What I love about NYC

It being a city. Non-mall shopping, subways and cabs, Starbucks and ATMs at every other block. If they can do something about that weather I'd move there

Financial District

Stayed here so saw quite a bit of the area, I liked it, lots of high rises and bankers type. It was a bit deserted outside of business hours.. and rent is a little baller ha

Computing

Wifi and internet connectivity a must, was able to send my pics to Flickr throughout the trip. My laptop (IBM T42) needs to be a lot lighter and smaller; Hubert's Powerbook G4 with 17in screen pretty slick.. too big though; he made us want to get an Airport Express

Peoples



Shopping

SoHo had a good success rate, even got some stuff on sale. I think going with Hubert on 5th Ave had its great moments of decadence

Broadway

Something old (Phantom') and something new (Avenue Q). I can see how Avenue Q won the Tony last year, it's very relevant and quite excellent (if you get past the puppets, which I did after the intermission). I really love going to shows, and I don't get why some people don't. They did some weird thing at the end of both where the casts were asking donation for the charity Broadway Cares. I almost got a "it sucks to be me" button for $5

The Met

My last visit was a bit rushed so I tried to do it proper. For one thing I didn't pay this time. Museums are quite enjoyable alone

Really liked the space for the modern art with the walk through the multiple levels starting upstairs. The layout seems to work better, the large white walls add serenity to the madness in the art

Special exhibits on Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and Canadian artist David Milne were very impressive. The Prague exhibit was good, if nothing for that large map done in the "scratchboard" style. Not too cool: collection of drawings from the British Museum; straight up lame: the photos on the Occult. Actually I wish the Met had more photography

- David Milne Watercolors: "Painting Toward the Light" Nov 8, 2005 - Jan 29, 2006
- Santiago Calatrava: Sculpture into Architecture Oct 18, 2005 - Mar 5, 2006
- Prague, The Crown of Bohemia, 1347–1437 Sep 20, 2005 - Jan 3, 2006

Eats


Some decent meals for rather impromptu dining: Golden Unicorn, Jane, Great NY Noodletown, Yama (huuuuge pieces of sushi), Basta Pasta (hottest chicks, patrons.. Japanese), Beard Papa's (a bit of a letdown, maybe the novelty wore off), 'Taisho, Papaya King, Barca 18 (Barça 18, nicest room)

Drink

Gee's all over the eggnog latte but it's chantico for me, almost had one every morning

Soundtrack

No question Kanye West's "Gold Digger", exhibit a: Hubert's dancing

Pictures
The camera whoreness is pretty much at its height right now, shot selection needs to be improved. Sometimes Gee and I would go pretty out of control.. whutever. I love having my camera around. Gee's brand new Canon SD450 had some significant upgrades that were very hype (transitions while lookin at pics, rotate on the fly by turning camera, cool effects on thumbnail browsing). I upped a lot of Gee's pics in my own set and I like to think I inspired him to get a pro account on Flickr, do it
- Last minute trip to NYC (me, 400+ pics)
- Thanksgiving NYC 2005 (Gee's, 100+ pics)

Celebrity sightings
Joan Rivers (really, in a limo picking up friends on W 44th St) and Eddie George (coming out of FCUK in SoHo, maybe)

Misses
Basically didn't see Yee. Still no ziti pie, someday. Hope to check out a live show next time. Rockefeller center xmas tree lighting (by one day), it's hokey but I'd have gone. Apparently a meal at Balthazar is a must. Had to surrender two cool match boxes at JFK, lame

Wayfaring (maps)
Something new I tried, pretty cool
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5