DAY 27 AND 28 -
WHY IS IT SO SUNNY? - NYC evidently didn't receive the memo that it was supposed to be winter in DECEMBER!! Unacceptable! I wanted to do something Christmassy not beachy on my journey to distant lands. As it was the 35th anniversary of John Lennon's death, I paid my respects at Strawberry fields in unity with the crowd who had gathered together. It was moving to listen to his songs sung around the Imagine mosaic and see the roses, photos and guitars laid down to pay tribute to him. Like Lennon, I dream that soon 'the world will live as one' and for a new era of hope. I wouldn't have missed attending this poignant memorial of his life for anything.
After a peaceful perambulate around the lake, I gave up my cool to take far too many selfies of myself in the park as well as 'candid' snaps using the timer function. It was suddenly all too warm for my hefty eskimo jacket; you might say - The heat? I couldn't hack it, so I took off my jacket :D As I ventured a great portion of Central Park, with the crispy leaves underfoot - I discerned it is very much still FALL, after all. At Bethseda Fountain, I was overflowing with exultation to sit under the angel (whom had pigeons perched upon her head) at the site of the inspiration for the Friends smaller scale fountain on their opening credits. It is supposed that if you sit here long enough, 'the entire city walks by.' I visually examined the beautiful interiors of the Betheseda Terrace where Chuck and Blair rapidly married on Gossip Girl before dashing from the police. It is lovely in a thousand ways!
Though I am very UN-Blair (Waldorf not Tony the ex-Brit PM) it was fun to embrace her character at the Met Steps. I wished I had a posse to eat lunch with as their Queen Bee while levelling my unforgiving gaze at the minions 'beneath' me (in location not in superiority) on the side walk. A great deal of GG moments revolve around Blair holding court and never showing lingering peasants anything but total contempt -- could she BE a little bit more of a snob?! Many a teen was doing likewise at Museum Mile so I didn't feel altogether foolish in spite of being all alone. I allowed myself the refreshment of sitting and letting the world cross my path, feeling like I am now officially relevant and all because my bum has sat where Leighton Meester's keester has!! :D
WITH EVERY STEP I TAKE I BECOME MORE AND MORE INFATUATED - It's undeniable! Unwisely, I trusted a stranger and her boyfriend with my camera (albeit a cheapie!) to race from the pond onto the iconic Gapstow Bridge to pose. However, I came out the size of an ant on the images so my most dazzling of smiles were wasted unless I zoom in! Advancing to Wollman ice rink from the girly-gratifying, rom com Serendipity but felt creepy like I was lurking as I was literally photographing through the bushes. This was only to capture picturesque shots but I quickly realised how that could look and let go of the crazy.
Being a bit of a bookworm, I couldn't resist a peek inside the NYC Public Library. Yes, this was used in the movie Ghostbusters which was one of the incentives for going in but the Rose Main reading room was closed for renos :( I imagine the shelves would smell like Shakespeare, so I will have to see if there's any truth in that speculation at another point in life. And so my visit was short until I stopped off at the gift shop and purchased The Happiness Project and 642 tiny things to write about.
A FULLY FLEDGED FESTIVE AFFAIR: Went to go find me some fun at Madison Square Garden's tree lighting ceremony; the tree itself was tackily silver and gold with a tinfoil look to it bordering on gaudy. Sponsors of the event threw free samples of pumpkin pie, raspberry hot chocolate, fun size Snickers bars and Dove choccies our way. Whenever freebies are on offer, I am like a giraffe at a watering hole but there aren't enough Dove truffles in the world to satisfy me. And get this: It's an American chocolate which tastes TASTY! Taste of Home's Gingerbread Boulevard showcased mini homes made to look as though they were constructed of chocolate bars. Were I trying to paint a picture of the scene -- I'd illuminate that it became a state of Christmas-NOSIS as all were hypnotised by the melodramatically luminous Christmas tree.
The pollo de diablo, Mexican rice and refried beans I devoured at Casa Mexicana was delicious but deadly and so spicaaaay it made me lose my senses. Why'd it have to be so yummy for my tummy?? Now Dunkin' Donuts and their smores hot choccie on the other hand, this is not about to make history with its ultra sweetness but it sufficed mi estomago all the same.
THERE AREN'T ENOUGH WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE KIND OF DIRE THIS WAS - HI's Comedy show went on foreeeeeveeeeeeeerrrr as the rude dudes insulted this older man in his 50's, who informed the audience that he was moving from Maryland and cut in during the acts a few times to recount his life story. I did feel badly for him as he didn't have the social cognizance to realise that the majority of the room was laughing AT him and not along with him as lots of jokes were quipped in his expense... revolving around him being a creeper :( It was also awkward that one of the stand ups berated a young girl translating the twisted humour into Italian for her Mum, purely so that she could understand too.
The next day my NYC TV and Movie tours was rather rubbish, to be frank. I had a hideous migraine with blurry vision which commenced as I caught the subway, it was so vile I had to stare at the ground. BOOK ME INTO OBLIVION!! It was such a tough morning it may have been kinder to knock myself out though at least we weren't forced to walk on foot to all stops, as that would have been worse on my tired and pained body. Being on coach was a small mercy as we were driven from borough to borough; howevs this wasn't going to be a gentle, pain-less ride. If only I'd foreseen the signs of impending doom! And yet I was there.. and our tour guide/failed actress was too rowdy and all around me were TOO HAPPY. The ride to our first 'stop' had me pondering on why I originally believed that this would be a 'fun' idea.
A THORNY WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MOTION PICTURE - The agenda makes out you'll be getting off and seeing many film locations up close but this is not the case whatsoever. Through the grimy windows of the bus you'll catch a glimpse as you speed past the following: Soupman as made famous on Seinfeld, The Time Warner Centre featured in Enchanted, The Plaza Hotel - which is one the most filmed buildings in the world from Home Alone 2 and The Great Gatsby, The Pulitzer Fountain in Gossip Girl and Serendipity, Barney's as ransacked in Confessions of a Shopaholic, Trump Tower (booooo) used as Wayne Enterprises in Dark Knight and also appears in Wolf of Wall Street, Avenger's Stark Industry, The Flat Iron Building comprising Spiderman's Daily Bugle office and the apartment in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. To name but a few of the structures which could be any old thing for all you care, unless you are a super fan of any of the above. You're better off walking the city on foot to get good photos and spend as much time as you wish at the places from movies you actually enjoy.
The wonderful Washington Square Park is a municipal landmark where we stretched our legs. It was pointed out that several scenes from I Am Legend were recorded here as house Number 11 was the home of Will Smith's character; it would set a buyer back a cool 15-20 million! Part of the New York Gilmore Girls episode was shot here as well as Glee, Big Daddy and a Pogues music video. I've since discovered from research that the remains of 20,000 bodies lie below the park as it was once a cemetery for those who couldn't afford to be buried in the 19th Century. ICK!!! It may be of interest to learn that the arch was modelled after The Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This might not be a popular opinion but the black and white cookie (a fave snack of Seinfeld's) passed to us toes the line of mediocrity with a peculiar after taste.
SO NO ONE TOLD YOU LIFE WAS GONNA BE THIS WAY - Next, was Hook and Ladder 8 which is no stranger to the silver screen as it serves as the base for Ghostbusters. In reality, it is an operating fire house for Company 8, among the heroic first responders at 9/11. While put to use only for the outside film set, it is a scarily awesome haunt to hit up. We were suuuuuuch Friends geeks, rejoicing at the building for the exterior establishing shot of The Friends Apartment at 90 Bedford Street. TV trickery makes its 6 floors appear much larger; it doesn't have an elevator, Central Perk or balconies as seen on the box. Our intel indicated that the owner is mighty miffed that he hasn't received a single dime for its use on TV as consent was never sought after. Nearby is 5 Morton Street which was said to be Phoebe's apartment and across the street, next to a former home of Walt Disney, is ugly naked guy's residence.
Tarried onwards to The Empire Hotel but didn't dare enter Chuck Bass' enterprise as it would have been a disappointment - vacant of the dastardly Ed Westwick. Mama loves her Grays Papaya Recession special, I still have dreams about these hot dogs and their secretive, semi-sweet sauce. It has mass appeal written all over it but you'll have to say goodbye to being swimsuit season ready.
CENTRAL PARK'S BEAUTY NEVER WANES - The top half was trekked between the Conservatory Garden, The Ravine and the pool but it was a pity that some of the meadow was off limits. Why waste your time on inferior recreational areas when it's so exquisite right here?? My appreciation for its photogenic eye-pleasing is unequivocally unparalleled. A strange fellow harassed me calling out 'You're beautiful, baby! Where are you going, baby?' I gave a firm, blunt response to his flattering, then ignored so he'd give up chasing after me. Pick up on the social cue, slub!!
Had a 'hot date' with the Museum of the city of New York, which doubles as Constance Billiard School for Girls in the original season of Gossip Girl, well the exterior doors and courtyard do at least. I took selfie after selfie with the school setting behind me - like it was plenty normal! As I only swung by to see another Gossip Girl spot I didn't step foot through the school doors to be schooled in NYC's history.
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY PICTURE - On that lovely winter's evening, Jutta kept me company at Washington Square Park for its turn to be lit. I stood in the water-less fountain as carollers sang Yuletides melodiously to the non-massive masses. The 45ft Christmas tree was frosted simplistically but the white, twinkle lights shone elegantly under the triumphant archway. There wasn't the biggest turn out and these tend to be anti-climatic now but I was feeling irresistibly Christmassy anyhow.
Cafe Lalo from You've Got Mail is the cuuuuuuutest cafe and can be seen in the scene from the movie where I knew Tom Hanks SOOOOOO liked Meg Ryan's character!! Undeniably, one of the ultimately relished rom coms, so if you're in NYC and fail to eat here - the joke's on YOU! Munched on quinoa salad -- and to think I thought I had no need for quinoa in my life, yet that ingredient made the dish more awesome. I was as infatuated with the red love-heart chairs as I was with my Shirley Temple. Their hypnotising desserts are Louvre-worthy works of art and my chocolate lava cake was no exception. There are no men in my life but there *is* cake - lots and LOTS of cake.. and that's basically love <3 xx
Being a bit of a bookworm, I couldn't resist a peek inside the NYC Public Library. Yes, this was used in the movie Ghostbusters which was one of the incentives for going in but the Rose Main reading room was closed for renos :( I imagine the shelves would smell like Shakespeare, so I will have to see if there's any truth in that speculation at another point in life. And so my visit was short until I stopped off at the gift shop and purchased The Happiness Project and 642 tiny things to write about.
The pollo de diablo, Mexican rice and refried beans I devoured at Casa Mexicana was delicious but deadly and so spicaaaay it made me lose my senses. Why'd it have to be so yummy for my tummy?? Now Dunkin' Donuts and their smores hot choccie on the other hand, this is not about to make history with its ultra sweetness but it sufficed mi estomago all the same.
The next day my NYC TV and Movie tours was rather rubbish, to be frank. I had a hideous migraine with blurry vision which commenced as I caught the subway, it was so vile I had to stare at the ground. BOOK ME INTO OBLIVION!! It was such a tough morning it may have been kinder to knock myself out though at least we weren't forced to walk on foot to all stops, as that would have been worse on my tired and pained body. Being on coach was a small mercy as we were driven from borough to borough; howevs this wasn't going to be a gentle, pain-less ride. If only I'd foreseen the signs of impending doom! And yet I was there.. and our tour guide/failed actress was too rowdy and all around me were TOO HAPPY. The ride to our first 'stop' had me pondering on why I originally believed that this would be a 'fun' idea.
The wonderful Washington Square Park is a municipal landmark where we stretched our legs. It was pointed out that several scenes from I Am Legend were recorded here as house Number 11 was the home of Will Smith's character; it would set a buyer back a cool 15-20 million! Part of the New York Gilmore Girls episode was shot here as well as Glee, Big Daddy and a Pogues music video. I've since discovered from research that the remains of 20,000 bodies lie below the park as it was once a cemetery for those who couldn't afford to be buried in the 19th Century. ICK!!! It may be of interest to learn that the arch was modelled after The Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This might not be a popular opinion but the black and white cookie (a fave snack of Seinfeld's) passed to us toes the line of mediocrity with a peculiar after taste.
Tarried onwards to The Empire Hotel but didn't dare enter Chuck Bass' enterprise as it would have been a disappointment - vacant of the dastardly Ed Westwick. Mama loves her Grays Papaya Recession special, I still have dreams about these hot dogs and their secretive, semi-sweet sauce. It has mass appeal written all over it but you'll have to say goodbye to being swimsuit season ready.
Had a 'hot date' with the Museum of the city of New York, which doubles as Constance Billiard School for Girls in the original season of Gossip Girl, well the exterior doors and courtyard do at least. I took selfie after selfie with the school setting behind me - like it was plenty normal! As I only swung by to see another Gossip Girl spot I didn't step foot through the school doors to be schooled in NYC's history.
Cafe Lalo from You've Got Mail is the cuuuuuuutest cafe and can be seen in the scene from the movie where I knew Tom Hanks SOOOOOO liked Meg Ryan's character!! Undeniably, one of the ultimately relished rom coms, so if you're in NYC and fail to eat here - the joke's on YOU! Munched on quinoa salad -- and to think I thought I had no need for quinoa in my life, yet that ingredient made the dish more awesome. I was as infatuated with the red love-heart chairs as I was with my Shirley Temple. Their hypnotising desserts are Louvre-worthy works of art and my chocolate lava cake was no exception. There are no men in my life but there *is* cake - lots and LOTS of cake.. and that's basically love <3 xx
No comments:
Post a Comment