Nobody asked, but here's the personal update from yesterday. Nothing too interesting here. You've been warned:
Long day yesterday. My legs are killing me. Left here in the morning with no particular direction. Ended up on lower fifth avenue where I was reminded that it was Gay Pride day. Walked up the length of 5th (to the park) as all the floats were coming down past me. Very colorful. Of course I didn't have my camera.
The sidewalks were packed with people watching. Well, more than watching really. Dancing. Prancing. Shouting. Yelling. Everybody had some sort of camera. Lots of pictures. Lots of posing. And I kept hearing the same exchange: "...have a good parade!" This sounded just like what I remember from outside of grateful dead shows where people always parted with "...have a good show!" You have to say it as if you're not expecting the person to just watch. The spectators are the show. Everybody is performing. Everybody is on. Very nice. And seeing 280 pound bald headed men with moustaches twirling down fifth avenue in blue tutus is something probably everybody should see at some point.
[Update 6/26: rion.nu didn't forget her camera]
Eventually I cleared the crowd and made my way into the park. I had my eye open for Mr. Wilson, it being a nice day, and a weekend. But I wasn't really scouting for him as I have done a few times before. That's a different sort of walking. Faster. Head up and constantly scanning the horizon. You have to cover a lot of ground if you hope to find someone randomly. But yesterday I was just walking around. Real slow. Up and around the reservoir. I found a nice bench up on the east side and just sat for half an hour. Not even really thinking. My brain needed a rest.
Then off again back down fifth. Over two hundred blocks. As I said, my legs are hurting. Made it home in time for a quick shower and then off to the opening game of the Staten Island Yankees. They have a beautiful new ballpark at St. George, which is right where the Staten Island Ferry lands. And although I find it hard to believe myself, this was my first trip on the ferry. Amazing views of NYC. Again, I didn't bring my camera. I sat the whole way thinking how stupid I was as the great pre dusk light lit the clouds over my favorite view of the city. Really spectacular.
The park is nice. MB and H. did some graphics work for them, so I finally saw these big banners they made in their full glory. Must be nice to see your work so large. And so visible. They really did a good job. I have to think this is one of the nicest minor league parks. You sit in the stands looking out over the field, and then the water beyond, and then Wall Street rising in the distance. Very nice. This is single A ball, but the play was better than I had imagined. And it's actually sort of nice to see something short of major league quality. You get a much better sense of just how hard the game is. They missed turning some double plays that any big league team would have made look easy. But they weren't sloppy, it's just hard to turn it at second unless everything works out perfect. And it only rarely works out perfect for these guys. Much more fun than I thought.
After the game (which the Yanks won, by the way, 2-1) there were some fireworks from two barges just over the outfield fence in the harbor. Then we were back on the ferry (literally right there) and home again. We could see other larger fire works from the Gay Pride Day finale as we were crossing back to Manhattan. Everything seemed pretty festive.
Quick bite at Paladar, and home to bed. Must remember to do some stretching before any future adventures. And I guess remembering the camera would be nice too. If only I could grab stills from my optic nerve...
how was Paladar
Same as always. Paladar is now part of our official rotation (we eat there at least once a week.) But that doesn't mean it's really good. A lot has to do with the fact that it's in the neighborhood. The people are friendly, and knew us after only 2 or 3 visits. I like that. The food is mexican, but not of the burrito variety. Stuff like: market fish on coconut clam rice, or half a chicken in mole sauce. Entrees around $13 - $14, so definitely on the inexpensive side. The lentil salad is my favorite. But there is no wizardry going on here. Nothing is going to blow you away. If I had to travel and was expecting something special I'd be disappointed. But as a local spot, when I don't want to fight the crowds, and I want the people to know me ("Stella, right?") it's hard to beat on the Lower East Side. Paladar, Lavagna, and Esashi all fall into this same category for me. Easy, friendly, and never bad. Which is pretty good, without actually being exceptionally good.
How's that for some hedging?
Alright Jim, when are you going to realize
you are doing what you are doing no matter
what you are doing & what you are doing
is doing you dead & level best to help us all
to a major helping of you major understanding
of all the ongoings of the completely misunderstood.
Keep a damn camera in yer pocket with yer pencil, geek!
|
Long day yesterday. My legs are killing me. Left here in the morning with no particular direction. Ended up on lower fifth avenue where I was reminded that it was Gay Pride day. Walked up the length of 5th (to the park) as all the floats were coming down past me. Very colorful. Of course I didn't have my camera.
The sidewalks were packed with people watching. Well, more than watching really. Dancing. Prancing. Shouting. Yelling. Everybody had some sort of camera. Lots of pictures. Lots of posing. And I kept hearing the same exchange: "...have a good parade!" This sounded just like what I remember from outside of grateful dead shows where people always parted with "...have a good show!" You have to say it as if you're not expecting the person to just watch. The spectators are the show. Everybody is performing. Everybody is on. Very nice. And seeing 280 pound bald headed men with moustaches twirling down fifth avenue in blue tutus is something probably everybody should see at some point.
[Update 6/26: rion.nu didn't forget her camera]
Eventually I cleared the crowd and made my way into the park. I had my eye open for Mr. Wilson, it being a nice day, and a weekend. But I wasn't really scouting for him as I have done a few times before. That's a different sort of walking. Faster. Head up and constantly scanning the horizon. You have to cover a lot of ground if you hope to find someone randomly. But yesterday I was just walking around. Real slow. Up and around the reservoir. I found a nice bench up on the east side and just sat for half an hour. Not even really thinking. My brain needed a rest.
Then off again back down fifth. Over two hundred blocks. As I said, my legs are hurting. Made it home in time for a quick shower and then off to the opening game of the Staten Island Yankees. They have a beautiful new ballpark at St. George, which is right where the Staten Island Ferry lands. And although I find it hard to believe myself, this was my first trip on the ferry. Amazing views of NYC. Again, I didn't bring my camera. I sat the whole way thinking how stupid I was as the great pre dusk light lit the clouds over my favorite view of the city. Really spectacular.
The park is nice. MB and H. did some graphics work for them, so I finally saw these big banners they made in their full glory. Must be nice to see your work so large. And so visible. They really did a good job. I have to think this is one of the nicest minor league parks. You sit in the stands looking out over the field, and then the water beyond, and then Wall Street rising in the distance. Very nice. This is single A ball, but the play was better than I had imagined. And it's actually sort of nice to see something short of major league quality. You get a much better sense of just how hard the game is. They missed turning some double plays that any big league team would have made look easy. But they weren't sloppy, it's just hard to turn it at second unless everything works out perfect. And it only rarely works out perfect for these guys. Much more fun than I thought.
After the game (which the Yanks won, by the way, 2-1) there were some fireworks from two barges just over the outfield fence in the harbor. Then we were back on the ferry (literally right there) and home again. We could see other larger fire works from the Gay Pride Day finale as we were crossing back to Manhattan. Everything seemed pretty festive.
Quick bite at Paladar, and home to bed. Must remember to do some stretching before any future adventures. And I guess remembering the camera would be nice too. If only I could grab stills from my optic nerve...
- jim 6-25-2001 4:25 pm
how was Paladar
- Skinny 6-25-2001 5:17 pm
Same as always. Paladar is now part of our official rotation (we eat there at least once a week.) But that doesn't mean it's really good. A lot has to do with the fact that it's in the neighborhood. The people are friendly, and knew us after only 2 or 3 visits. I like that. The food is mexican, but not of the burrito variety. Stuff like: market fish on coconut clam rice, or half a chicken in mole sauce. Entrees around $13 - $14, so definitely on the inexpensive side. The lentil salad is my favorite. But there is no wizardry going on here. Nothing is going to blow you away. If I had to travel and was expecting something special I'd be disappointed. But as a local spot, when I don't want to fight the crowds, and I want the people to know me ("Stella, right?") it's hard to beat on the Lower East Side. Paladar, Lavagna, and Esashi all fall into this same category for me. Easy, friendly, and never bad. Which is pretty good, without actually being exceptionally good.
How's that for some hedging?
- jim 6-25-2001 9:41 pm
Alright Jim, when are you going to realize
you are doing what you are doing no matter
what you are doing & what you are doing
is doing you dead & level best to help us all
to a major helping of you major understanding
of all the ongoings of the completely misunderstood.
Keep a damn camera in yer pocket with yer pencil, geek!
- frank 6-26-2001 3:26 am