New York State of Mind

Last year around this time, there was an electronics recycling campaign at T's job--you brought in electronics to recycle and there were door prizes and stuff like that. Last year, we both recycled some stuff and ended up with two tickets to a show that was part of the South Beach Comedy Festival. Well, the same program ran again this year, only at Whole Foods, and T had heard about it and was nice enough to take the TV that had been living in our entryway for a couple of weeks to get it recycled. As luck would have it, we won tickets to see Wanda Sykes at this year's Festival.

Wanda was funny, but it was hard to relate a little because a) I'm not gay b) I'm not black c) I'm not a parent and d) I'm not over 40. Still, I enjoyed her jokes and, hey, free 99 is free 99. Our seats were surprisingly good, too, unlike last year where we ended up under this overhang where the acoustics weren't so good. I love the Fillmore, though, and just being there makes me happy. So yay.

The other big news lately is my "spring break." Spring break at FIU fell during CSPA (the Columbia Scholastic Press Association) conference held yearly at Columbia in New York. Each year, at least since I've been at LaSalle, we've taken students. I went for the first time this year because I teach journalism. I took five of my girls, and the yearbook teacher took seven of her girls, for a week in the Big Apple.

It was a spectacular and busy week, but I think everyone had a great time. The first three days were consumed with the conference--sessions, lunch with other advisers/teachers, some swag, and some amazing ideas. I learned so much from the sessions--mostly what I've been doing wrong and how much I just plain don't know. It was eye-opening, and, I must admit, slightly depressing too. But I think we all learned some valuable information that will help make the ILS Royal Courier more successful. So we'll see what next year holds for us.

The first thing I was obsessed with was the fire escapes. This is the one I often contemplated from our hotel room.

I dunno... they're just so novel and cool. I just picture them in, like, musicals and stage shows. So many magical things would happen to me, I believe, if I only had one. *sigh*

The trip isn't all work, though. We had plenty of time to explore NYC. For example, our first night we ate at this lovely Asian restaurant that put all fourteen of us at a huge table in the back. It was... cozy. I had pad thai that was delicious and spicy (and turned a child onto the wonders of said dish). It was basically a win.

We also at the the Hard Rock Cafe one night, where I snapped this lovely photo:

I'm such a total rock star! lol

My personal favorite part of the trip was after the Hard Rock dinner, when we went to see our first show. We got tickets to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe. Yes... THAT Daniel Radcliffe. I pretty much was dying the entire month before knowing I'd get to see him in the show. PLUS, as if Harry Potter weren't enough, John Laroquette of I Night Court fame was also in the show. I know... I was jealous of myself.

The show was at the Hirschfeld theater, which had a bunch of Hirschfeld's drawings inside (shocker!). It was really beautiful and cool.

The show itself was, I have to admit, much better than I thought it would be. My only criticism is that he doesn't point his toes when he dances, but it's hardly noticeable. His voice sounded great, he moved well, even the ladies on stage with him were placed so that he still appeared taller (he's a tiny guy). His comedic timing was excellent as well. Not to mention the entire aesthetic of the show was just so mod--very Mad Men or something. The set was beautifully designed.

I'd never seen the show or even knew much about it except that it was an old school musical (think Guys and Dolls), but, even on its 50 year anniversary, it's extremely relevant. I think maybe even moreso. In a culture of getting rich quick and manipulating our way to the top, or even just charming the pants off of people to get ahead, this musical, I think, spoke to that. It was just spectacular, and funny, and satirical all at the same time.

After the show, I headed (And by "headed" I mean bolted. With a child dragging me behind her. Through the theater and outside like a train of crazy people.) outside to a place where there were parade gates. We were waiting for Daniel Radcliffe to come out of the theater. Which he did, eventually, after a very tall black man asked me, in front of the children, if I smoked weed ("No. I'm a teacher. I'm their chaperon!"), and I befriended some random teenagers (who probably thought I was one of them). I could barely see him, because I was further back and, as I said, he's a tiny guy, but thanks to my Go-Go Gadget legs, I managed a glimpse of his hair. And thanks to my Go-Go Gadget arms, I managed a picture.

Pretty. Damn. Awesome. The two students who went with me into the fray even got his signature. Lucky bums!

The second show we saw was Stomp!, which I've already seen (twice, kind of) but is always a cool experience. It actually ended up being in the East Village, which was this very different part of town where I felt like "my people" were. There was just a really cool vibe about the area, lots of cool people who don't really seem to care about much, some cool little shops and, probably, restaurants. I'd like to give that area much more of an explore in the future.

The last day of the conference, we made sure to take some group photos on the beautiful campus. I found this lovely lady outside the library, and we all had a great time doing this exact shot.

After the conference, we headed to the MoMA and saw some art (the best was Ringo Starr's gold drum!!) and had a lovely walk through Central Park. We saw the statue of Alice (like, of Wonderland), a street show (which was pretty impressive and cool for the kiddos), and this, in Strawberry Fields.

After that we hit up Magnolia bakery (amazing sugary treats features on Sex and the City) and to the Top of the Rock, where a beautiful Eric Dane look alike and I fell madly in love for about five minutes. It was out of control. We caught eachother's eyes three times and THEN he rode down in the elevator with us. I was pretty much dying and the girls all became convinced that men in general are obsessed with me (after having observed several incidents they claim were "pick ups" or people "flirting" with me). If only they knew. lol. Precious angels.

The Saturday we were there was devoted to sight seeing. I think I saw more of New York that day than I'd seen in my previous three trips! We started the day with Lady Liberty herself, who was looking lovely, I might add. It was totally worth FREEZING outside for three hours to see her up close. She's spectacular.

We even got to go up in the base (although not up to the crown, which was closed that day) and look out. This gave plenty of opportunities for reflection photos, some of my favorites.

We also spent some time shopping on Saturday, everywhere from Chinatown (scary!) to SoHo (expensive!). At one point, I was so bored that I either needed to scream and start throwing things, or dress up. Luckily for everyone, I chose the latter. Here's my Lady GaGa inspired outfit.

She would TOTALLY wear those leg warmers on her arms. Don't even try to say she wouldn't!

We ended our trip with crossing something off my Bucket List: ice skating at Rockefeller Center. When I pictured myself doing it, though, it was with a beautiful man who is hopelessly in love with me and I, likewise, with him, not with twelve teenage girls and my female chaperone and friend. But, hey, you take what you can, I suppose. It was super cool to just skate around and be in NYC after having spent a great week there with some good, good girls. And just to prove to you all it really happened, a picture.

See? Legit. :)

Teaching journalism clearly has its benefits, like a week long trip to NYC right around the time I needed a break. KEY. Plus, something happened to me this trip to New York that never had before: I fell a little bit in love with it. I finally GOT why people love that city; why many consider it the greatest city on Earth. I see their point and would like to head back--without teenagers in tow--soon.

Much love.