The first winter months
Unfortunately this report was due over two months ago. My excuse is that I have hardly been in NYC in the last few days. I’ve been to England for two weeks, got lost in Central park, watched the Macy’s Halloween parade, been to Portland for thanksgiving, got ripped off at bar Masa, been to Chicago for a day (I’m typing this on the return flight) and I’m traveling to India for two weeks on Wednesday. The result of all this travel is that I have been continuously ill. Sniffles, flu, infections and general crankiness… everything that is not conducive to writing a chirpy report for my blog spot.
My trip to Chicago did put me in a great frame of mind though. Not only did I meet my old friends I also had a performance review with my boss. The performance review translated to a huge bonus, good enough to correct all the ill will I felt. So here goes… life in New York—the first winter months.
Central Park and apartment heating: I finally decided to go and run in Central park. There’s nothing worse than living right there next to Central Park, suffering all the neighborhood dogs and joggers, and not going for a little exercise there yourself. So Animesh and I decided to go for a quick run one Sunday morning. We’d hardly reached central park when Animesh had to go back home (I won’t write why here). I decided to run in the lower section of the park, from the southwest end where we live to the southeast end. That would be 3 avenue blocks. I started running, all huffing and puffing at being left alone, enjoying the view and generally losing any sense of direction. I started seeing buildings on my right hand side… the Guggenheim! Still clueless, I finally stopped from sheer exhaustion at about 100th street (also East). The good people of NYC helped me though… someone gave me a bottle of water, someone else gave me directions on how to get home across the reservoir and 30 street blocks south! We haven’t been to Central park since. When I got back, I also discovered how our bathroom was being kept so warm. There is a pipe that runs smack in the middle of the toilet. It didn’t seem to serve any known function, and definitely messed the décor. After the shower, I leaned forward to dry myself (did I mention in a previous blog that the bathroom is really really small?) and my behind lightly touched the pipe. I have a burn-blister from the contact. Its not a pipe, it’s a ‘heating pole’. Its what keeps the toilet warm in winter! After that I gladly left for England for two weeks where I stayed in a hotel and enjoyed modern luxuries such as excellent plumbing and discrete heating.
Halloween and the Charity Ball: When I got back, we went to see the Halloween day parade on 7th Ave. We got there a little late and boy was it crowded! We spent hours walking around before we found our spot on the sidewalk. The costumes were fairly imaginative, many political (anti Bush) and some brazen. The crowds of people standing next to us seemed to take it all in their stride. No one was offended. I guess that’s what makes NY – NY! The next weekend we went to the Fall Ball. I couldn’t find a proper dress, so I bought new Steve Madden shoes instead. Accessorize and redeem thyself! There was a pre-party at 7.30, the ball was at Tavern on the Green at 10pm and the after party lasted from 1am to 4am. Tavern on the Green is totally grand and overwhelming. They had an open bar unfortunately, and we felt the affects of the party for a long time. It was the biggest party I’ve ever been to, and so NY! I loved it!
I had another totally growing experience in NY. I call it a growing experience because I learned what it must feel like for a country bumpkin to land up in the city. Just before we went to Portland, Animesh and I were celebrating our anniversary (the less important anniversary, that is, not many people know of it). The ‘celebration’ was going to be about dressing up and going to a nice sit down dinner. We decided to go to ‘Masa’, which is on Columbus Circle, right next door to home. They didn’t have a menu outside so Animesh pushed the big oak door aside and went in to chat with the hostess. There was a small plain table inside. The chef stood at one end, and some 5-people sat in stony silence around the table. Everyone looked very serious. I thought maybe the ‘real’ restaurant was somewhere inside. Conversation with the hostess goes something like this—
A: “Do you have a menu we can look at?”
H: “Sir. Do you have a reservation?”
A: “No, we just wanted to take a look at the menu”
H: “Sir there is no menu. It’s a prix fix dinner. Mr Masa (points to the chef at the table who is now looking our way… frowning) prepares whatever is fresh and everyone eats what he prepares.
[At this point she takes pity on us and ... ]
H: “It starts at $350.00 per head, and goes up depending on what is served. Reservations are recommended. [at thsi point she smiles sweetly sensing that the conversation has ended!]”
So I jumped to fill in the uncomfortable pause, I said—
D: “Heh heh heh heh… Ok thanks”
We walked out and went next door to bar Masa. Also owned by chef Masa, but not quite so intimidating (financially). We were seated at a crowded row of seats. I ordered fatty tuna and salmon sashimi. Animesh got a Sushi platter. I didn’t get any drinks. My miniscule servings of salmon and tuna dinner was totally overpowered in the large (and unadorned) plate it was served in. I felt like the waiter was making me feel guilty about my cheap sized order. The $10 fatty tuna was so finely cut that I mistook it for slivers of pickled ginger. It was the best sashimi I ever had, though, and also the fastest I ever consumed cold hard cash. We walked with barely filled stomachs, but a $100 lighter.
I’ve recently done a whole lot of shopping for my India trip. I’ve discovered Zara, and that French Connection UK is actually quite good. Ann Taylor has become boring, but Banana Republic is better. There are tons and tons of stores that are absolutely no-name. So you’d have to say something like “I got this at Michelle’s place on Amsterdam… oh theres no name for it. Just call her and ask for directions”. I’m scared of having another Masa experience, so I haven’t actually gone in to do an inventory check, but that’s my plan for next year. I’ve also found that Aerosoles rule when it comes to mixing comfort with fashion. And cheap handbags just do NOT cut it. I’ve spent a lot of money learning these fashion lessons.
Life in NYC has become one unending series of work, party, work, party, shop. We’ve had a lot of guests over for dinner or drinks. I’ve become quite a pro at producing bite sized finger foods. Animesh has become a strong proponent for 9th avenue soup shops. Together we’re raking up quite a bill. Next year, we should plan on doing monthly accounts!
That’s all for today. The next session will probably come next year, after I return from vacation.
My trip to Chicago did put me in a great frame of mind though. Not only did I meet my old friends I also had a performance review with my boss. The performance review translated to a huge bonus, good enough to correct all the ill will I felt. So here goes… life in New York—the first winter months.
Central Park and apartment heating: I finally decided to go and run in Central park. There’s nothing worse than living right there next to Central Park, suffering all the neighborhood dogs and joggers, and not going for a little exercise there yourself. So Animesh and I decided to go for a quick run one Sunday morning. We’d hardly reached central park when Animesh had to go back home (I won’t write why here). I decided to run in the lower section of the park, from the southwest end where we live to the southeast end. That would be 3 avenue blocks. I started running, all huffing and puffing at being left alone, enjoying the view and generally losing any sense of direction. I started seeing buildings on my right hand side… the Guggenheim! Still clueless, I finally stopped from sheer exhaustion at about 100th street (also East). The good people of NYC helped me though… someone gave me a bottle of water, someone else gave me directions on how to get home across the reservoir and 30 street blocks south! We haven’t been to Central park since. When I got back, I also discovered how our bathroom was being kept so warm. There is a pipe that runs smack in the middle of the toilet. It didn’t seem to serve any known function, and definitely messed the décor. After the shower, I leaned forward to dry myself (did I mention in a previous blog that the bathroom is really really small?) and my behind lightly touched the pipe. I have a burn-blister from the contact. Its not a pipe, it’s a ‘heating pole’. Its what keeps the toilet warm in winter! After that I gladly left for England for two weeks where I stayed in a hotel and enjoyed modern luxuries such as excellent plumbing and discrete heating.
Halloween and the Charity Ball: When I got back, we went to see the Halloween day parade on 7th Ave. We got there a little late and boy was it crowded! We spent hours walking around before we found our spot on the sidewalk. The costumes were fairly imaginative, many political (anti Bush) and some brazen. The crowds of people standing next to us seemed to take it all in their stride. No one was offended. I guess that’s what makes NY – NY! The next weekend we went to the Fall Ball. I couldn’t find a proper dress, so I bought new Steve Madden shoes instead. Accessorize and redeem thyself! There was a pre-party at 7.30, the ball was at Tavern on the Green at 10pm and the after party lasted from 1am to 4am. Tavern on the Green is totally grand and overwhelming. They had an open bar unfortunately, and we felt the affects of the party for a long time. It was the biggest party I’ve ever been to, and so NY! I loved it!
I had another totally growing experience in NY. I call it a growing experience because I learned what it must feel like for a country bumpkin to land up in the city. Just before we went to Portland, Animesh and I were celebrating our anniversary (the less important anniversary, that is, not many people know of it). The ‘celebration’ was going to be about dressing up and going to a nice sit down dinner. We decided to go to ‘Masa’, which is on Columbus Circle, right next door to home. They didn’t have a menu outside so Animesh pushed the big oak door aside and went in to chat with the hostess. There was a small plain table inside. The chef stood at one end, and some 5-people sat in stony silence around the table. Everyone looked very serious. I thought maybe the ‘real’ restaurant was somewhere inside. Conversation with the hostess goes something like this—
A: “Do you have a menu we can look at?”
H: “Sir. Do you have a reservation?”
A: “No, we just wanted to take a look at the menu”
H: “Sir there is no menu. It’s a prix fix dinner. Mr Masa (points to the chef at the table who is now looking our way… frowning) prepares whatever is fresh and everyone eats what he prepares.
[At this point she takes pity on us and ... ]
H: “It starts at $350.00 per head, and goes up depending on what is served. Reservations are recommended. [at thsi point she smiles sweetly sensing that the conversation has ended!]”
So I jumped to fill in the uncomfortable pause, I said—
D: “Heh heh heh heh… Ok thanks”
We walked out and went next door to bar Masa. Also owned by chef Masa, but not quite so intimidating (financially). We were seated at a crowded row of seats. I ordered fatty tuna and salmon sashimi. Animesh got a Sushi platter. I didn’t get any drinks. My miniscule servings of salmon and tuna dinner was totally overpowered in the large (and unadorned) plate it was served in. I felt like the waiter was making me feel guilty about my cheap sized order. The $10 fatty tuna was so finely cut that I mistook it for slivers of pickled ginger. It was the best sashimi I ever had, though, and also the fastest I ever consumed cold hard cash. We walked with barely filled stomachs, but a $100 lighter.
I’ve recently done a whole lot of shopping for my India trip. I’ve discovered Zara, and that French Connection UK is actually quite good. Ann Taylor has become boring, but Banana Republic is better. There are tons and tons of stores that are absolutely no-name. So you’d have to say something like “I got this at Michelle’s place on Amsterdam… oh theres no name for it. Just call her and ask for directions”. I’m scared of having another Masa experience, so I haven’t actually gone in to do an inventory check, but that’s my plan for next year. I’ve also found that Aerosoles rule when it comes to mixing comfort with fashion. And cheap handbags just do NOT cut it. I’ve spent a lot of money learning these fashion lessons.
Life in NYC has become one unending series of work, party, work, party, shop. We’ve had a lot of guests over for dinner or drinks. I’ve become quite a pro at producing bite sized finger foods. Animesh has become a strong proponent for 9th avenue soup shops. Together we’re raking up quite a bill. Next year, we should plan on doing monthly accounts!
That’s all for today. The next session will probably come next year, after I return from vacation.
posted by Nayantara | 4:25 PM
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