When I went to Coney Island before, I missed out on quite a few treats. Today Ryan, Rory, Jane and I went back for some more of the old-fashioned rides and suntanning with frozen margaritas on the boardwalk. But most exciting of all – we watched the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. This show, which costs $5 and lasts for …
Read MoreArchive / June 2013
June 28, 2013
…took a dip in the Washington Square Park fountain
I’ve had a pretty stressful day and needed to unwind on the walk home. As I scuttled from SoHo to the East Village, I spotted that the Washington Square Park fountain has been switched on for the summer. Last year, I’d look on jealously as children waded through the water. Today I decided I should …
Read MoreJune 27, 2013
…won at the Chinatown Arcade
Yesterday I learned I’m pretty bad at life drawing. But it’s okay, because I’ve found my calling: Arcade games. Tonight Ryan and I hid from the rain in the Chinatown Fair, which is crammed full with games from air hockey to skee ball, street fighter to punching bags. When I watched Before Midnight a couple …
Read MoreJune 26, 2013
…took a life drawing class
Tonight Elektra, Jessica and I headed to 3rd Ward in Bushwick for a life drawing class – something I’ve been meaning to do since I started this blog. And while it didn’t disappoint, my drawing did a bit. The $10 class – named Drink and Draw – is long. With the help of free cans of …
Read MoreJune 26, 2013
…drank a Manhattan overlooking Manhattan
I have a pretty sore head this morning, but last night I think I went to a leaving party for my news editor, Danny. We all headed to the Jimmy, a gorgeous rooftop bar above The James New York hotel in SoHo. As well as serving up copious amounts of alcohol and teeny tiny snacks, …
Read MoreJune 24, 2013
…danced on a xylophone
A couple of weeks ago when I headed to Battery Park for Memorial Day, I spied a human-sized xylophone on the ground – nine massive bronze steps to jump on and make music. Today I headed back, envisioning a ‘Big’ keyboard scene for myself. Of course it wasn’t that simple. But as I hopped across …
Read MoreJune 23, 2013
…kayaked on the Hudson
It’s summer! So today Ryan and I headed to the Hudson to kayak – and to get some pretty horrendous sunburn. The kayaking is held at various points along the Hudson – and although it’s free, there was not a queue in sight. Of course, don’t do what I do, which was dress for winter. …
Read MoreJune 22, 2013
…visited Madison, New Jersey
Everyone in New York seems to have a talent for something. Even more unfairly is how my friend Maddy has talents for two things. For months now, I’ve heard her sing beautifully – and today I went to see her act. I jumped on a train from Penn Station with Lindsay and an hour and 15 …
Read MoreJune 21, 2013
…trekked to graffiti Mecca
Tonight after work, I jumped on the E train and, to my surprise, was in Long Island City only 25 minutes later. It was my first trip out there and worth it to see one of New York’s hidden gems: 5 Pointz. 5 Pointz – a nod to the five boroughs – is known as ‘graffiti Mecca’ …
Read MoreJune 20, 2013
…auditioned for The Bachelorette
Guys, I’m single and I’m in New York (which I’m realising is a pretty horrifying place to date). There’s only one thing for it. I need to go on The Bachelorette. Okay, this isn’t very true and I’ve never actually watched an episode. But there were open auditions at ABC’s studios in Midtown tonight, so …
Read MoreJune 19, 2013
…cheered for the Yankees
I consider myself a Braves fan, so when us MailOnliners whizzed up to the Bronx for a baseball game tonight, I was left with a choice: Yankees or LA Dodgers. Of course the choice was easy. It just ended up being the wrong one. About 10 of us descended (ascended) to the nosebleed seats at …
Read MoreJune 18, 2013
…cried with laughter at the Blue Man Group
I’ve been feeling a little anxious these past couple of days, so today I had a screw it! moment, whipped out my credit card and took myself to see the Blue Man Group in an effort to get out of the rut. I can’t remember quite why I opted for the show. My limited knowledge of the BMG …
Read MoreJune 17, 2013
…groped the Naked Cowboy
Forget the Empire State and the Statue of Liberty, a real New York sight to behold is the Naked Cowboy. This semi-clad stalwart of Times Square is a tourist favourite and yet I’d never before clasped my eyes on his instrument (he plays the guitar). His real name is Robert John Burck and he’s been doing this gig since …
Read MoreJune 16, 2013
…ate dinner at the cinema
This evening, I met my friend Dave at the Nitehawk cinema in Williamsburg. The venue is famous for its midnight showings of classics and also its original take on cinema snacks – you can order and eat dinner while you watch. So it seemed like a perfect Sunday activity sheltering from the threatened rain. We …
Read MoreJune 15, 2013
…made fire
While I’ve done more than 160 new things since the start of the year, there are only a few that have given me some genuinely useful skills. Today trumped all of those. Rachel and I headed to the wilds of Prospect Park for a fire-building class held by organic clothes company, Loomstate. It was led by …
Read MoreJune 14, 2013
…finally went to 16 Handles
When I’ve told people I’ve never been to 16 Handles before, they’ve recoiled in horror and distrust. Today I finally decided to visit this New York Institution… mostly because I am still a little sore from last night’s festivities and could not muster myself to do anything else. For the uninitiated, 16 Handles is a …
Read MoreJune 13, 2013
…partied with Macaulay Culkin
Last night, Jeff, Ryan and I went to Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village where Macaulay Culkin – child-star-turned-heroin-addict-turned-artist – was DJing. The place was decorated like a birthday party: streamers, balloons, inflatable birthday cakes. The idea was seemingly plucked from the air; Culkin’s (free!) event is monthly and each time it’s themed differently. Last …
Read MoreJune 12, 2013
…took part in a bowling league
Tonight I headed up to Frames at Port Authority to take part in a bowling league for media types. With several Mail colleagues, I took on the likes of the BBC, NBC and Nickelodeon on the lanes… and did terribly. I’m definitely somebody that requires some senior bowling tips whenever I hit the lanes. We …
Read MoreJune 11, 2013
…played a piano in the street
The rain managed to stay away for most of the day, so this afternoon I took advantage and headed to Prince Street and West Broadway to serenade Rachel – on a piano in the street. Eighty-eight pianos (referring to the number of keys) have been dropped in public places across the city by Sing For Hope …
Read MoreJune 10, 2013
…was impressed by a student art show
It’s another drizzly Monday, which means all outdoor activities ever planned have been cancelled. But thankfully there’s no shortage of new art shows in NYC to keep me busy and out of the rain. Tonight I popped up to the School of Visual Arts to check out a show featuring work by recent graduates and …
Read MoreJune 9, 2013
…rode Jane’s Carousel
For the last stop of Bree’s New York Bachelorette Weekend, we went to Dumbo. While Smorgasburg visits Williamsburg on a Saturday, on a Sunday it comes to this gorgeous spot across the Brooklyn Bridge. I’ve never been to this neighbourhood before but it’s beautiful – rustic buildings, colourful coffee shops, a beautiful waterfront. While there, …
Read MoreJune 8, 2013
…picnicked in Central Park
A group of lovely ladies has come to the city for Bree’s bachelorette party (you remember Bree), and today, ahead of our no doubt raucous activities this evening, we headed to Central Park for a picnic. We stocked up on breads, meats, dips, chips and vats of cookies for the feast, and Janessa even had …
Read MoreJune 7, 2013
…visited New York’s tiniest library
Tropical Storm Andrea is visiting and she’s a pretty bad guest. So as I scuttled home tonight, narked by the downpour, I spotted one of the city’s small pop up libraries on Prince Street and nipped inside for some shelter. Now, when I say small, we’re talking mini. Inside this library – which is one …
Read MoreJune 6, 2013
…heard the Philharmonic Orchestra
Last night was pretty noisy. Tonight, still reeling from the who-knows-how-many beers, I decided to take it down a notch. And I took myself to see the Philharmonic Orchestra. After scoring some cheaper-than-I-expected tickets on Goldstar ($27), I dashed through the rain to Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center. My seat was on the orchestra level …
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