Saturday morning brought some sumptuous yum yums my way, after a quick walk around the block to the bakery. Nothing says "Good morning!" like a hot cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant. And nothing screams "New York" like a walk to Brooklyn Industries for some shopping, followed by delicious bloody marys as an appetizer to a delicious early afternoon brunch with Julie and Dave. Brunch, above and beyond breakfast, is my all-time favorite mealtime activity. Screw tapas, forget Early Bird Specials. Brunch is the absolute BEST. Particularly when you are sharing brunch with some of your favorite people. Post-brunch, we all chilled out in preparation for Julie's 30th celebration at Freddy's Bar & Backroom.
Once gathered at Freddy's, we ordered a pizza, which came with individual packets of spices for your individual zesting pleasures and preferences. As we finished up the pizzas, we noticed a band of middle-aged, community college professor/high school teacher-types setting up their equipment. Things did not look good. What kind of "entertainment" were we in for on this Saturday night? Would we be forced from Freddy's Backroom, and up to the Bar? Would we have to abandon the pizza?? The suspense was killing us (see Exhibit A, below)
Exhibit A: Death-inducing suspense
And so, the Band of Middle-Aged White Men began playing. We remained unsure. Where was this ditty going. Fast-forward halfway through the set, and the entire backroom is singing along to each song, waving their glasses in the air like they just don't care, and no one wants these guys to stop entertaining us. The lead singer toes the line -- knowing he looks like the absent-minded, tone deaf professor, and knowing that he has us all in the palm of his hand (see Exhibit B, below).
Exhibit B: The Band of Middle-Aged White Men that are more than they appear to be.
Unfortunately, their set ended, and they made way for another band of youngins, which were horribly, and disappointingly dismal. The trio started with a 17th Century song that would depress even the most cheerful of sugar-hyped cheerleaders. Like, major bummer, guys. This band sucked and forced us to abandon ship for the front Bar. Not even inebriation could make that band worth listening to for...at all. Ever.
Our merry group of birthday revelers didn't last much longer into the night, and the first clue that it was time to go might have been when I took a drink from a pint that, after swallowing, I was pretty sure was not even mine to begin with. Alcohol kills everything, right? Even backwash?? Let me believe so, alright?
Sunday brought with it the bright hope of a Yankees game at the new Yankee stadium. Not once had I been to the old stadium. Maybe nothing screams "New York" more than a subway ride and a Yankees game? I think that's an absolute. On the way to the stadium, Noel, Amy, and I prayed the weather cleared up for there to be a game. When we emerged from the subway, our prayers had not yet been answered, as we slogged our way across the street to the stadium entrance.
The new stadium is beautiful and a great park (see Exhibit C, below).
Exhibit C: The *new* Yankee Stadium
Well, after chowing down on fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, shakes, and sodas from Johnny Rockets, the game went from rain delay to postponed. So much for me experiencing the Yankees on their home turf. At least the food was delicious. We waded back across the street to the subway and headed home for some rainy day video games and cable watching.
Cable is a serious luxury to me, as I do not have it at home. And Anthony Bourdain is one of my favorites. I wish I could travel around the world eating like he does. I even think I might be pretty good at it. I guess if you see this blog turn into something more than just musings about my piddly domestic (and sometimes international) travels, then you know I've quit my safe government job and headed off into the great wide open, seeking out tomorrow's most delectable eats in a far off place.
That night, Noel and Amy hosted a delicious dinner right at home, with Julie and Dave as guests. And game night began. This is the part I love about visits with family and friends -- the joking conversation over good food and fun games. There isn't much more I love in this world than my favorite people gathered around a table, enjoying each other over life's simplest pleasures -- food, wine (or beer), and laughter. It was a great send off, as my return flight home had me rising at 4 AM, and arriving at the office at noon-thirty.
Early mornings are not my forte (as evidenced by my Machu Picchu experience, see June last year). Thus, the 4 AM wake-up call almost had me leaving my glasses at the Noel-Amy homestead. Fortunately, I remembered before the car service even got to the end of the block. Additionally, I found that I REALLY hate cable news. Why does CNN/MSNBC/FoxNews have to be on EVERY TV at the airport, feeding such hyperbolic BS into the minds of the American people??? And why do so many talking heads need to be on TV when none of them say ANYTHING of relevance or import? It blows my mind. The soundbites I heard through my early morning dozing on the terminal bench had me cringing, and praying that some child took a BB gun to the damn TV before I got up and wrenched it off the wall. Maybe this is just a by-product of not having cable. If I did have it, I may have built up some sort of immunity to the yackity yack yack of cable news. Or not. Regardless, I made it home without delay, but still feeling like I needed more time away. Thanks goes out to Noel, Amy, Julie, and Dave, though, for being such great hosts in the great city of New York. New York never feels big or overwhelming when you've got great people there making it feel like you are coming home.
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