The one with the lonesome traveller

Thought I’d stand, metaphorically, on the edge of the grand canyon today and write another blog post to the invisible masses. In truth I don’t expect anyone (other than perhaps my blogging buddy) to read this.

As I write I am sitting in The Archive cafe, east williamsburg, NYC. Mark and I visited this cool little bohemian hangout last time we were here and it has become my new haunt this ny trip. As foolhardy as sentimentality is I can’t help but contradict my live-in-the moment ethos and reflect upon all of the splendid times Mr Coleman and I had here in this fine city.

In terms of a small update on the big apple here goes:

The fine busking spot in Washington sq park has been decimated by diggers and is now nothing but dirt and debris. I wandered past the park 3 times before realizing it was he same place. Fortunately this is only temporary and is going to be returned to it’s former glory before too long.

L’asso are still making the best damn pizzas in manhattan and a great selection of beers but I’ve also discovered cheap pizza on 33rd and 8th av, opposite Madison sq garden. One huge slice for one small price-$1!

Unfortunately life tends to take people in different directions and Duke and Sarah are no longer in the city and so I haven’t managed to see them but I have seen Angela a couple of times. She’s now engaged!! Getting married in July to a baseball coach called Jared, amazing how much can change in 8 months. I’ve also spent a large quantity of time with Alexia, who now lives inbetween Chelsea and the garment district. Her and her two flatmates, Eduardo and Kelly have been kind enough to let me stay with them for one night and made me privy to some pretty cool little spots in Manhattan, including The Ace Hotel, which is the hogwarts of the artistic community in NYC! Hogwartian in architecture and decor rather than in the wands and moving staircases sense.

I’ve also managed to avoid buying any musical instruments as of yet, although I’m here for another week so who knows what will happen!

I have a short attention span for blogging so am goin to end it there but Mark if you’re out there and reading this let me know and I’ll pop some more info up.

Needless to stay NYC is still where I want to end up in life at some point, but it a slightly lesser city without the presence of one Mr Australia.

Peas and love x

The one with ‘If you liked this…’

Basically, I’m now a blogaddict, if you enjoyed things here, then visit here. You never know, you might like it.

‘The One with, ‘We went Here!”

I can’t resist adding yet more to this life changing trip’s online record. Here is that video that Will mentioned in his ‘Who are we?’ section.

The shop was a little disappointing in the end, from a musical, instrument hunting perspective, but it did look this cool. Similarly, this song became a bit of an anthem for us and after having just played it again in our local pub last night, it seemed duly fitting to try and embed it on this blog.

Is there anyone still out there reading this, or am I another failed orrator yelling into the hurricane?

Here you go, enjoy.

‘The one with the aforementioned bum photo’

Just tidying up a few last stories.

As previously discussed, here is photographic evidence of our random encounter in JFK airport, including the now infamous Bottom Picture. This will be in copies of Hello! mag before we know it.

Thanks to Brittany for the pics (Hope you don’t mind, but I stole them from your photobucket!)

'That' Pic

Me and indeed, Him

Me, Him and Brittany

Me, Him and Michelle

‘The one with the inhumanly early Dave Matthews gig, the fond farewell and more random encounters in the airport’

Apologies for the delay in posting this entry, but the truth, to shatter the illusion for some, is that we are actually back in the UK now, living out our more regular existence. However, in the interest of completeness, I believe it appropriate to complete the online blogumentary of our New York jaunt. So here goes. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

Our Last day, such sadness, sorry what time is it? 4:30am! Are we insane?

Insane, perhaps, but the truth is it was that early and I really wasn’t quite ready for it, I have to confess that we were slightly late meeting Sarah in the queue for Dave Matthews live on NBC’s Today show, because I fell asleep on the loo in a state of total bewilderment at the fact we were getting up at our almost average going to sleep time. So, sorry Will, Angela, Duke and indeed Sarah, that was why I was in there for 20 mins.

But anyway, confession over, we eventually made it to the Rockefeller Centre, and after a brief stint in the queue, Angela tracked down some insider information and we swiftly took up our secret vantage point… directly ‘behind’ the band. It wasn’t as bad as it may sound, we actually got to hear old Dave and I had a good view of his bald spot. But, the rain, oh the rain, it did pour. I’ll avoid the obvious pun about the weather not dampening our spirits, but it was the dessert that really injected the get up and go into our morning. Duke disappeared at one stage during the set and came back with an armful of what can only be described as the breakfast of champions. A huge bag of puddings! Banana Cream Pudding, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Something or other, Banana Cup Cakes etc… Brilliant and it wasn’t even 7:30 yet. If you want to recreate the experience you will need friends, loud music, rain, NYC and Magnolia bakery. Amazing.

After the gig we wearily made our way to a café to enjoy our last hour with Angela before she had to go to work, and that was the first of the farewells. I hate this bit, it’s when the grim reality of a holiday nearly over really bites you in the bum and you have to say goodbye to fantastic people that you know you aren’t likely to bump into again for a while. Parting is such sweet marrow.

The rest of the day included a few last minute shopping escapades for Mr Jackson and then lunch at the place our NY eating tour started, the Corner Café downtown. Here, slightly bedraggled, we ate our (second to) last meal (I had fruit loops back at the flat, oooh and a pizza at the airport, but that perhaps ruins the drama of the tale) and got ready to say goodbye to our philosophical friend, Sarah.

Finally, packing, back at the flat in Queens, a bowl of the aforementioned fruit loops (this is not cereal, it is a bowl of lifesavers (lightsabers!?) boiled sweets/candy), another sad goodbye to the fantabulous Mr Duke Anderson and a sleepy Taxi ride to JFK and we were on our way homeward.

NYC, the beautiful, generous, warm and loving people, the possibilities for entertainment at any hour, L’asso Pizza, the general appreciation of an English accent, the world of busking, Brian, Tick Tock’s Cookies and Cream Shake, the Rockefeller Rooftop and so much more, we’ll miss you.

You’ve been a great audience, I’ve been my usual Mark Coleman, thanks for listening and goodnight.

Oh, the random airport encounter.

It all seemed over until Will bent down in the airport only to receive the abstract request of a photograph of his bum. Apparently this was because he was wearing his Jesus rocks belt, jury’s out, but that was the start of our conversations with Brittany and Michelle at JFK Airport. We were leaving and they were on their way to the UK to teach in Cambridge. We exchanged details and inspired by the generosity we’ve received, offered to give them a guided tour of London when they arrive back here toward the end of their trip.

Random encounters, I love them.

‘The one with the Bloomin’ Onion’

This was our penultimate day if you count the 20 hours of our actual last day as a day, so I’m not sure what Will meant by the penultimate day, but I’m reserving that as the official description of today, with the sub section b heading of ‘tourist trash day’. Ok, deep breath.

Accompanied by one of our indubitably generous hosts, Angela, the journey back into Manhattan once again became the start of our day. It had been a bit of a lazy start, mainly due to the comedically long time it took to get home after the Jazz last night, so for convenience’s sake we moved the start of the day to lunchtime, to maximize productivity.

First stop was our old favourite the ‘Tick Tock Dinner’ (which I have a feeling appeared in the Blues Brothers Film) to meet up with Will’s chum Ashley who we hadn’t managed to visit in DC and had finally given up waiting and come to see us. I think she might actually have come for other reasons, but that doesn’t sound as funny.

We were completely bowled over to receive a gift, chocolate and primary school artwork, amazing, such a blessing, not to mention the joy of a box of English tea. Thanks Ashley, it was a shame that the diner service can, at best, only be described as moderate to poor, but we didn’t let that mar our encounter.

The brief hello and goodbye to Ashley was then followed by an activity I like to describe as ‘tracking down tourist tat’. Yes, it was time to indulge in the hurried purchasing of all of those touristy titbits that will help placate the abandoned family members and work colleagues that have missed you so, whilst away. A handful of I heart NY T-Shirts and fridge magnets should do the trick. Oh, and a chocolate whiffed trip to MnM world for some exotic confectionary.

This all lead us up to the evening entertainments and Will’s culinary choice of the trip, the 100% authentic American, I mean Australian (?!) Outback Steakhouse.

Here I had the pleasure of sampling a piece of art cuisine, yes, I was introduced to the Bloomin’ Onion. A finely sculpted, whole Onion, deep fried to within an inch of it’s life and served with a Tongue tantalizing sauce and suitable for 6, yes 6, people to share as a starter. Apparently this is the least healthy thing on any menu anywhere in America (or something like that), it was brilliant.

That and some huge steaks left us with only one thing to do, get to bed early, to be ready for the inhumanly early Dave Matthews gig tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately the early to bed got hijacked by the lure of Flight of the Conchords, our New Zealand rivals. So Angela, Duke Will and myself, thought we better check out an episode to get a clearer understanding of ‘I’m still Brian’s’ closest competitor.

It was our last night, but it’s true, this city never sleeps.

‘The one with the watercolours and splashy cymbals’

We had bright hopes for our penultimate day in the Big Apple and set off instruments in-hand optimistic for some busking dream spots and a recording deal by lunchtime. It rained.

So instead we met up with another new friend Sarah and popped over to the metropolitan museum of art for few hours. As we walked around some of the great exhibitions and talked religion, philosophy and a little art, we bumped into Mr Neo from the Matrix but a slightly more bearded version!

Rain decided not to abate so we mosied around the upper east side, perusing the gourmet, organic, delicatessant on offer in New York’s Richmond equivilent.

For the evening’s festivities we went to an intimate, bluesy jazz bar called 55 bar on Christopher St, for an up close and personal set with the legendary guitarist (or so he says) Mike Stern. He played with a double bassist and incredible drummer, Lionel or Eugene as I named him. Mark and I sat in awe of the big guy’s beats and improvisation as he danced his way through the set. Incredible. We’ve decided we must go to more jazz clubs in London if they are anything like 55. If you ever come to the big apple and have any appreciation for music/art/performance or life in general; should go.

‘The one with the CD launch party and the amazing indoor busking venue’

Last night we went to the launch party of a new artist called Kate Pazakis, she sings Broadway style power ballads and is a client of Angela’s casting company I believe.

It was a pretty fun night despite the fact that the under 21 rule hit Will and he was branded with black Xs on his hands. The ‘Can I have a beer please’ equivalent, of the freedom preventing ‘ball and chain’ for inmates. But this didn’t dampen his spirits, in honour of our musical masterpiece the night before, he drank pineapple juice and bust out the Justin Timberlake dance manouveurs.

We spent a lot of the evening, after the live performance which incidently included quite a funky version of Alanis Morisette’s ‘One hand in my pocket’, trying to dance in a way that didn’t attract the wrong kind of attention if you know what I mean. It’s interesting, if you dress well here and you can dance, people assume that you are the other way inclined.

We are now sheltering in a mall not far from the World Trade Centre site, after rain put a stop to our latest efforts at busking. This place would be an amazing place to welly out a few tunes, but we are not sure we won’t get arrested. Hmmm we’ll let you know if the situation changes.

Bye for now.

‘The one with the brand new starbucks employees, the gospel church and the singing waiter’

I’m pretty amazed by the generosity of some of the people we’ve met here, I sit writing this blog on a comfy couch, in a proper home with yet more food so very kindly being cooked by Duke in the kitchen. I almost can’t believe that we met Duke and Angela under a week ago and here we are, their new roomies. Brilliant.

Upon arrival in our new Queens apartment I was very quickly drawn to the suitably stylish Starbucks apron. Will was so too enamoured with said item that Angela kindly offered him the limited edition, product Red, Christmas version and we couldn’t leave that sight unrecorded. See pic below, I think we look the part, ‘What can I getcha?’.

As Sunday was yesterday or yesterday was Sunday, which ever you prefer, it seemed a good plan to check out another of New York’s Churches. So with another eclectic group of new chums we made our way to Time Square Church, unsurprisingly situated in Time Square. The church is based in a converted theatre and is very grand looking on the inside, but the people were welcoming and the Gospel style worship really refreshing. God had things to say to me through the service and I really appreciated the word spoken, but as is so often the case, it was the people that had been gathered around us that God used to reveal more of himself to me. It is amazing how He is so evident in community.

After Church the obvious choice was to go and grab a shake at Stardust Dinner. This classic American diner is choc full of staff aiming to make it on Broadway, and as you might expect is a musical smorgasbord. The whole evening was filled with song after song from the waiting staff, but was easily topped by our waiter, Brandon, and his rendition of the Darkness classic ‘I believe in a thing called love’. He was a bit of a ringer for Jack Black too, which all added to the act. He earned his well deserved tips.

Then after a quick stop at Starbucks for a cup of tea for me, we parted company with half our crowd to head on back to Queens. I thought we might manage our first early night in a week, but Will and I ended up improvising a song about Pineapple untill about 3 am. We are strange fruit.

‘The one with the DVD Library, the amazing view and the Bat Bike’

Yesterday was a bit of a break day for us, we decided to act like tourists, leave our instruments behind and explore more of NYC’s delights and delectations.

We started the day a bit late (candle burning had slightly got the better of us) and thought we’d check out one of East Williamsburg food related offerings. We’ve not really seen much of this area, mainly because of the draw of Manhattan, but we were pleasantly suprised to stumble into this cool little cafe with a mahoosive DVD library organised by Director, very art house.

We spent most of the rest of the day mooching around various shops, being asked to speak to Limo drivers (weirdest scenario of the trip) and appreciating a bit of sunshine. But, this all lead up to one of our first properly touristy things, a jaunt up the Rockefeller Tower at dusk. What an amazing view, I’ll let a couple of pictures do the talking.

Oh, and the Bat Bike reference, well that was one of NY’s more interesting modes of transport. I’m not sure if it actually belongs to Batman, he didn’t seem to be around to ask, unless this guy was actually Bruce Wayne. Who knows.

The evening finished off with another rather tasty Mexican meal and a couple of drinks with our new friend. Perfect.

‘I’m Doctor Frasier Crane*, goodnight Seattle**’

(* For Doctor Frasier Crane read Dr Coleface, ** For Seattle read New York)