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 MoreTag / Manhattan
June 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 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 …
Read MoreJune 5, 2013
…rocked out at an air guitar competition (and met the U.S. champion)
At the zombie parade on Sunday, I bumped into my friend Darla, who suggested I go to something even more bizarre this week: An air guitar competition. Yes. This actually exists. So tonight Jeff and I headed to St. Vitus, a dingy, divey metal bar on the northern tip of Greenpoint, to meet Darla for …
Read MoreJune 5, 2013
…was in a music video (part 2)
A bonus blog today… Remember when I was in a music video? Well, it’s finally out! The lovely Lindsay Ellyn has released the video of ‘Somebody Love Those Girls’ and it’s gorgeous. The song, which is about women desperate to be loved, is heart-wrenching but beautiful – and watching the video brought back memories of a great …
Read MoreJune 4, 2013
…cycled to work on a Citi Bike
Every morning I have a 23 minute walk to work. Okay so I know that’s quite a luxury but seeing as I start at 7am, I’m happy to do anything that’ll shear off 10 minutes. Well, finally, it’s here! The Citi Bike. The clunky blue bikes have been up and running (rolling?) for a week now, …
Read MoreJune 3, 2013
…felt inspired by the Drawing Center
Another rainy day. Another cancelled event. But thankfully SoHo is brimming full of places to shelter from the drizzle. Today I nipped to the Drawing Center just in time to catch its Giosetta Fioroni exhibit before its close. Even though I walk past the gallery most lunchtimes, the glass-fronted space blends in a little too neatly, so I’d …
Read MoreMay 31, 2013
…heard a live reading of Howl
A few months ago, I visited an Allen Ginsberg photography exhibit at NYU. Today I celebrated what he’s best known for – his mammoth poem, Howl. The poem, which paints a vivid picture of the perversity, hubbub and loneliness of a grimy New York, is being appreciated at Tompkins Square Park all weekend at a Howl Festival. Tonight, …
Read MoreMay 30, 2013
…watched a Chekhov play in Central Park
Since the start of the year, I’ve not found it too tough to find new things to do after work every day. But now that summer’s pretty much here, I feel like there are even more options thanks to the dry, warm, light evenings. Tonight I took advantage of one such summer option – a free Chekhov …
Read MoreMay 29, 2013
…saw Manhattanhenge
Finally! The sun is back. And tonight New Yorkers saw it on show in Manhattanhenge. Manhattanhenge is a beautiful phenomenon that occurs twice a year. It’s the moment the sun aligns perfectly with the city’s grid as it sets. If you stand on one of the wider blocks and look west towards New Jersey, you can see …
Read MoreMay 28, 2013
…joined a New York library
It rained today. Not good rain – manky, sideways, soggy rain that seeped into my shoes and left me wanting to hide inside. It also washed my after-work event right off the calendar so I was left wondering what to do. Then I realised it was the perfect day to complete something I’ve been vowing …
Read MoreMay 27, 2013
…paid tribute to fallen soldiers in Battery Park
After listening to Obama’s Memorial Day speech today, I realised he was right: Many people in this country – including me – are so distanced from war that it’s easy to forget we’re in one. Regardless of our politics or pacifism, we really need to remember how people are still dying in battle – and …
Read MoreMay 26, 2013
…visited the Whitney Museum (and Edward Hopper’s house)
For many of these new things, I feel like I’m in a rush. But this morning when I woke up groggy from last night’s karaoke fest, I had a glorious realisation: For the first time in many months, I had nothing to do and nowhere to be. It meant that when I scooted up to the …
Read MoreMay 25, 2013
…had lunch in Jersey City
Today was crammed with lots of activities – walking across the Williamsburg Bridge, a brilliant movie, terrible karaoke – and thankfully I was ready for it all after a delicious lunch in Jersey City. I go to Brooklyn a couple of times a week, but I’ve not ventured in the other direction – heading east across the …
Read MoreMay 24, 2013
…noshed a knish
Last summer, I discovered I’m allergic to blueberries. Today, I stupidly decided to test whether I still am – and I learned that I really, really am. After a painful day at work, some moaning, groaning and a nap, I woke up famished. I needed something comforting but reasonably bland. I needed a knish. I’ve never had a knish before, …
Read MoreMay 23, 2013
…watched a play directed by a friend
Tonight I went to see WHITE HOT, a play written by Tommy Smith and, even more importantly, directed by my friend Courtney. I haven’t seen Courtney in months – which is both bad (I love her) and good (she’s doing lots of great things) – so I thought I’d go and check out what’s been …
Read MoreMay 22, 2013
…booed at the Apollo Theater
It’s been a manic week at work, so tonight’s activity gave me the chance to blow off some steam. There were lots of new things involved: A trip to Harlem, a visit to the famed Apollo Theater and most importantly my first experience of openly – and very overtly – booing (and meaning it). I headed …
Read MoreMay 21, 2013
…saw the world’s biggest crochet
Well, it appears that I can’t tell the time, so I missed a poetry event I had planned tonight. Thankfully this is New York and there is always plenty of last-minute – and free – stuff going on. I jumped on the Q to Madison Square Park to see their latest outdoor art exhibit, Red, Yellow and …
Read MoreMay 19, 2013
…walked through Central Park with 30,000 people
It’s about time I did something good, so today I battled the rain and took part in the city’s AIDS Walk – an annual event where thousands of participants power through Central Park to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness, services and treatment. I was supposed to take part with a friend (who shall remain nameless) but after …
Read MoreMay 18, 2013
…danced in Tompkins Square Park
I’d planned to watch the city’s 7th annual dance parade today, but somehow my Saturday boozing got a little out of hand. Thankfully, said boozing was taking place just a stone’s throw away from Tompkins Square Park, where the dancers congregated after taking to the streets. It meant that I did even better than just watching them …
Read MoreMay 17, 2013
…sailed around the tip of Manhattan
I’ve been on some good adventures since starting this blog – flying over Manhattan in a helicopter, climbing volcanoes, battling a mechanical bull for a whole 40 seconds – but today’s new thing just might have topped them all. Tonight, Noah and I boarded the Shearwater – a rustic 82-foot schooner – and sailed around the southern …
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