NYC again - and still not warm

Working out while he's waiting for the subway

I was walking around and this is what I found -typical clown and balloon situation

What a fun truck!  The guys were filling up at gas station.

One of 2 mini's hanging on signs in Times Square. Eye catching!

Another business trip to NYC... I sound so cosmopolitan.   The Turk is a bit worried though because I've started talking about the intrigue of having a pied a terre in the city.  He has no idea what that means, but was relieved when I reassured him it didnt mean I was having an affair.      I am never bored, nor hungry when I visit.  But when I get home to Florida - i'm exhausted!  Must be the working.

Note that I left 79 degree spring weather in Florida to get to the 40 degree New York spring weather that presented me with rain, sleet, snow intermittently through the week.  Though on my picture taking day, it was wonderful.

 This trip I made sure to head down to ground zero. Havent been there since October 2001. It is odd to see the surrounding area look generally as it did in the late 80's when I worked there, but to see the trade center block completely under construction with a new and very different looking tower starting to show prominently in the neighborhood.

The footprint of each tower is now a square walled fountain.  I remember the buildings being small in circumference compared with the height, but this makes it seem even smaller.  I was very pleased to have a more pleasant memory from this trip than from ten years ago.

New world trade tower

Then off to Grand Central station.  Its such a magical place and so bright since its major cleaning a few years ago. The ceiling is now a beautiful turquoise to highlight the constellations. We sauntered up and out to to Vanderbuilt's private office, now a cosey bar with beautiful wood beam ceilings and carved wood walls with a giant fireplace to one end.

Then a sparkling toast to the station, the city and the day!

Grand Central Station - always interesting

Our toast!

Prom

I never went to Prom, or Homecoming dances.  It wasnt 'cool' when I was in school, but also I wasnt interested in dating anyone either which kind of eliminated date potential.   Cousin Jan encouraged-enticed me and the Turk into going to a fund raising ball called Saints and Sinners.  Oh, and this is sponsored by the local Catholic Church!

Well, for the sake of the church I say....  But alas, I have nothing to wear.  I was pretty sure this wasnt the kind of event where  I could show up in my standard capris and tshirt.  To the rescue comes cousin Jan, who happens to have 2 beautiful daughters in college who both went to lots of proms and homecoming events.  So, I had a closet of gorgeous dresses to choose from.

Alas, the Turk had no suit.  In fact he had NEVER owned a suit.  Off we went to the suit store where they happily outfitted the Turk in proper suitage.And to the prom....er, Ball we went.

 

Upon arriving, I first noticed scantily clad young women dangling and twirling from long silk swaths from the ceiling (a la cirque de soleil).  Then, looking down I came face to face with a llama who was walking by the chocolate fountain.  The theme of the Ball was Babylon, which sounded like the part of the bible where they teach you what NOT to do!   The turk quickly found the 2 live tigers and wanted to hang out there more than the dance floor.  We ate, we drank, we danced, we looked at animals and twirling girls and had a great time. More fun than I would have had at any prom.

The message behind this story - its never too late, and you might find out its even better when you do it later!!

Prom dates- cousin Jan and Ted