MetaChat - [NYC Filter] How I spent my yesterday

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23 June 2007

[NYC Filter] How I spent my yesterday (crossposted from my LJ; edited for coherence)

First off, I don't have a boyfriend anymore. And I'm losing a friend at the same time. But that's not what I want to write about.→[More:]

What I do want to write about is how I spent my day after work was over. I can't remember why, but they decided to have a party at DumbCo on Friday with catered frou-frou sandwiches, beer, and wine. Yes, beer and wine. At 1pm. Was this a good idea? Two large paper cups of white zinfandel said it was, and then I actually went back to work for a little bit.

I left the office around 3 pm ('cause they let us leave early that day) and decided that today was going to be my day to celebrate the solstice. I got $60 dollars out of the bank ('cause we also got paid today) and took a bus up 8th Avenue along Central Park. Now, I have to tell you that even though I've lived in one of the five boroughs for three years, I've never really hung out in Central Park. I walked through it once, but along the bottom edge, and I didn't get to really explore it before I rushed off to meet... the new ex downtown. Today I was going to explore. But I was going to drink first. And I was going to do it in the most gaudy way possible.

One of my favorite books as a kid was Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger. The protagonist is a girl who loves to eat at the Tavern on the Green because it's so shiny and sparkly and glitzy inside. The cynical LiveJournal NewYorkers that I patrol every day say that it's schmaltzy, overpriced, and a tourist trap. Nonetheless, drinking at the Tavern on the Green's outdoor patio was just what I needed, along with a cigarette. I didn't buy them at the gift shop because they were charging $9.75 for a pack. Instead I walked over to Columbus Ave. where they were only charging $8 a pack. I walked back, and right through to the bar, where you actually couldn't smoke at the bar, but at the tables waaaaay in a corner where the waiters wouldn't even come over to serve you. Whatever...

The merlot cost $10 plus tax and tip, and it was pretty good. What wasn't good was having to watch out for tree debris as the wind ruffled through the branches. I like a strong bodied merlot, but I don't like the tree debris additives. I sat and chain-smoked, and fielded phone calls and text messages from concerned friends, letting out a torrent of curse words within hearing distance of some ladies who were having an early dinner with a kid in tow. Boy did I feel embarrassed. When I was done with my second glass, I even went over to their table to apologize and the ladies were nice enough to say that they didn't even notice me cursing. I also applauded when this bride came in to celebrate the wedding she just had. She looked lovely.

From the Tavern on the Green, I walked past the Sheep Meadow to an area where there was a wide street and guys skateboarding. That would have been fun to watch for a while, but on the other side of the street were some guys playing street hockey. That threw me back into the wayback machine and back to when my first boyfriend and I were dating and he got me into roller hockey a little. I asked the guys if I could sit down and watch for a while, and it felt really good to be able to follow the puck and cheer the guys on. When I'd had my fill, I walked up from there towards the Bandshell, and watched this inspirational speaker guy film a video for the teaching guide he's selling with his book that's coming out in the fall. From there, I walked towards the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace and had my second Thoth sighting, and tossed a dollar to this two banjo/one soprano saxophone band that was noodling away in a corner. The Lake beckoned, and I followed the path around to the Loeb Boathouse where alack! they were no longer renting bikes for the day. Must go back to the Park to rent a bike for a while. I lost myself in the Ramble for a bit (and firmed up my plans to hang with a gal pal later on), eventually coming out on the other side of the Lake near the Bow Bridge. I crossed it, taking the time to appreciate the views on either side and wondering exactly how many movies had been filmed with that bridge in them. Too many, I think.

From there, it was back to Cherry Hill and back towards the Sheep Meadow area, even though I didn't know at the time I was heading back that way. My hips had started to hurt after all the Ramble-ing, and I just wanted to get back on the bus to go to Penn Station. I did know, however, that I didn't want to leave by the same route, so instead of going towards the Tavern again, I walked a bit north of there, through a grassy lawn area where a lady's German Shepherd didn't want to be petted by me. No big deal, I thought, and had to walk a bit south again towards a break in the fence. I'm glad I went south again, because I ended up stumbling upon an open-air performance of All's Well That Ends Well, at a part where a kilted ruffian was trying to get a woman to promise to either stay away from the king or be his mistress. I couldn't tell because he was projecting so much better than she was. And then some Lord came around the corner, in a Napoleonic era type uniform. From a distance, he looked like Patrick Stewart, and kinda declaimed like him as well. I swooned, but not for too long because I had to meet with the Spaniel, and it was past 7:30 pm. So I eventually made my way out of the park and wound up around 79th St., I think.

That ramble through the Park was very, very fun. I'm so very glad I did it. It reminded me of how beautiful life is, how mysterious, how serene, how painful. It reminded me of why I love New York City, and why I'm not going to let anyone push me around anymore.

I think I'm going to start skating in the Park on Fridays after work. This means I need to buy a backpack so I can lug my gear with me. No biggie...

post by: TrishaLynn at: 08:25 | 18 comments

Sweet. Solitary rambles are gorgeous, aren't they? Every time I go on a long trek, I think, "why don't I do this every single day?"

For me, the only sticky part is, I really don't like eating alone when I'm out (I know, I know... I shouldn't mind, but I do; stopping for a drink or a coffee is fine, but I don't like eating in restaurants alone). And don't like eating on the street, while walking. I never do that.

Here, I can find these tiny little gyro/souvlaki doorway places where I can perch and have a souvlaki, or else I buy a bag of almonds and eat those while I walk (that's "okay", by the way, while eating a sandwich wouldn't be - I don't know why; ask my silly head.)

posted by taz 23 June | 09:08

I don't like it either, unless I have a book. However (and please don't laugh) it was the episode of "Sex and the City" where Carrie is forced to dine alone without a book where I realized that I really shouldn't be afraid of drinking alone, or dining alone, without a book or something else to remind me that I am alone. I have a friend of mine who goes to the movies alone, but I don't think I'm entirely up to that yet. (Except when I went to see SpiceWorld. That's a movie you definitely don't want to admit to others that you went to see.... oops.)

posted by TrishaLynn 23 June | 09:52

I stopped at White Zinfandel. There is no "party" with White Zinfandel.

posted by danf 23 June | 09:56

That is sweet story TrishaLynn.

I need to have a book or paper of crossword puzzle or whatever, eating/drinking alone.

Central Park.. . .god, the guy who thought of it was such a genius.

posted by danf 23 June | 10:02

I like solitary walks too, especially in London at the weekends when it's quieter.

Something odd: every lunchtime I'm in the office, I go for a walk around Millwall docks, weather permitting. And most days I see a woman walking the circuit in the opposite direction. Unlike my gentle amble, stopping to look at the waterfowl, she powerwalks, looking very determined.

Today I was driving down the lane next to where I live and she was powerwalking down the road. I almost hit her, there's no pavement, but what a coincidence, in a city the size of London for her to be walking down the lane by my home in Essex.

posted by essexjan 23 June | 10:04

hugs TrishaLynn, darling.

I love going to the movies alone. I hated it in my 20s, but now I prefer it actually. I go in late and stay of course until after all the titles roll. But, I too don't like the dining on my own, or the walking-eating. If I have to have something by myself, I choose a seat near the window, or a book, or a newspaper. I feel very awkward otherwise.

I dislike the Tavern too but I love, love the Boathouse. Even though it is overpriced and touristy too. But as far as park dining goes, I endorse the little food kiosk on 112th, in the Riverside Park, overlooking the rivah! Live music, usually very good too. There's also a big sand area for the volleyball aficionados and my kids, who think they can dig to the other side of the planet. Lovely summer nights.

wondering how many words that comment was

posted by carmina 23 June | 10:06

Excluding the salutation and the ending, 150 words. Get your words counted here.

posted by TrishaLynn 23 June | 10:59

Oh, man, a Central Park ramble was one of my favorite things when I lived in NYC. *sniff*

posted by stilicho 23 June | 11:22

What a way to turn a potentially bad day into a great day. Central Park is amazing.

posted by theora55 23 June | 12:00

That sounds so lovely.

I love going out to eat by myself, but I love it because it gives me time to read. As in, I'll think, "I want to read my book. Where can I go sit and do that?" and that's what gets me to the restaurant.

I also find that if I don't read (or have a dining companion), I scarf my food, which I don't like.

OK, now I want to go wander around on my own all day long....

posted by occhiblu 23 June | 12:33

stilicho, when were you living in NYC?
I came here first time in the early 90's. The place has changed a lot. Especially the Columbia U. area (Morningside Heights). I tend to prefer Riverside Park (or even Central Park the northern side) because it is so much less crowded. I like the Ramble after the first snow, though.

posted by carmina 23 June | 13:42

i miss central park...

i wrote a research paper on it and it's creator, Frederick Law Olmsted. He also designed the "estate" at Biltmore for the Vanderbilts.

*sigh*

now, i really miss central park...

posted by Schyler523 23 June | 15:57

Sounds like a lovely ramble, TrishaLynn. I owe myself one of those, now that I'm (nominally) on my feet again.

And dining alone. Aaaaah. As happy as I am with my fella, you make me realize that I miss the occasional table for one.

I used to have a standing Monday night date with myself. I'd walk down the street to my local, where the bartender started mixing my drink as he saw me mounting the stairs. Often, he would reach the table, glass in hand, just as I sat. I'd have a simple dinner while I read or wrote or gazed out the one window. Because my friends were regulars, too, I often passed a few words or a few minutes with them over the course of the evening, but spent most of it in blissful peace.

My date with myself. I miss it a bit.

posted by Elsa 23 June | 15:58

((((TrishaLynn)))) Hope everything works out for you, personal-wise. Other than that, the walk sounds great. I love a good walk, especially with all the little actions going on to watch and enjoy. I once took a vacation alone after my divorce from my first husband. Dining was a bit weird at first, but I had a blast at a "haunted dinner" type place where a skull on the table (obviously manned by a remote person) talked to me like we were old friends. That was one of my favorite memories of that time. Solo time is perfect for reconnecting with yourself.

posted by redvixen 23 June | 17:25

Chupahija took me to New York when I was ten and we met a friend of hers for lunch at Tavern on the Green---there was an absolutely gorgeous balloon tied to my chair; we went to the Statue of Liberty later that day and a baby was playing with it on the ferry. I still have the deflated skin. I LOVED the Paula Danziger books--the Kendra ones did scavenger hunts through New York and London.

posted by brujita 23 June | 23:54

After seeing Crazy Love I have a retort to the assholes who sneer I can't get a man--why the fuck would I want to wind up like Linda Riss Pugach?

I have no idea if this will play anywhere but North America's largest cities: fifty years ago she was seeing someone, broke up with him, got engaged to someone else, Pugach hired someone to throw lye in her face, she's blinded, he's sent to prison, she marries him when he gets out, she stands by him when he's convicted of threatening someone else.

I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life (and it didn't help that the blind crackhead with the horrible voice belted out "Hey There Lonely Girl" in the subway on my way to the meetup with ej), but being involved with someone isn't what would fulfill me.

posted by brujita 24 June | 00:03

I LOVED the Paula Danziger books--the Kendra ones did scavenger hunts through New York and London.

The London one didn't seem as cool or as involved as the New York City one did. Maybe it was because I was hoping for the Kendra/Frank Lee relationship to develop, and it didn't. Then again, I was always a romantic girly-girl.

posted by TrishaLynn 24 June | 05:20

... a bag of almonds and eat those while I walk (that's "okay", by the way, while eating a sandwich wouldn't be - I don't know why; ask my silly head.)
With the added bonus that any food consumed while eating has no calories ;-)

posted by dg 24 June | 22:38

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