Tag Archives: New York City

Big hearts, Big Apple

Posted on May 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

New Yorkers are a the nicest people.  I see proof of it all the time.

Take today, for instance.

floating-money-bd4a4449-originalI had taken a cab to the vet to pick up my dog.  The driver gave me my change, which included several singles, near the open door.

The wind instantly picked up the bills and scattered them in the street.  Did the rude, me-me-me New Yorkers of TV and movies jump upon them and run for it?

Not a chance.

Instead, three people stepped on the loose bills and stood waiting for me to retrieve them.  We all shared a laugh as I collected my change and thanked them for their help.

Nice folks.  Yep, we’ve got lots of ‘em here in NYC.

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Posted in Commentary, Friends, Humor, Life, Relationships, Travel

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Blackjack and music and comedy

Posted on May 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

Sin City, I am in you!

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Fifteen years ago, when I made my first trip to Las Vegas, I stayed at the New York New York Hotel. At the time it was fairly new to the strip, and a bit trendy.

For me it was also a tad bit aspirational.  I didn’t live in NYC at the time and wanted to…why not get some good karma?

We have returned there. This time the property was simply a deal…and a fun reminder of home. But I still want to ride the rollercoaster.

May have to do that on my own. (Not everyone appears to have packed their cahones.)

Next stop — Rock of Ages and Ray Romano!!

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Posted in Comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Humor, Life, Travel

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Dear New York City airports,

Posted on April 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

I will be headed back your way in less than 48 hours. Coming home is always a pleasure. But let’s be honest, my Big Apple airstrips…

Youse guys are fugly.

My current trip through Narita-Tokyo Airport en route to Singapore drove that point home…hard. I only spent two hours in Japan, and the ultramodern, high-tech facility convinced me that JFK and LGA need a major redo.

2013-04-28_09.08.16We can begin with a fun identity for each of you. Look at this little guy; he graces most of the signage at Narita Airport.

What is he?  Who cares? He’s cute… and LaGuardia could use a major dose of cuteness… JFK, too.

There’s nothing cute about either of you now.  No offense.

And speaking of high-tech, check out this gadget in the airport restrooms in Narita.

2013-04-28_09.14.23The facilities in Japan have talents that go far beyond the simple flush. (Come to think of it, everyone was smiling a lot.)

Lastly, you need better food…but I’ve always said that.

Okay, NYC airports, get started.  I’ll be back in two days, and I am expecting great things!

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Posted in Advertising, Airplanes, Commentary, Humor, Life, transportation, Travel

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Most Annoying Celebrity Rag

Posted on April 25, 2013 | 2 Comments

You know how some TV show plot lines are ‘ripped from the headlines?’ I’ve decided People magazine rips theirs from any handy movie premiere calendar.

Easier than workin.’

people gwynethTake their latest World’s Most Beautiful Woman issue featuring Gwyneth Paltrow.

Gwyneth is lovely — I’ll give you that.  But the most beautiful woman in the world?  Of all the choices in Hollywood and around the globe?

In the words of Jerry Seinfeld — speaking to his young son outside my brownstone one Saturday afternoon –

“Probably not.”

But it is far simpler — isn’t it People editorial staff — to crown Ms. Paltrow?   She has Iron Man 3 coming out in a theatre near you…plus, your rival Star magazine just named her Most Hated Celebrity (which is probably more accurate).

Your advertisers are happy!  Moms her age are happy!  And Star has been put in its place.

Who cares if it isn’t true?

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Posted in Humor, Movies, TV, Entertainment, Celebrities, Life, Magazines, Commentary

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Seven years or less

Posted on April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments

Can you believe The Rachael Ray Show has been on the air since the fall of 2006?

I moved to Manhattan that July; her show debuted a few months later.  And I signed up for free tickets on the website.

They arrived in my inbox today.

rachael rayCan you believe that??

I mean, I don’t watch the show anymore, so I don’t really care.  But how can The Rachael Ray Show have a seven-year waiting list?

I live right down the street, for cripes sake.  You’d think at some point they would have called me to fill in on a slow taping day.  Other more popular shows certainly have once I was on their mailing list.

Even Late Show with Jimmy Fallon reserves seats a month out.  I’ve been able to see Daily Show several times.  Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman are harder tickets to score, but even they have standby lines.

So what’s the deal with The Rachel Ray Show?

Maybe it’s her Oprah-esque giveaways that limit her tickets.  I want to think that.  Let’s think that.

Wonder what I’ll get…

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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Foods, Humor, Life, Television, TV

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Sheep schtick

Posted on April 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

It has been 22 years since The Silence of the Lambs won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Feeling old?

silenceThen come to New York City and see Silence: The Musical, the way funny parody of that award-winning horror story now playing on Broadway.

Clarisse is there…Dr. Lector, too.  And the wannabe transgender, his little dog and the senator’s daughter, ‘putting the lotion in the basket.’

But the lambs?

Well, they aren’t so silent in this version. They sing.  They dance.  They move set pieces.

Cast-of-Silence-The-Musical-650x433They even ‘clomp’ out a musical number using their little lamb hooves.  I had a major flashback to doing something similar during  a show at Martin City Melodrama & Vaudeville Company in Kansas City…

Just off-Broadway.

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Posted in Academy Awards, Broadway, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Movies

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Peace and quiet

Posted on April 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

tree in the park 041913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Took this photo in Central Park yesterday morning.

I think everyone needs a bit of that calm today.

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Posted in Life, Nature, Photography, Walking

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Story, story

Posted on April 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

Today was the first really warm day of spring, so Rory and I headed to Central Park before dinner.

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That’s when we saw the film crew.

I’m pretty sure they are students, based on their youth and minimal equipment. But they were very focused on their talent, who appeared to be writing in a notebook.

Clearly, it is a period piece.

Rory and I loitered for a bit, trying to overhear any dialogue, but no luck. Perhaps the camera was zoomed in tight on the words he was writing…something like:

Where the heck did I put my iPad??

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Posted in Dogs, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Walking, Writing

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Blinded by the light

Posted on March 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

The mystery has been solved.

wpid-IMAG0380-1.jpgBack in August, I posted this picture of a number on a path that Rory Dog and I frequent in Central Park.

Although I was told it probably just referenced a date, I wanted it to mean something cryptic and symbolic and unfathomable.

I watch a lot of Castle.

And what did I find today across the fence line from the aforementioned mystery number?

2013-03-15_08.49.23_resizedA brand new lamp post.

It wasn’t there the last time Rory and I walked that way, which was about three days ago.

So now we just have to wait and see if the number is removed.

Or changes.

Or is joined by a new set of numbers…and then Castle and Beckett are sure to appear to solve the mystery.

Now, that would be awesome.

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Posted in Blogs, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Television, Walking

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Grounded

Posted on March 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

It is a cold, incredibly windy day in New York City.

I had appointments this morning, which meant two hours walking around outside in the bitter cold. I was dressed for it, but was still feeling a bit sorry for myself.

window guysThen I saw these guys.

Can you imagine having to do your job, hanging on the side of a Manhattan skyscraper, with the cold winds whipping you around?

I suddenly felt  a whole lot warmer there on the ground.

 

 

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Posted in Business, Humor, Life, Walking, Weather

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