Saturday, December 12, 2009

Thankful?

Today I had a conference out in Flushing Queens so I had to ride the train there for over and hour. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection on the window and it hit me like an MTA bus…I have become a New Yorker!!! There I stood with my black shoes, black pants, black wool coat, black scarf, white iphone headphones playing the podcast of This American Life, holding a thermos cup with tea (Tazo Cinnamon Spice EXCELLENT) standing in the moving train, close to but not touching the pole and staring expressionless ahead, oblivious to the 100 people all around me. After almost hyperventilating at the prospect of being a New Yorker, I realized that my relationship with New York City has been pretty good lately, what with it being Christmas and all and the city has put on her sparkly Christmas dress while the freezing temperatures mask the smell.

A friend of mine, actually Cristi’s brother in law, has been in charge of the Organ at Radio City Music Hall since his dad retired from the position.


So he got me and a friend of mine tickets to the opening night of the Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular. I had never seen the Rockettes perform and was mesmerized from beginning to end. The coolest part though was at the very end they do a live nativity complete with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. It was so strange to see something religious on a stage in NYC. I was thrilled that they do that. Then Rich and Ronnie, took us on a backstage tour where I was able to do the can can on the stage of Radio City Music Hall! Hooray! Then we went to the cast party and mingled with the Rockette’s who are all very proud of their legs and decided to wear the smallest cocktail dresses possible.

Thanksgiving was lots of fun. My roommate Holly and I headed down to Time Square to see the balloons in the parade. It was pretty warm out and fun to be with thousands of people cheering for cartoon characters.

I have done it a few times and I liked the location in Times Square because it looks like the balloons are coming straight for you with a menacing fist in the air.



We went back home and I gave moral support while my roommates cooked TONS of food.

Then I ran up to Broadway, hailed a cab and brought it down to our house so that we could transport our Thanksgiving Feast (turkey, gravy, sweet potato casserole, 3 pies etc ) up to our friends house where she had 20 people invited for the night.


It was a blast, good food and great people. As has become my tradition, we took a walk between feast and pies. This year we walked up to the Cloisters (a museum affiliated with the Met). Gorgeous warm night! I am thankful for good friends, family, and to live in a city that keeps life interesting.

6 comments:

Teresa said...

So...New Yorkers don't touch the pole huh? What happens when the train takes off too fast and you fall over!
I am glad you are happy to be a New Yorker. :)
And I love the outfit on you with the long brown shirt. Is that the new style? I wonder how it would look on me. :) Love You Jessica

Sue said...

Well, I don't really like you being a New Yorker. I wish that you were closer. But, if being a New Yorker is what you want to be, I am happy that you are one. Thanksgiving looks great, I am so happy that you have good friends that love you. I would have loved you at our house, too.

laura said...

I'm sorry, I'm stuck on Flushing Queens- is that a place?
And I LOVE the fact that you got to can can on stage. Hasn't that always been one of your dreams?- Something about you in a catsuit, performing. I must know- was there a catsuit involved?
And I'm with mom. NY sounds great and all- but it is SO far away. And what is with all this reference to a bad smell.

Landon said...

Another thing that REAL New Yorkers do is carry their camera around on the subway, then ask other New Yorkers to take pictures of them with their friends in their full New Yorker-ness.

Let me know when you have reached that milestone.

Scott B. said...

Don't you look cute! You don't need clothes for Christmas. You are stylin. I can not believe you transported the whole Thanksgiving dinner. I did a couple of those Thanksgiving dinners for everyone left that didn't go home in Boston. I used to use other peoples ovens for the turkey, but never had to transport all of the rest and certainly not in a cab. Crazy. Looks like you are having fun though and it is always good to see what you are up to. Love you. Can't wait until you are here.

Alicia

Roger said...

I am sorry that you couldn't be with us for Thanksgiving, but it is nice to know that you have a big group of friends to be with.
New York looks nice and everything, but when you compare it to Bakersfield...well, you know.