1. Superbowl: WOW, is all I have to say about this. Never in my life have I seen people here so excited. I can't say that I know how they feel, considering I have grown up with the Falcons and the Titans. I actually watched the game at a friends house with around 10 people who had no interest whatsoever in the game, or either team for that matter. Actually, there were two Patriots fans there. Both of whom were girls, in a room full of guys. After the big win, the commute home was a tad interesting. There were people hanging from fire escapes screaming at the top of their lungs, toilet paper in the street (which of course is not all that unusual), intoxicated idiots pouring out of bars complete with face and body paint, and people singing that obnoxious Alicia Keys Empire State song on the street as well as on the bus I took home. Yesterday was the Giants parade, so it was just as crazy during the day. Of course the parade route is right by my old office, and my desk would have been prime real estate for many a fan who probably would have paid me to use it. Alas, I now work in Korea Town....sigh.
2. Shooting: This was pretty much the highlight of my week. I was in the mandatory introductory class with a group of people gathered for a birthday party, and none of them had ever touched a gun in their life. One of them had a bunny on her head. Not a real life bunny, but one of those animal toboggans. I knew immediately she would pose no threat. After about an hour with an NRA certified trainer, he finally let us in the range. He told me that he could tell I had done this before, and proceeded to refer to me as "Gunslinger" and "Annie Oakley" at least twice during the session. While I was in the middle of one of my rounds, he decided it would be a good time to ask me for my information. Turns out, there is no time that would be good for him to ask me for that.
3. Salsa: Round 3 tonight, which marks the halfway point of my training. This time, there were actually enough guys for the girls to dance with, so I felt everything coming together. I got some good feedback from my instructor, and he actually danced with me a lot. I get so nervous and apprehensive before every class, but I always feel like a million bucks when I leave. He really does a great job. One of the other male students was actually really talented, fun to dance with, and tall enough for me. The other guy, unfortunately, came up to my chin. This made for a difficult spin, but he did try his best and I ducked like a champ. I was wearing this Harvard tank top and he asked me if I went there, to which I replied "oh, of course not!" Then I asked where he went to college...MIT. My response: "Well that's just right down the road!!!" He looked at me, turned, and chose another partner. Fail.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Superbowl Sanity
So, as it turns out, the Black Swan is actually a pretty nice lady. AND she didn't perform as well this past week, which makes me like her even better. We had a different instructor this time, and he had a much more aggressive teaching style. There were multiple times when he would just throw his hands up and walk away when I did something wrong, and finally told me that I needed to let my inner woman out. Apparently I am still not good at following. After the class was over, I told him not to give up on me, to which he replied "don't give up on yourself!" Good point, my friend. Good point.
This past Sunday I was finally able to go to the driving range at Chelsea Piers, and hit some balls. It has been way too long since I've done that at all, and it has certainly never happened here. With the exception of the fact that it costs over $30 for balls and clubs, the range is actually pretty awesome. It extends over the Hudson River, so you have New Jersey as your background (which at night, isn't half bad). I quickly became attached to my 3 wood rental, as it proved to be the most accurate club among them. Also, the tees are automatic and I was able to use one of the compartments on the top floor. Amazing experience.
I've often wondered how the subway tracks are cleaned, and when that happens. Rarely am I out past midnight at any point during the week, but last night I had a very late dinner with a friend who lives in Queens and found myself heading back to the city around 1:30 a.m. What I found on the platform of the Manhattan bound M/R were about thirty guys down on the track with brooms, sweeping up all the trash. And when I say trash, I am referring to garbage that is soaked in water and most likely, urine. Obviously they have to work feverishly before the next train arrives, and move to the median when this happens. I think it definitely ranks at the top of my "I would rather have a tooth pulled than do this job" list.
New York (as well as most other states up here) take their professional football very seriously, so you can imagine how big of a deal tomorrow is for everyone here. I've seen homemade signs in restaurants, office buildings, apartments, on the subway, designs in chocolate shops and on cookie cakes (yes, I've been back to Miss Fields) all in support of the Giants. I plan to go to a friend's house to watch the game, and am excited to see the city decked out in blue and red. Naturally, the part I am looking forward to most is the food. Just about everyone in my office has already taken Monday off in preparation, and I am honestly shocked it has not been deemed an official holiday. I may be the only one in this city excited for Monday though, as I will be attending my first target shooting training that evening. What a great way to start off a week!
This past Sunday I was finally able to go to the driving range at Chelsea Piers, and hit some balls. It has been way too long since I've done that at all, and it has certainly never happened here. With the exception of the fact that it costs over $30 for balls and clubs, the range is actually pretty awesome. It extends over the Hudson River, so you have New Jersey as your background (which at night, isn't half bad). I quickly became attached to my 3 wood rental, as it proved to be the most accurate club among them. Also, the tees are automatic and I was able to use one of the compartments on the top floor. Amazing experience.
I've often wondered how the subway tracks are cleaned, and when that happens. Rarely am I out past midnight at any point during the week, but last night I had a very late dinner with a friend who lives in Queens and found myself heading back to the city around 1:30 a.m. What I found on the platform of the Manhattan bound M/R were about thirty guys down on the track with brooms, sweeping up all the trash. And when I say trash, I am referring to garbage that is soaked in water and most likely, urine. Obviously they have to work feverishly before the next train arrives, and move to the median when this happens. I think it definitely ranks at the top of my "I would rather have a tooth pulled than do this job" list.
New York (as well as most other states up here) take their professional football very seriously, so you can imagine how big of a deal tomorrow is for everyone here. I've seen homemade signs in restaurants, office buildings, apartments, on the subway, designs in chocolate shops and on cookie cakes (yes, I've been back to Miss Fields) all in support of the Giants. I plan to go to a friend's house to watch the game, and am excited to see the city decked out in blue and red. Naturally, the part I am looking forward to most is the food. Just about everyone in my office has already taken Monday off in preparation, and I am honestly shocked it has not been deemed an official holiday. I may be the only one in this city excited for Monday though, as I will be attending my first target shooting training that evening. What a great way to start off a week!
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