Tuesday, October 27, 2015

#momtakesmanhattan

When I moved to New York City, my parents and I parted with the understanding that they would come visit me as soon as I was in a show.  Optimistically, I flew off to the NYC and started my torrid, beautiful #nycloveaffair, but never was in a show for them to come see.  So they never came and saw.  And we really didn't talk about it again. 
 
Probably for the last two years, I have been thinking, "I really just want my mom and dad to come visit." And I would do things that I would think, "When Mom and Dad come, I want to take them here."  But I never said anything about it, strangely.
 
Then, two weeks before I moved, my mom called me on a Friday and said, "I can't believe we let three years go by without coming to see you in New York.  I'll never forgive myself if I don't try.  Can I come visit next week?" 
 
YES!  YES, YOU CAN!
 
So three days later, Naomi arrived.  Shout out to my awesome boss, Edward Kang, for letting me off for the afternoon to go get a 77 year old woman who would otherwise be hanging out by herself at La Guardia airport, waiting for me.  When asked how she wanted to get to my apartment, she, of course, chose the bus.  For the experience of it all.  She crazy. But ride the bus we did!
 
 
That night we just took a little walk in Central Park, and then hung out at home.  But the next day was a full one!  9/11 Memorial, lunch at Nanoosh, a session at the temple, ice cream at Ample Hills Creamery, and Wicked.  Mom has never seen Wicked, claiming she wanted to wait until I was in the show to see it for the first time.  (Sorry, Mom!)  Anyway, it was so fun because she LOVED it.  And I loved watching her love it! Admittedly, although I thoroughly enjoyed myself as well, seeing it for the third time, it was a little bittersweet.  I don't know what the future holds, at all.  But the fact that I knew I was moving made me wonder if I was also moving away from certain goals I have always had.  I don't know the answer to that yet.  And that's OK.  But I had a moment or two during the show that were a little rough for me.  But I'm so glad we went!
 
 
 
After the show Mom wanted to walk through Times Square.  At 10pm.  Again, she crazy.  But we did it.  And all the crazies were out, like I knew they would be.  I felt very protective of my mother in those moments, wanting to shield her from some of the worst parts of humanity, in my opinion.  At least those parts that inhabit Times Square.  But she wanted to see Times Square...
 
Wednesday was more low-key as I had to work in the morning.  But in the afternoon, Mom came with me to my friend's place for a practice session.  Steve plays the piano, I sing, it works.  And Mom was in heaven listening to her baby girl.  (That's me).  I'm lucky I have a mom who actually wants to hear me sing enough that something like that would be appealing for her, because I sure needed to make it happen before I left.
 
 
That night we picked up a quick dinner at Cosi, one of my favorite places, and headed off on a city lights sunset cruise.  It was stunning!  We started on the Hudson around 45th street, then went down around the tip of Manhattan, under all the bridges, and up the East River to about midtown on the east side.  Then took a little detour to sail around the Statue of Liberty after the sun went down.  And of course my phone died, so I don't have the best pictures.  But we loved every minute!
 
 
 
 
 
The night ended with Schmackery.  Naturally. 
 
 
Thursday was another whirlwind as Mom was flying out that afternoon.  But we hit the important things: the Highline (definitely one of the places I have been wanting to take her, and it was SO worth it.  She loved it!  Score!), St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Levain Bakery, OF COURSE.
 
 
Then I sent her off in a taxi to the airport, because there was no way I was letting her loose on the bus system by herself. 
 
Aaaannnnddd a few hours later, she was back at my place, after a cancelled flight.  A bummer to spend some useless hours in the airport, but I was so glad she was still here and not stuck on a layover. At least she could come back and spend the night with me again. 
 
 
The next day she was off in a taxi to the airport again, and left for real. It was such a great visit.  I was so happy to have my mom come!  And she was a total trooper, taking the train everywhere with me, and walking for days.  I couldn't believe it.  AND she climbed the stairs to my apartment as many times as necessary.  She amazes me.  The only thing I would have shifted if I could was to have her here over a Sunday so she could come to church with me.  I would have loved to have shown her off to my friends there.  And she would have enjoyed them as well.
 
I think Mom successfully took Manhattan.  Naomi's trip to NYC was a win for the books!


The Not So Lazy Days Of August

August continued to be busy!  I loved it, seeing as how I knew my days in the city were numbered.  That's covered in a later post. :-) 

Yet another beach day, this time a day trip to some beach in Rhode Island (I can't remember the name).  It was a really nice day to just hang out with some friends.
 
 
 
And sometimes the road workers need to entertain themselves.  So they make people.  It's fine.
 
 
 
Mala.  My girl.  We tried so hard to take a serious picture, but there was just no way that was going to happen.
 
 
Turns out, the sunsets are pretty awesome in the RI. 
 

A trip out to Governors Island for the Jazz Age Festival.  I really didn't take any pictures, but aren't Tamara and I cute?  It was a lovely afternoon sitting on a picnic blanket listening to a 1920's jazz band play all the hits from many years before my birth.  And the people watching was great.  Definitely an event I wanted to go to again before moving.
 
 
Sometimes I just need my people with me on a Sunday evening, so I plan a potluck.  Most had left by this time, but the rest were forced to document the moment.  I found a great tribe here.  Really. 
 
 
 
So, a straight Mormon girl walks into a gay country western bar with five gay Mormon boys....
 
 
 
It must be Rance's birthday!  This boy.  I sure love him.
 
 
I took myself on a date to see my friend Scott in an outdoor production of Measure For Measure.  The requisite Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory treat was a must, with the Bridge in the background while I waited for the play to begin.  What a fun evening, celebrating a friend's talent and Shakespeare done in a creative, innovative way. 


I am fully aware that sometimes I write really great, witty, or thoughtful posts.  And then sometimes they are more like lists of stuff I did, and I have no creative juice or energy to pour into a great post.  Sorry about it. 
 

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Allison Came! And Other Happenings Of Early August.

I got back to the NYC after my too-short, lovely vacation and August came; weird how that happens. The first thing was a goodbye dinner for my good friend David.  It was held at Momofuku.  There were copious amounts of food, and definitely items on the set menu that I didn't need in my life.  But everything else was amazing, and it was great to be with some good friends. 


Saturday happened and so did a Broadway show!  I needed some theater in my life, so Mel and I went and saw An American In Paris.  It was a beautiful show.  One of those shows that I am totally not right for in any way, so I could just sit back and enjoy without critically thinking about how to get an audition for it. :-)


Allison came!  Allison came!  

 

 

To visit me, that is.  They just moved to Virginia, and so she made the trek and I was so glad.  We had a great few days.  I took her to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, of course, and across the Brooklyn Bridge.  And, I'm sorry.  This view will NEVER get old.  I'm amazed every time that I live here.  So I'm actually no sorry.


 (Just trying to get good at the panorama view on my phone.  You know.)

We did the Staten Island ferry, 



Central Park, and Shake Shack with David since it was his last day in the city.  He's been a big part of the last year for me, and I'll miss his crazy.  

 

I had to work some, so Allison and I just did a lot of hanging out at my place too.  It was very low key, but a really great visit.  I sure love that one.


I just love really, really good subway performers.  So much.

 

Jennifer is getting married!!!!!

This isn't my building, but it's on my street.  I love this place.