A Tour of Gracie Mansion

Today, I took a wonderful group tour of Gracie Mansion. Since Mayor Bloomberg does not live there, we were able to view the second floor.






No photos were permitted inside the mansion. So after the tour, I enjoyed the waterfront at Carl Schurz Park.




And then, as I walked to the 86th Street crosstown bus I saw a great photo op at East End Avenue at about 87th Street. How old is this building?


And as I walked to First Avenue along 86th Street, I was able to enter an alley and view the back of that building.

a wake-up call

Here's a funny story. So, I am online with my AIM play screen name and "talking" to a guy who constantly IMs me after midnight. I told l him I am 63 etc. etc etc. I sent him some pics, all recent, so he could put a face to the ongoing conversation. He won't send a photo... I suspect he is either married (and bored) or "he" could be a "she." Or "he" could be my Aunt Sadie who is a notorious insomniac. He could be anybody; he probably is a nobody.
People play many mind games on the computer. You never know to whom you are "talking." I never "talk" to him about anything deeper than books, movies, or travel.

Anyway... he persists with the IMs. He speaks of "love." I think he is living on Fantasy Island. I could block him, but he seems to be addicted to these IMs and I feel sorry for him. But, I laugh.

People love to hide behind their computer in anonymous games. They protect their identity, yet thrive on the reveals of others. So, I am left to imagine a visual.




Realizing that "nameless and faceless" could be anybody is a reality check, a wake-up call. "Anonymous" on a computer speaks volumes.
OK, Shopper out.
Today: a "house" tour! Photos later.

Where will you be going soon?

I am going to the the Museum of the City of New York to see Charles Adams's New York.
This is from the website: "Charles Addams’s New York is an exhibition of original artworks by the legendary New Yorker cartoonist that capture Addams's quintessentially idiosyncratic and slyly subversive view of the city, depicting his signature macabre characters, twisted situations, and distorted reimaginings of the cityscape."

Join me, won't you?

And then you did what?

After I bought the glorious Fendi tote... I was in the area so I went for cut and color at Gerard Bollei Salon. My hair looks spectacular: all layered and a perfect shade of red.
Then dinner at Nello's!
Color this day pricey!

What are you doing today?

I am going to Barneys. I must have the Fendi Peekaboo Tote in medium brown.

Macy's Flower Show

Today, I went to Macy's Flower Show.

great advice and an excellent link

GET A JOB
Get productive!

"The Beats in Greenwich Village," a walking tour

It was a dreary, cold, and rainy Sunday afternoon. I met the group from St. Francis College Departments of English and Communication Arts at 2:30, and we began the tour across the street from 130-132 MacDougal Street, where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women."


This is a view of MacDougal Street, looking in the other direction. In this photo, you can see the original location of Kettle of Fish, at 114 MacDougal Street. It is to the right of the blue Frequency awning and behind the yellow taxi on the left.


This is Minetta Tavern restaurant.


This is Minetta Street. You can see the walking tour group on the right.



This is the site of the old Pony Stable Inn, where Gregory Corso met Allen Ginsberg.


This is 48 Morton Street, where David Kammerer lived.


This is 69 Bedford Street, where William Burroughs lived.


This is a view of the White Horse Tavern at West 11th Street.


And this is where the tour ended. I was happy I wore comfortable shoes.


Here are some extra shots I took along the way:



In this photo, you can see the current location of Kettle of Fish at 59 Christopher Street. It is behind the white tents in the distance on the left.


And Bob Dylan lived in this building above the Tic Tac Toe lingerie shop.


Please listen now to: this.

NYC alleys

Sniffen Court, on East 36th Street


Milligan Place, Greenwich Village


Patchin Place, Greenwich Village


MacDougal Alley, Greenwich Village


Washington Mews, Greenwich Village

A Walking Tour!

Coming up this weekend is my MacDougal Street walking tour!
This is the intersecting Minetta Street.

Oh, the joys of the Clearview Chelsea Cinema theater

I walked over today to the Clearview Chelsea Cinema to see the movie "Chloe." Yikes! it was BAD. However, the Chelsea has some great programs. They schedule "Live Events" from The Metropolitan Opera and they also show "Chelsea Classics," hosted by Hedda Lettuce!

Look! On May 6th, they are showing "Harold and Maude!" I would so love love love to go with darling RB! What a great opportunity for photo ops, as well. What an event! It would rival the Dean and Jerry reunion. It would rival a Sopranos sequel! It would be better than a Star Trek convention! E! could have Joan Rivers host the arrivals on a red carpet. The two of us at a "Harold and Maude" screening with Hedda Lettuce! Sigh, an old retired woman can have her fever dreams! (I am so tongue-in-cheek, I need Orajel!)

Where are you going this week?

I finally was able to go today to an exhibit at the The Jewish Museum called Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey. I was there for hours. There were so many documents and illustrations to view and so much posted backstory to read. And there was a very interesting interactive piece as well. It was exceedingly well mounted, and some of the artwork is presented in a house visually similar to the blue home where the Reys lived in New York City.

This is from their website:
"Curious George, the beloved, irrepressible monkey of children’s book lore, is famous for his ability to “save the day.” Interpreting the role he played in safeguarding his own creators in times of danger as symbolic, this exhibition delves into the remarkable lives and works of Margret and H. A. Rey. The couple fled Paris in 1940 with a Curious George manuscript in their suitcase. During a tense inspection of their belongings by a border official, children’s illustrations were found and they were allowed to continue on their way, eventually reaching the United States.

Featuring nearly eighty original drawings and preparatory dummies for Margret and H. A. Rey children’s books and documentation related to their escape from Nazi-occupied Europe, the exhibition will examine the parallels between the obstacles the Reys faced and the drawings that may have saved their lives. The story of their life in Paris and narrow escape is also told through an interactive timeline."

This is the front of the card I bought at the Jewish Museum's store.


I also got the wonderful book, "The Journey That Saved Curious George," by Louise Borden with illustrations by Allen Drummond. It is the story of the true wartime escape of Margret and H. A. Rey.

interesting events

This sounds worthwhile:
Inspiring Women: Selected Designers from Parsons' Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Archives
"Inspiring Women explores the evolution of graphic, interior, and fashion design over the course of the 20th century."
Although I am really not a morning person, I might go.

This also sounds like it might be fun!
Sing From Your Soul
"The class will include group singing exercises and repertoire and provide opportunities for individual performance."
Why not?

Where are you going today?

It's Wednesday, and I am thinking of having a nice brunch at Le Pain Quotidien and walking up to the Broadway Theater to get tickets for Promises, Promises. Then, I will see what show I can get a fast ticket for today. I am thinking of Time Stands Still. There is always so much to do in New York!

And what are YOU doing today? Please share in comments.

Coming Soon!

I cannot wait for this year's Tribeca Film Festival. It runs from April 21 to May 2, and I will so be there! I have not missed one yet!

Backstage at the New York City Opera

Well, my plans took a detour today. I joined my TTN for a fantastic backstage tour of the New York City Opera at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Then we went for a late lunch at Josephina. I had the chicken campagnole and it was incredible. Then, I went to see "The Runaways." It was nasty in NYC, with a slow steady light rain falling all day. But, glorious NYC always has activity.








I love this photo most of all. As we were standing on the stage looking out at the vast theater, I took a photo of the backstage area. The reflection of the women of my TTN group was captured in the set piece on the left.