I Did It! New York Philharmonic performs free in Central Park - And Fireworks!

Cross it off the list: New York Philharmonic performs free in Central Park - And Fireworks!

I didn't bring my camera, I wanted to focus on the music, but here's a photo from the New York Philharmonic's website.

As you can see, it was PACKED. I can only imagine this turnout was the result of the first and only other concert in Central Park being rained out.

But there's just something about laying out under the stars with a lunchbox full of cheese, crackers, and olives (and a thermos full of viognier,) that this town finds irresistible.

I'd like to think that the only interruption was the collective sigh of a grateful city, but as you can hear from this recording, people were enjoying this city-wide picnic... loudly! If you listen closely, you may hear soprano Measha Brueggergosman, who made her Philharmonic debut at this concert.

I'll miss stuff like this, but I'm moving to a place where the weather permits this sort of thing practically year-round, so I can't feel too badly about it...

I Did It! One Last Mets Game at Shea Stadium

Cross it off the list: One Last Mets Game at Shea Stadium

She was hot and spicy with taut, caramel-colored skin and soft buns...

...and that was just my sausage sandwich with peppers and onions!

I wanted to take a cheesecake photo of this ravishing beauty, but she was devoured all too quickly. This specimen was MUCH better than the one I ate at Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago.

I couldn't believe the progress that's been made on the construction of the new ballpark. The new construction butts right up against the outfield wall. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the construction crew makes a little cash on the side selling home run balls on eBay.

Old glory, my free giveaway hat, and construction cranes practically in the outfield.

Say what you will about the neon-colored atrocity that is Shea Stadium, but the seats are actually pretty comfy, the food is decent (I ate a sausage sandwich and ANOTHER Nathan's hot dog,) and the ushers aren't on power trips. At Yankee Stadium, the usher wouldn't let us take a quick photo from the lower level with the field in the background - even after we told him that it was the first trip to the stadium for one of the adorable toddlers we had with us. At Shea, there's a trick to it: blow straight past the usher, quickly scan the area containing your desired seating, pinpoint an empty seat, stride toward it confidently, and sit down as if you own the joint. This method has NEVER failed me. I bought an upper deck ticket and sat in the good seats. Once, I bought an upper deck ticket and sat IN THE OWNER'S BOX. I was not ejected. Not even when the owner showed up. You could never pull that off at the House that Ruth Built.

My beautiful neon-colored toilet... Shea Stadium.

Oh, and the beer's good too at Shea. I have found that there are two experiences that are greatly enhanced by being buzzed: baseball games and visiting museums.

It was Military Appreciation Day and discounted (maybe free?) tickets were available to all servicemen and women who attended in uniform. I'm pleased to see that members of our Armed Services were smart enough to reject the wearing of garments constructed of double-knit polyester in July in NYC. I saw virtually NO uniforms. Except for the guy who RE-ENLISTED RIGHT THERE ON THE FIELD at Shea during the pre-game festivities which included: a performance by the USO (so cute!), an appearance by the remaining Tuskegee Airmen, and a fighter jet flyover (LOUD.)

There were recruiters for each branch present (and man, did they look bored.) I'm all for supporting the troops, but I have to admit, I'm relieved to be too old (and possibly too fat and too stupid) to enlist. These are the same qualities which also preclude me from enlisting in both the Salvation Army or Old Navy.

I even got a great new Mets cap as part of a Jeep promotional giveaway... I anticipate using this to incur the wrath of Dodger fans on my inaugural trip to their stadium!

I Did It! Ride The Cyclone in Coney Island

Cross it off the list: Ride The Cyclone in Coney Island

There are many first person videos of the experience of riding the Coney Island Cyclone.

I cannot watch these videos without suffering flashbacks.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's begin at the beginning, shall we?

The Cyclone loomed large in the distance as I got off the subway.

"You don't scare me," I thought. I was younger and stupider then.

I foolishly thought it best to fortify myself for this adventure with some of the local "cuisine." It was off to Nathan's Hot Dogs for me.

I took a pass on the frog legs (Those could be potential princes I have not kissed yet!) and opted for the legendary franks.

Yum.

I don't think I've ever eaten anything that fast. Thus solidified, I soldiered onward.

As I stood in line for my $6 ticket (SIX dollars!) I heard the whoosh of the beast as it rushed by. Was I scared?!

Yes.

The intense rumbling made it sound like the entire thing was contructed from toothpicks and glue.

Nonetheless, I clambored up the stairs to what I felt in that moment was almost certain doom.

Whoosh.

There it goes again, shaking the entire structure.

I passed to the back of the loading platform, where I was able to check my backpack. This put me in the unenviable position of sitting in THE LAST CAR.

Why is this unenviable? Because you can't see where the drops are. You don't know you're about to plummet down until you hear all the cars in front of you yell some variation on "Oh, FUCK."

There was not one moment of this ride when I did not feel like I was about to die. I can't believe nobody ever has. I mean it.

Oh, and as for the potential for needing chiropractic care as a result:

I attempted to bring my blood pressure down to acceptable levels with what I thought would be a nice relaxing ride on The Wonder Wheel.

It looked innocuous enough... I didn't think anything of it when the ticket taker asked if I wanted "swinger, or no swinger." I giggled and replied, perhaps a bit too loudly, "I'm a SWINGER!" and was promptly directed to a different line.

What I didn't realize was that the innermost cars "swing." They're designed to travel on rails which, from a distance, appear to be the "spokes" of the wheel.

So basically, it combines Ferris wheel with roller coaster. This was not at all what I needed to recover from the Cyclone.

My view from The Cage of Death, er... I mean the Wonder Wheel

From now on, the only NYC thrill ride for me will remain, as it has ever been, the subway.

To Do: Phillies Game at Citizens Bank Park

To Do: Phillies Game at Citizens Bank Park.
Proposed Date: Sunday, July 29th vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates ("Arrrgh.")

The last Phillies game I went to was at Veterans' Stadium... its been a while. But my dear darling father is, for once, kicking the male children to the curb and giving *me* his spare season ticket.

A Phillies game with my "phather." A phitting phinish to my summer phestivities on the East Coast. Phat. (I am SO phunny!)

I Did It! Guest Bartend at the Gael Pub

Proprietor of the Gael Pub: "Hey! STOP groping the help!"

Me: "Sorry, Gene."

Proprietor of the Gael Pub: "No, I was talking to him." [points at regular bartender.]

Thus went our guest bartending stint at The Gael Pub.

Nicole (partner in guest bartending crime,) Fin (resident intoxicologist,) Me

When I mentioned to people that I was doing this, there was such unbridled envy! Apparently, this is something everyone has wanted to try in their lifetime. But anyone can guest bartend there - just sign up!

It was so much fun, I only broke one glass, and I made TIPS! (Which I then promptly gave back to the bar once my "shift" ended and we began buying drinks in earnest.)

Our adventure in hospitality services nearly didn't happen. Unbeknownst to us, a local softball team, fresh from the field of battle, was slated to enjoy their victory with the presentation of the league trophy later that night at the pub. Gene had attempted to contact me to cancel but failed to get through to me - even though I'd had my phone on me all day. A little research uncovered that Gene had taken down my number one digit off. Once there, he asked us if we'd consider rescheduling. I calmly explained that I was soon to be leaving town for good, I had invited A LOT of people, and it was my BIRTHDAY! We agreed that we'd bartend as planned and if we ended up being more trouble than help, they could throw us out.

It was awesome. If I ever decide I need a career change... this is it.

To Do: Brazilian Girls - SummerStage

To Do: Brazilian Girls - SummerStage

When: Sunday, July 22, 2007 From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Central Park SummerStage

Brazilian Girls, Cat Empire, HIMALAYAS conducted by Kenny Wollesen & Jonathon Haffner

SummerStage is delighted to welcome back Brazilian Girls, the ultra-hip and wonderfully breezy groove band that first appeared at SummerStage two summers ago. For those who don’t know, only one of the Brazilian Girls is a girl (front-woman Sabina Sciubba) and none of them are actually from Brazil. But the name perfectly fits the globe-trotting vibe of their music, a playful mix of electronica, bossa nova, vintage French pop and rock. Their sophomore set Talk To La Bomb was released last year, and Spin magazine called it “multicultural, cosmopolitan, intellectual dance music: Ibiza meets punk, dub goes tango, trance gets smart.”

I've never been to SummerStage - I've generally found it too expensive - but you can't beat the price of this show... free. It'll be a fun way to chill on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

To Do: One Last Mets Game at Shea Stadium

To Do: One Last Mets Game at Shea Stadium
When: Sunday, July 15 at 1:10 p.m.

What: Military Appreciation Day at Shea

Join the New York Mets as we host Military Appreciation Day presented by Jeep on Sunday, July 15 at Shea Stadium. On Military Appreciation Day, the first 25,000 fans in attendance will receive a Mets cap, courtesy of Jeep.

We encourage all of our fans to bring items which will be collected into a large "care package" that will be sent to our troops serving overseas. We need your participation to make this an amazin' day!

Here is a list of acceptable items for donation:

Phone Cards
Pens - Black or Blue
Baby Wipes
Hand Sanitizers
Toothbrushes
Disposable Cameras
Batteries of all sizes
Chapstick w/sunscreen

I have so many fun memories of the day-glo colored toilet bowl that is Shea Stadium. Playoff wins, World Series losses, scuffles with Mr. Met, questionable eating choices...you name it. I've been on TV, the jumbo-tron... I've even infiltrated the press box and the private club.

I'm still on the fence about where this move leaves my team allegiances... if you have compelling Angels vs. Dodger arguments, let me know. [wink]

To Do: Design + DJs + Dancing at The Cooper-Hewitt

To Do: Design + DJs + Dancing at The Cooper-Hewitt
When: Friday, July 13, 2007 6:00-9:00 p.m.

What:

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Summer Sessions 2007: Design + DJs + Dancing
July 6, 2007 - September 7, 2007, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Fridays
Free with Museum admission - Admission always free for Members

The Cooper-Hewitt plays host to a dance party in its lovely garden on Friday nights between July and September. I've attended in previous summers and it always draws a great crowd of friends and neighbors, young and old, singles and young marrieds with kids in tow. The DJs are terrific and the music is quiet enough that you can be social and chat it up. If that fails to entertain, take in the museum's design exhibitions and permanent collections.

They call the event Design + DJs + Dancing. I'm adding: + Drinks... there's a bar!

I Did It! Visit the Museum of Modern Art

Cross it off the list: Visit the Museum of Modern Art

I think I finally figured out why I put this off for so long...

I'm just not that into you, Modern Art. Its not you, its me.

The only exhibit that truly triggered a reaction in me was Dan Perjovschi's exhibition, Projects 85.

It covered an entire wall. The crowd stood, spellbound, attempting to absorb it all. I liked it all, but this portion stood out:



It wasn't a completely wasted experience - the place itself was picturesque and lunch in the modern cafeteria, Cafe 2, was unlike any dining experience I've ever had.

I'm disappointed, and raring to go for my next adventure...