’ve heard one of my emotional trigger songs, ‘Driving Home For Christmas’. Except I’m not going anywhere.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel warm and comfortable and excited about the future but the Christmas spirit is definitely lacking. I always knew Christmas never seemed as important as Thanksgiving here but people are shopping for presents and for the holidays but there isn’t the Christmas warmth towards each other. The Christmas cheer. Odd, as I normally feel extremely spirited when I arrive here on Christmas Eve. I guess I must usually bring the UK sprit with me.

Wednesday 17^th December

Fundraiser

This evening, instead of taking up a dinner invitation from a gallery owner, I went to my first fundraiser. Rubbish. I travelled miles to the other side of the earth (Very lower East side) only to find it wasn’t a fundraiser – as we would know it. No posters publicising the cause. No speeches educating us about it. No networking with other charity people so I can find a cause I may want to work with. Nothing. Had a jolly time though but I shouldn’t have spent over £20 just on cab fares – it doubles the price of my night – but nature called!

Thursday 18^th December

Went to what should have been a big pre Christmas Meet Up downtown – everything seems to happen on 21^st Street, East and West sides – I’m getting to know that street well – but I would say it was reasonably well attended. Still I recognised a couple of faces from the last event, got a couple of buddies to come, met a few new people including a couple of nice local ladies and somebody who turned out to be a writer! If only he lived in New York as I so would love to get lots of tips and find out how he got started but he lives about an hour out. A long way to travel in so we’ll see…….

Friday 19^th December

Milk

Decided 3 successive nights out was a bit too much so thought I would stay in and write. I’d been into Central Park in the afternoon to take photos of the freshly fallen snow.

I ended up going out to see the Sean Penn movie, ‘Milk’ at the Lincoln, 2-3 stops on the subway. I’m glad I did as it was fantastic – one of the best I’ve seen in a while. I cannot think of one negative thing too say about it. The true story was impressively told. The sad bits were lovingly toned down with jokes at which everyone in the theatre laughed and the acting was sublime by everyone including a very serious – and smouldering – performance by James Franco. Extraordinary considering they were all straight (that we know off) actors playing explicit gay men. Sean Penn evidently cannot do anything wrong and must now be regarded up there with the Pacinos and De Niros. He’s definitely off that ilk and we know that he totally gets involved with the movie projects – doesn’t just turn up and act. It’s good to be in the US as I will now catch movies like this that won’t always make the UK – even though it has had huge critical acclaim here.

It was the most powerful movie highlighting gay rights that I have seen since Philadelphia. That was too sad to see again – this I will watch over and over (to name drop a Madonna song – a real shame that marriage didn’t work out; he would have been a fantastic influence for her).

I will write a full review in the movie section for you film buffs.

At around 10-11pm any night of the week my mind turns to cake so I walked – or rather slid in the snow a couple of blocks to Whole Foods in the Time Warner centre at Columbus Circus (the amount of times I write about it you must know this place as well as me now!) and bought goodies for the weekend.

 

Saturday 20^th December

Torch Singer

I was definitely planning a night in after a local look round the local shops but had a lovely invite from a new local buddy to Caffé Vivaldi. I talked myself into it as the afternoon progressed and 4 of us ended up going to the West Village to see a fantastic local singer, Kristin Hoffmann perform. It was well worth the trip downtown in the slippery snow. We only had one drink before, possibly influenced by me, we all progressed to coffee and cake. I shared a huge slice of Italian cheesecake out of curiosity. The entertainment was hard to describe but stunning; Kristin is a real find who I am guaranteed to see again and possibly buy a CD. It was one of the best evenings I’ve had here with exquisite, intelligent company and interesting conversation capped by the fact that my buddy invited someone else who in turn invited her friend. Great networking. I couldn’t believe it when we left at 1.40am that we’d only had one drink! Three of us all lived on the UWS so it made sense to share a cab. Although I am desperately trying not to be so extravagant – it was very late. So now I know 2 great new like- minded ladies however, I cannot fathom how all 3 of my new socialites are single. I decided some matchmaking is in order…….

Another great week! What will Christmas week bring?

Diary December 13th 2008

Saturday December 7^th 2008

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Amazingly, this has just opened in NYC which is why I hadn’t spotted it before.

I was told by the organiser that they have a 3 year lease at this Soho spot so they’ll see how popular it is. We were told to arrive early as they only let 250 people in for each tour but we needn’t have worried as pretty much no one else knows it has opened either.

The tour itself was fantastic, starting with the actual Hall of Fame honouring all the winners over the last 20 years or so. I was proud of all the British artists honoured, from the obvious Beatles, Stones, Floyd and The Who but also the less mainstream people like Elvis Costello, who I believe lives in the city now. I was most surprised by the temporary exhibition, honouring The Clash. I had absolutely no idea they were so huge in America and I certainly don’t remember them playing stadium tours of the likes of U2 in the UK. Perhaps I was a little too young. I did find it amusing that the museum had got hold of their old ‘stage outfits’ for display. I think if our Punk forefathers knew the clothes they dragged on to do a gig would be called ‘stage outfits’ and put out for display as the first exhibitions at the RRHOF, they will be laughing their socks off. I’ve been a lifelong music fan, with a special place in my heart for American music but I’m deeply proud of the UK’s huge musical influence stateside.

It was great to meet a couple of fellow muso’s on this outing and I’m virtually guaranteed of being able to go and see some bands now. Really look forward to that.

Tuesday December 9^th 2008 

It’s a busy week so I feel like I’m settling in a little more now that the schedule is getting closer to the norm. Today I had my first one-to- one, as I usually call them, with a new business contact I met at a professional Meetup.com event last week. It was my first business event in NYC and it was similar to what happens in the UK except there inevitably seems to be a social aspect here. And I thought the Brits had a reputation for drinking to excess! Back home I would have up to three one-to-ones per week and I’m hoping to reach that target even it means cutting down on evening socialising. I would rather that than cut down on my writing time.

It was a productive meeting with a lovely lady who lives in Brooklyn and works for Century 21, a very large real estate company that even I know. Now I have a much greater knowledge of how the property market works here both rental and sales. Incongruous considering both of the women I’ve met here beforehand are Realtors!

Earlier I had mailed nearly all the presents back home. $80 in postage so far with 2 more to post that I have just bought in Bloomies. I’ve never heard anyone else call Bloomingdales that but it’s official; they had ‘Bloomies’ Christmas baubles!

After assiduously walking the streets in the last 2 weeks, painstakingly looking for small and useful gifts that I could post, lovingly wrapping them up in this year’s yellow theme, the hardest colour to find in New York and New Jersey so I had to settle with some ludicrously expensive almost transparent  wrap from Kates Paperie (I’m sure I would have found it in the UK) and then buying bubble wrap and brown paper – something I have huge amounts off back home in storage that I never ordinarily need to use – Christmas is wrapped up.  I’m pretty sure no-one will notice the effort or the expense  so never again! Unless they have an on-line wish list – they are not getting a present!

I’m still not feeling the Christmas spirit, especially at home without decorations, no one Christmas shopping or receiving cards (like me), no festive food and drink and worse of all no tree! There’s no point in putting one up as I’m leaving next week to live in a place with a tree and plenty of holiday spirit. 

Having started with a turkey dinner, I decided to spend last Sunday evening writing cards and wrapping up presents. I had to drag the small dining room table (with just 2 chairs so no chance of large or even small dinner gatherings here!) into my room where I have a TV, so I could at least have the traditional Christmas movie on whilst wrapping up.  To get a little more home comfort I indulged in one of the two packs of Marks and Spencer Dolly Mixtures I had bought with me. I am determined next year will be different but of course, so grateful to be here regardless of the limitations.

Next up, I’m gearing up for the move although it’s no big deal, just packing up 2 cases I came with and everything else I have bought since being here and jumping into a taxi to go the 6.9 miles across the river and up town. None of the three roomies know of a local taxi number or how to get one. Can you imagine many households in the UK not knowing at least one local taxi number? Clueless.

I am desperately craving intelligent adult company

Having been to Bloomingdales and enjoyed a very late indulgent lunch in one of their cafes with a delightful view of a huge Christmas Tree opposite, I went back across to the west side deliberately passing the Rockefeller big tree. As I looked right under the tree I felt a couple of refreshing raindrops on my face on this mild, pleasant evening. I decided to take a little shelter. In other words, use this as an excuse to sit inside and watch the ice skaters below the tree.

I picked a good time as all of a sudden, the rink cleared and a man – a gentleman – chose this moment to propose. Clearly she said yes which was fortunate as he had pre-arranged a bouquet of flowers, someone to take a photo and there was even someone videoing the event although I’m not sure if they were connected. In the background were the twinkling traditional snowflakes of Saks Fifth Avenue and of course the big tree witnessed the whole occasion. How fabulous.

Later, I met up with Crazy One (Bare with me;  I can guarantee there will be more so I’m giving them numbers), who I had called earlier to say I was finishing up at Barneys (East  side, Madison) and making may towards her neighbourhood (West Side). Obviously, she ignored me because an hour later we had to then get a taxi to go back to exactly where I could have stayed!! This lack of planning (and not listening) has gone too far. Does anyone in this city plan? I figure that’s why they are so busy and behind all of the time. They don’t plan and they want to cram 3 events into one night. From now on, I’m taking up the invitation only if I really want to go, only going to one thing a night and I’m not going out every night! And if someone changes the plan – I ain’t going!

Anyway, what happened at the Carlyle Hotel will have to wait for the Social Shenanigans section (coming soon – watch this space) suffice to say that so desperate I was for intelligent company I spent much of the evening talking to two Australian Advertising Executives in town to pitch to Robin Williams’ agent whilst on a break from a big birthday celebration in Vegas. Yes really. Australian!

They knew about :

·         English football – not soccer

·         England

·         The rest of the world – outside America.

 

It was a normal conversation and I didn’t have to translate any words for them, repeat myself or use the phrase, ‘Never mind. You obviously don’t know’.

  

$75 bar tab paid and yet another cab across town I was back at my bus stop at 1.10am. We were directed to a different bus stop for some reason (there are hundreds at Port Authority) but luckily this was the day I had squeezed the bus time table into my bag. Lucky for the chap standing next to me who had arrived to a much lonelier place earlier and wasn’t confident he was going get any bus. I have no idea why people prefer to go all the way to get a train to Jersey side and then pay $10 + tip to a cab to actually get home when this bus takes us straight back. No stops, parks right outside the house and running through the night. Easy.

Anyway the chap turned out to be a radio plugger to radio so not only did he know where the bands play locally, but he gave me the best radio station to listen to and which new bands to look out for! Where was he seven weeks ago?

I can’t believe my room mates didn’t at least about where to see the bands but then they don’t know the number of a local taxi firm or the best local supermarket!

You never know who’s standing next to you but nothing gained by not talking.

Anyway, this is my last but one trip back from the city. From then on I will just come back to pick up any post, unless the post diverts kicks in quickly or to meet with all the locals I seem to have met in my last week!!

Wednesday December 10^th 2008

This evening I had a lovely Thai/Chinese/Asian fusion dinner at a local restaurant with a new sane buddy. Union City Girl works in Medical Communications but is also a creative actor/writer sort so I look forward to get ting to know her better. She belongs to one of my Meet Up groups and her profile stated she wanted to meet friends who talked about things other than shopping and hair (I would add men to that list) so I thought she’s the buddy for me. I was not wrong so I promised to invite her to anything I think she’ll be interested in and visa versa. I’m so glad I’m being more proactive in this search for good friends now!

Thursday December 11^th 2008

Talking of proactive, I got an email from a group to see Martha Stewart being filmed. We had to be at her Chelsea studios at 8.30 and not much has got me out of the house at that time of the morning since I have been here. In fact I have never left the house before 12 noon!

I’m glad I made it early enough to get breakfast from a nearby Dunkin Doughnuts first. I had to rely on a colleague to explain to my server what I wanted when she stated they don’t sell Egg Muffins, when the advert in the window clearly said they did. Apparently I have to ask for English muffin although that’s not necessary at McDonalds. Fair enough.

Once inside, we found out the show was going out live so much emailing and texting went on to get the programme recorded. Obviously not by me who has to have 30 minutes of cajoling to get my photo taken.  The hype of the audience was as one would expect and to get us in the ‘screaming’ mood we were entertained to Blur and some really good recent dance tracks, which my fellow audience found amusing, ‘Martha wouldn’t know an Usher song!’ Then we had to rehearse our standing ovation for Martha and the applause for the star guest, Jeff Goldblum.

I was surprised at the mostly 20-30 something audience, especially in the middle of the working week but about the token gays. In fact I thought they’d be lot more!

I got quite irritated buy the fact that Martha did not acknowledge the audience or welcome us in any way. We were asked to applaud Goldblum three times during the adverts and not once did he look up let alone say thank you. How absolutely rude!! I won’t be seeing the movie he was promoting. Martha had another guest who was an employee turned cookie decorating star who was equally aloof.  A Jersey girl too!

Finally, respect was restored as off-camera; Martha did thank us for coming and take questions which I thought was really sweet. Of course we got some goodies to take away, Christmas Cookie Cutters. Now all I need is a kitchen and to find out where I buy proper cream from for my cheesecake. I’ll her ask Martha next time.

Friday December 12^th 2008

This evening I went to a local meet up. It was great because there was a band, I met a few people and it was happy hour. However, roll on moving to the city – I don’t regret that decision.

Saturday December 13^th 2008

Today I had a delightful day in the city starting off with the best meal I’ve had here. Afternoon Tea at Alice’s Tea Cup in the Upper West Side. A winning combination made even better by meeting some great ladies during the best Meet Up event so far. We all came away with a take-out goodie box,  some of the contents of which I devoured, after doing a little light sale shopping as an excuse to see the Big Tree, at the cinema later. I saw a throw away Christmas film, Four Christmases as the 3 serious films I wanted to see didn’t start for more than an hour. It was good to be back at the cinema in any case, something I will get back to regularly when I have moved.

On to the packing next.

Shenanigans – Diary (December 3rd 2008)

I’m going home

December 2^nd 2008

Should I stay in Jersey or go to NYC?  Should I even stay in the city or in the USA?

I said when I first came over that my staying in the USA will be down to the people that I meet.  Its early days and friendships I believe, take months or even years to solidify but my first instincts are rarely wrong. Ordinarily, I’m completely independent, a loner – as has been previously documented in this diary! – but a girl needs some friends to bounce off, go out with and share the life’s fabulous experiences with. I need some reliable friends. Pure and simple.

Conversely, the guys I have met have been nice so it’s not true (so far) what they say about New York men. They have persuaded me that not all city girls are the same and I guess they should know!

Up until this point, I wondered if I should move to Maine – small town country, where everybody knows everyone’s business but at least they’re nice with it!

The problem with Jersey, spectacular view of the NY skyline outside your door taken into consideration, is that you need a car. I have no cinema, let alone theatre close by. The nearest coffee shop (TP) is 15 minutes away, close to the supermarket I have recently found. Nearer to M&S quality but very expensive. To get to either I have to cross one of two bridges and cross 2 huge death defying roads where the lights always seem to be on the driver’s side.  See what I mean about needing a car?

I love Hoboken but no self respecting city person (local speak for New York, New York) is going to come the 5-60 minutes, depending on traffic/mode of transport to Jersey.  I always go there. It drives me crazy but I cannot expect anyone to come over to this side of the Hudson River. Why would they every leave New York? Everybody who lives here or even further away goes into the city for fun. I would love to have gone out more locally but nobody does. Well somebody must do as the bars always look fun and busy – more like the bars back home.

It took some persuading, particularly of NatWest, to let me have my own money but I have now paid my first month’s rent on a new apartment share on the Upper West Side.

Thanksgiving Family

Having gone to see the apartment previously, I walked into a beautiful family scene Thanksgiving weekend to pay my new room mate the rent and secure the place.  The place was like something out of the sort of movie Hallmark will show on Christmas day morning at 7am. I know that from waking up early one Christmas morning at the Waldorf Hotel.

My room mate introduced me to everyone of her family although her dog now recognised me. I gave her the cheque and with nod to Central Park on my right, skipped off into the early evening, in my new neighbourhood, observing the family scene once more through the window – now mute and resembling a Christmas card.

I was home.

The question is - am I still a Jersey Girl or now an Uptown Girl?

Walking back down Columbus, I was delighted to come across Shabby Chic, a delightful home store I first came across in San Francisco a year previously. At first I stood outside hardly believing my eyes but then carried on skipping, right into the shop. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before although hadn’t spent as much time walking down this road as others. Then I found out they had just opened – just in time for my home coming. Very expensive but very wonderful.

As is habitual when I have just spent a lot of money, I spent some more buying their trademark china mug, which I’ll save for my new home. I was going to time how long it took to walk from the apartment to Zabars but of course got distracted many times. I eventually got their and sat in the stores café for the first time. Cheesecake and chai for less that $5. Bliss!

Now that I’ll be living on Central Park, I believe jogging and walking a dog is compulsory by local law.

Last I heard this is John McEnroe country so off I trotted to the local Barnes and Noble to get his book, which I only recently read and loved, just in case I could catch him in a good mood and add to my autographed, sports biography collection.

The store barely had a tennis section and in fact had a Iarger ‘soccer’ section! Definitely no books on arguably the most successful tennis player of all time. In his home city! That was flabbergasting enough until I learned two of my room mates – the more American ones, had never heard of him! Never heard of John McEnroe. As you can tell, I still haven’t got over it.

Having said that, few people seem to be worldly enough to know about Europe, UK, England in the same way  we all know about America. Time will tell.  Apart from my own room mates, I have a whole nation to teach. In the meantime, I’m worldly – get me out of here! (and onto the Upper West Side)

December 3^rd 2008

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Well the most famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller centre is lit so the big day is nearly here. Of course I didn’t attempt to fight through the crowd that had started building 3 hours before the tree lighting ceremony was due to begin, the same time as the traffic police started to block off around a 10 block radius and the unmarked police vans started bellowing at jaywalkers. I was walking uptown from Christmas shopping at Macys, only because we out-of-towners get 11% discount in there on top of the already on sale price, so I was caught up in the crowd before I had even planned my walk uptown.

Cupcake

I had saved my first visit to Dean & Deluca for this day, even though I have been craving their $5 cup cakes since August. Ever since I have been coming to New York at Christmas, my first sight of the tree is accompanied by chai and cup cake, sitting under the tree, in the freezing wintry night by the angels. Of course I was going to get nowhere near it so I wondered off into a nearby café to sit down and eat in peace. It’s amazing to think 1000’s of people are within a minutes walk and this place was thankfully empty. Having eaten, I made one more attempt at seeing the tree before deciding on walking 10 blocks uptown to Columbus Circle to use the best (and extremely rare) public washrooms in the city, be inside and try my luck at another Dean and Deluca – at least to follow part of the Christmas tree tradition. I was in luck with their Vanilla cup cake but they had run out of chai. I’ve never heard that happen before but was actually quite grateful – I just asked out of habit and was already full with the one I had just had!

I tootled around the shops and planned to go back to the tree after 9 when the crowds at dispersed. I popped down to Whole Foods, as I had 30 minutes spare and joined the longest supermarket line in the world. I have been here many times but never bought anything because the line always seems to fill half of the store. I couldn’t understand why people bought one thing, i.e. their dinner, and stood in line for 10minutes or so. Why don’t they just shop for more or go somewhere else? Anyway, it’s a good shop, made all the better for the fact that they are building one 3 blocks from my new home! My loyalty may be divided between them and Zabars – like M&S and Waitrose I guess! Just as I was paying a friend called. Having walked out of work to be greeted by 1000s of people she remembered it was Tree Lighting day so I had a welcome glass of chilled wine in a nice bar with live Jazz before we finally made our way to the tree with relative ease.

Having taken and sent home the obligatory first photo, we wondered back and I stopped off at the original Dean and Deluca for chai – too add to my Cup cake – and drink on the way home. The tradition was almost intact.

Shenanigans – Diary (November 27th 2008, Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving

 

Well this is what prompted my early move to the US; it’s Thanksgiving.

 

What’s most poignant is that 19 years ago this week, after many years of child hood longing, I first arrived in New York. It was everything I dreamt it would be and still is. In all these years of coming here and all these weeks living here, I don’t take it for granted. At the moment, there’s nothing that will make me want to live in the UK again. Well except M&S and Old Trafford but nothing that I’m not getting heavily compensated for. Although I would be happy to drive to an M&S for many, many hours if there was one anywhere near here. I feel a begging letter coming to Stuart Rose.

 

1989

 

The first trip was truly special.

 

I could sense the room being light when I woke up early in the Upper East Side apartment we were renting for two weeks. I could literally feel that something was different. Not just that I was in New York, nor that it was Thanksgiving or that we were going to watch the famous Macy’s parade. It was something more than that. I looked outside to the early morning rising over the best city in the world.

 

There was a white blanket of snow. Everywhere. Real snow! It had snowed overnight for the first time in umpteen years. It was everything a child, and therefore the child in me could have possibly wished for. I always likened the US Thanksgiving tradition being like the UK Christmas so I was literally as happy as the kid on Christmas morning.

We didn’t bother with the parade that year; it was way to cold and who wanted to see New Kids on The Block anyway? Later, we did go out to have traditional Thanksgiving dinner nearby on Madison Avenue which gave me my first, and only taste as far as I recall of sweet potato.

 

So 19 years later I’m determined to see the parade, for all its commercialised glory.

 

Tuesday

 

It appears that not much happens business-wise in Thanksgiving week so apart from taking care of UK business, I have been preparing for the big day all week. Today, I decided to get the train, rather than bus across to the city as it stops right where I needed to be. I took my mini radio out for company for the first time and  40 minutes later, as I was waiting for the lovely, regular train (three words that don’t often go together back in the UK) to depart, guess what song should come on but one of my theme songs for this Big Adventure (BA).

I was praying for the train to be delayed, but no it sped under the Hudson and into New York City so I only managed to hear half of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. This had kept me motivated all year in my BA preparations.  Peculiarly, it was a danced-up version, the same, strange style that I had heard on my first night out in the city on Halloween and it bought the same huge smile to my face again. I need to research if it is a strange remix,  a new version done now that the band have reformed  with a new singer or horror of horrors – a real dance track.

 

Eight minutes later, I was getting lost in West Village as usual but happily, I easily found Myers of Keswick, the UK shop keeper that has been taking care of ex-Pats in NYC for two decades by supplying them with the tastes from home. I knew they existed, did the research and here I am.  I guess they may be responsible for the other neighbourhood British invaders, Assault & Battery, for fish and chips and the more pleasantly named Tea & Sympathy next door.

 I could tell I was in British territory as there was no ‘Hi, how are you?’ as I entered, never mind the fanfare to announce my arrival that I was semi-expecting. Never mind. Needs must.  I need Bisto gravy, Cadbury’s hot chocolate and Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing. It’s been many years since I have made a roast dinner, and this one  is not going to be the feast that I would have liked, had I been in the UK, due to a distinct lack of kitchen utensils and dishes but I’m going to make a good effort. All bar actually cooking a turkey which would be both ambitious and wasteful between us 3 room

mates.

 

I picked up a couple of welcome home-made scones whilst I was there, just passed the $11 Wheatabix. Does anyone miss Wheatabix that much?! Cereals here are all quite similar now, as are the sweets which they priced at $5 per bag. I’m happy with my movie candy, Poppers, the US version of Maltesers at only $1.39 per box.

 

To celebrate my purchases (I’m not sure why I do that. When I bought my last (dream) car, having spent the biggest amount of money since buying a house, I then spent £200 to celebrate the fact!),  I went in search for somewhere to have a coffee and cake treat. I didn’t pass Magnolia’s, as I had easily done during both my previous neighbourhood visits on the BA, source of my new ‘to die for best cheesecake in the world’ in an attempt to justify this belief. However, I figured I can go there anytime – there’s one on the Upper West Side too, (more of that news next week). Instead, I searched for Tartini, which I knew was on West 11th, way out west but finding streets down here, as I have mentioned before is anyone’s guess as the grid rules are thrown out of the window. Unless you have a map of course, something I don’t possess. I’m not carrying a bloody map just to get me round the West Village. I’m just going to have to learn more about my second favourite neighbourhood!!

 

I decided to saunter up town to catch a bus and if I come across good cake, all is well and good.

All was indeed well and good less than 10 minutes later when I was devouring some huge, almond, cake concoction with coffee, sitting at the same table in Tartini, as on the previous occasion, which was at least 3 or 4 NYV visits ago. Not as good as the brunch, which I decided is what I will aim for the next visit.

 

To end the day, I visited the now customary Columbus Circle, mostly for the washroom facilities but also to see if there was a shop from which I could try and replace the mini cafetiere (French Press) I bought from Zabars on my birthday, which already had a broken filter. No such luck but I needed an excuse to go into Williams & Sonoma, the super fine kitchen shop that I’ve been addicted to for the whole 19 years.  I then had a little jaunt on the Upper West Side before coming home. Guess what song came on the same radio station as I stepped off the bus 2 minutes from home? Needless to stay I hovered around the front door for a while like a homeless person, complete with the now customary New York fingerless gloves, to hear the end of the original version.

 

Phrase of the day :  AC/DC and Guns & Roses are back in 2008.

All is good in the world

 

Wednesday

 

It is the eve of Thanksgiving so today is about shopping for fresh groceries at the newly discovered Kings supermarket, nicer and more costly than my previous discovery but decidedly more convenient. No sign of a loyalty card here yet thought. My Zabars shopper was heaving so the gigantic leeks and diminutive cupcakes had to go in a separate bag whilst I popped next door to find a reasonable bottle of red. Wine is ridiculously expensive so I really have to look for something in £5-6 equivalent bracket. Not everyday is a $20 wine day! Although it sure does feel like it…….

 

It was hard to find the equivalent for everything I needed, particularly with the lack of cooking utensils in the apartment (we only have 2 chairs!) but I made do. $70 later, we are approaching as close as possible to a UK roast dinner, if not especially a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings; Rosemary Roast Potatoes, buttery carrots and stuffing. No Yorkshire pudding though. They had the mix but I don’t have any tins!

 

Thanksgiving Day

 

 

Having done just a little work at the crack of dawn (my first alarm goes off at 4.15!), and researched the holiday bus schedule to be on time, I was off out to the parade by 9.30. Mind you, I had to fight to get on the all too infrequent ‘holiday‘ bus. I was the first there, joined by a few arriving within a couple of minutes but the party of 5 that strolled in at the last minute for some reason thought they should get on first! They were definitely tourists, contrary to popular opinion and my recent experience, the locals would not be that rude! I don’t know where from as my headset was firming in with my new addiction to having the radio in my ears, even although we basically just go through the Lincoln tunnel and we’re in New York so I don’t get a signal for too long. I miss not driving and being able to have the radio on all the time.

 

I got to the parade in good time and surprisingly managed to catch up with a friend who was near the front of the parade running through Broadway. It goes on for hours and by this time, people were leaving or perhaps moving further down to meet the parade’s end at Macys. This was most definitely Macys parade – a completely commercial venture but traditional too. You’ve seen one parade in New York and you’ve seen them all so that’s ticked off the list. Obviously the floats and giant balloons are for the kids so I’d had my fill after 20 minutes of watching giant Christmas trees, Snoopy’s, elephants and the like.

 

We followed up with brunch in another restaurant in Columbus Circle, not my usual which was closed. The view wasn’t the same but I was amazed something was open so close to the parade at already a popular spot and that we got a table with ease. They were showing live coverage of the parade on large screen TVs. I don’t think I’ve been anywhere on this BA where they don’t have large TV screens.  Again, by now I’d seen all I needed to see of the parade. I just wanted to tick it off the list and soak in the atmosphere, which I have to say didn’t seem as special as I thought it would be.

 

The next event is for the lighting of the Tree at Rockefeller Center. Now that will be special. Especially with Dean and Deluca Chai and the now traditional cup-cake-by-the-tree. Given that I was craving them back in August,  I’ve only had 2 cupcakes since I’ve been here, Starbucks was terrible and the ones from the local supermarket not much better, but obviously at 1% of Starbucks, over inflated prices, so I’m now just going to wait out for the big day.

 

I came back home and the original Miracle on 34^th Street was on so that was the background and inspiration to get me ‘cooking’ a very subdued version of Thanksgiving dinner.

 

As I write this, we’ve still not made room for the Pecan Pie bought by my room mate…….