Take better advantage of NYC living.

Friday night dinner at Ben Benson’s Steakhouse on 52nd Street between Broadway and 5th—my uncle has heard David Letterman mention this place a lot so we decided to go. We sat down before realizing how pricey it was. Super super pricey. The food was okay. Our waiter was sort of aloof. And it seems to have a big “Italian” following, if you catch my drift.

Then to the Broadway play, Three Penny Opera. I never complain about seeing a B’way show, especially if someone else is treating (like my uncle). He came up from Florida specifically for this show because Cyndi Lauper is in it and he is obsessed with her. It was cool seeing her, even if the play was so-so. She’s quirky, fun, with an off-beat, mesmerizing voice and she never tried to take the spotlight from anyone else.

Saturday was spent at the Yankees store, walking through Times Square, watching part of the Yankees game at the ESPN-Zone (touristy restaurant), taking a Circle Line cruise around Lower Manhattan (very windy and very cold-brrr!). After that we split up and my brother and I enjoyed a table by the window at a very quiet Thai restaurant in Greenwich Village right next to the Blue Note jazz club.

It’s hard trying to pack NYC into 2 days, especially when you get requests like: “No eating, no walking, no museums.” Hmmm…what else is there?

These are the names of the famous lions outside the New York Public Library. Today during lunch I walked to Bryant Park with a co-worker. We were just going for a stroll since the weather was so nice and as we passed the library, I said, I really need to go in there. I had only been there once years and years ago-when I thought you could check books out from there. We walked right by a side entrance and then walked right in. It felt refreshing to discover something new after nearly 8 years in the city. The library felt like a museum-and that is much of what it is. We went to the top floor and checked out the newly re-furbished Reading Room. It was exciting seeing people researching and studying and reading. I want to be there, I want to do that, I thought! Since it’s so close to work, I hope to spend more lunch hours inside the library.

My friend had an extra ticket to the Yankees/Orioles game last night. What an amazing feeling to walk into the stadium and soak up that green field and the amazing energy of the game. Seeing a dad with his 3 sons enjoying hot dogs and talking baseball was so inspiring. Great night! Oh, and, by the way, the Orioles won 6-5.

I took a few days off from work last week. Initially, I thought about getting a massage or a pedicure or maybe doing some shopping. But, honestly, what I really needed was to do absolutely nothing (not even pampering myself!). I ended up hanging out at a cafe outdoors and writing in my journal and then walking down to the gorgeous park in DUMBO and enjoying one of the first beautiful spring days, under the Brooklyn Bridge. Now that’s what I call taking advantage of NYC!

Having a friend in town makes it easy to take advantage of NYC. We went to the Bowery Bar & Grill Friday night, South Street Seaport on Saturday and a “Sex & the City” tour on Sunday, followed by brunch at Pastis in the Meatpacking district. The tour was fabulous (thanks to chorusgirl for the suggestion…for getting the tickets…for being a part of it all)-we started at The Plaza hotel, toured around the city and watched clips of the show. Great idea-and after 7 years in NYC, I managed to walk down a street I didn’t even know existed (Baxter Street).

I saw Light in the Piazza last night at Lincoln Center with Chorusgirl. It was divine. Walking up to Lincoln Center was breathtaking! I don’t know why I’ve never felt that way before. And, on top of all that, the actor playing Fabrizzio was also breathtaking. Yummy!

After walking across the Brooklyn Bridge for a few days because of the beloved strike, I’ve decided to get the heck out of dodge. Off to Florida I go for the holidays!

Saw Movin’ Out last night—it’s so nice going to a Bway show. Generally not the type of theatre I’m into, but it came recommended and since it’s closing in less than a month, I figured “why not”!

Just came back from the NY premiere of Walk the Line. Red carpet, the whole deal. I thought I saw Joaquin, but, alas, no major celebrity sightings, except for Topher Grace who was sitting a few rows behind me. But, I have to say that I am in love—with Joaquin, that is, and Johnny Cash’s music.
So fun!

So much to do I don’t know where to start. When I first moved to the city (over 7 years ago), I did SO MUCH—museums, theatre, you name it, but it seems lately all I want to do is be at home. Though, I’m now getting that itch to explore again. Today I took a dance class (I am not a dancer) and tomorrow I’m seeing the premiere of Walk the Line. Most importantly, I want to do things because I WANT to do them, not because I think I should do them.