Life in plastic...

I'm not sure what Ken did to merit his non-stop assault on Times Square screens trying to win Barbie back, but it must have been HUGE.

That's What She Said

Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty and in the pedestal exhibit they've included this quote of his. Ironically, you know what isn't as big as you think it is? The Statue of Liberty! It and it's pedestal is just a bit over half as tall as the Washington Monument.

Even though it's not as big as you'd like it to be, it's still pretty amazing. I enjoyed it. Lots of stairs and lots of wind, but totally worth it. Ellis Island was a beautiful building. We walked through it a bit, but I think I would have enjoyed it more had we gone on a tour. The complex is just so huge and there's only one building open to the pubic. I'm interested to know a bit more about it. You know what I did learn? They charge you $5 to look at the records and see if your family passed through there. There seems to be something wrong about that.

Battery Park is FAMOUS! I've seen it in so many NYC based movies, yet I never knew it was Battery Park. I assumed it was Central Park. And it could be that Central Park has similar benches - I haven't made it there yet - but I'm pretty sure I've seen Battery Park in movies before.

While walking through the Financial District we happened upon this street with 3 (actually 4) names. Federal Plaza, Duane St, FBI Special Agent Leonard W. Hatton Jr Street and O'Dwyer something or other. The O'Dwyer name was on the pole behind me. So my questions are many: What is the actual name of this street? Why must it have 4 names? Isn't naming a street meant to honor someone? How honored would you feel if the street they named after you had 3 names already?

I've enjoyed my time here in NYC and, at first, thought I could live here, no problem. I have now ammended that opinion. I could live here, but I'm not sure I would choose to live here. After 4 days of non-stop people EVERYWHERE, I just want to go somewhere and be ALONE. Even the parks here are more crowded than I'd like. However, if I could be guaranteede a relatively empty park on a regular basis and unlimited tickets to Broadway shows (both on and off), yeah, I'd move here.

Slow down...you move too fast

Rode the NYC subway today. A little intimidating when the subway driver announces that she will not be stopping at your intended stop due to construction. My first thought was: Great! Now I'm going to be late to church. And I have to walk 6 blocks...IN HEELS! Thank goodness for the helpful people on the subway that told us to get off at 72nd and then cross to the downtown track and ride the subway only one stop (the nice gentleman repeated that to me several times, because apparently, in his mind, I'm not only not from NYC, but I'm also retarded).

On the way back from church, as we passed the 59th street subway stop, Debbie and I serenaded those around us with Simon & Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge Song - because we knew had Lynda been with us, she would have sung the entire song.

Shake, Lego and 30 Rock

Collin and I have decided there should be a Shake Shack everywhere we go. My burger was so yummy. The Shake sauce was a nice touch. Great flavor and a perfect size. Debbie got a veggie burger that was A-MAZING. We will be returning, I'm sure.

For dessert, I asked the cashier for his recommendation...which was the Great White Way. Vanilla frozen custard, marshmallow and crispy rice. It was exactly as he said it would be: Like eating an ice cream rice crispy treat.

Of course we had to go to the Lego store. (FYI to the Lego store in Downtown Disney, I knew you were nothing great, but compared to this store, you kinda suck.) There were such cool murals everywhere and Lego versions of Rockefeller Center icons...and this HUGE wall of Legos. I'd actually like to return because we only explored half the store.

The visit to Rockefeller Center was a success. We enjoyed it more than the visit to the Empire State Building last night. Why? Because we could actually see the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock...and somehow, that makes you feel like you are looking at NYC from the sky. I wish it had a better view of the Chrysler Building, that's the only change I would make. Of course, I didn't feel like I was at Rockefeller Center until I saw the statue of Prometheus. And the rink? Totally tiny and WAY over priced. The rink at Bryant Park is much better, in my opinion. (We went there too and I rode a tiny little carousel which made me feel like Ranee the Gigantor riding my magical flying frog defeating the baddies everywhere - video game coming soon.)

You like Black people?

Made it to NYC just fine...no getting dead for me...whew! HOWEVER...I did not sleep on the plane at all. JetBlue, if you're reading, my red-eye flight from SEA to JFK was entirely too warm. It was all I could do not to start taking off layers of clothing...and that's something nobody really wants to happen on a plane (am I right, Richard Patrick?). And it wasn't just me...everyone around me was complaining about the heat.

After checking in at the hotel, I slept and then headed to Broadway and Times Square. Times Square being Times Square, there was some craziness there. Young men were trying to get people to go see a comedy show and one of them had the pitchline of "You like Black people? This show has Black people in it." Also a bridal party was getting their photos taken...and it was bitterly cold. I was wearing long underwear (it is very rare that I'm cold, but I was FREEZING today)...and these girls were standing around in strapless gold lamé. Craziness I tell you! I really do hope that the T-Mobile ad appears in her wedding album...cause that'd just be hilarious. Or maybe it's just me.

Piazza di Spagna

I've had this photo as my desktop for the last 6 - 8 months. My desktop is my great motivator. When I get frustrated at the fact that I have to be a grown up and work to pay bills and be responsible, I look at my desktop for the motivation to keep plugging along. This is of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Hooray for trips to Italy!

My next desktop photo will probably be one of these:

or

or

Suggestions?

WAS a jolly, happy soul

I got some non-melt-able ice cubes. Poor Frosty.